#four walls and an amplifier

[thepencilnerd]

take a slice

Summary: No one could imagine a more cunning or manipulative player than Shuntaro Chishiya—until he meets you. complete fic on my ao3 here <3 Word Count: 3.8k Contains: Depictions of violence, unresolved sexual tension, emotional constipation

A/N: because I binge-watched Alice In Borderland in the span of two days and I am very late to the party (but never too late for self-indulgent fan service)

Chishiya spots you across the same floor, your black silhouette nearly lost in the shadows of the night. It’s only your movement that catches his attention, the dark outerwear a sharp contrast to his bright white jacket. You and he are the only players scouting from this vantage point, watching from above while the chaos brews below.

The night is eerily quiet—the calm before the storm, as they say. Your gaze locks onto his, and for a moment, time seems to freeze. Chishiya feels his heartbeat falter, a fleeting hitch he quickly tamps down.

Before he can fully process it, you’ve already vanished around a corner, just as a rain of bullets peppers the area behind you.

A boy’s voice echoes from below, frantic. "The only way to clear this game is to work together!"

Bullshit , you think.

There must be a reason behind the attacker's anchoring position, Chishiya muses.

Of course.

When you finally make your way to the safe room, you’re welcomed by four unfamiliar figures: the spree-killing horse, the brunette boy from earlier, a girl with a bob, and the blonde. 

Chishiya strikes swiftly, the crackle of his taser breaking the stillness. The masked attacker crumples to the floor, their face hitting the ground with a muffled thud. You waste no time, stomping down hard on their wrist, sending the gun skittering from their hand. Before they can recover, you grab the weapon and fire a single round into the crown of their skull. 

When you glance up, you catch the faintest trace of a smirk ghosting across the blonde’s face, but it’s gone just as quickly.

In the seconds that follow, the two other players in the room hastily slam their hands on the red buttons lining the walls.

GAME COMPLETE. CONGRATULATIONS WINNERS. 

Turning around, a pair of wide eyes greets you. 

“Thank you,” the boy finally speaks, addressing you and the blonde in a shaky voice. 

You respond with a nod, glancing over at the girl and seeing her return the acknowledgement. 

“Don’t mention it.” The blonde’s condescending tone from behind you is paralleled only by his burning gaze, locking onto you immediately. He almost misses seeing you slip something from the dead body into your pocket. 

You feel his focus linger on you as you leave the room. 

The night air is thick with tension, the distant cries from nearby arenas only amplifying the silence with each footstep behind you. You don’t bother turning around; you already know who it is.

Chishiya steps into your peripheral vision, his pace unhurried, like a cat stalking in the shadows. The forest buzzes with the threat of unseen dangers, but all his attention is locked on you.

"You didn’t have to kill him," he says, his voice casual, almost amused, as though discussing the weather.

You don’t stop walking. "You didn’t stop me."

A quiet chuckle escapes him, barely more than a breath. "True." His tone remains light, but there’s an edge beneath it, like he’s testing you, challenging you. "Still, you’ve got a certain efficiency. Impressive."

Your expression stays neutral. And yet, Chishiya’s presence beside you stirs something strange—a shared awareness, as if you’re both circling an invisible boundary neither of you are quite ready to cross—yet.

"You took something," he says, breaking the silence again, his voice calm but probing. His gaze stays forward, unreadable. "From the body."

You glance at him briefly, just enough to meet his eyes, which glint with curiosity under the moonlight. He’s trying to figure you out.

"And what if I did?" There’s a challenge in your voice now.

Chishiya’s smirk returns, faint but unmistakable. "Nothing. For now."

The tension between you tightens, pulling you closer in the silence. The game isn’t over. Not between the two of you.

As you continue walking, he trails behind, but soon loses sight of you in the dense trees. Shadows shift, swallowing you whole. He barely has time to catch his breath before a sudden force slams him to the ground, knocking the wind from his lungs. The disturbed soil and decaying leaves soften his fall, but his back still hits the earth with a solid thud.

Your knee digs sharply into his sternum, pinning him down. One hand tightens around his throat, not enough to choke him but enough to strain his breath. The cold, unforgiving edge of a blade presses against his cheek—a silent threat.

Chishiya’s indifferent expression makes your skin crawl, yet his stoic, unflinching gaze cuts through the moment like a dagger—piercing both hot and cold at once. Neither of you speak. It’s a game of cat and cat, both of you testing the other's resolve in this tense, silent standoff.

For a fleeting moment, he wonders if you can read each other’s thoughts.

You feel him gulp beneath your hand, his pulse quickening under your fingers. Both of his hands remain raised in surrender by his ears, calm, unwavering, and empty of any weapon or defense. His eyes flicker to the deep scar on your neck, lingering there for just a moment.

The air between you thickens. What feels like minutes pass in the span of heartbeats.

Without warning, you spring up and disappear into the night.

Chishiya stays on the ground for a moment, catching his breath. He sits up slowly, eyes tracing the path you took into the darkness. His chest rises and falls unevenly, the phantom cold of the blade still lingering on his skin. Silence wraps around him like a fog, but his pulse betrays him—racing, driven by more than just adrenaline.

For the first time in longer than he can remember, he feels something—a strange tug deep in his core, like something vital slipped away the moment you left. A curiosity stirs, mingling with the remnants of tension, a silent acknowledgment that this game isn’t over.

It’s only just begun.

Chishiya’s lips twitch into a faint smirk. Your piercing gaze and the scar on your neck are seared into his mind. He knows he’ll see you again. And next time, he won’t be caught off guard.

“You look like you have something on your mind.”

Kuina sits down across from Chishiya, her curiosity piqued as she watches him stare off into the distance. The evening air is still, a rare calmness settling over the Beach after a chaotic night.

Chishiya leans back, crossing his arms, a faint hum escaping his lips. “Just an interesting game tonight,” he replies casually, but there’s a lingering spark in his gaze that betrays more.

Kuina raises an eyebrow. “Must’ve been some game, then.”

“Perhaps,” Chishiya says, his voice smooth and unhurried. The rush of endorphins from the near-death experience still thrums faintly through his veins. 

The cause? A player whose actions were as cunning and unpredictable as his own. The thrill of narrowing down their motivations felt like a puzzle finally worth solving.

His mind drifts back to the game, replaying each moment like scenes in a movie. The chaos, the desperate shouts, and the blaring alarms all felt distant—mere background noise compared to the razor-sharp focus he'd found himself drawn to. That focus was centered on one person.

You had been an anomaly from the start. There was a precision in the way you moved, calculated and unfazed by the panic unraveling around you. It was as if you thrived on the chaos, embraced it even, letting it fuel each step you took. While the other players were scrambling to find shelter or allies, you seemed to anticipate every move, predicting the patterns before they even unfolded.

And then, the moment that had truly hooked him: the kill. Cold, efficient, and executed without a trace of hesitation. You weren’t just surviving; you were playing the game in its purest form—adapting, evolving, always a step ahead. There was no hesitation in your actions, no unnecessary flourish—just the unyielding will to end a threat. It wasn’t just about self-preservation; it was about winning. And that’s what made you different.

Chishiya’s curiosity flared the instant your eyes met his in the aftermath. For the briefest moment, he’d seen a flicker of something—recognition, maybe even a hint of challenge. Like you were silently asking him if he had what it took to keep up.

It was absurd, really, to feel anything in the Borderlands beyond the mechanical urge to survive. But something had shifted tonight. For the first time in what felt like forever, the game had become more than a series of calculated risks and rewards: it had become interesting.

Chishiya’s gaze shifts back to the window where lights scatter the sky. His fingers tap idly on the armrest of his chair, a rhythm betraying the restlessness he tries to mask. He’s always prided himself on being detached, keeping emotions and sentiment far from his calculations. Yet here he is, preoccupied with thoughts that don't have a place in his carefully constructed logic.

"You're quiet," Kuina observes, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "More than usual, I mean."

Chishiya’s smirk is faint, barely there. “Am I?”

She shrugs, leaning back in her seat. “You’ve been lost in your own head since you got back.” 

Chishiya’s expression doesn’t falter, but there’s a slight shift in his demeanor—a barely perceptible sign of vulnerability, quickly smoothed over. “Maybe I’m just considering... possibilities,” he replies, the words coming slower than usual, as if he’s testing how they sound. 

Kuina’s eyes narrow thoughtfully. “Possibilities, huh?” She tilts her head, studying him. “That’s one way of putting it. Or maybe… a person?”

Chishiya’s silence is uncharacteristic. He feels the pull to dismiss the notion immediately, to scoff at the idea of being distracted by a person, much less affected by them. But instead, he pauses. It’s enough for Kuina to catch on, her curiosity piqued.

“Interesting,” she murmurs, a teasing smile curling on her lips. “You’re actually thinking about someone, aren’t you?” When he doesn’t respond, she presses further. “It’s a girl, right? Did she do something to catch your eye?”

Chishiya finally meets her gaze, his own guarded but not entirely dismissive. “She’s... unusual,” he admits, the words coming out almost reluctantly. “Not like the others.”

Kuina arches an eyebrow. “Unusual how? Smart? Dangerous?”

“Both,” he replies without hesitation. “Efficient, focused. But there’s something else.” He uncrosses his arms, feeling oddly exposed, as though admitting to these thoughts makes them more real, more tangible. “It’s like she’s not playing the same game as the rest of them.”

Kuina studies him for a moment, then lets out a soft laugh. “You’ve got it bad,” she says, shaking her head. “I never thought I’d see the day you’d be drawn to someone for more than their utility.”

He scoffs, a ghost of his usual arrogance returning. “Don’t get carried away. I’m only interested because she might be useful.”

“Sure,” Kuina says with a knowing grin. “Keep telling yourself that.”

Chishiya falls silent again, but the truth gnaws at him. He knows it’s more than just her utility in the grand scheme of escaping this hellhole. It’s the way she challenges him—forces him to reevaluate his strategies and makes him wonder if there’s more to this game than just surviving.

He hates how that thought clings to him, even as he tries to push it away.

Chishiya shifts in his chair, feeling a dull ache radiate from his chest. He’s been operating on a different level since encountering you, and the physical reminder feels almost like an anchor to what he’s been trying to navigate.

He glances at Kuina, who’s still watching him with an amused expression, still probing. “You look like you’re plotting something.”

“Just considering my next move,” he replies, a hint of a smirk returning to his lips. “The game is full of variables, and I need to prepare for them.”

“Variables, huh? Is that what you call her now?” Kuina teases, leaning forward, her elbows resting on the table.

“Focus,” he snaps lightly, but there’s no real heat in his voice. Instead, his mind races ahead to the next game, and how he can draw you in, maybe even observe you more closely. He’s already picturing the scenarios—the players, the setting, the stakes.

What he really wants is a way to see you again. To understand the force that pulls him toward you, the complexity that makes you more than just another player. The anticipation churns within him, exciting yet unnerving.

“What if I made a move to recruit her?” he muses aloud, considering the prospect. “She could be an asset. If she operates outside the norm, that could change the dynamics of our strategies.”

“Or it could blow up in your face,” Kuina counters, her tone light but her gaze serious. “You’re not exactly known for your emotionality, Chishiya. What if she doesn’t want to play?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he replies, brushing off her concern. “I’ll figure it out. I always do.”

But the truth is, he knows that this isn’t merely about the game anymore. It’s about the way you make him feel—like a player in a game he thought he understood, now suddenly complex and exhilarating. Chishiya can’t shake the thought that if he wants to unlock the potential you represent, he’ll have to make a move soon.

He allows himself a moment of vulnerability, resting his chin on his hand as he reflects. “What if I want to see her again, Kuina? What if it’s not just about strategy anymore?”

Kuina’s eyes widen, clearly surprised by his admission. “Wow. You’re actually admitting you care.”

Chishiya rolls his eyes but can’t help the smirk tugging at his lips. “Don’t get carried away.”

“Sure,” she says, leaning back with a satisfied grin. “Just remember, sometimes the best strategies are the ones that come from the heart.”

With that, Chishiya’s mind drifts again, calculating and assessing. He’ll be ready for the next game. He’ll be prepared to take any risk to find you again, to unravel the mystery of what you truly are: a partner, a rival, or perhaps something more. As the night draws to a close, the shadows deepen, but a flicker of determination ignites within him.

He will see you again.

A few days have passed since the last game, but the adrenaline still courses through your veins, lingering like a ghost. You survived, but the victory feels hollow, overshadowed by the memory of the indifferent blonde boy who’s drawn you in more than you care to admit.

Your thoughts drift back to that game—its intensity still vivid in your mind. It was like no other you’d experienced, where survival felt more like a dance with death than a struggle against it. And he was at the center of it, moving through the chaos with a calculated grace that caught your attention long before you understood why.

It wasn’t just that he was calm under pressure. Plenty of players had nerves of steel. It was his indifference, the way he seemed detached from the dangers around him, as though nothing could touch him. Where others flinched or panicked, he merely observed, as if the unfolding chaos was a puzzle to solve rather than a life-or-death situation. That kind of control was rare in the Borderlands, and in some strange way, it felt like a dare, an unspoken challenge that made you want to test him, to see if there was anything that could shatter that composure.

You remember the moment you locked eyes across the chaos, the way the world seemed to fade into the background. It was brief, but in that instant, it felt like a silent conversation—an understanding that went beyond words. There was something sharp in his gaze, a spark of curiosity that mirrored your own. It was as if he was evaluating you, sizing you up just as you were doing to him. For a fleeting moment, you wondered if you were seeing a part of yourself reflected back in those cold, calculating eyes.

But it wasn’t just his composure or his gaze that drew you in. It was the way he acted in those crucial seconds when lives hung in the balance. While others scrambled to save themselves, he made moves that seemed almost playful, like he was toying with the danger rather than simply evading it. There was a thrill in watching him maneuver through the madness with an ease that bordered on arrogance, as though he was always three steps ahead of everyone else—including you.

And then there was the moment when the game ended. You had both survived, of course, but there was something in the way he looked at you afterward, something that lingered, a faint smirk that hinted he had seen more than you’d intended to reveal. It wasn’t pity; it was as if he recognized a kindred spirit, someone who understood the game on a different level. For the first time in what felt like ages, you felt truly seen. 

That feeling unsettles you even now, as you sit by the fire, staring into the flames. It’s not that you seek validation in the Borderlands; you’ve learned long ago that the only approval that matters is your own. But there’s something about his quiet confidence, the way he seemed to acknowledge you without saying a word, that’s hard to shake. It makes you wonder if he was as unaffected as he appeared or if there was more beneath the surface, something hidden behind that cool exterior.

You clench your jaw, frustrated with yourself for even thinking about him this much. He was just another player—albeit a skilled one—and you’ve dealt with plenty of them before. But there’s a part of you that can’t ignore the way his presence lingers, like a splinter in your mind, a question that refuses to be answered.

Why did he make such an impression on you? Was it his composure, his intelligence, or the quiet thrill of crossing paths with someone who didn’t play by the same rules as everyone else? Or was it the way he seemed to see you in return, as if you were more than just a piece on the board?

You realize that you don’t know the answers—and perhaps that’s what’s most intriguing of all. There’s an unfinished quality to your last encounter, a feeling that your story with him isn’t over yet. It’s as if the game itself has drawn a line between you, daring you to cross it again.

You shake your head, trying to dismiss the thoughts that have become stubborn visitors in your mind. Why does he occupy your thoughts so much? Is it his calm indifference, the way he moved with calculated grace? Or is it something more that stirs a curiosity you can’t quite define?

Pushing the thoughts aside, you focus on your routine, an independent existence in the Borderlands, where survival means mastering skills few have the patience to learn. You've carved out a small camp nestled within the trees, camouflaged by foliage, a sanctuary of sorts amidst the chaos.

Every morning, you rise before dawn, the cool air biting at your skin as you check your traps. The gentle sounds of the forest waking around you are a familiar symphony, one you find solace in. You harvest small game—rabbits, birds, whatever you can catch—and meticulously prepare them, savoring the simple act of cooking over a small fire.

Hunting and foraging have become second nature. You collect wild herbs and edible plants, storing them in makeshift pouches crafted from scavenged materials. Each successful hunt reminds you of your resilience and strength. 

But even as you focus on these tasks, your mind drifts back to him—the blonde boy from the game. The way his piercing gaze seemed to see right through you, as if he was calculating your every move. It’s unsettling yet exhilarating, a contradiction you can’t wrap your head around.

The sun climbs higher, and you take a break from your chores to wash your hands in a nearby stream, the water refreshing against your skin. As you splash your face, you catch your reflection in the rippling surface, a mix of determination and uncertainty staring back at you.

You spend the afternoon working on camp, reinforcing the makeshift walls and clearing away debris that threatens your space. But even as you work to distract yourself, you can almost feel his presence lurking at the edge of your thoughts, his smirk dancing on your mind like a memory that refuses to fade.

Eventually, you settle on a log outside your camp, a piece of driftwood you dragged from the riverbank. Pulling out your small notebook, you begin to sketch the maps of the Borderlands, noting down resources and potential hideouts. It’s practical, a way to keep your mind sharp, but each mark on the page feels like a tether to the games, to the players who dance around you like shadows.

You reach into your pocket and pull out the small, crumpled piece of paper you took from the body during the game. You’ve looked at it countless times since then, trying to make sense of the chaotic scribbles. It’s a series of numbers and symbols—coordinates, perhaps, or some kind of code. Whatever it is, it’s not immediately clear, and that only deepens your curiosity.

You flatten the paper against the rough surface of the log, comparing it with your sketches. Could it be a location in the Borderlands? A clue to something hidden or an upcoming game? The patterns don’t align with any familiar maps, but something about the markings feels deliberate, as though there’s a message buried within them. You trace the lines with your finger, committing them to memory, trying to see what the original owner had seen. What was so important that they’d die with it?

Your mind drifts back to the moment you took it. The blonde boy’s eyes had flickered towards you—just for a heartbeat—when you pocketed the paper. Did he know what it meant, or had he noticed the same curiosity in you that you now feel?

As you draw, memories of the game resurface: his calculated moves, his indifferent demeanor, and the strange thrill of standing against him. There’s something magnetic about his presence, something that both fascinates and frustrates you.

In the fading light of dusk, you close your eyes for a moment, letting the sounds of the forest wash over you. The call of distant birds, the rustle of branches—each note a reminder that you’re alive, that you’re here, navigating a world filled with peril and unpredictability. But still, the thought lingers. Will your paths cross in the next game, or will you remain a ghost in his memory?

With a sigh, you shake your head and return to your sketches, determination settling in your chest. It doesn’t matter. Yet, in the depths of your mind, a part of you yearns for that inevitable meeting, that chance to unravel the enigma that is the blonde boy.

As darkness settles over the forest, you tuck your notebook away, the images of your maps a promise of the journey ahead. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, new games to navigate. And if fate has its way, perhaps it will also bring him back into your orbit once more.

[slytherin-pen]

Lessons In Discipline II

pairing: Cazriel x Reader

word count: 3.6k!!

warnings: SMUT, 18+, spanking, shadow bondage, use of a gag, blow job, daddy kink, edging, —oh god what else uh— Azriel’s kind of mean ig, oral on female, biting, hickies, p in v penetration, let me know if i forgot anything 😅

a/n: i’m not sure what demon possessed me to write this but i’m starting my period so we’ll blame that. and who let me write a threesome as my first smut EVER? i was stressing fr but i hope it’s good *bites nails nervously* i also added some fluffy aftercare at the end. enjoy!!

Part 1

Shadows bound your hands to the foot of the four-poster bed, positioning you to stand before it, facing the wall. Azriel and Cassian were behind you, but you couldn’t see them. You tried to focus on the painting above the bed, waves crashing into rocky cliffs under a full moon, but your body was fully tuned in on what the Illyrians could be doing behind you. The heady scents of all of your arousal filled the room, only amplifying the heat that’s overcome your body. Your breasts rose and fell with heavy breaths, the anticipation and fear for what was to come overwhelming you.

Azriel had silenced you with a gag, telling you that apologies were useless and that he’d decide when your mouth would serve a purpose.

You heard movement behind you, and a shiver ran down your spine as something traced its way down your back. A sharp smack to your ass had you gasping, nearly choking on your saliva.

“I’m very disappointed in you, angel,” Azriel chastised, dragging the riding crop up the side of your thighs. Your knees nearly buckled at the sudden adrenaline rushing through you. “I thought I would come home to my good girl and we could have some fun together, but instead I have to remind you how to behave. Who you belong to.”

Your whines were muffled, the urge to apologize on your tongue but it was useless. He couldn’t understand you. It was exactly what he wanted. He knew you would say you were sorry and beg for him to forgive you, but you had gone too far. He didn’t want to hear your pleas. He wanted you to take it.

“You know, I was on a very important mission when Rhys entered my mind to tell me that Cass requested I come home. I thought surely my little girl would be able to behave for one week but then he tells me that you weren’t eating,” *swat* “or training,” *swat* “and disobeying him,” *swat*.

Tears gathered in your eyes, incomprehensible mumbles leaving your lips. You couldn’t see your ass, but it burned from Azriel’s relentless spankings. You were sure it was red and raw by now.

Azriel clicked his tongue. “I’ll admit I was shocked. You’re usually so good for Cass, saving all that bratty behavior for me.” A hand wrapped around your hair and tugged, bending your neck so you looked up at him. Hazel eyes simmering with rage met your bloodshot eyes. “That’s why I’m going to let him have his turn with you. Usually, he likes to just watch but I think after the week he’s had,” he chuckled darkly, “I think he deserves to have his way with you.”

The shadows released your wrists and you were shoved down onto the mattress. When you pushed yourself up to your hands and knees, Cassian was already situating himself in front of you, wings spread behind him as he stroked his cock. He smirked as he looked down at you, and that only served to send a shiver down your spine.

“You can take the gag out now, Cass,” Azriel said.

Cassian gently cupped your face as he loosened the gag just enough to slide it down to your neck. Calloused hands pinched and twisted your nipples, earning short and breathless gasps from you.

You dared to look behind you at Azriel. He still had his pants on but he was shirtless, the swirling black tattoos on his chest and climbing up his neck on full display. His shadows swarmed him in harsh, sharp motions, reflecting his feelings about your recent behavior.

Cassian grabbed your chin, forcing you to face him again. His large hand cupped the back of your head, guiding you to his red, swollen cock. You took it in your mouth, hollowing out your cheeks as you sucked languidly. He threw his head back with a groan as he rocked his hips towards your mouth. “Fuck, sweetheart, just like that.”

You felt the bed dip behind you as scarred hands gripped your waist. Cassian’s hold on your head became a little more forceful, his fingers threading through your hair. Azriel positioned himself under you, pulling your hips down so you sat on his face. You bucked as Azriel licked a long stripe up your folds then focused his tongue on your hole, swirling his tongue around before pushing it in and out. His nose rubbed against your clit with every motion as Cassian started fucking your mouth. Hands gripping the sheets, a strangled moan escaped you, muffled by Cassian’s cock, and you ground yourself down on Azriel’s face eager for more friction before he smacked your ass and pulled away.

You whimpered at the loss of contact, your pussy clenching around nothing as arousal dripped down your inner thighs.

“This is a punishment, angel,” Azriel scolds. “You take what we give you and nothing more. You don’t cum until we say you can. Do you understand?”

Cassian pulled his cock out of your mouth. “Yes, Daddy,” you gasped, desperate for them to keep touching you.

Cassian chuckled as he looked into your wide, dilated eyes. “Look at our needy girl. You’re already a mess aren’t you?”

He didn’t let you finish your mumbling before sticking his cock back in your mouth. It was salty with the taste of his pre-cum, your tongue running up and down the soft, veiny skin. Your jaw ached as you sucked him off and saliva dripped down your face onto the bed. Cheeks flushing with embarrassment you clenched your eyes shut, focusing on the up-and-down motion Cassian was guiding you in.

You nearly bit him in shock when you felt something cold touch your pussy, but he only shoved you farther down as you gagged on him. “Don’t you worry about what Az is doing back there, sweetheart. We’ve got it all under control.”

Azriel huffed a laugh as the cold, foreign object circled around your entrance. “She knows exactly what this is, don’t you, love?”

You whined and squirmed as the realization settled over you. It wasn’t unfamiliar, but Azriel rarely used it and reserved it for when you’d been especially bad. When you hadn’t earned the privilege of feeling his cock just yet. The glass dildo.

Moaning as he inserted it, you tried to refrain from sinking back on it lest he take it away. His large, scarred hand smoothed up your spine and pressed down in the center of your shoulder blades, arching your back the way he liked. Cassian picked up the pace with his thrusts in your mouth, and it was then you noticed Azriel wasn’t moving the dildo but only using the momentum of Cass’ thrusts that rocked you backward.

Your walls clenched helplessly, begging for more but being greedy would only get you in more trouble. You wanted to be a good girl. Maybe, if you behaved, he’d let you cum eventually. Azriel was relentless in the bedroom, expertly bringing you to the edge of climax only to rip it away, leaving you crying and desperate. He was the Torture Master, after all—skilled in delivering both pain and pleasure, balancing on the fine line between agony and ecstasy.

Cassian’s grip on your hair tightened, his thrusts stuttering before he grunted as his cum shot down your throat. “Oh fuck, keep going. That’s it.”

You took him deeper, swallowing every drop before releasing his cock with a pop. Azriel pushed the dildo in faster now and you moaned as your face landed on the mattress, arching your back even further. You felt yourself reaching a climax, but much to your chagrin Azriel pulled the dildo out.

He quickly flipped you over, leaving you slightly dazed as you watched him unbuckle his pants and slip them down his muscular thighs. His cock sprung free and you practically drooled at the sight of it. He smirked at you as he stroked it slowly, as if he knows how badly you want it. He grabbed your ankles and yanked you to the edge of the bed before leaning over you and blessing you with a quick, feverish kiss, then put the gag back in your mouth.

You whined and thrashed in indignation, causing Azriel to deliver a sharp smack to your thigh to end that nonsense. “That bratty mouth of yours is half to blame for the trouble you’re in,” he said.

Cassian lifted you up by the shoulders, placing you between his legs so you could lean back on his chest. You sighed and relaxed against him, going pliant as he brushed your hair to the side and kissed your neck. “Be a good girl so we can take this out,” he tapped the rubber ball sticking out of your mouth, “and then maybe you’ll be rewarded with an orgasm. You want that don’t you, sweet girl?” he whispered in your ear.

You shivered at his words but nodded. You wanted that very much. It felt as if you might combust if you couldn’t find release soon. Your pussy was throbbing, begging for someone to touch it and make you feel good.

Azriel was already on his knees on the floor in front of you when you looked up at him. He threw each of your legs over a shoulder, and he gradually licked his way up your thigh. Your eyes rolled back as he bit the supple skin of your thigh, his nails digging into the other. Between Cassian licking and nibbling at your neck, and Azriel sinking his teeth into your thighs it was a delicious mix of pleasure and pain.

You couldn’t help but watch Azriel. Shadows curled around him like living things, but the look in his eyes chilled you to the bone. Predatory, possessive, hungry. He had you spread out before him, shadows wrapping around your wrists to keep them pinned to the sheets so he had you exactly where he wanted.

“You smell so sweet,” he murmured, the warmth of his breath ghosting over your dripping pussy. The teasing flick of his tongue followed, sending tingles down to your toes.

Your hips bucked involuntarily, seeking relief, but Azriel merely shook his head. “Patience,” he chided, pressing your thighs wider apart. “You’ll take what I give you.”

A slow, torturous drag of his tongue over your aching pussy had you moaning, your fingers curling into the sheets. He groaned against you, the deep vibration making your toes curl. His tongue moved with calculated precision, tracing every sensitive spot, circling your clit before pulling away just enough to make you whimper.

“My needy little girl,” he teased, his lips brushing against your swollen skin before he sucked your clit into his mouth. The sensation sent a lightning bolt of pleasure through you, a muffled cry tearing from your throat.

His grip on your thighs tightened as he devoured you, his tongue relentless, his fingers pressing bruises into your skin to keep you from squirming away. He wanted you desperate, ruined, shaking apart beneath him.

When he slid two fingers inside you, curling them just right, you nearly sobbed.

His only response was a dark chuckle before he sucked harder, thrusting his fingers in time with the flick of his tongue. The pressure built fast, too much and not enough, your body writhing as pleasure coiled tight in your core.

“That’s enough, I think,” he said as he pulled away.

Tears streamed down your face, frustration building inside you, and if it wasn’t for the cauldron-forsaken gag you would curse him out.

Cassian tutted as he wiped away your tears with his knuckles. “Oh, poor girl. He’s being so mean isn’t he?”

You nodded, nuzzling into his neck for comfort. This was torture. Your thighs shook and you choked around the gag. Blessedly, Cassian decided to have some mercy on you and unbuckled it. You took deep, greedy gulps of air, tilting your head back on Cass’ shoulder as he ran his hands up and down your arms in an effort to soothe you.

Azriel sat next to you and stroked your jaw with his thumb. “Do you need to use your safe word?”

You shook your head, “I’m fine. Promise.”

He nodded and kissed your temple. “Go ahead and sit against the headboard, Cass.”

Cassian kissed your cheek before doing as Azriel bid. You watched his abs ripple as he got comfortable, fluffing up the pillows behind him.

Cassian met your gaze with a lazy smirk as Azriel approached behind you. The heat in his eyes sent a fresh wave of arousal through you, but it was nothing compared to the dominance in Azriel’s voice as he murmured into your ear.

“Ride him.”

Your breath hitched, your body already buzzing from the weight of his command.

“You can do that for me, can’t you?” he asked, his voice was a low rasp. One of his hands slid between your thighs, teasing, coaxing. “Be a good girl and show me how desperate you are.”

You exhaled shakily and crawled toward Cassian.

Cassian hummed in approval, his hands settling on your thighs. His pupils were blown wide with lust. “Such a good girl.”

With trembling hands, you reached for Cassian’s broad shoulders, lifting yourself just enough to sink down onto him. The stretch was delicious, Cassian groaning as you took him inch by inch. Azriel’s hands found your hips, guiding you, controlling even as you rode the other male.

“Fuck,” Cassian growled, his grip tightening on your thighs. “Look at you. So fucking perfect.”

You barely had time to catch your breath before Azriel’s hand tangled in your hair, pulling your head back so his lips brushed against your ear. “Don’t stop until I tell you.” His voice was pure sin, sending shivers down your spine. “Make him fall apart for me.”

“Yes, sir,” you whispered hoarsely.

Your nails dug into Cassian’s shoulders as you moved, moaning every time you felt his head reach your entrance. It was bliss, everything you’ve been wanting. Azriel started biting your neck and sucking on your jawline. You’d surely have marks later but that made it all the more enjoyable.

You and Cassian’s moans echoed in the room, along with the sound of your skin slapping together and the wetness dripping off of you onto his pelvis. Azriel kept his hands on your hips but you were able to take some control back as you bounced up and down.

“Feel so good,” you slurred.

You felt Azriel smile against your jaw as he nipped at the skin. “I bet our sweet girl wants to cum. What do you think, Cass?”

“I’m about to myself, it would be cruel not to let her join,” Cassian chuckled.

Azriel took the lobe of your ear between his teeth and pulled down causing you to gasp at the sensation. “Does that sound good, angel? Do you want Daddy to let you cum?”

“Please, please, please,” you chanted. It was a miracle you hadn’t already, but it only would have drawn out your punishment for longer. You had certainly learned your lesson this time and want nothing more than for Azriel to let you finish. A sheen of sweat coated your skin and your heart pounded in your chest. Your body is exhausted, muscles sore from being so tense. Pleasure coiled deep within you, winding tighter with every touch—a burning tension building to the breaking point, ready to snap and send you spiraling into bliss.

“Beg,” Azriel demanded.

You swallowed thickly, trying to soothe your scratchy throat. “Please, Daddy, please let me cum.”

“Will you be good for Cass the next time I leave?” he asked as one of his hands found your clit, circling slowly.

“Yes, yes, I will I promise.”

Azriel hummed and tilted his head as if considering. He glanced at Cassian who had his eyes clenched and head tilted toward the ceiling, like he was trying his best to wait for you.

Finally, he clicked his tongue and said, “You can cum.”

You cried out as Cassian sped up the pace, jerking his hips up to meet yours at a punishing pace before you toppled over the edge together, your pussy pulsating and squeezing his cock. You cried out as blinding pleasure coursed through you, your vision blacking out momentarily. Cassian moaned as he continued to thrust inside you, chasing every last shockwave of the same ecstasy you felt.

You collapsed on top of Cassian’s chest, his cock still inside you. You were panting, desperate for more precious air. His warm, calloused fingers stroking gently down your arms, grounding you. His expression, usually filled with teasing grins or cocky smirks, was nothing but concern now. “You okay, sweetheart?” he asked softly.

You nodded, but the exhaustion tugging at your limbs made you feel boneless, too drained to do anything but lean into him. Your breath was still uneven, your heart hammering in your chest.

Then Azriel was there beside him, brushing his knuckles over your cheek, hazel eyes scanning your face as if he could read every thought running through your mind. “You did so good,” he murmured.

Cassian started running his fingers through your damp hair and pressed a kiss to your temple.

Azriel’s touch was featherlight as he traced over your wrist—the spot where his shadows had held you. There was no guilt in his gaze, just a quiet, unwavering attentiveness. “Tell us what you need,” he said softly. “Water? Something to eat? A bath?”

It took a moment to find your voice. “Water,” you croaked.

He was up in an instant, disappearing into the en suite and returning moments later with a glass. He sat beside you again, lifting the glass to your lips and tilting it just enough for you to take slow sips. “That’s it,” he murmured, watching you closely. “Take your time.”

You gulped down the water, the chill a balm to the burning in your throat. You sighed as you finished the glass and laid your head back down on Cassian.

Azriel set the glass aside, then helped Cassian remove himself from inside you, shifting you slightly so your legs were slung over his. Azriel reached for a damp cloth, running it over your skin with tender precision. He wiped away the lingering sweat and fluids, caressing every inch of you with care.

Once he was finished, Azriel tossed the cloth onto the bedside table before pulling the blankets up over you, tucking you in before slipping beneath them himself. Cassian shifted, maneuvering you to be pressed between them as he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you against his chest. Azriel settled on your other side, his wings partially draped around you, cocooning you in warmth.

Cassian’s fingers trailed up and down your spine in slow, soothing strokes leaving goosebumps in their wake. “Do you want to talk about it now or wait?” he asked, his voice gentle.

You hesitated, then buried your face further into his chest.

“Sweetheart,” he breathed. “You’re not in trouble anymore, and you won’t be in trouble for anything you say right now.”

Azriel nodded. “He’s right. And you know it always helps to talk through it. We won’t be upset with you,” he promised.

You rolled over, eyes staring up at the ceiling as your hand found Azriel’s and he intertwined your fingers. You glanced at him then, voice cracking as you spoke. “I missed you.”

“Oh, love, I missed you too,” he frowned, then brought your hand to his lips to kiss it. “But that doesn’t mean you can just act like a brat for Cass.”

“I know, but I just..” you looked to Cassian, guilt and sadness shining in your eyes. “You were so busy, and I know it’s not your fault that you have so much to do but I was sad and lonely, and it felt like you didn’t have any time for me. At least when I acted out you paid attention to me.”

Cassian’s face fell and he cupped your jaw as he kissed you slowly. “I am so sorry, sweet girl,” he whispered. He pressed his forehead to yours. “Next time Az has to go out of town I will make sure I have more time for you. I will tell Rhys to suck if I have to.” You both huffed a laugh. “You are the most important thing to me, and it breaks my heart that you felt that way. It will never happen again,” he vowed.

Azriel tucked rogue strands of hair behind your ear. “Feel better, angel?”

You sniffled as you nodded, tears pricking your eyes.

“Aw, don’t cry, love. What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I just love you both so much and I—I’m sorry for how I behaved. I just hate it when either of you leave and I might have to lock you in here to keep you to myself,” you blubbered. Both males chuckled, squeezing you tighter between them.

“We’re here now,” Cassian assured.

“And we’re not going anywhere any time soon, Rhys’ demands be damned. I think we’re due for a mate-cation,” Azriel joked.

You let out a shaky giggle, the sound thick with tears and uneven breaths. But the weight of them, their bodies, and their reassurances grounded you more than anything else.

Azriel pressed his lips to your hair, his thumb moving in a slow, steady pattern on your hip. “You’re okay, my love,” he murmured. “Just relax.”

Cassian’s grip tightened slightly. “We’ve got you.”

You let out a slow breath, feeling the tension finally start to drain from your body. The steady rhythm of their breathing surrounded you, their warmth and scents seeping into your skin.

And as you drifted toward sleep, nestled between them, you knew that you were loved. That despite your bratty-ness, they wouldn’t leave you. And that was the most comforting thought of all.

taglist (comment to join!): @tele86 @viktoriaashleyyx @pham-tastical @giovax @thelov3lybookworm @seeyalaterinnovator

[toms-cherry-trees]

Cracked || Jacaerys Velaryon x Twin!Wife! Reader

Summary: No one ever said duty would hurt like this

Word count: 3.3k

Warnings: Twincest targcest (Velaryoncest?), angst, spoilers if you haven't watched S2E2, for anti hating purposes is not explicitly stated but all characters are above 18.

Author's note: Won't you look at me, 7 months since my last HOTD fic! That scene with Jace tearing up definitely did something to me. My very first time writing for Jace, hopefully won't be the last!

Also a massive massive thank you and all my devotion to @moris-auri for beta reading this!

No one welcomes him when he lands in the Dragonmont. 

The flapping of Vermax's leathery wings is amplified, booming throughout the massive cavern, swirls of steam rising from the cracks on the dark stone. The only ones to witness his arrival are the dragon keepers, but even they are distracted, their focus on the exhausted dragon and not his equally drained rider. When they stride past him, they don’t acknowledge him at all, almost as if he doesn’t exist. Jace wonders if he is a ghost, because only in death could someone feel the agony that seeps from his bones and still be standing. 

He feels like a foreigner in this place. 

Even though he has lived on Dragonstone half his life, he feels like a foreigner. The fortress is not theirs. He doubts it never truly has been. They are just keepers of these ancient walls and the history they carry within. Dragonstone is a relic that will stand on that island for a thousand years to come, as welcoming as a gush of Northern wind on bare skin. The only warmth comes from its very core, from those who habit it and who've made the great fortress a home. 

But the home he left weeks prior is not the one he now returns to. The warmth has been snuffed and the hearth has been shattered. 

He walks with his head held high and his back straight, gaze always ahead and chin lifted in a gesture of near arrogance. He walks like an heir, because he is. He is now his mother’s heir and he must play his part, even if all he wants to do is lay his head on her lap and weep like a boy of ten. 

A moon ago he was just Jacaerys Velaryon. He was a son, a firstborn son, but with no more responsibility than studying and learning, mastering skills that would serve him purpose in 30 or 40 years. His greatest concerns were training Vermax properly, what desserts would be served after supper, and how to avoid falling into another of his siblings’ silly pranks. He had been betrothed long ago, but marriage itself was something distant, something that could wait out a few more years.

He was a brother of five with another sibling on the way; a sister. While most in the castle pined for a son, another boy, he secretly supported his mother’s longing for a little girl.

And now he is Jacaerys, Prince of Dragonstone and heir to his mother’s throne and crown. He is more Targaryen than Velaryon now. He is an envoy, a messenger, a warrior if needed be. He is a strategist and a politician. He is an asset and a threat; someone who has forged great alliances, but also has found strong enemies, their weapons aimed directly at the target behind his head, target painted there by his grandsire many a year before his birth. A wedding , hastily arranged, to strengthen their cause and their line of inheritance. 

He is a brother to just four now, and the crib has been left empty. 

Cregan Stark had been the one to break the news to him. Standing on a cramped lookout on the edge of the world, nothing but whiteness as far as the eye reached, Lord Stark had said that the Wall did more than keep savages and ice at bay. It held back death.

But death came nonetheless.

Jacaerys had managed to maintain his stance as a man and a Prince, receiving the news with unyielding stoicism, even when his knees felt weak and his body chilled, like ice had spread down his spine. But this ice was nothing like the one surrounding him, there on the edge of the North. This one burned, burned like dragonfire while stabbing him with a thousand knives, leaving him to bleed out while not allowing him to die. It stole the air from his lungs and the blood from his veins, and filled him with snow. His lungs couldn’t breathe, his heart couldn’t beat yet somehow he didn’t drop dead right there where he stood.

He recalls little of what occurred after, nothing more than brief, precise memories. Receiving Cregan’s condolences, and feeling the firm squeeze of the older man’s hand on his shoulder. Northerners parting silently to make way for him in the courtyard, where a restless Vermax awaited, his screeches rattling the windows of the nearby towers. Someone handing him a parcel, hastily wrapped, containing a sleek wolf pelt as a present for their Queen. The thunderstorm he traversed in the Riverlands, and the toll it took on Vermax to fly through it. 

The painful tightening on his throat as he wondered if he had encountered a similar one, not far from home.

Servants and courtiers make way for him, as he approaches his mother’s chambers. They bow and curtsy, and offer words of courtesy, lamenting the loss of the young Prince. Some stare out of the corner of their eye as he passes, waiting to see if the new Prince of Dragonstone will crumble like sand before their very eyes. But he never betrays himself; not a tear brimming in his eyes, not a wobble of his lips. The occasional flaring of his nostrils is the single telltale of the sorrow that simmers just beneath his skin. 

He hesitates briefly, pausing at the end of the vast hallway where the royal apartments are. Up the winding staircase, past the single set of double doors to the left, his mother awaits. No, not his mother, the Queen. She stopped being his mother the day the crown was placed atop her head, and the court of Dragonstone bent the knee before her. Grief and loss shaped her, morphing her into the leader and ruler she had been born to be. Jace can only admire her, and hope that he will be able to embrace his new role as effortlessly as she has done hers.

The double doors are pushed open by Ser Erryk. The Queen sits alone, gaze downcast and thoughts troubled, that much Jace can tell by the nervous fidgeting of her hands, twisting her rings almost compulsively. When her eyes rise to meet his, Jacerys sees in them a mirror of himself, the same exhaustion, the effort to push back and bury the wrenching misery, the bleeding wound left behind by their loss.

They are alone, just the two of them in that silent alcove. Jace could break down, weep like he hasn’t done in years and lay his head across her lap; let her slender, motherly fingers card through his hair as she assures him that all will be well in the end. But he can’t, he can’t because she’s more Queen than mother now and she’s grieving too, grieving deeper than he is and if she can keep it together then so can he, because he is her heir and he has to make her proud and be a man worthy of respect. 

The Prince doesn’t cry; the heir doesn’t cry. 

A man remains immovable and imperturbable.

He straightens his back, head held high and hands laced before him as he recounts his triumphs, the Houses he convinced to pledge for them and what each one has offered and asked them in return. This moment should have been his shining glory, with himself striding through the castle with pride and confidence, ready to announce to the council how he had secured the allegiance of the Vale and the North for their cause. He would bask in his wife’s admiration, drink the praises from her lips and show her he was ready to one day be a great King, with a great Queen by his side. 

Instead it is just them two, hidden behind doors, picking up the pieces falling from their carefully built masks before they completely fall apart. He brings good news, great news, but they matter little and now taste like ash in his mouth, burning and bitter. His victories mean nothing to him because his little brother is dead, gone 60 years before his time, and they don’t even have a body to burn and Jacaerys feels it should have been him, because he is the eldest and he should have protected him better. He should have faced their rageful uncle and died instead, but he didn’t and now he stands there, moving and doing because if he stays still the grief will swallow him whole and bury him in a pit of sand.

And then his voice breaks, the facade cracks and they both stop pretending, because pretending hurts, like gripping a white hot rod with both hands and refusing to let go even if it’s hurting you.

Her embrace is warm; her arms feel like home. With his head tucked under her chin, his cheek pressed against her chest, he feels young again. He feels the sobs racking her body, the tears dampening her face and his hair, her fingers digging on the fabric of his cloak. They sway slightly, rocking from side to side like when he was a babe of just a few days old, fussy and restless, keeping the whole holdfast awake at night because he refused to settle anywhere but on his mother’s arms. 

But now Jace suspects the motion is meant for her more than for him, to transport her to days past when she held her babes in her arms and they were safe under her wing and no one could harm them because she would sooner tear the world to pieces. Discreetly the places shift, now it's her forehead against his shoulder and his arms holding her steady. Jace feels the tears stinging his eyes and the lump blocking his throat, but he cannot break down because his mother is broken and someone must stand strong and whole and it has to be him. 

Soon, too soon,  his mother has dismissed him, sending him to his chambers to bathe and rest because they will have the funeral at sunset and they must not show weakness before the court. The cracks must be patched and hidden, no matter how deep they run. Not a single piece can fall out of place.

He drags his feet now; the weight on top of him has grown heavy. His posture slackens, his shoulders slump, the pretence is harder to hold. Sunset feels like a death sentence, because a funeral makes it real. It makes it true. Burning what they have because there is not even a body left behind to burn. That way he can no longer pretend that is not happening, that is all just a tale. And then, he will crack. No willpower will keep him whole because his brother, his little brother is dead and he has to face a future where Lucerys will not be a part of it.

He pushes his chamber door open with one shoulder, his mind blank of any thought; the encounter with his mother affected him deeper than he had anticipated, because even she is cracking and now is just him holding it together because he has to. 

And then he sees her. 

His wife sits before the hearth, so ethereal with the glow of the fire illuminating her face. Her head turns as soon as the door opens, and he immediately notices the red around her swollen eyes. At first he thinks she’s mourning, but she’s had her time to mourn and Jace knows she’s crying for him, crying because she feels the agony straining to break through his flesh. Just like they have felt each other’s every emotion for as long as they have lived, have anticipated each other’s words and read their thoughts. Connected by a bond that runs deeper than marriage, because they are of the same blood, come into the world together.

The last time he saw her before his departure, they had an ugly fight. Jacaerys had convinced their mother to keep her at Dragonstone rather than allow her to fly as an envoy, claiming they could not leave the fortress unguarded and with the larger dragons going in and out on their missions, they had to pile up their remaining strength. The Queen had agreed, and her word was final. 

She could not argue with Her Grace, but she certainly made Jacaerys know how she felt about what she perceived as a betrayal and lack of trust in herself and her abilities. Jace pleaded with her to see reason, to see things from his perspective. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in her, he would never dare to doubt her strength. But he didn’t trust the men she would encounter on her journey, nor did he want her to risk taking a long flight on her dragon and run into danger. She, always the hot headed one, had called him every name under the sun and refused to see him off, choosing instead to sulk in her chamber. It left a bitter taste in his mouth, to leave on bad terms with her, but he trusted they would talk it out upon his arrival. That all would be well and their problems would be solved.

He stands silently before her, and for the first time he feels small. So small and diminished, unwilling to look her in the eyes. His gaze is fixed on the floor because the tears are winning the battle and if they do he will crack open like a dragon egg, but no great beast will emerge, only his insecurities and his failures.

His lower lip wobbles, and he bites it so hard he leaves the imprint of his teeth. His nails dig deep in his palms in his attempt to steady their accusatory trembling. He breathes in and out, slow and steady, his eyes squeezed shut as he feels himself losing control. He cannot allow himself to lose it, not in front of her of all people, not when he is supposed to be her pride, not her embarrassment.

He hears the sharp drag of the chair as she stands, the thud of the heavy tome she had been reading being thrown rather carelessly over a table. Her steps are slow and calculated as she moves across the stone, approaching him cautiously like he is some wild beast ready to lash out. Like he is some fragile thing, so fragile that a gush of wind could break him apart.

Her hands are soft and warm as they cradle his face, gently coaxing him to look up, to meet her eyes. But he can’t, he fears he will see disappointment in them, he will see accusation, he will see her blame him for Luke’s death, for forcing her to remain back when it was their little brother who needed his protection the most. 

For failing the family.

He succumbs in the end, brown eyes gingerly rising to meet her own, bracing himself for the worst. But he sees nothing of what he expected. He sees no anger, no resentment, no pity. Just worry and tenderness, and a desolation that matches his own.

The first tears he has been holding back since Winterfell finally escape the barrier of his willpower and roll down his cheeks. He attempts to blink them away but they cannot be stopped, nor does he have the strength to stop them no more. His wife brushes some away with her thumbs, and smoothes back his hair in a tender gesture

“Jace.”

That little world, the call of his own name coming from her lips is all that it needs for the dam inside him to burst. The violent sobs rack his body, tears blurring his vision and he chokes on them, while also feeling like he’s breathing for the first time since that raven arrived at the Wall. He tries to hide his face but she won’t let him, and tears shine in her eyes too and that only makes the crying worse, because his wife is suffering and he cannot console her because he’s also suffering.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

His legs weaken and his stance falters. The same apology falls from his mouth, the small words tumbling over each other and getting lost in the incessant weeping. His knees falter and he drops down; his forehead rests against her body and his hands are on her hips, fearing he will lose her if he lets go. He sobs onto her dress, not caring anymore about being the perfect Prince and heir, about being the man everyone will respect and be proud of.

His wife drops to her knees too and holds him close, allowing his head to lay against her shoulder. The scent of her body fills his nostrils, aroma of camellias and toasted sugar. It smells of happy memories and easier days, and it evokes a sense of safety in him, of tenderness, of the happiest days of his short life. His cry doesn’t stop, but it is not only for Lucerys now. It is for his mother, for his younger brothers, for himself and for all the losses to come. He cries for his twin, his wife, for now the fear of harm coming her way has increased tenfold, and the mere idea of her being cruelly ripped from his side tears a gash on his heart.

He cries until he’s sure there are no tears left to cry. Until the weight has been lifted from his chest and he is sure he can breathe again. They remain there for what feels like mere seconds and a lifetime at the same time, locked in each other’s embrace. Her fingers card through his hair and her lips press tender kisses to his temple; his arms wrapped around her, hands pressed against her back to keep her close, as close as he can to his own heart. He would gladly stay there forever, spend the rest of his days encased in her warmth and basking in her love. But the moment is broken all too soon when a servant knocks on the door to let them know that courtiers are already gathering in the outskirts of the castle for the funeral.

Jace lets himself be guided by the hand like an obedient child to sit before her vanity. She moves around him silently; unneeded words would only break the feeble spell of calmness surrounding them.

She takes care of everything for him. Wipes his face clean with a damp cloth, presses a cool spoon to his eyes so they will not appear swollen and bloodshot. He changes into a fresh tunic, and allows her to comb his hair and powder his face to disguise the redness of his cheeks and nose. 

They stand together before the ornate mirror, both of them dressed in matching red and black. She helps him pin the cloak onto his tunic, fastening it to his right shoulder with a silver dragon brooch. Jace holds her gaze in their reflection, hoping to convey with gestures the emotions words fail to do. She understands; she always does.

He is rewarded with a kiss on the cheek, and while it does not manage to coax a smile out of him, it fills his veins with a pleasant tickling warmth, the same he felt after their first kiss and the one he hopes to feel until his last breath. 

Her fingers run up his arms gently, tracing the embroiders and trimmings of the doublet. They come to rest on his shoulders and gently push them back, straightening his posture and puffing out his chest. The right index continues the ascent, tracing the curve of the neck and the still sharpening line of the jawline before settling under his chin, pushing upwards ever so slightly to lift his head. Urging him to hold himself with pride. To unapologetically show the world that he is cracked, but not broken.

She comes to stand before him at last, smoothing down nonexistent creases from his clothes until nothing but pure perfection remains. They hold each others’ gaze for a few moments, before she reaches up to steal from him a gentle kiss.  

“All ready, My Prince.” 

This time, he smiles.

[uchispeach]

Killer

Dark! Bully! Rafe Cameron x Fem! Reader

Warnings: NON CON, SMUT, rough sex, manhandling & degradation, choking, breeding kink, bullying, violent & abusive behavior, Mean! Rafe, Bully! Rafe…

A/N: Sorry for disappearing, I’ve just had a shit ton of family problems. I hope I can update a bit faster from now on! ALSO lmk if you want this to become a series! 💕

A laugh, dripping with mockery, echoed through the vast room, sparking a ripple of chuckles and whispered insults from the nearby group of boys.

Rafe Cameron’s body stretched lazily in the chair, making it seem almost comically small under his heavy frame. Even with his limbs sprawled out in complete relaxation, the outline of his hard muscles pressed against his shirt, as if daring to break free at any moment. You couldn't deny he looked attractive, exuding an undeniable magnetism in that confident, almost predatory pose, his new buzz cut only amplifying the arrogance that oozed from him. But that ugly, smug smirk? It made your bones ache and your throat dry up in ways you couldn’t explain.

His eyes, the color of storm clouds, lingered on yours with a deliberate intensity, delighting in your discomfort, relishing in every flinch and subtle shift of your gaze. You turned away, hoping your disinterest would bore him eventually, but you knew it wouldn’t.

No matter how hard you focused on the lecture, his presence was like an intrusive, constant drill on your brain—his burning gaze a distraction that gnawed at your senses. How naive had you been to think he'd ever leave you alone? Every time you raised your hand in class, you could count on him to whisper some stupid joke under his breath. How foolish had you been to think he would ever stop tormenting you? This sick dynamic between you two had been a game since childhood, and if anything, he seemed to thrive on it.

His once-small fingers had grown long and strong -now covered in silver rings. Those same digits that used to tangle on your hair and pull from it until your scalp burned in pain. His legs were now far longer, but they had always been longer than yours, outpacing you as they chased you through the school halls in all infant and adolescent years, always with the aim of making you stumble and fall to your knees. But his mouth had never changed. It had only sharpened, evolving into something far more dangerous.

You’d convinced yourself you were above all of it. Charleston had felt like a fresh start, and you’d thought the Pogue curse might finally be something you could outrun. But when Rafe Cameron showed up once more, everything you’d built: your confidence, your peace of mind—began to crumble, piece by piece, until there was nothing left but the raw, unresolved tension between you.

You were studying to be a teacher, the first in your family to receive a scholarship that promised a brighter future. Your days were filled with lesson plans, textbooks, and the weight of academic expectation. Every second of your time was accounted for as you worked tirelessly to carve out a new path for yourself, one that didn't involve being brought back to the past or the memories of him. You didn’t have time for distractions, certainly not for him. But here he was, always lurking just at the edges of your life, a dark cloud you couldn’t escape.

Rafe was studying for an MBA, the complete opposite of you, and yet fate had forced you into a shared class. You would’ve done anything to avoid him, but trapped in between those fours walls, mere meters away from him - it just seemed impossible.

And there he was, at your left, staring with a look of sick pleasure every time he found you trying to focus. His presence was suffocating, like the air itself became dense with his attention. His words, the snide remarks whispered under his breath, were like a weight on your chest, making every breath harder to take.

He harassed you constantly in that class—every. single. time. Without fail. No matter how much you tried to bury yourself in your notes, no matter how hard you tried to ignore his mocking chuckles, his eyes always found you, always zeroed in on your every move. He’d challenge you with pointless questions, make stupid comments about your work, his voice dripping with condescension. But it didn’t stop there. His reach extended beyond the classroom, following you into the hallways, his tall frame casting a shadow that would make your stomach turn. He would appear out of nowhere, as though drawn to you by some sick fixation, and make his presence known with a smirk or a taunt, forcing you to look up from your books, to meet those stormy eyes full of wickedness.

He would ‘accidentally’ bump into you, making your school supplies fall over. He licked his lower lip when you bent over to pick the mess up. His front would get dangerously close to your back in any queue, sometimes getting bold enough to grind slightly against you. He would move you around like a rag doll, always putting his huge palm on your ass to push you to the side. Still, there was nothing as uncomfortable as having his dirty eyes scanning you from head to toe at any given time - he licked his lower lip in amusement, making your cheeks grow hotter.

You’d always hoped, prayed, that once the class ended, he’d disappear—vanish into his own world and leave you to yours. But you were wrong. Every time the teacher dismissed you, and you gathered your things to leave, he’d be right there, waiting. It was like clockwork. His long, strong fingers would slide into the pockets of navy trousers, the scent of his manly cologne wafting over you in an intoxicating way. His gaze would follow you as you tried to make a clumsy exit, his footsteps closing the distance between you with every passing second. You hated that you could never outrun him. Hated how he always found a way to corner you.

And just as you thought you might make it out of the door, safe, free—he’d appear at the threshold, standing in your way with that damn smirk of his, a look that seemed to promise nothing but trouble.

“Leaving so soon?” His voice would slither through the air like poison.

Your heart would pound in your chest, but you’d force your eyes to look anywhere but at him, hoping and praying, that maybe, just maybe, today would be the day he’d leave you alone. But you knew better. You always knew better.

And now, you could feel it again; the familiar pressure of his presence, creeping closer, dark and inevitable.

“What’s that I’ve heard?” He scratched his head while pressing his brows together, pretending to be deep in thought. “…Oh, right” Now, enlightened; he stepped forward. Your almost wobbly legs did their best on distancing themselves -though, they weren’t allowed much movement after hitting a desk.

The back of your knees stung against the protruding piece of wood. “You tryna leave…study abroad, right?” Your eyes peeled in horror, and you hid in yourself as much as you could when his tall frame overpowered yours. “No, no. Look me right in the eye.” He clicked his tongue in disapproval. Without any hesitation, his cold rings found their place under your chin, burying in your skin when lifting up your face. “How-how do you know?” Your stuttering made him smile -predatory grin adorning his harsh features. “Everyone thinks you’re smart…” The pain on your neck amplified at the uncomfortable position.

“…But I think you’re just a dumb bitch.” He spat at you. Tone as rough as the domineering grip on your jaw. “…Bragging left and right - you really thought I wouldn’t find out?” He shook you with erratic movement. The pain you felt under his digits distracted you from a perverted knee slowly opening its way between your legs.

His unruly eyes took a break from tormenting yours as he admired your skirt’s fabric draping over your thighs. The blond snob flashed you his hungry canines while biting into his lower lip.

The horror only amplified when a sharp thrust attacked your clothed sex. His impatient knee continued to roughly rub against the cotton underwear, cruelty reflected on the fast pace. “Ha. Would you look at that? The dirty slut is getting wet!” You whined in disgust when Rafe pressed harder on the soaked circle.

The scarce dignity you thought you held was harshly stripped from you. On his arms you were nothing but a squeaky toy he got to bite and squeeze whenever he desired, and little by little you felt victim to a raw resignation.

The next thing you sensed was his palm abandoning your neck and moving onto your meaty thighs. He gave the flesh a squeeze, followed by a lusty groan leaving his pinkish lips.

Your mind tried to wander away, but the situation was just too much; too much stimulation everywhere, too much heat coming from his larger body, too much degradation directed your way in mean words and touches, too much torturous pressure applied to your virgin cunt and too much pawing at your unexplored parts.

The next thing your brain registered was a rip. The sound of something being torn apart, and if you didn’t see the light fabric pooling around your feet, you could’ve almost swear it was the noise your spirit made when breaking in half. “And I was thinking about making it nice for you…fucking you on a bed of roses or some corny shit.” He talked with nothing but mockery, while leaning onto your chest. “But I guess you prefer it when I treat you like a cheap whore.” The Cameron boy finished it off with a chuckle, his muscles flexing hard under the rumbling laugh.

You wanted to contradict him, defend your honor and pull him off of you, but all protests got stuck in your throat when he took you by it and slammed your upper body against the desk. The rigid wood wasn’t welcoming. Your head spinned uncontrollably at the beast-like hit.

The lack of oxygen didn’t stop you from hearing him unbuckling his pants. Panic grew louder as you heard his clothes falling to the Classroom’s floor. Worries clouded you in a tumultuous storm, and you did your best to cover yourself up when the only layer covering your vulnerable hole was pushed to the side. “Open your fucking legs or I’ll break your useless skull!” He demanded in a crazied tone, ripping your limbs apart and throwing them over his shoulders.

“Please, don’t.” Your eyelids squeezed together, shielding your irises from looking at the violating scene. “That’s right, beg me” Warm breath imposed itself above your slit, followed by a warmer liquid dripping down your folds. “Gotta make it wetter…I don’t want you breaking at the first use.” Even though your sight was all black, you could imagine his satisfied grin decorating that diabolically handsome face.

You tried pulling away when a foreign limb rubbed against your sex, desperate to be let in. “Rafe, no-” You were cut short by your own screams, eyes peeled open at the feeling of his cock entering all at once.

“Fuck! Tight ass pussy.” He sounded in heaven, palms manhandling your knees to your chest while pounding ruthlessly into you.

The rest of your body went numb, being rocked up and down at the bestiality of the boy’s attack. His groans and moans overpowered your miserable sobs. Your withering form contrasted his blessed expressions, pure passion exuding from his now sweaty body.

“Your whorish cunt is squeezing the shit out of me…she doesn’t want me to leave!” He continued to talk while creating some deeply loud wet noises.

Your neck and waist’s skin burned under his cutting rings and the unsolicited friction of his grip that kept you still. Your ears got lost at the multiple pet names he called you, as well as the dirty sentences of encouragement he occasionally threw your way.

After almost an hour of feeling him impale you on his dick, you grew tired of screaming and crying, now reduced to quiet whimpers and even quieter pleas. “Stop-” He did the opposite to that, toned pelvis slapping hard against you as his tip bruised your cervix in persistent thrusts.

The cries that left your esophagus were now primal and raw, long nails holding onto his huge back. “That’s right, cry for me. You fucking deserve it!” That only made the tears fall faster down your cheeks, reaching your mouth on a salty taste.

And when his movements finally went sloppy and his member felt softer, your suffering only sharpened. “Tell me you love me” He barked at your face, drops of unintentional spit hitting your distressed face.

You thought you heard wrong, that between his chocking, and suffocating weight your brain had imagined the unimaginable. “Tell me you love me!” His features tensed, making a vein pop on his front.

Was Rafe Cameron asking for words of affirmation from you? Was the same guy who just butchered your purity asking you for your heart? Or was it just another inhumane prank? Another limit of yours he wanted to cross?

Clearly you took to much time thinking and not acting because the next thing you felt was the blond burying impossibly deeper into your core and making you know a new level of uncomfortability. “Tell me you fucking love or I’ll come inside you.” The light on the room was vast, you were sure of it. Such an elite university could only have the best illumination for its elitist students; still, his burly body completely covered yours.

His sharp jaw and eyes were enhanced by the darkness found in his stare. “I-” He trembled lightly in excitement at your shaky voice. “I love you.” You finally decreed, unknowingly sealing your fate.

His smile was like nothing you saw before, too devilish and twisted you actually doubted smiling was ever a nice gesture. And when you felt a dense liquid flooding your womb in overwhelming warmth, you swore you could see the devil in his eyes.

.

.

.

[anantaru]

DAY 7 — MONSTERFUCKING

kinktober 2023. — masterlist | ao3

𖧡 — including — zhongli, neuvillette

𖧡 — warnings — fem! reader, monsterfucking, dragons >, size kink/size difference, big men who absolutely love you

𖧡 — ZHONGLI

you've adapted quickly and zhongli never failed to witness it first hand, how you're tending to learn and pick up on the smallest, tiniest indications which you knew would make it a lot more comfortable with him— because obviously given his size being quite exceptional, it's challenging to keep him in at times, or have him inside of you at all for that matter.

even whenever he's placing both his thumbs against your puffed up pussy to spread you apart before ultimately lining himself up, your thighs begin to burn heavily whilst keeping them all nicely split for him, knowing that he'll never hurt you and will always go slow at first, instantly grabbing your attention when he rubs his fat cockhead along your oozing slit— and those golden eyes of his, full of need and want, yet withstanding the craving to stuff you fuller, his mind warning him that it won't fit in right away.

"how do you feel?" his kind voice was now— sheltered behind gravel, his utters thundering deep from his chest as he rotates his hips a little with— currently, only half of him being pressed inside. it's sweet when he asks you, sometimes even three to four times before he'll get to it properly and fucks you like he means it from the bottom of his heart.

subsequently, you hum in approval when he kisses your cheeks and adds small ruts on your cunt, recognizably becoming excited to finally please his angel darling just like you ever so much deserved, "it feels.. so.." your words suddenly get pulled back into your throat with a hitch when zhongli inches his weight on top of you to lay more comfortably himself, forgetting that with that particular movement, he'll target your pussy with another inch, which you never went beyond that, yet the wet lips of your cunt easily slip him in despite the delicious burn piercing your skin, your walls drumming around his thick shaft.

"fuck—" you gasp out, hiccuping, roughly catching your breath and scratching against his shoulders before arching your back into his hooking touch;

"more, fuck.. more, please more!"

the worry of him going to break you had long since melted away or must’ve teleported itself into the abyss because right now, your entire body was at his unwavering power when he granted you your tasteful wish at last, each of his thrusts driving you deeper into the mattress underneath, the bed scratching against the wooden floor, your tight walls twitching and rippling just the right amount as zhongli groans out against your parted lips, throat rumbling softly around him with that devoted smile on his face.

𖧡 — NEUVILLETTE

a naked whine amplifies the rhythmic thrusts of neuvillette on top of you before you're gritting your teeth together in concentration, holding yourself tight against his massive shoulders as his huge, dripping cock continues to indulge into your warm pussy guzzling him in all sweetly— and you feel crowded inside, stuffed full and so warm, your legs too, spreading a little wider, evidently attempting to make room for him whilst hiccuping into his neck.

you can tell how close you both were to relishing in your orgasm, with his cock nudging inside of you in a way which you never felt before, because tonight— it's been the first time you allowed him to slide more of him past your tight, little pussy. hitting so far inside of you while you're messily soiling his girth, gushing all around his shaft and experiencing a new feeling of sensitivity judging by your ragged heaves and hiccups, his hips never faltering and pounding in and out of you so fast— bulging and crowding you, making you taste how it felt to relish in being fucked by a thick cock reaching all the bristling, wanting places inside.

"are you alright?" he suddenly asks, as if he wasn't just in the midst of something, like fucking the broad daylight out of your skull, idly holding his hips stilled before observing your fucked out expression— it's when you realize that you might've winced a little too loud, screamed his name as if in pain when in reality it was the most delicious pleasure someone ever graced you with, though you probably scared neuvillette into thinking that he's being way too rough with you tonight.

whilst unbeknownst to him, you adored whenever he revealed this hidden side of him, it makes his eyes and horns glow— most notably embarrass him when he suddenly realises.

ah, you're just so utterly and undoubtedly in love with neuvillette, your sweet and handsome neuvillette, how he's always asking you, many times, if he's doing it correctly— pleasing your pussy until you're cumming, but the right way. on top of that, he'll never put the word "fuck" into his mouth, despising such route of phraseology;

for the man, it was simply making love to you;

whilst funnily enough, if you think about it— how he's amplifying the blows on your cunt with as much strength as he believed you could handle, bottling the entire thing inside of him before ultimately adding into each of his sloppy thrusts, especially the loud, drilling slapping sounds of skin against skin penetrating your ears as you fuck yourself up against him, bracing yourself on every last drag of his drenched erection.

without a doubt, it doesn't look like "making love", not when he was insatiable without realizing it, filling the room inside your pussy as his eyes glow a light blue, signalizing how emotionally involved he was in this, how this had to be the pinnacle of getting to know ones body and soul.

and neuvillette, he never fails to leave his fingers gently around your own, tranquilizing your skin with his large palm radiating warmth, his tongue then melting into your mouth, kissing you at last.

©2023 anantaru's kinktober do not repost, copy, translate, modify

[trannycabal]

Trans Men, the afterthought of the LGBT.

Think of the world "LGBT" in your mind. What flashes through? I see a quick rifling through four people like a slideshow... a chubby cis gay guy, a tall cis lesbian with killer eyeliner, a short cis girl with a kooky hairstyle, and a trans woman. What she looks like varies every time, but 90% of cases I think of a girl. Even as a trans man myself whose trans friends are like two-thirds trans men, the first thing I think of when I hear the word "trans" is usually a trans woman. When hear HRT? Estrogen. When hear SRS? Vaginoplasty.

And that's not a coincidence... because trans guys don't dominate any trans spaces unless it's specifically labelled an ftm-only space. I've seen trans women themselves point out that trans boy spaces are labelled as "ftm" while trans girl spaces are labelled "trans". No "fem" or "girl" or "woman" anywhere in the name - just "trans".

Think of trans rep on TV. Trans people are already incredibly underrepresented - but on the rare occasion we do get shown onscreen, it's always someone MTF. I could give a million examples - but there are already many people who've said the exact same thing and doing so at this point would be redundant.

Think of spaces that say "This is for females ONLY" (sometimes they say "women" but really mean "cis women"). Nobody ever thinks of the trans men who might find themselves in a position to need that resource (such as homeless shelters) who will invariably be denied because TERFs hate trans men too and despite whatever they claim, they do not actually see us as girls. The response to "female-only spaces" is "but what about trans women". Which is GOOD! It should keep being a response! It should keep raising questions! It should, however, not be the only question we're asking here!

Think of "women's health" issues. Even then, the conversation around inclusive language always revolves around "but some girls don't do that because they're trans" (which is a good thing on its own but it's not good as an exclusive variant) and not "but some people do that and aren't girls because they're trans". Even in conversations about uteruses and everything they revolve, it's always centred around "but not all women" instead of "not all are women".

Lastly, think of radical feminism. Think of so-called internet "misandrists". Think of how many times you've seen one, whether cis or trans, ever include the word "cis" in their classic "all men" posts. Never? Exactly. And when you call them out on it, their response is almost always some kind of variant of "well you know that's not what I meant". And it's true most times, they didn't mean it; they forgot it. Forgot about us. Like every single time, they forget we see these things and feel hurt. They forget we're there. To them, we might as well be a flower on the wall.

Anyway. Just wanted to type this out because it's been bouncing around my head for a while. Happy late trans visibility day. Not only this week but for the rest of your life I want you to listen to and amplify trans men's voices; they need it.

[mononijikayu]

apt — fushiguro megumi.

Megumi looks down at you, his expression unreadable for a moment, but his eyes darken, understanding the suggestion beneath your words. His hand slides up your back, his touch slow and deliberate, sending a trail of warmth along your spine. You catch his eye, the music thrumming around you, and lean in closer. "Don't you want me like I want you, baby?" you ask, your voice playful and teasing. You feel him tense slightly, not because he's unsure, but because this is new to him—the intensity, the openness of your affection. You’re out in the open, letting your feelings show, and you can tell he’s still adjusting to this.

GENRE: Alternate Universe — Canon Convergence;

WARNING/s: AFAB!, Fluff, Romance, Aged Up! Megumi (he and reader are 20), Pet Names (Baby, Babe, Sweetie), Clubbing, Kissing, Making Out, Humor, Flirting, Teasing, Mention of Sexual Want, Mention of Body Parts, Mention of Sensual Touching, Depiction of Clubbing Experience, Depiction of Sensual Touching, Depiction of Kissing, Depiction of Making Out, Implied Sexual Content;

WORDS: 2.6k words.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: i like to think that megumi might end up dating his polar opposite. he's quiet and likes being a homebody and i really think that if he ends up, he'll end up with someone loud and someone who enjoys going out (cough cough thats itafushi kayu) and yes, i also think he's someone that loves and loves. he loves love. he's a wheezer fan. but anyway, i hope you enjoy this!!! i love you all <3

masterlist

if you want to, tip! <3

IT’S VERY RARE FOR MEGUMI TO WANNA GO OUT CLUBBING. When you’d suggested going out dancing, you weren’t sure how Megumi would react. He wasn’t exactly the clubbing type—always so composed, preferring quiet nights and calm spaces.

But when you flashed him your best doe-eyed look, teasing him with a playful smile, he couldn’t resist. It only took a moment for his resolve to waver, and before you knew it, the two of you were stepping into the pulsating energy of the club.

Now, as the music thumps loudly around you, lights flashing and casting shifting shadows across his face, you can’t help but be surprised by how relaxed he seems. His usual guarded exterior has softened, the hard edges of his stoic demeanor blurring in the haze of the neon glow.

He’s not as stiff or reserved as you’d expected; instead, he moves with you, his body attuned to yours as if the two of you have been doing this for years. The way you click—it’s undeniable, as if something magnetic has pulled you closer tonight.

You dance together in sync, the beat of the music reverberating in your chest. Every brush of your skin against his sends sparks of electricity through you. Megumi might not be as expressive with words, but the way he watches you now, his eyes following your every move, speaks volumes. There’s an intensity in his gaze, a quiet confidence that contrasts with the chaos around you, making your heart race even faster.

The rhythm carries you both, your bodies swaying together effortlessly, almost as if you’re the only two people in the room. The connection between you feels palpable tonight—charged and electric, as if the energy in the club has amplified the pull between you. It’s like the world outside these four walls has faded away, leaving only the two of you in the dim, flashing lights, lost in each other.

Megumi’s hands rest on your waist, steady and strong, guiding you closer to him. You lean into him, your lips brushing his ear as you speak over the music. "You’re enjoying this more than you thought, aren’t you?" you tease, grinning when you feel him tense slightly.

He chuckles, a sound so rare and low that it sends a pleasant shiver down your spine. "Maybe." he admits, his voice soft but unmistakably sincere. His hands tighten on your waist, pulling you even closer as the beat of the music pulses around you, almost syncing with the rhythm of your racing heart.

You turn your face towards his, close enough that you can feel his breath against your skin. There’s a moment where everything slows down, despite the chaos of the club around you, and you realize just how much you’ve wanted this closeness. Not just the dancing, but being with him like this—feeling the weight of his presence, the quiet strength in the way he holds you.

"Apartment, apartment." you sing softly into his ear, mimicking the lyrics of the song playing in the background, but with an unmistakable undertone.

It’s a playful invitation, laced with flirtation, but also something more. You don’t want this night to end with just dancing.

Megumi looks down at you, his expression unreadable for a moment, but his eyes darken, understanding the suggestion beneath your words. His hand slides up your back, his touch slow and deliberate, sending a trail of warmth along your spine.

You catch his eye, the music thrumming around you, and lean in closer. "Don't you want me like I want you, baby?" you ask, your voice playful and teasing.

You feel him tense slightly, not because he's unsure, but because this is new to him—the intensity, the openness of your affection. You’re out in the open, letting your feelings show, and you can tell he’s still adjusting to this.

As you sway together, your bodies in sync with the rhythm, you press your lips close to his ear. "Apartment, apartment." you hum, mimicking the song playing in the background. There's an invitation hidden in your words, the way you sing it softly into his ear like a secret only for him.

You pull back slightly to see his reaction, his eyes dark with something that makes your heart race. His usual calm exterior cracks just a bit, revealing a hint of amusement in his smirk. He knows what you’re asking. You’ve both been having a great time, but there’s an unspoken tension lingering between you, something that can only be released away from the crowd, in the privacy of your apartment.

“Kissy face, kissy face.” you remind him, thinking back to the flirtatious texts you sent before meeting up tonight. The playful hearts, the suggestive emojis—they all led up to this moment. “Sent to your phone, but I’m tryna kiss your lips for real.”

Megumi doesn’t say much, you know how your boyfriend is. He’s always been the quiet type—but the way his gaze locks onto yours tells you everything. His hand tightens around yours just slightly, as if he’s made his decision. He leans in, his voice low and just for you.

“Yeah.” he murmurs, his breath warm against your skin. “Let’s go, sweetie.”

Without another word, you take his hand and lead him through the packed club, weaving through people who seem oblivious to the magnetic pull between the two of you. The cool night air hits you as you step outside, a refreshing contrast to the heat inside. Your heart races, excitement buzzing under your skin as you both walk toward your apartment.

"Apartment, apartment." you sing softly again, the words echoing playfully between you. Megumi chuckles, something rare but beautiful, shaking his head at your antics. But there’s a warmth in his eyes that tells you he’s looking forward to whatever comes next.

As you reach your apartment door, there’s a shared anticipation, a quiet understanding of what’s about to happen. You unlock the door and step inside, immediately feeling the contrast between the lively, loud club and the intimate, quiet space of your home. The city lights outside cast a soft glow into the room, but everything else feels like it’s just the two of you.

"Turn this apartment into a club." you say with a grin, referencing the lyrics of the song still stuck in your head. Megumi just shakes his head again, but his eyes glint with something more mischievous.

You hit play on the stereo, and the familiar beat from the club fills the apartment, but it feels different here together. This was more personal, more intimate. There’s no one else, just you and him, swaying in the soft glow of the room. You twirl around him, pulling him closer, your hands finding their way to the back of his neck, fingers playing with the ends of his hair.

As the music fills the space between you, you lean in again. "Don't you need me like I need you now?" you whisper, your lips brushing against his ear.

His hands settle on your waist, pulling you in closer, his voice barely above a murmur. "I do, sweetie."

As the music pulses softly in the background, the intimacy between you and Megumi thickens in the air. Your bodies are already so close, the rhythm of your movements syncing naturally, but there's a shift—a deeper pull. His hands, resting on your waist, slide lower, fingers tightening slightly, as if he’s anchoring himself in the moment.

You lean back just enough to catch his gaze, eyes meeting him in the dim light of your apartment. There’s something smoldering there, something that makes your breath catch in your throat.

You’ve both been dancing around this tension all night, but now it feels impossible to ignore. You feel bold, more playful, and you let your hand trail up from his chest to his neck, brushing the side of his jaw with your fingertips.

"Don’t you want me like I want you, baby?" you whisper again, voice low and teasing. It’s the same question you’ve asked before, but this time, it’s loaded with more than just a flirty tone. You lean in closer, lips brushing just the edge of his, a featherlight tease that leaves both of you on edge.

Megumi’s breath hitches, his usual calm exterior cracking just a little. He doesn’t respond with words this time. Instead, he closes the distance between you, his lips crashing into yours with a sudden intensity that takes your breath away. The kiss is hot, urgent—like he’s been holding back for too long and can’t anymore.

His hands grip your hips, pulling you flush against him as the kiss deepens, your lips moving in perfect sync, hungry for more. You respond with just as much intensity, your fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as if you can’t get enough. His mouth moves with a confidence that sends heat coursing through your body, and you melt into him, giving in to the passion building between you.

You gasp slightly as he nips at your bottom lip, his hands sliding up your back, pressing you even closer. It’s hard to tell where your body ends and begins. The heat between you is overwhelming, but you don’t want it to stop. The kiss grows deeper, more desperate, as if neither of you can get close enough, fast enough.

His hands roam over your body, exploring, as yours do the same—tracing the lines of his shoulders, down his chest, feeling the taut muscles beneath the fabric of his shirt. Every touch feels like it ignites a fire, the air between you charged with tension that has finally snapped. You pull back for just a moment, both of you breathless, your lips swollen from the heat of the kiss.

You look up at him, eyes wide with desire, and he’s looking back at you with the same intensity. His usual composed, reserved expression is long gone, replaced by something darker, more primal. Without saying a word, he leans down and captures your lips again, this time rougher, hungrier, and you can’t help but moan softly into his mouth.

Your back hits the wall as he presses you against it, his body flush against yours, his hands now gripping your thighs as he lifts you slightly, urging you to wrap your legs around his waist. You do, pulling him even closer, deepening the kiss as your fingers grip the back of his neck, holding on tightly as if the world outside your apartment has ceased to exist.

His lips leave yours, trailing hot kisses down your jawline, to your neck, nipping and sucking at your skin in a way that makes your head spin. Each kiss sends a shiver down your spine, and you tilt your head back, giving him full access as you let out a breathy sigh. His lips are relentless, leaving a trail of heat in their wake, while his hands continue their journey over your body, setting every nerve on fire.

You pull him back to your lips, capturing him in another searing kiss, your bodies moving together in perfect, heated rhythm. There’s no hesitation, no uncertainty—just raw, unfiltered desire, consuming both of you.

You don’t even notice how long it’s been, how far you’ve let yourselves get lost in each other, but you don’t care. All you know is that you want more.

And from the way Fushiguro Megumi's hands tighten around you, pulling you impossibly closer, you can tell he feels the same.

The heat between you both only intensifies, each kiss growing deeper, more desperate as Megumi presses you harder against the wall. The air is thick with tension, each movement, each touch, fueling the fire that's been simmering all night. His lips leave yours again, but only to trail down your neck, sucking gently at your pulse point, making your breath hitch as your body responds instantly to his touch.

You let out a soft moan, feeling the way his hands roam up and down your sides, gripping you with possessive urgency. Every part of you is attuned to him—the feel of his body pressed tightly against yours, the way his fingers trace along your skin, igniting sparks everywhere he touches. Your legs stay wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer, craving the connection, the closeness that’s becoming overwhelming.

"You're driving me crazy, baby." you breathe against his ear, your lips grazing the skin just beneath it, and you feel him shudder in response. His usual restraint is gone, replaced by a hunger that matches your own.

He pulls back just enough to look at you, his eyes dark, half-lidded with desire. There’s something so intense about the way he looks at you now, as if he’s seeing you in a way no one else ever has.

It makes your heart race even faster, your body craving every bit of him. He leans in again, this time slower, but no less passionate, his lips meeting yours in a deep, heated kiss that feels like it's pulling you under.

His hands slide under your shirt, fingers brushing against bare skin, and you gasp at the contact, the coolness of his touch contrasting with the heat spreading through your body. Your own hands roam freely, tugging at his shirt, wanting to feel him, to be closer. His skin is warm beneath your fingers, and you can't get enough.

Suddenly, Megumi pulls you away from the wall and carries you toward the couch, the movement swift and smooth, as if he’s completely lost in the moment. He lowers you into it, his body pressing down on yours, his lips never leaving yours as you sink into the cushions together. The weight of him above you feels perfect, grounding you while also heightening the intensity of every kiss, every touch.

His mouth moves from yours to your collarbone, his kisses turning into soft bites that make you arch against him, every nerve in your body alive with sensation. You feel his breath hot against your skin as he whispers your name, his voice low and rough, sending a fresh wave of heat through you.

Your hands thread through his hair, tugging him closer, needing more of him as his mouth explores every inch of exposed skin. You tilt your head back, giving in to the sensation, your mind spinning with the sheer intensity of it all.

"Don’t stop, babe, oh—" you whisper, your voice breathless, and he responds by kissing you harder, his body pressing more insistently against yours. You can feel the tension building, the desire between you reaching a fever pitch as you lose yourselves completely in each other.

Megumi’s hands are everywhere and you loved that. You liked being consumed by him. On your waist, sliding up your back, holding you closer as if he can’t get enough of you. His kisses are hot, urgent, and you meet his intensity with your own, pulling him closer, your bodies moving in perfect, heated rhythm.

Every moment feels like a blur of passion—his lips, his hands, the way he touches you like you’re the only thing that matters in this moment. Time seems to slow down, the world outside fading away, until it’s just the two of you, tangled together, lost in the heat of the moment.

There’s a pause, just a brief one, where he pulls back slightly, his breathing heavy, and his eyes lock onto yours. His gaze is dark, filled with raw need, and it sends a shiver through you. Without a word, he leans in again, capturing your lips in another hot, searing kiss, as if he’s silently telling you there’s no going back now. And you don’t want to.

Everything about this moment feels perfect—electric, intense, and real. The way he touches you, the way he kisses you, it’s all-consuming, and you give yourself over to it completely, lettin’ the night take you wherever it leads, knowing that with him, this connection, this fire, is only just beginning.

[you-have-a-metal-arm]

‘Til The End of The Line

Pairing: Bucky x Avenger!Reader

Word Count: 1.7k

Warnings: Mentions of blood, shooting and getting hurt

Summary: You get injured in a mission, and Bucky cannot bear to see you in such state.

Author's Note: Please do not copy or translate my work. English is not my first language, so please understand grammar or spelling mistakes.

I am so sorry for being gone (school’s been killing me)

I appreciate every feedback! Thank you for reading, enjoy!

“Ready to kick some ass, kiddo?” Steve’s voice was calm, almost soothing, but you could hear the adrenaline beneath his words as the two of you adjusted your parachutes. The jet engines hummed around you, a subtle reminder of the mission ahead.

You grinned, giving your suit one last check and tightening your grip on the gun in your hand. “Yeah, I’m gonna beat the shit out of them.”

Steve smiled, not bothering to correct your language. With him, you were always an exception.

Moments later, the wind was whipping against your face as you both jumped from the jet, splitting off into the night sky. Steve took the left wing—the more dangerous side—leaving you the right. Tony had assured you it was safer, but as you slid through the narrow gap in the door, the freezing cold hit you like a wall. The air inside was frigid, bitterly reminding you of Bucky’s stories about the winters he hated so much.

“As far as I can see, it’s clear here. How’s the situation there?” Steve’s voice crackled through the comms, full of concern. You knew he cared for you deeply, saw you as the daughter he never had, and would have taken a bullet to ensure your safety.

“It’s clear here too, Cap,” you replied, trying to ease his worry.

“Let’s stick to the plan: I’ll draw out the agents while you head straight to the operations room and grab their file IV data.”

“Copy that. Be safe, Cap—and I mean it. If you need help, just call me.”

“I will, kiddo. Be safe yourself. And promise to call me if you need anything.”

“I promise. Let’s fucking go.”

You raced through the deserted corridors of the right wing, a dagger in one hand and a fully loaded gun tucked into your suit for emergencies. The cold air bit at your skin, the silence amplifying every footstep. Suddenly, a loud, thunderous noise echoed behind you. Instinctively, you thought it was Steve, but it wasn’t. The sound was coming from your side of the building.

Before you could react, you were ambushed by over twenty armed agents.

On the other side of the wing, Steve was facing his own battle. He tossed a grenade down a hallway, expecting a swarm of enemies, but only three agents rushed at him. Something was wrong. There should have been more.

“Shit,” you hissed into the comms, struggling against the overwhelming odds. Steve heard the panic in your voice, but he couldn’t respond—one of the agents had him in a chokehold. His grip tightened on the comms as he heard the unmistakable sound of gunfire, followed by a loud thud that made his blood run cold.

“Kiddo, you okay?” Steve managed to gasp out, but all he got in return was a pained groan.

“I’ll get to you in less than a minute, I promise,” he said, desperation creeping into his voice. He could hear your labored breathing through the comms, and it was tearing him apart.

“Steve…” Your voice was faint, each word a struggle.

“Hmm?” he replied, trying to sound reassuring despite the dread clawing at his chest.

“Are the comms… still being recorded?”

Steve’s heart sank. He knew what you were doing, and he hated it. “Yes, kiddo, if there weren’t any changes to the plans, it’s on record.”

You exhaled shakily, the breath catching in your throat. There was only one person you needed to reach out to. “Buck…”

As soon as Steve heard the name, he knew the weight of what you were about to say. Even after four years of being together, Bucky’s name still brought shivers to your spine, thick with emotion.

“If by any chance you get to listen to this, Buck—”

“Y/N, kiddo, no, you’re not dying. I won’t let that happen.”

“You don’t know that…” Your voice was helpless, a reflection of your dwindling strength.

“Just stay there. I’m on my way. Please, don’t give up on us.”

But a part of Steve knew this might be your last moment. It was an instinct, a gut-wrenching feeling that he couldn’t shake. So he didn’t stop you from saying what you needed to.

“If you get a chance to listen to this…” You fought to keep your eyes open, tears mingling with the blood on the cold metal floor. Your mind flashed with the future you had imagined—a life with Bucky, growing old together, watching your children grow up. “In another life, we might—maybe we could have grown old together.”

Steve’s heart clenched as your voice wavered. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing you, but he knew there was nothing he could do except listen.

“I wish I could have given you babies,” you continued, your voice cracking with emotion. “Watched them grow in our backyard… I’m sorry that I can’t be the one to give you that life.”

Your vision blurred as sleepiness started to consume you. You fought against it with everything you had, but the darkness was closing in. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry that this is how it ends for us… I’m really sorry.”

“And if this is how it really ends… Promise me you’ll find someone else to love, to open up to. Find someone else… Call someone else ‘doll.’ And don’t grieve too much.”

The darkness was overwhelming now. You felt it pulling you under, felt the life draining from your body as blood poured from your wounds. “You deserve to be happy… And the past doesn’t—doesn’t define you.”

Your last words were barely a whisper. “I… Love you, Buck. And I’m sorry I couldn’t say that more often.”

And then… silence. The darkness consumed you, and Steve heard nothing but the empty static of the comms. He refused to believe it, refused to accept that you were gone. He sprinted through the hallways, throwing open every door until he found you, lying motionless on the floor, your suit stained crimson with blood.

He scooped you up as if you weighed nothing, his legs pumping with every ounce of energy he had left. The jet’s engines hummed steadily, but inside the cabin, chaos reigned. Steve knelt beside you, his hands trembling as he assessed your injuries. The bullets had done their damage—one near your heart, another through your stomach, and the last through your left arm. Blood pooled beneath you, soaking through your suit.

“Kiddo, hang in there, please,” Steve murmured, his voice tight with fear. He grabbed the medical kit from the overhead compartment, spilling its contents across the floor. His hands worked quickly, tearing open a pack of gauze and pressing it firmly against the wounds. The bleeding was relentless, and he knew he needed to act fast to save your life.

You were pale, your breathing shallow and irregular. It was a miracle you were still breathing at all. Steve knew he had to stabilize you before they landed, or you wouldn’t make it. His mind raced through the limited medical training he had received—enough to get through emergencies, but nothing like this.

He fumbled with an IV kit, his hands shaking as he tried to insert the needle into your arm. Your veins were fragile, but after what felt like an eternity, he got it in. He attached a bag of saline solution, knowing it was only a temporary measure.

“Stay with me, kiddo. Buck won’t be so happy about this,” Steve whispered, his voice trembling. Your pulse was faint, but still there. He applied more pressure to the wound, checking if you were breathing again. It was labored, but there were no signs of a collapsed lung, thank God.

He grabbed the portable oxygen mask and gently placed it over your mouth and nose, adjusting the flow to give you the support you desperately needed. Your chest rose and fell slightly more steadily—a small victory amid the chaos.

With one hand still applying pressure to the wound, Steve fumbled with the jet’s communications system. “Friday, please check if the team is ready for immediate surgery.”

“Yes, sir. Mr. Stark has everything prepared, and Dr. Cho is on standby.”

“Can you connect me directly to Tony?”

“Connecting now, sir.”

“Cap, how is she?” Tony’s voice crackled through, tense with concern.

“I think I stabilized her. We’re landing in three minutes, max. Thank God this jet has autopilot, or else… she wouldn’t have made it.”

Tony was silent for a moment. It wasn’t the time for pride or self-congratulation. He was kicking himself for not being more cautious, for not having medics onboard, for underestimating the mission. You were the youngest, the brightest member of the Avengers, and he couldn’t bear to lose you.

Steve checked the wound again. The bleeding had slowed, but it hadn’t stopped. He packed the wound with more gauze, securing it tightly. You needed a blood transfusion, surgery—everything he couldn’t provide here. All he could do was keep you stable until they landed.

“Tony, do me one favor,” Steve said, his voice thick as he wiped the blood from your cheeks. “Please… Don’t let Bucky see her like this. He won’t be able to handle it.”

But Tony’s response was firm. “Sorry, Cap. James already knows. He’s waiting at the airbase. And he has the right to see her.”

Steve nodded, though his heart ached at the thought. “Okay, Tony, thanks… We’re almost there.”

The jet descended, the lights of the airbase coming into view. Steve cradled you close, whispering words of comfort that he wasn’t sure you could hear. “We’re going to make it, kiddo. Just hold on a little longer.”

As the jet landed, the hatch opened to reveal Tony, Dr. Cho, and Bucky. Bucky’s face was ashen, his eyes wide with fear as he took in the sight of you. Steve gently handed you over to Dr. Cho and her team, who rushed you to the medical bay. Bucky stood frozen, staring at the blood that covered Steve’s hands and suit.

“She’s alive, Buck,” Steve said softly, his voice raw with exhaustion. “But she needs you now more than ever. Don’t lose hope.”

Bucky nodded, swallowing hard. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t think beyond the sight of you lying there so still. He followed the team as they wheeled you into surgery, praying with everything he had left that you would survive this.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

THERE’S GOING TO BE A PART 2 by Sunday

Part 2 is up y’all

[playerninth]

P.S I LIKE YOU (TOO) ⪧ DAY 13 OF PIWONTOBER

non idol!jiung x fem!reader (smut mdni)

彡 – everything transpired after a single drunken mistake—you and your best friend getting inspired after watching: ‘to all the boys i’ve loved before’ one friday night after midterm week had dragged on. except, you weren’t lara jean covey. and no one’s exactly a peter kavinsky in your life. all you’ve got is a last chance to retake your econ class for the second time, and an undeniably attractive guy as a project partner. a thought you wouldn’t express out loud. but what if he accidentally receives your drunk written love letter detailing just how much you thought of it so?

author's note: the way this thing had a billion revisions before reaching this stage... anyway, although i'm incredibly late TT i'm still very excited to share with you guys yet another jiung fic!! also, i can't forget to mention how amazing @kisseobie and @sxfterhearts are for hosting piwontober & bringing the p1ece community together♡ it's my first time joining these sort of events, and i had a lot of fun writing! + apologies for any typos! :(

word count: 7.9k

warnings: smut, blackmail, make up sex, face-sitting, seven minutes in heaven

comments are welcome♡ i'd love to hear your thoughts!

despite being drunk out of your mind to the point you've written that piece of tangible regret, you remember the same night all too well—the clock ticks past after hours as the mingling whiff of alcohol and a box of left over pizza hangs in the air. you were surprised you've managed to drag yourself all the way to the weekend, remnants of grueling exams left unspoken between you and your best friend whom you share a dorm room with. midterms weren't really worth mentioning when you could drown in gossip and delude about your hypothetical boyfriends.

from random guys in class, to boybands, and above all: celebrities in cheesy romcoms you've rewatched an abnormal amount. that certain night's choice was a classic between you and your best friend: 'to all the boys i've loved before.'

except, you weren't lara jean covey. and no one's exactly a peter kavinsky in your life. yet, hell breaks loose when you receive a text from choi jiung one fated morning that had you unleash a piercing shriek, and thankfully, had locked yourself in a stall at an empty bathroom in the middle of your university campus.

not like that makes things any better than they already are.

enclosed within the four cramped walls of the bathroom stall was a feeling you'd never forget—the continuous drip of the leaking faucet and silence amplified the thudding beat of your heart. the screen of your phone glowing faintly as you stare at the message you've left on read for the past five minutes: a photo jiung had sent of the letter you've written that certain night after getting wrongfully inspired from lara jean's dilemma. unfortunately detailing an exaggerated confession on your unfiltered thoughts of jiung being totally attractive. hot, even. a running commentary on everything you wouldn’t express out loud.

this fiasco would probably cost you a couple of months avoiding a bottle of soju, because how are you going to dodge yourself out of this one? especially when his follow up message adds further salt to the wound—the envelope clearly stating your full name and address in bold, inked letters.

the seconds stretch out as the cramped stall started feeling a bit stuffier, your shaky fingers hovering over the keyboard in contemplation. you’d normally block him and just fail the damn class if it were like any other instance, except… it was your last chance to retake this subject. you couldn’t afford another fuck up.

[9:07] jiung: this letter’s handwriting strangely matches the one on your notes

[9:09] jiung: before you try to deny anything

all you ever wanted at that moment was to strangle yourself... because a love letter so vulnerable like that has no place being in a pile of notes, and to be given to your partner for a class project. when you thought handing him the material would be the end of it (after being utterly sick of his self-centered work ethic), but the universe had plans otherwise.

[9:13] y/n: it wasn’t something you’re supposed to see

[9:14] jiung: but i did

[9:16] y/n: i was drunk, okay? can we please forget about it?

[9:18] jiung: and people say drunk words are sober thoughts

[9:20] y/n: do i look like i care about stupid bullshit like that rn

[9:22] jiung: oh

[9:22] jiung: so you don’t care if people other than me see this letter?

[9:23] y/n: what

[9:24] y/n: you can’t just use that against me??

[9:26] jiung: let’s see how well this thing means so much to you then

[9:27] y/n: ???

and when you thought you’d never see the pulsating, message bubble as he types as such a dreadful thing, your nerves suspended in the most excruciating minutes. 9:28, 9:29… 9:30...

[9:31] jiung: main library, 2pm, this friday. oct 13

that was, a distant week ago. you figured you should probably show up this time, all in the name of having the existence of the letter stay between the two of you. even if it meant having to deal with the growing habit of waking up in the middle of the night from the anxiety crawling upon your thoughts. until once and for all, the day came.

your feet felt rather heavier that day, dragging your mopey figure through the winding halls of the university. the halloween spirit on campus feeling far too suffocating, the orange and black streamers hanging from the ceilings a mere blur. other people were buzzing about the upcoming university halloween party at the end of the month, yet all you ever wished was that you were some random skull decor perched at a corner, undisturbed. and that you weren't nearing the doors to the main library, a sight that you loathed with your whole being.

and there he was, choi jiung. the guy wreaking havoc in your life. okay, well—maybe not that actively, but he's been a constant force you're trying to push toward the back of your mind ever since you made such a stupid mistake, to the point you don’t even know how you could redeem yourself.

“hey,”

“hey.” you're surprised you even managed to croak out a reply, finding yourself unable to maintain eye contact with him for more than two seconds–pathetically.

you were about to claim the seat in front of him before he raises a familiar envelope nestled within his fingers, and you wasted absolutely no time at the chance. snatching the thing with vigor just to rip it to smithereens, earning a few glares from other people in the library. you couldn't care less.

jiung lets out a laugh underneath his breath, adorably irritating so, as he watches fragments of the letter fall before him like confetti. you finally settled on a seat across him, and the further time dragged on, the more it seemed to prove your written letter right.

he was undeniably magnetic, from the way his clothes drape over his shoulders, his bangs framing his face with its stark black—the waft of his perfume despite the distance. your gaze can't help itself from shifting over to his fingers with every turn of a page, almost as if he was the perfect distraction.

and that tie sitting on his collar, really? what was his major again? you couldn't be bothered to muse over whether or not academia fashion was a staple for whatever program he was taking, especially when you couldn't blame him. 'cause he truly held a sort of charm that makes you wanna ravish him right then and there. that you had to remind yourself: time and place, his glasses beginning to lean crooked subtly to the side before his finger pushed it further up his nose bridge. ultimately turning back to you—who already had eyes on him, locked.

jiung speaks, faintly registered in your currently preoccupied head. honestly, the only qualm you carry against him is that he wants to get things done, his way. which is partly the reason why this partner project has gotten awry, his ego clashing a horrible amount with your stubbornness. guess not everyone can have it after all.

of course you had to have it figured out eventually. even if it had to cost you biting down your tongue from spewing possible scathing remarks with his every word. due to the fact that any moment you tried to challenge his ideas, he'd quote all the lines he could possibly remember from your embarrassing letter. and it was only the librarian's stare pinning you down from grabbing jiung by the hair out of annoyance, because the both of you were causing quite a bit of disturbance.

“you know, i can't deny that little love letter of yours was kinda cute.” he leans forward, loving the way your face morphs into irritation.

“cute? you think it's cute that i accidentally confessed about—” you caught yourself, clearing your throat before rolling your eyes at him. “i mean, whatever. just concentrate.”

“hey, hey. finish it. about what? your quote on quote, suppressed feelings for me?” god, you so badly wanted to slap that smirk out of his face.

you could only manage to groan, running a hand through your hair. “no! i mean my deep annoyance at your inability to take me seriously, to take this project seriously!”

“excuse me, could you keep it down? this is a library.” you immediately turn towards the librarian, clutching a hand over your mouth at the realization that you might've… raised your voice a little too loud.

“sorry,” you muttered, eyes fixated on your notes sprawled over the table. “we were just—”

“working very loudly?” the librarian cut you off, and the worst part is–jiung still had the audacity to look at you with much mischief in his eyes. and that stupid smirk. “if you can’t keep quiet, i'm kindly asking you to leave.”

and that was… the last of what you've heard once you began gathering your things out of embarrassment, jiung trailing behind you like a lost puppy as you pretend you don't even know who he is, walking towards the nearest exit.

maybe choi jiung really is a constant force in your life. despite the day at the library being the last time you’d spend with him until presentations came tomorrow, it felt as if he never really left your mind. constantly drifting like a cloud over your head, lingering. and you so desperately wanted to bury him as a distant memory. busying yourself with other major projects, going out with friends, and the main event that the everyone’s been buzzing about for weeks: the awaited university halloween party.

it worked to distract you for the most part, lost within the crowd sprawled over the expanse of the green field, now only a crackle of grass beneath your heels. lights flickered along with the thump of the music’s bass. you watched the collective silhouette of people dressed in costumes, either tipsy out of their mind or buzz undying. you’d probably be seen with a red cup full of alcohol in hand, if you hadn’t sworn to yourself that you wouldn’t be touching a bottle of soju until a few months time. remnants of your little disaster from not too long ago trying to haunt you.

and so you turned to the cold air nipping at your bare skin, which you have to thank your skimpy little black dress for. the racy outfit you’d put together in an excuse to dress up as a witch, seductively at that. you partly regret bringing your witch hat with you despite contemplating about it a while ago, having to deal with the thing repeatedly slipping over your eyes. making a simple task of opening your phone to a flood of text messages, a challenge. after a couple of foiled attempts, you managed to get the gist—and that your friends are waiting for you at some frat house to join an after party.

the main event endlessly unfolds despite midnight fastly approaching. dragging your feet towards the front part of the crowd where it pulsed with much more energy, hopefully making your way towards the right direction of the area near the frat house. the music echoed like it wanted you to stay for a while, lose yourself to the beat as you tried to keep your witch hat tilted upright. not until another drag of the hat back up had your eyes flickering towards the dj manning the booth. keeping the night alive as lights hung overhead, casting a glow behind his figure and perfectly accentuating his side profile. yet the more your gaze traced the curve of his nose, the tousle of his hair as he let himself move to the rhythm.

for a split second the lights confirmed your suspicion, except you didn’t want to say anything. say his name, his everything, crawling back to your mind. you’d even forgotten why you were trying to erase him from your thoughts. maybe, just maybe… it wouldn’t be too bad to keep your eyes rested on him this time around. and it wasn’t as if you could turn away if you tried regardless.

there was something about catching sight of this side of him you never knew he had. at that moment, it felt like it was only the both of you existing in a bubble of your own. there was quite a distance between his position at the makeshift stage and yours below; nevertheless, the sparkle within his eyes didn’t go unnoticed. and in that moment nothing else mattered, the difficulty of trying to tear your stare away from him weighing over you.

no, no, no. not again. not this time.

the after party at the frat house, right.

reality comes crashing in once more, blinking rapidly as you tried to bump your way through the crowd. glancing everywhere you could to seek refuge, any way out, somewhere. mind racing with a mantra, “forget him forget him forget about him,” suppressing everything you’ve ever thought of the moment you laid eyes on him. chalking it up to the fact that it was probably your unrequited feelings for him hitting you like a brick. but… it wasn’t like you were ever serious about him, weren’t you?

your feet felt heavy trying to keep him out of reach, away from the taunt of his presence. the further you tried to push through what seems to be the edge of the field had you jostled within the crowd, and it didn’t help the flashing lights began disorienting your vision. you hastily fish your phone out, scrolling for past messages to double check the location of the frat house. except you realized, you weren’t really sure where to go from here.

your chest tightens. trying to take in sharper breaths as the mass of people were closing in around you, trying to push more, yet was met with more resistance. the smell of alcohol and loud noise started swallowing you, panic rushing through your veins. this is bad. this is really really bad.

and all of a sudden you heard a faint call, your ears picking it up with its subtlety. it was a brief echo through the music, until you heard it once more.

“y/n! over here!”

you swiftly whip your head around to scan the blur of faces, pulse quickening—at last, your gaze landing on someone familiar.

“i’ve been looking for you for ages.” he pants, trying to catch his breath from approaching you through the tight crowd. yoon keeho, although clad in a rather comical vampire costume, brought you a sense of relief.

“you okay? you look…”

“yeah, i’m just…. i got a bit lost.” you admit, lacing your fingers through your hair after finally taking off your witch hat.

keeho lets out a laugh beneath his breath, earning a piercing glare from you before extending a hand out to point. “you’re better off at the after party with me, everyone else is here so… it isn’t too crowded there yet.”

you hum, clutching your purse before following as keeho steps towards the way out. “come on,”

and at that, the both of you slip away from the field with its chaos, music fading far beyond the distance.

within the frat house lingered the scent of alcohol from a previous round of beer pong. it was dimly lit, but you’ll know empty red cups are strewn around from its hollow crunch beneath accidental steps. the door trickled bit by bit with newcomers, the party outside eventually simmering down to a hum, occasionally cut with bursts of laughter and constant conversation. thank god keeho had found you.

yet that was a while ago. you couldn’t decipher the exact time but it seemed way past midnight. it was a stark contrast to the huddle of people buzzing in excitement, your figure amongst them in a circle on the floor. it was probably, what… like the third or fourth round of seven minutes in heaven? the poor closet door slams open to another couple exiting, far too all over each other than you’d like to witness.

it was like that for the past thirty minutes, having to sit through rounds of people shutting themselves within the closet as you were forced to hear thumps against the wall hear and there—and you’d rather not find out what had gone on. the soju bottle in the middle of your formed circle felt like a threat as it waits to be spun, yet you couldn’t manage to grasp out of the situation from keeho’s grip on your wrist.

“you’re not leaving until the bottle points to you.” his fingers tighten his hold, his other hand bringing a drink up to his lips.

"keeho, i don’t know these people!” you whisper-shouted, narrowing your brows at him.

and it wasn’t helping that it was proving especially difficult to take him seriously with the vampire get up he had on. "that’s the thrill about it? and when i thought you’ll live up to your words when you told me you’ll get out of your comfort zone right after high school.”

it was probably your over-ambitioned self talking back then. “we’re only juniors. we have plenty of time.”

"plenty of time? you only have a year, y/n”

you didn’t bother responding, yet he’s still trying his best to provoke a reaction out of you. “no one really stands out to me right now among these strangers if i’m going to be honest. but… maybe you’ll find someone that’s your type—”

"keeho, how many times do i have to tell you that i really don’t give a fuck about anyone else here right now.”

"yeah, that! fuck.” he drags the end of his sentence in such an overly teasing tone, flashing him a look like he just said something so outrageous, because indeed it was...

"mess around a little bit, you know. get frisky in that closet or something.”

"seven minutes isn’t enough for that.”

“yeah, you would know.”

you were on the verge of landing a smack over his shoulder when a chorus of gasps erupted, drawing your attention.

and just your luck, the bottle points to you.

all you could muster was a defeated sigh, waiting for the soju bottle to spin once more to select the stranger you’d be stuck with in that closet for an excruciating seven minutes. except it never came, and only a hand reaches out to snap you out of your thoughts.

“shall we?” oh. it was that same voice you wished you weren’t at all familiar with, looking above the shadow looming over you. akin to a moth towards a flame. and it’s just a matter of figuring out who’s who between the two of you.

choi jiung, wearing a smirk that tugged on his lips that you almost wanted to slap off him, like always. you did—well, slap his hand away from your face, rolling your eyes before rising and rushing towards the closet door as he follows.

you almost missed keeho’s words, “is that…” a comment faint in volume when he recalls the day you told him all about your ‘jiung fiasco’ during a phone call.

you drowned in silence inside the closet, not even bothering to turn the light on. figures slumped against the wooden walls across each other. you hugged your knees to your chest, hyper aware of how cramped the space was and your paralyzing fear of having your legs accidentally brush against his.

all you could hear was the frantic hammer of your heartbeat within your chest, sighing in relief that he couldn’t see the flush creeping over your expression. him, well… the most you could make out from the dimness was the stupid mask you hadn’t realized he put back on.

“take that damn ghostface mask off before i punch it out of your face.”

oh, and you regret saying that, 'cause he truly took the mask off, “as you wish.”

he looked so unbelievably hot. annoyingly disproportionate to his simple costume of black fabric draped over his figure, accentuating the broadness of his shoulders just right. along with his hair falling over his eyes and—no. not another monologue of being down bad. enough.

silence hung in the air once more, not like it ever left, but the noise from outside seemed to have drained away and all it was in the moment were you and jiung, paused.

"so, what’s up with… the situation lately?” he speaks up, breaking the silence.

"you know…” you find yourself trailing off, voice small.

"know what?"

“the letter,” you finished his sentence, fragility within your words. “i never meant for you to see it.”

"you’re mad because i found out about it? y/n it’s just a letter—”

"to you, jiung. for me it was my vulnerable thoughts out in the open. t-too personal.”

your voice began to break, the air feeling heavier by the minute. the absence of sound failed to muffle the thud within your pulse. further amplified when he rests his hand over yours perched atop your knee, his touch noticeably warm. you didn’t pull away.

"right, i’m sorry. i understand, i shouldn’t have said that.”

“it’s okay. it was a mistake of mine and—i kinda… made it feel weird between us because of that.” jiung’s lips part in search of words, though you couldn’t see. his fingers tried fiddling with yours, an attempt to ease your tentative tone.

"weird how?”

"you know, ‘cause…”

"hm?”

"shut up,” fuck. you weren’t supposed to let that slip out of your lips, far too affected from how effortlessly attractive he sounded from a single, minor hum. and he didn’t even mean for it to come across like that. “sorry i, just. i can’t face you right now.”

"take your time, y/n”

yet how can you think straight when he says your name like that? the softness his voice held, the gentle tone making your heart skip a beat without fail.

"i was just caught off guard when you… did the whole blackmail thing. i’d—i thought you would just laugh it off or whatever.” you scoff lightly.

"i wouldn’t ever mock you like that. i mean, i kinda did… joke around with you at the library but! i meant it, lightheartedly.”

"mhm.” his fingers remain fidgeting with yours, your eyes drifting downwards. “i just, wanted some space. it was humiliating for me, okay?”

and then it hit jiung with a click. he might’ve went too far with the whole blackmail thing. “i get that. i never meant for you to feel that way, i just… wanted a chance to talk to you further. and spend maybe... a bit more time together.” he clarified, eventually lacing his fingers with yours, closely.

"but deep down i kinda knew you wouldn’t like, rat me out to whoever. it’s part of why i came to like you—sorry i… i know you don’t like me back and i keep talking about my feelings for you and—”

"i never said i didn’t like you back.”

"huh?”

"tell me, when did i ever tell you i don’t like you?”

the question looped within your mind. except all that there ever was is a cloud of uncertainty, his intentions slipping through your grasp like sand. what does he even mean?

"jiung, you’re confusing me.”

then all of a sudden you watch as he bursts into laughter, and you hastily grab his ghostface mask from a corner to playfully smack it against his head.

"you’re so unbelievably dense.”

you click your tongue, shoulders slumping in defeat. "it’s always been a problem of mine, i just don’t know how to handle my feelings.”

the next few words came out almost in a whisper, despite feeling your most vulnerable. “it’s probably why i… don’t have much experience with… this kinda stuff, unlike my friends.”

his fingers ceased playing with yours, now taking both of your hands in his, enveloped around yours like it were meant to be like that. warm.

“you don’t have to deal with this alone, y/n”

the moment wound down once more at the silence that fell.

"okay, look. i’ll just say it once and for all.” his tone is firm, almost commanding you to lift your gaze up at him. “i really, really like you. and i want to be with you. can we start over? please?”

you didn’t know what to respond at that instance. held frozen in place, but the rush of emotion through your nerves acted otherwise. all at once, it came washing over you like a wave.

"jiung?” you call out to him, as there goes another one of his hums. “you mean it?”

"of course i do.” he’s kneeling before you now, so damn close, it felt like your heart’s going to jump out of your chest. your pulse picks up, racing, as his other hand remains interlocked with yours and the other sneaks to caress your cheek.

jiung’s inching closer with every passing second, the air thick with anticipation as if it wasn’t already so stuffy from the cramped space. your eyes flutter shut while the only thing you could sense is the warmth of his breath against your lips. tilting your head subtly to the side, was that how they did it in the romcoms? failing to realize that you’re beginning to clutch his hand in yours harder that—“seven minutes is up!”

the closet door swings open without warning, your hands flying to push jiung away as his back meets the wall with a slight thud, watching the light stream into the cramped space. all over too soon.

yet it was just the catalyst to your eager desire; unable to take your hands off each other the moment you stepped foot outside of the closet. more like it was jiung getting rather handsy, his palm warm over the small of your back. even unabashedly pulling you closer to his side once you sink back down with the rest of the huddled group playing seven minutes. you’ve no reason to stay here anymore.

it came fleeting rather quickly, one moment he had you by the hand out of the door to that damned frat house, traversing through the empty, wasted field and towards the direction of the university dormitories. from the slightest ounce of privacy that touched your fingertips, you started yearning for more. as you reached the floor to your room, jiung wastes no time trapping you against the corridor wall, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck.

“can i?” he mumbles against your skin, rather sensitive. and you would think he’s incapable of holding back a little kiss during the heat of the moment. except he still asks, lips beginning to ghost over you, bare.

"you don’t look like you could wait for—hngh, anything else.” you struggle underneath his grip, his hands fastening your wrists against the wall as he pushes against you impossibly closer. “i wanna hear you say yes.”

he follows, trailing further up that his nose subtly bumps on your cheek. you feel like you’re turning insane, the more time dragged on and he keeps holding back.

“please jiung, want you all over me…” you whine, a bit more when he finally presses a soft kiss over your flushed cheeks. he looked irresistible, pulling away to stare down at you with his eyes; glossed with hunger.

“even better.” and this time he inches closer once more, his lips hovering over yours tentatively, waiting for you to bridge the gap. and so you did, kissing him back with as much fervor. completely forgetting about the fact that this was the first time you’ve properly made out with someone, and you weren’t even quite sure if you’re doing it right.

it were as if jiung had a sort of sixth-sense, holding you gently by your jaw as your lips weave into a searing kiss, wet by the second as his tongue peeks out. sliding over your bottom lip. “i got you, relax.” he utters, the rumble of his voice traveling straight to your core.

jiung pulls away for a brief moment of oxygen, crashing his lips back to yours. sliding his tongue into your mouth this time ‘round, and you melt against him—weak in the knees as he rolls his wet muscle sinfully against yours.

“can’t get enough of you already,” it was a mystery how he manages to slip a few words here and there, from your pathetic state struggling to keep up with his desperate pace. proving truth to his words when the swirl of his tongue was followed by suckling on your own, that all you could do was mewl, you poor little thing.

it was dangerously risqué, anyone could simply walk into the sight of your sorry state, falling apart fully if it weren’t for jiung holding you up. keeping you upright despite the evident wobble in your knees as he continued to ravage you wantonly, done with his assault on your tongue that he’s moved to subtly bite on your bottom lip, bruised.

"mhmm.” you shudder, swallowing in a moan when he turns to the shell of your ear instead, tracing it sensitive, his spit cold once the air hit. and so he sucks, like he obsessively does, feeling every gentle flick of his tongue rush straight to your core.

you’re already so embarrassingly wet despite still being fully clothed, and his hands had done nothing but to remain over your cheek all this time. his nails raked against the thin fabric of your skimpy dress, mind turned to mush as the only thought you could render was that he needed to touch you right now. futher, more… more than you could ever fathom to beg for him out in the open.

“jiung…” you whimper, right against his ear. feeling his pants get uncomfortably tight that he just has to redirect his energy into smothering you, littering wet, hot, open-mouthed kisses on the expanse of your sensitive neck.

“yes baby?” it took him quite a while to respond, the petname sending a flutter in your chest. he tries to hold himself back before he began to litter nibbles over your skin.

his fingertips are a prickle over your body, finding yourself struggling to respond. mind blank, and you couldn’t even remember why you called out to him in the first place.

“mhmm,”

"you’re already so, horny. aren’t you?”

he’s met yet another smack to the shoulder, probably the nth time from yours this evening.

"don’t say it like that!” you tried leaning impossibly closer, your tone much less than a whisper.

nonetheless, jiung’s brain was equally as foggy, the impact of your hit disregarded. from his point of view, it was unbeknownst that your mind was swirling with how to break the looming silence. the only thing that had his attention in a headlock was the intoxicating sight of you, looking up at him, eyes glossed over in feral desire

your lips adorably bruised, proud of his insatiable work from earlier. your cheeks flushed and brows frustratingly knitted together. it was as if you’re wordlessly begging for him to kneel before you. in fact he would, right at the first syllable of anything you’d utter. and right past that was a sight behold, the swell of your breast, cleavage peeking underneath your outfit.

fuck, he needs you, mind driven towards delirium from his longing to touch. within the warmth from the palm of his hand, undoubtedly even better if he had his mouth on them, loving it wet. he needed you. so. so. badly.

"did you drink?” your voice was delicate, snapping him out of his trance.

“no.” and he was saying the truth. no sip of alcohol carried the same effect of his drunken want over your everything.

this time you took initiative, interlocking fingers with his as you dragged him towards your dorm room. every step you took in the hall felt electric, finding yourself fumbling with the key through the door as jiung’s hand teasingly dips past your waist.

at last pulling him inside, closing the door with a slam as you resume ravishing each other’s lips. you’re too dizzy at this point, his forehead pressing against yours as tries to keep you close. and with every step backwards goes a wet peck, bodies trailing toward your bed until your legs hit the edge.

and so he pushes you, gently, attempting to hold yourself up with your elbows toward the headboard. not until jiung grabs you by your thighs, nails digging over the plush—from that he abruptly yanks you back toward him and earns a surprised mewl.

“don’t go anywhere.”

“jiung, ‘m not.” yet he doesn’t answer anymore, resting his arms on either side of your head. you’ll never catch him without his lips on you, searching, sucking less than harshly that he might as well leave a mark. every nibble and flick of his tongue had you writhing beneath, and you couldn’t help but spread your legs open. hoping he’d take the hint.

he’s turning you breathless, with every press of his lips over your skin igniting such flame in your tummy.

“touch me jiung, please,” you finally cry out, driven crazy when your cunt’s clenching around nothing, wet yet untouched.

“where baby?” jiung rises from busying himself with your neck, only realizing just how much effect he had on you now that he’s gotten a proper view.

you lay there, helpless beneath his figure with your hair disheveled. lips parted from panting, chest heaving up and down.

“here,” you replied, out of breath. turning your head to the side abashed, that you couldn’t even grasp the fact that you’d reach this point. jiung meets your hands, letting you guide his hold toward your clothed breasts.

he couldn’t help a subtle smile tug on his lips, “you’re so damn cute,” jiung teases, swiftly pressing a kiss on your exposed cheek. “i’ll make you feel good, alright?”

please, you’d probably whine out, if you weren’t wallowing so much in the shame of drawing his touch right over your breasts. even so, he’s eager to pry you apart, relishing in the fact that despite your inexperience, you still push through, for him—communicating what you truly wanted.

and it left him with the inclination to fulfill it.

jiung groped your sensitive mounds through the fabric, turning your breathing ragged by the minute. god, you’re already so sensitive, and with every fleeting touch of his hands against your breasts, went to travel straight down to your cunt. sopping wet as you pushed your thighs together in an attempt to relieve the sticky feeling of your panties. proving useless. he then slips his fingers beneath the edge of your dress, thankfully strapless. right atop your chest, pulling it down until he’s met with the sight of your lacey little bra. “pretty,”

and yet he doesn’t show a single trace of rush carried in his actions, feeling you up to build the thrill, groping. “jiung...” you beg, reaching out to his wrist.

“patience,” he sounded curt, but the way he gently fondles your clothed breasts said otherwise.

right when he’s dragged as much of your dress down as he can, jiung catches you off guard—promptly sliding his hands beneath your bra that had your breath hitching. the warmth of his palms flush against your nipples, already perky, yearning for his touch.

jiung just has you pliant beneath him as the vulgar scene unfolds, tenderly groping, fondling your tits along with occasional pinches to your sensitive buds and making you mewl without fail. turns him on so so much, seeing you exposed so adorably that you had let go of all sense left within your body.

it didn’t take too long for him to come to a point, he couldn’t help himself anymore. the erotic sight of your desperate state rutting your clothed cunny up against his torso, helplessly. jiung finally hikes your bra up, your breasts spilling out of a fabric in such a way he can’t resist salivating over your vulnerable image.

and so he wastes no time. if you weren’t so lost within such a sensual trance that had your eyes fixated on the ceiling, you might’ve gotten the chance to catch jiung’s expression, his eyes completely glazed over. hungrily, he encloses his lips around your nipple, the warm wetness of his tongue swirling and flicking against the bud with abandon.

you swore your cunt begins to clench around nothing as he continued his work on you, skin erupting in goosebumps as he relentlessly sucks on the bud; lewd sounds filling the expanse of your dorm room. he doesn’t let your other breast get neglected, fondling its plush with the sporadic flick of his thumb over the bud over and over. ultimately urging you to hump against him suffocated in lust that’s taken over your whole being.

“ahh… jiung—” all you could manage to sputter out were pathetic whimpers, head thrown back as you sink into the mattress. his actions were a medley of flicking his hot tongue on to the other bud, switching, towards rapid kitten licks with his lips fully enclosed around it. eventually withdrawing with a short pop from the messy slick of his drool. once more diving back in to continue his feral abuse on your sensitive nipple. “feeling good?”

and you couldn’t even manage to choke out a reply even if you wanted to, drowning in suffocating desire. jiung pulls away, the hunger in him still begging to get satiated, his cock hard in his pants. a string of spit between your bud and his lip, glistening as it snapped.

anticipation overtakes you once more as he gently pushes your breasts together, flushed before craning back in to tongue over your swollen nipples, moving his head side to side in a frenzy. and you’re just so far gone, the warmth of his tongue licking over your buds with each turn. your already helpless state reduced to a mess, only able to splutter out hoarse moans. and he hasn’t even touched your needy cunt yet.

you had to pry him away from you, it was enough—more than enough before jiung manages to drive you towards an orgasm from merely stimulating your tits, having enough of embarrassing yourself in front of him. you’re not about to cum this early on, clothes barely taken off. you entwine your fingers through his hair, and just when he lets you breathe does he really see what he’s made of you.

sure, he looked disheveled as well, spit by the side of his lip. except you’re far worse, legs trembling from the growing wetness from your center, eyes lidded in a struggle to keep them open. blissed out of your mind and still, all you’ve ever wanted to see was jiung ravaging you like an animal.

“wanna take this all off, jiung…” he’s watchful, hooked on your voice that’s starting to turn a pitch higher than before.

“want more,”

lust bubbles within his chest, listening as you wish despite your struggle finishing sentences out of daze. “want to feel good with you,” your fingers try to reach beyond jiung’s chest, not making it far down but hoping he’d take the hint. swearing that the further you went without relief from your uncomfortable, sticky panties, the more you’ll spiral insane.

you began pulling the rest of your dress down in a hurry when jiung stops you. meeting your eyes glossed over as if you’re on the verge of tearing up from the pleasure, quite so. flashing him a puzzled look.

“i don’t have a condom with me.” he finally brings it up, fingers slowly tracing the curve of your wrist.

“me too…” you replied, sullen. jiung feeling guilty from discreetly thinking you looked adorable from the pout on your face.

at that moment you saw the instantaneous spark of idea carried in his eyes. any other day, you’d probably shoot him a glare, but now you couldn’t bring yourself to do so. especially when he’s had you wrapped around his finger, vulnerable and exposed, feeling your nerves ignite from the tension.

“you can sit on my face baby.”

“what?”

“sit on my face.”

he repeats it so matter-of-factly that it left you completely speechless, in a struggle to find the right words in response.

“jiung, i– it’s my first time and—”

“i know” his tone is reassuring, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. “and i want you to know that i got you.” you could only conjure a feeble whine. ‘cause what does he mean with the fact that the two of you were just bickering a few weeks ago, and now he wants you to smother his face with your cunt.

“think of it as payback.” he spoke, his voice holding a honeyed warmth.

“use me however you want, after all, i’ve caused you enough problems with that letter.”

well, it was the last you’ve coherently heard of him that night. especially when everything he tried to say came out muffled while he’s got quite literally a mouthful of your dripping pussy. the lewd scene unfolds within the privacy of your dorm room, relieved that your roommate hadn’t decided to return yet. and if you could still recall whether or not these walls were soundproof.

everything that unraveled was such a filthy sight. your black dress, bra, and panties with it’s notable patch of your arousal on the fabric—discarded in a pile somewhere on the floor. it was the least of your worries when you’re currently sitting snug over jiung’s face, cunny rubbing against his wet, warm tongue that had your knuckles clenched and holding onto the headboard for dear life.

making sense of how the hell you’d gotten yourself in this position, taking into account that it’s your first time delving into anything frisky. however, you were running on nothing else but raging horniness, maintaining your desperate rhythm as you ride his face. grinding your hips in haste, folds slick as you use his tongue to get off. just so damn erotic.

it was truly pushing you towards the edge faster than you’d like to admit. his tongue sliding in and out of your pulsing hole, lightning fast. slick kitten licking against your clit over and over, when it isn’t the tip of his nose bumping on your pleasured, swollen bud.

fuck, it was a far more tantalizing sight as you turned to look behind you. through your lashes, watching jiung’s obscene state—his pants dragged down, jerking himself off, fast. his hand gripping his cock just right, up and down, wishing it was your pulsing cunt squeezing his shaft right now.

he made it a point, the next time he gets to ravage you senseless, you’d be crying out having enough of his cock plowing into your hole.

now it was just you you you, using him like he insisted you did.

jiung begins to amp it up, eager to send you towards your high. his tongue simultaneously slipping in and out of your hole before dragging back up, flattened to flick at your clit—god, it felt insatiably good, the pace in which you roll your hips on his face grew faltered. thighs turning wobbly as you neared your climax.

“hahh—fuckkk… jiung, you… you make me feel so good,” you pant, breathlessly fucking yourself on his tongue.

the best he could do was to hum in reply, against your clit, the vibration feeling insanely good as it travels straight to your core. his other hand grips harshly on the plush of your thigh, nails raking over the skin. almost forming crescents, vulgar and indecent, yet it all felt too pleasurable.

“i’m close, ‘m so, so close~” you whine out, your tangled fingers in his hair tightening. earning another moan that vibrated over your swollen, needy clit. your other hand struggling to keep leverage on to the headboard.

at this point you’re far too deep in pleasure, desperate to cum as you chase your high. turning crazy from how it felt so so good to ride his face, tongue working you toward it, the squelch of your sticky arousal dripping down his chin. more, more, moreee—rolling your hips over his face like you’re in such a rut, and it seems to be the case.

suddenly—you trembled, writhing in convulse as it came crashing over you like a wave. a particular bump of the tip of his nose against your clit before his relentless suckling pushed you teetering toward the edge. and he so desperately wanted to cum with you at the same time, stroking his cock faster. collecting part of your slick dripping down his chin to wet his shaft. jiung feels your cunt begin to gush, his nails digging deeper crescents into the plush of your thigh because you visibly couldn't handle the shake of your knees from the pleasure. his tongue, never ceasing to flick and flatten as he drags it on to your clit. over and over, lapping up your sticky cum.

“ahh–mhmh, jiung~!” you tug on his hair, fingers laced as you tried to squirm away from his grip. “no more!” yet he's making it difficult for you to do so, both of his arms locking your thighs in place as he began his endless ordeal of licking up your release. s'too much, too much–yet felt too fucking good, rendering you overstimulated out of your mind, merciless.

and when you've finally freed yourself from his grip, you stumbled back on to your mattress, disoriented. it was a blur, feeling yourself momentarily lose balance, suddenly collapsing onto the sheets. jiung immediately rose to his elbows, reaching toward you despite his voice beginning to sound like a distant muffle. concern was greatly etched across his face, “y/n are you okay?” you hear him, and yet it resounded like a distant echo, seeing his concerned expression the last few seconds before your vision slips into darkness.

his composure falters at that instant. had he pushed you too hard? he gazed down on your figure, laying there seemingly peaceful despite your exhaustion. once again you're vulnerable beneath his eyes. to him, jiung takes it as another chance to take care of you, his eyes tracing every outline of your features. and the gentle heaving of your chest that reminded him that he has to prove you that you can trust him.

“tired... ung, i'm okay,” you manage to mumble, and he releases a sigh of relief. almost moving to touch you before he realizes that he's… made quite a mess of his own as well. making a quick trip to the bathroom to clean himself up, stumbling upon bits of your clothes strewn over the floor.

he found you alrewdy fast asleep when he came back. making it a point in his head to go easy on you next time–he wouldn't admit, but the way panic surged through his nerves once you collapsed got him shaken. but in a few minutes he's gotten you into your matching pajamas, tucked underneath a blanket as he slides beside you. he holds your body close to his chest, “night baby,” you couldn't hear him; nonetheless, he still wanted to whisper to you sweet, pressing chaste kisses atop your head.

jiung turns to your bedside table, almost reaching out to turn off your lampshade when he stops to see an abnormally neon yellow sticky note stuck on the wall above that read in bold ink: ‘presentation monday morning’

the presentation.

oh god, you both have to do the presentation tomorrow at 8am.

fuck.

[1:47] kyo: y/n where’d you go???

[1:49] kyo: jiung’s not here too?

[2:05] kyo: alright damn

[2:06] kyo: i get it

[luxerians]

The Last Mask (15)

Hwang In-ho/Oh Young-il/Player 001 x Reader

Chapter 15 - Behind You

Story Masterlist

NEXT : Chapter 16

PREV : Chapter 14

Well, you’re fucked.

You thought you would be safe by disguising as a square guard in this place. But no. The Captain, after declaring that your stunt here was a hide-and-seek game, announced in his deep, commanding voice:

“All guards are to leave immediately, except for the managers. Managers, you will remain in the control room until you are summoned. Each manager will meet me in a private room. This will continue until I have identified each of you personally.”

The words rang out like a death sentence. Your heart sank. Every square guard in the control room, including you, was now locked into a situation you couldn’t easily escape. The Captain’s declaration left no room for argument or hesitation. He knew you were hiding among them, and now, he was closing in, determined to find you.

As the triangle and circle guards filtered out of the control room in near-perfect unison, you remained rooted to your spot, your anxiety bubbling to a near-breaking point. The managers around you stood silently. You tried to mirror their demeanor, even as your pulse pounded in your ears. The Captain’s gaze swept over all of you before he strode out.

The masked officer stayed behind, stepping forward to address the remaining managers. “Everyone, line up. Form four lines in the center.”

All of you lined up. The process began – without any instructions, to your horror – starting from the first line from the left. Everyone moved efficiently like robots. It's like everyone here had been groomed to be like this.

Soon enough, you learned how this worked. Each square guard would meet the Captain personally, one by one. Once the guard finished, they would return to the control room to guide the next in line to the Captain’s room. This cycle continued, with the latest guard becoming the guide for the next.

The summoning progressed one by one in the line first, each guard vanishing into the hallway with their guide. You stood near the back of the third line, giving you time to wait and prepare, though the wait itself was nerve-wracking.

Minutes ticked by, each one slower than the last. Finally, it was your line – the third queue’s turn – to be called. One by one, the guards in your line were summoned. Each time, the manager at the front of the line would straighten their posture, nod briskly, and step forward to follow the guide. Then, they would vanish into the hallway, leaving the line one person shorter.

Your heart thudded louder with every departure. The sound of footsteps echoed faintly each time the door opened and closed, the control room’s stillness amplifying everything. You kept your head down but your mind was elsewhere. Your thoughts raced, trying to rehearse how you would act, what you would say, how you would surrender to the Captain when your turn came.

Because let’s face it. Once you are summoned to see the Captain personally, you would have no choice but to unmask and reveal yourself to him once he commands you to. You can’t run.

The manager in front of you stepped forward, their number called. They followed the guide out into the hallway. Your stomach began to twist uncomfortably. You’re next.

After a few minutes, the square guard from before returned and stood beside you.

“This way,” they said, their tone monotone and detached.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, you straightened up and quietly followed them out of the control room under the watchful eye of the Captain’s second-in-command.

Your steps echoed against the walls of the labyrinthine hallways. The path twisted and turned, each corner feeling more ominous than the last. The guide didn’t speak, and you didn’t dare break the silence.

Soon enough, the square guard who led you stopped in front of a door and pushed it open. They held it ajar, gesturing for you to step inside. Your heart pounded in your chest as you forced yourself to move forward. As you entered, you realized the room was a storage area. Dust clung to the shelves, and the faint smell of mildew lingered in the air. It looked like the room hadn’t been used in a while.

But what caught your attention wasn’t just the state of the room. It was the figure standing inside. A triangle guard. The Captain was nowhere to be seen.

You stiffened in confusion and alarm, your muscles tensing as you prepared for the worst. Before you could act, the triangle guard, in his distorted voice, called your name. “It’s okay. It’s us.”

The triangle guard reached up and removed their mask, revealing a face partially obscured by a headsock with a wide hole that exposed their eyes. But you didn’t need to see their whole face to recognize them. The moment your gaze locked with theirs, you knew.

“Gyeong-seok?” you whispered, barely able to believe it.

He gave you a small, tired smile and tugged the headsock down to his neck, fully revealing his face. Sweat clung to his skin, making his hair stick to his forehead and cheeks. His neck glistened, evidence of the heat trapped in the pink guard’s jumpsuit.

Behind you, the square guard who had led you to the room closed the door and began removing their own mask. As the mask came off, you saw a woman beneath it, also wearing a headsock. She pulled the fabric down to her neck, revealing her full face.

For a moment, you were stunned. She was beautiful, with V-shaped jawline and pretty features that caught you off guard. She looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties, her face flushed and her neck damp with sweat. Strands of her hair clung to her skin, making her look as exhausted as she was captivating. There was a small line of dried cut on her left cheek. It seemed fresh. Nevertheless, you found yourself staring longer than you intended, but Gyeong-seok’s voice broke through your thoughts.

“She’s the one who saved us,” he said, nodding toward the woman. “She took down two square guards before your turn to get you out of there.”

Your eyes widened in shock as you turned to her. “Two guards?”

The unnamed woman’s voice was soft yet strong, no longer distorted by the mask. “I took down the first one to see where you were in those lines. Then I intercepted the guard before you after they finished their meeting with the Captain.”

Her words hung in the air, and you took a moment to process what she had done. The risk she had taken was staggering, and the fact that she had succeeded left you both grateful and in awe.

“Wait here,” she told you. “I’ll guide the guard after you in line so nothing seems amiss.”

You nodded, looking at her appreciatively. She pulled the square mask back over her face, adjusting it carefully before tugging her jumpsuit and hood into place. With her appearance restored, she slipped out the door.

The room fell silent after she left, the faint hum of machinery somewhere in the facility the only sound. You exchanged a look with Gyeong-seok, who leaned back against the dusty shelf, his expression a mixture of relief and worry.

“She’s gutsy,” Gyeong-seok muttered. “I’m not sure how she managed all that.”

“Neither do I,” you admitted as you leaned against the wall. “I wonder how long she has worked here.”

Minutes ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last. You couldn’t shake the unease lingering in the back of your mind, but knowing that the woman was taking steps to protect your cover gave you a small sense of security. Finally, after what felt like forever, the door creaked open again.

She stepped inside, closing the door softly behind her. Her movements were quick but deliberate as she removed her mask, revealing her flushed face once more. With a slight nod, she walked over to you and handed the square mask.

“It’s done,” she said, her voice low but steady. “Guards who had passed their meeting with the Captain are dismissed.”

“Thank you,” you said quietly, your voice barely above a whisper.

The lady resumed, “We’ll need to lay low for now. The guards are on high alert and the Captain is watching everything because of your disappearance.”

She glanced at you pointedly. Though her face showed no emotion, you could sense their confusion about the Captain's peculiar behavior toward you. To be fair, you were just as baffled.

You voiced your confusion, though your thoughts were focused on a different matter. “Is it just me, or does he already know that I’m disguised as one of the guards?”

She didn’t hesitate. “He does. There’s no need for him to command every manager to see him personally one by one.”

“Manager?” Gyeong-seok repeated questioningly.

The lady nodded, clarifying further. “The square guards are called managers. The triangle guards are soldiers. The circles are workers. From the lowest to the highest rank, it’s workers, soldiers, and managers. The man in black and pink is referred to as the officer. And the one we call the Captain is officially known as the Front Man.”

You fell silent, letting the explanation sink in. The hierarchy and structure of this place were clearer now, but it was still too much for you. The unknown lady added, “The Captain must have figured out that you disguised yourself as a manager because the one who was supposed to guard you was found with his mask removed.”

The memory surfaced immediately. This same lady had been the one to remove the original manager’s mask and hand it to you, enabling your disguise.

Gyeong-seok broke the silence. “So what do we do now?”

“We lay low,” the lady said firmly. “Try to adapt as much as you can.”

She turned to Gyeong-seok and said, “I gave you a soldier’s mask for number 014. Our rooms are close to each other, and our tasks are almost identical. Just follow my lead, and you’ll blend in.”

Gyeong-seok nodded. She then turned to you. “You will keep disguising yourself as a manager. Here.”

She handed the square mask she had just removed from her face. “Wear this. Number 007. That’s your number.”

You took it and blinked your eyes at them innocently. “What happened to that guard?”

She stared at you quietly, giving you no response, until she finally answered, “They wouldn’t bother anyone. I hid their body somewhere no one knew.”

You and Gyeong-seok exchanged glances before the latter asked her, “Is that okay? How long have you worked as a pink guard?”

“More than five years,” she answered monotonously.

You and Gyeong-seok exchanged a look of wonderment. No wonder she knows so much about this place and so much more.

She then spoke to you, “In your role, you have authority over the soldiers and workers. The other managers won’t pay much attention to you because managers are expected to know their responsibilities. But be cautious. If you act suspiciously, they will confront you.”

“Why couldn’t she become a soldier too?” Gyeong-seok asked, his tone curious but innocent.

She cast her gaze down. “I considered it, but we need someone in a higher position to protect us if another manager starts questioning us. A manager’s authority will give us more leeway to maneuver without raising alarms.”

Both you and Gyeong-seok nodded understandingly before the latter shifted, adjusting his stance, as he inquired, “How long do we have to do this?”

The lady was quiet for a moment before replying, “Until the game finishes. Once this game ends, we will be sent back outside and you can pretend that nothing happened.”

“We can leave earlier if the players vote for X in the majority, right?” you asked, the thought suddenly striking you.

“Yes, that’s one way to end the game.”

“But because of the lights out and the revolt, the Os will have the majority in the next vote,” Gyeong-seok pointed out.

The lady replied, “Yes. It’s inevitable at this point.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing on all of you. Finally, the lady broke the silence. “We should wrap this up. It’s too risky to stay together for too long. Disperse and stick to the plan.”

But before they could turn away, you spoke up. “Wait. What’s your name? Or your number? And is there a way to tell you apart? It’s hard to identify you among the other pink guards.”

The lady hesitated. She was quiet for a moment as if weighing whether to answer. Finally, she said, “Call me 011.”

You nodded, committing her number to memory. The secrecy surrounding her name didn’t bother you. It made sense. She had been working here as a triangle guard for years, shooting eliminated players and probably so much more. Privacy was likely something she clung to.

Although she was someone who should answer for her ‘duties,’ someone who should be handed over to the police, you still felt a surprising sense of protectiveness toward her.

After all, she had saved you and Gyeong-seok. She had risked herself to help complete strangers. Seeing how the Captain worked, if he found out about 011, he would shoot her for disloyalty. She literally risked her life for you and Gyeong-seok.

“Okay. But we need a way to recognize each other quickly. Something that stands out,” you urged.

Gyeong-seok chimed in. “Yeah, there must be a way to differentiate each other from other guards.”

011 considered this for a moment before nodding. “You’re right. We’ll need something subtle but distinct so the others won’t notice.”

“What about a tear in the fabric?” you suggested. “Small, like at the sleeves or something.”

“Or the shoes,” Gyeong-seok added. “We could scratch or mark the shoes. It’s not obvious, but we’ll know to look for it.”

011 nodded thoughtfully. “Both ideas could work. A small tear on the sleeves and back of the jumpsuit and a mark on the shoes. It’ll be subtle but clear enough for us to recognize.”

The three of you worked together to create the subtle wear-and-tear marks on each other’s top. 011 carefully added a small tear to the sleeves and back of your top and did the same thing to Gyeong-seok. The latter returned the favor to 011, creating a similar mark at her sleeves and back of their jacket. For the shoes, each of you crouched down and made small, deliberate scratches or marks on your own footwear.

As the three of you finished, 011 looked up. “We have to go. Soon enough, workers will begin to restore the CCTVs in the dormitory.”

You and Gyeong-seok nodded.

***

You were walking through the labyrinth of colorful stairs, trying to familiarize yourself with the facility’s map and layout. Disguising yourself as a manager meant you needed to know the space like the back of your hand. Understanding the routes, the shortcuts, and the layout of each level felt crucial to maintaining your cover.

True to 011’s word, the workers and soldiers didn’t bother you at all. They didn’t approach or speak to you, their respect for your supposed role evident in their behavior. When the path became too narrow, they even stepped aside to let you pass first. The managers were different; they simply glanced at you before continuing with their tasks. As long as you didn’t act suspiciously, it seemed none of the guards cared to pay you much attention.

You began to relax slightly, finding some reassurance in the lack of scrutiny. That was until your radio crackled to life. The sudden noise made your steps falter for a moment as an announcement rang out.

“Attention. Managers whose numbers are mentioned next, head to the control room immediately.”

The voice began listing off a series of numbers. You walked forward slowly as you listened closely. Then it came.

“Manager 007.”

You froze mid-step. Anxiety shot up like a rocket, making your pulse thunder in your ears. You were being summoned to the control room. After listing a few more numbers, the radio fell silent again, leaving you standing there.

What could they want? Why were you being called? Questions swirled in your mind as you tried to suppress the rising panic. Forcing your feet to move, you adjusted your posture and straightened your mask. There was no time to think. You had to go.

It took you more than seven minutes to reach the control room. You were proud of yourself for remembering the way, even though you got lost for a moment along the winding corridors. But as soon as you stepped inside, the anxiety that had temporarily eased flared up again.

You joined eight other managers in the center of the control room. The nine of you stood together on the floor where pictures of surviving players lit up.

You couldn’t look at the screen beneath you clearly because standing before you was the masked officer. You didn’t want to do anything that might raise alarm or suspicion. Meanwhile, the Front Man was nowhere to be seen.

The masked officer spoke. “Due to the revolt, half of managers that were supposed to operate these monitors were killed. To maintain operational efficiency, some of you will need to alternate tasks. This will involve manning monitors in the control room, supervising the next game, and guarding the Captain. The nine of you will be the first emergency batch to take on these alternating roles.”

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. “Those who volunteer to operate monitors now will later switch with others when the next game begins, and guard the Captain during the evening. If you wish to volunteer for the first shift, speak up now.”

There was a beat of silence before one of the managers stepped forward. “019. I volunteer to operate the monitors.”

Another manager followed. “009. I will operate the monitors.”

You stayed quiet. You weren’t sure if volunteering would draw more attention to you, so you let the decision rest with the officer. But as you stood there, mulling over the situation, it struck you.

If you volunteer to operate the monitors now, you could keep an eye on your friends during the next game while you are supervising.

Summoning your resolve, you stepped forward and mirrored the others’ phrasing. “007. I volunteer to operate the monitors first.”

The masked officer nodded. “Understood. You three may begin immediately. The other three managers will replace you in monitor operation when the next game begins. The remaining three will begin manning the monitors this evening.”

The conversation ended there, the masked officer dismissing everyone to their new tasks. Moments later, you found yourself seated at a monitor in the second row from the center. The control room was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the soft clicks and taps from other managers working at their stations. You turned your attention to the monitor in front of you, studying the screen and trying to make sense of your assigned task.

Your monitor displayed four live CCTV feeds, each showing hallways leading to the men’s and women’s restrooms for the players. For now, the feeds were empty, the halls devoid of activity.

At the bottom of the screen, you noticed a small arrow pointing to the right. Clicking it, you realized it brought up another page with four more live feeds. This set displayed the labyrinth of colorful staircases, the vibrant pink walls and intersecting paths looking almost surreal through the grainy CCTV footage.

The soft hum of the control room was disrupted by the sound of the elevator sliding open in the back. Instinctively, you glanced over your shoulder. The elevator was glowing with golden light, a sharp contrast to the muted tones of the control room. It was clear this elevator wasn’t for general use. It carried an air of exclusivity, a touch of grandeur that felt out of place in the stark facility. Then, he stepped out.

The Front Man emerged, his presence immediately commanding the room. He strode forward, his black mask catching the dim light of the massive screens on the walls. His imposing figure radiated power and authority. His second-in-command stepped aside, letting the boss walk past him.

The Front Man came to a stop in the center of the room, his gaze fixed on several dark monitors that should have been displaying the dormitory’s live feeds. Managers, including yourself, kept their heads low. You pretended to focus on the screen of your monitor, but you could feel the tension thick in the air.

“The workers are almost finished replacing the CCTVs in the dormitory,” said the masked officer, stepping forward slightly. “23 players have died due to the lights out and the revolt. The remaining players are now a total of 72.”

The Front Man remained still for a moment, processing the information. Then he spoke, his voice deep and commanding. “We will wait until all CCTVs are operational. Ensure it is completed immediately.”

The masked officer lowered his head in acknowledgment. Then, he raised his radio and began issuing orders. The static crackle of the radio was faint, but you could make out fragments of his commands. He was coordinating workers, urging them to move quickly.

Meanwhile, the Front Man continued to stand at the center of the room. His gaze never left the dark monitors. You felt the weight of his authority pressing down on the room like an invisible force. Though he hadn’t said much, his presence was enough to make everyone hyper-aware of their every move.

The Front Man suddenly turned and began walking toward the first row of monitors closest to the center of the room. Multiple managers were stationed there, each one glued to their tasks, pretending not to notice the imposing figure approaching them. He stopped behind one manager, standing silently as he gazed at the screen in front of them. His posture was unreadable as he was supervising or judging their work.

After a few long moments, he moved and stood behind the next manager, repeating the same process. Standing silently, observing, scrutinizing. The air grew heavier with each step he took. You could almost feel the tension radiating off the other managers as they focused on their screens, hoping to avoid his attention.

Your chest tightened as you watched his slow, deliberate movements. The realization struck you like a hammer.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Is he going to check everyone’s screen now, including mine?

You turned back to your monitor, forcing yourself to focus on the screen in front of you. The live feeds of empty hallways and colorful staircases stared back at you, but your eyes darted across the interface, desperate to find anything else to do. You clicked through the pages again and again, but no matter what you tried, the only thing available was the live feed.

Or maybe you simply didn’t know how to navigate the monitor. Your hands hovered over the keyboard, trembling slightly. Anxiety crept up your spine as you tried to keep your composure. What if he asks me something? What if he realizes I don’t belong here?

Behind you, you could hear the soft shuffling of footsteps as the Captain moved to the next monitor. Each step brought him closer, and with each step, your dread grew. You glanced at the managers near you, trying to gauge their reactions. They were calm, composed, their hands steady as they worked. Or maybe they were just better at hiding their fear than you were.

You clicked through the feeds again, your fingers moving mechanically. The colorful staircases flashed on the screen once more. You tried to focus on the feeds, pretending to study them, but your mind was racing. What am I looking at exactly? Is this all I have to do? What if he notices I’m just pretending?

The footsteps stopped. He was behind someone else now, just three spots away. You didn’t dare look, but you could feel the weight of his presence from across the room. The sound of your own breathing was deafening in your ears. Your fingers tapped lightly against the mouse, an involuntary rhythm born of nerves.

Another step. Now he was just two stations away.

You forced yourself to stare at the screen, willing your hands to stay steady. The live feed showed nothing unusual. It’s just static hallways and staircases. You tried to focus on the smallest details: the faint flicker of the fluorescent lights in one corner of the screen, the subtle shadows cast by the stair railings. Anything to keep your mind occupied.

Then, the footsteps started and then stopped again. You didn’t need to look to know he was behind the manager next to you. The air felt thicker, every second stretching endlessly as you waited. Your heart pounded in your chest, so loud you were sure he could hear it. You braced yourself for what was coming.

And then, finally, the footsteps resumed. He was right behind you now.

You froze, every muscle in your body tensing. The screen in front of you blurred as your focus shattered. You could feel his gaze boring into the back of your head, even though he hadn’t spoken a word. You forced yourself to move the mouse, scrolling through the feeds again as if you were searching for something specific.

Don’t look suspicious. Just act normal.

The silence was unbearable. You wanted to turn around, to see if he was watching your screen, but you couldn’t bring yourself to move. All you could do was wait and hope that he didn’t say anything.

To your terror, he was lingering behind you longer than he had with the others. You could feel his presence like a predator assessing its prey. Your pulse quickened as the silence stretched out. His proximity was suffocating. You couldn’t help but notice the subtle scent of leather and something sharp, almost metallic, clinging to him.

And then, something black and shiny appeared in your peripheral vision. His left gloved hand slid into view, inching closer to the monitor in front of you. Your breath hitched as his fingers hovered over the buttons, deliberate and slow, as if seeing your reaction. You froze, your entire body going rigid as you felt the warmth of his presence so close on your back.

With a quiet but decisive click, he pressed a specific button on the control panel. The screen flickered for a moment before changing. It now displayed a detailed interface – a task list for managing the movement of workers and supplies within the facility. Each section was labeled: “Dormitory Maintenance,” “Staircase Surveillance,” “Game Preparation,” and more. You stared at the screen, trying to make sense of the information, but the gravity of his presence made it impossible to focus.

The Front Man withdrew his hand, retreating backward, but you could still feel him there. His silence was deafening, his gaze like a physical weight pressing into your back. Your skin prickled with awareness, and your stomach twisted into knots. There was something unsettlingly intimate about his attention as if he could see straight through you.

Your fingers twitched as you forced yourself to move, to engage with the task on the monitor. But your hand trembled uncontrollably as you hovered over the buttons. You cursed yourself inwardly, willing your body to calm down, but the fear gripping you was relentless, leaving you exposed in ways you hadn’t anticipated.

The Front Man remained behind you, silent and still. You could feel the intensity of his gaze, the unspoken weight of whatever thoughts lingered behind that mask.

As you clicked through the tasks, your mind raced. Was he testing you? Waiting for you to slip up? Or was there something else in his silence, something about the way he lingered? Your skin burned under the weight of his gaze.

That’s when a massive screen on the wall lit up, showing a live feed from the corner of the players’ dormitory. The entire control room’s attention snapped to the glowing screen. The sound of the live recording echoed across the space. Moments later, more massive screens illuminated, each displaying different angles of the dormitory.

Your eyes widened as you absorbed the images in front of you, scanning each feed for any sign of your friends. You couldn’t help but feel a pang of relief as the footage revealed their familiar faces, though their expressions told a story of despair.

In the dormitory, multiple pink soldiers stood rigidly by the walls and in front of the main double doors. They were heavily armed. It was clear they weren’t taking any chances this time. These guards were prepared to crush any sign of rebellion without hesitation.

Among the players, your friends sat huddled on the floor between the bunkbeds. Jun-hee and Yong-sik’s mother clutched each other’s hands tightly, their faces flushed and tear-streaked, as if they had just finished crying their hearts out. Yong-sik sat beside his mother, his body tense, his eyes darting nervously toward the pink guards stationed across the room. Hyun-ju sat directly in front of them, completing their small circle. Her shoulders slumped, and her gaze was distant, the look of someone grappling with despair.

A few feet away, Gi-hun and Jung-bae sat side by side on the staircases. Gi-hun looked utterly defeated, his gaze locked onto the floor, a deep glower etched across his features. His body seemed heavy, weighed down by regret and hopelessness. Beside him, Jung-bae sat pale and wide-eyed, as if still processing the events of the revolt. His disbelief was almost palpable.

Behind them, leaning against the wall on one of the beds, was Dae-ho. He appeared physically fine now, but his demeanor was distant, detached. He stared blankly into space, his expression unreadable. Yet, you noticed the way his gaze occasionally flicked toward Gi-hun and the others. It was subtle, almost hesitant, as if he wanted to join them but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Guilt hung over him like a shadow, isolating him even further.

You frowned as you stared at the live feeds, noticing the growing distance among your group of friends. The weight of everything they had endured was starting to show. Cracks in their dynamic were now evident.

The sound of retreating footsteps caught your attention. You glanced to the side and saw the Front Man walking away from behind you. He moved until he reached the center of the room. Standing tall, he gazed at the monitors displaying the dormitory feeds.

The masked officer stepped closer, his voice cutting through the silence. “Captain, everything is ready for the next vote.”

The Front Man remained still, staring at the screens for a moment longer. Then, with a calm but firm tone, he announced, “Proceed.”

The masked officer bowed his head slightly before stepping back. Raising his radio, he began issuing orders. The sound of static crackled briefly before the commands went through. Moments later, the familiar blaring noise echoed through the dormitory – a sound that indicated something was about to happen.

On the live feeds, you watched as the dormitory’s double doors slid open. A single manager stepped forward, flanked by 16 pink soldiers standing in perfect formation. The room went quiet as the manager began to speak, “Due to the brawl in the men's bathroom, the lights out and your failed attempt of a revolt, 27 players have been eliminated.”

The manager paused as the sound of bills dropping into the piggy bank suspended near the ceiling echoed throughout the dormitory, drawing every player's attention to the accumulating prize.

“The remaining players are now a total of 73. Based on these eliminations, an additional 2.7 billion won has been added to the prize pool. The current total now stands at 38.3 billion won. If the remaining 73 players choose to vote to leave, each player will receive an equal share of the accumulated prize money of 524 million won per player.”

Most of the players – the O players – erupted into murmurs of amazement at the staggering numbers announced, their expressions lighting up with greed and excitement. They didn’t seem to care that this money represented the lives of the players who had died. It was as if the reality of those losses had been completely overshadowed by the sheer allure of wealth. In contrast, the X players exchanged uneasy glances.

The manager’s voice cut through the noise. “The next vote will begin immediately.”

Once everything was in place, the players shuffled to the back of the center, gathering as they waited for their turn. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation. The voting counter stood ominously at the front.

“Player 006,” the manager called out.

A female player stepped forward. She approached the voting counter, and as you watched her walk, your mind wandered to someone who should have been called before her – Young-il, player 001.

His number had been skipped. The confirmation was undeniable: Young-il’s death was finalized. It was an unchangeable fact now etched into this twisted game. Your gaze fell to the floor, your heart heavy with grief. The memory of him flashed vividly in your mind. His quiet strength, his protective nature, the way he’d look at you with a mix of determination and warmth. He was gone, and you hadn’t even had the chance to mourn him properly.

Tears pricked at your eyes, but you blinked them away. This wasn’t the time or place. Still, the weight of his absence was suffocating, wrapping around your chest like a vice. You felt your eyes brim with tears and quickly looked up, hoping to dry them and reduce the risk of them spilling.

You thought of his voice, the way he’d call your name in that calm yet firm tone. You thought of the plan you’d made to meet outside of this nightmare. Seonyudo Park. One month after. At sunset. And now, that plan was gone. He was gone. The thought threatened to crush you, but you forced yourself to stay composed. You couldn’t afford to fall apart. Not here, not now.

The line continued to dwindle, the vote inching closer to its conclusion. And yet, all you could think about was the empty space where Young-il should have been. His absence was a gaping wound, one that no amount of time or wealth could ever heal.

In fifteen minutes, the voting concluded, and the result was no surprise: the majority voted for O. You had braced yourself for this outcome, knowing it was inevitable. After all, so many X players had been eliminated during the lights out and Gi-hun’s failed uprising plan. Hopelessness settled over you like a heavy weight. The realization that the X players were now outnumbered and powerless was unbearable.

You glanced at the group of X players. Some of them had started crying silently, their tears rolling down their cheeks without a sound. Their expressions carried the despair of knowing they were being forced to continue playing this deadly game, robbed of any semblance of choice.

It was a stark contrast to the O players, who erupted in jubilant cheers, their voices echoing across the dormitory like a cruel mockery of those in despair. Some clapped and shouted, grinning widely as they celebrated their supposed triumph over the X players. It was as if they had forgotten – or chose to ignore – that every win came at the cost of someone else's life.

“Based on the majority vote,” the manager announced, their voice cold and detached, “we will proceed with the next game right away. Please form four lines immediately.”

Suddenly, the masked officer standing behind the Front Man spoke up, “Manager 019, 009, and 007, you may proceed to your next task.”

The announcement made your stomach tighten. You had been so focused on the voting process that you almost forgot you were supposed to supervise the next game. You rose from your seat, noticing the other two managers standing as well. They turned and headed for the door, and you followed close behind. You didn’t know what to expect, but the chance to leave the control room – especially the Captain’s suffocating presence – was a small relief.

The next thing you knew, you entered a massive room. Your breath caught as you took in the sight before you. Two gargantuan dolls dominated the space, one instantly recognizable as the girl from Red Light, Green Light. The other was a boy wearing a cap, his face carved with the same eerie precision. The two dolls faced one another, separated by a large gap. In the middle of that gap was a massive conveyor belt, its path forming a wide, perfect circle between the two dolls. Numbers, like those on a clock, surrounded the conveyor belt. The number twelve was positioned directly in front of the boy doll, while the number six faced the girl doll.

On the east side of the conveyor belt, you noticed a railroad crossing sign. Its green and red lights were currently off, but its presence added another layer of confusion to you. To the west was a large playhouse, brightly colored. It faced the conveyor belt and the dolls. A staircase at the back of the playhouse led up into it, while a children’s slide curved down from the front.

Your mind raced, trying to piece together what the next game could be. The surreal setup was unsettling, but you couldn’t afford to let your curiosity show. Asking questions could draw unnecessary attention and make you seem suspicious.

“One of us will manage the game operation,” manager 019 said, breaking the silence. Their voice was steady as they glanced between you and manager 009. “If none of you volunteer, I’ll operate it. Any objections?”

You turned to manager 009, who nodded and replied, “Okay. I’ll watch from the side.”

Then manager 019’s attention shifted to you. “How about you?”

You fell silent, weighing your options carefully. You wanted to keep an eye on your friends, maybe even find a way to help them, but the truth was, you had no idea how to operate this game. If you made mistakes, you’d draw suspicion, and that was a risk you couldn’t afford. After a moment of deliberation, you decided it was best to observe first, learn how the game worked, and then figure out your next move.

“I’m fine with that,” you replied, shaking your head to manager 019’s question.

Manager 019 gave a nod and walked toward the playhouse. As manager 009 moved to another area, you kept your gaze fixed on manager 019, watching them ascend the stairs into the brightly colored structure. Through the small windows of the playhouse, you could see them take a position at the window facing the dolls and look down at something.

It was at that moment the conveyor belt began to hum softly, coming to life. Lights flickered on above the dolls and the conveyor belt, illuminating the massive room in a surreal glow. As the machinery moved, your eyes were drawn upward to the ceiling. It was then you noticed the intricate paintings covering the wallpaper and ceiling.

Above the boy doll was a crescent moon painted on the ceiling, casting a calm, nighttime aura over the walls on his side. On the other hand, above the girl doll was a vibrant sunset, warm and evocative of the end of the day. Suddenly, the numbers on the conveyor belt made sense. Twelve o’clock corresponded to Cheol-su and the moon – midnight. Six o’clock was aligned with Young-hee and the sunset – evening. But even with these details falling into place, you still couldn’t figure out what kind of game this was.

“007, please check the lights beneath the conveyor belt in front of Cheol-su,” manager 009’s voice broke through your thoughts. “I will check the other lights near Young-hee.”

You nodded and glanced around. Assuming that Cheol-su was the boy doll, you walked over to his side of the conveyor belt. Sure enough, there was a light projector beneath the conveyor belt at the 12 o’clock mark. As you inspected it, manager 019 did something from their position in the playhouse. Suddenly, more sections of the conveyor belt lit up at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. You stared at the glowing sections, wondering what the game would entail and what purpose the lights served.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulled your attention back to the present. A group of triangle guards entered the massive room. Behind them came the rest of the players, their expressions a mix of confusion and fear.

“What the hell is this?” one voice called out, tinged with panic.

“Why are there two of them now?” another player asked, pointing at the towering Cheol-su and Young-hee.

Then, the first announcement answered to their questions:

“Welcome to your fourth game. The game you will be playing is Open, Dongdaemun.”

Your eyes widened at the name of the game, a childhood classic one you'd played in kindergarten before. The reaction among the players was immediate. Some began to exchange uneasy glances as realization dawned on them. Jun-hee and the mother shared a worried look. Gi-hun stood quietly, his wide eyes darting around solemnly.

The announcer continued, “All players, please step onto the conveyor belt. Place your hands on the shoulders of the player in front of you to mimic a train. When the game starts, the railroad crossing sign will turn green, and the conveyor belt will move clockwise. The song Open, Dongdaemun will begin to play and mention a number in a clock. When the crossing sign turns red, the conveyor belt will stop, and the numbered area mentioned last in the song will be the area of elimination.”

You felt a chill run down your spine as you listened.

“Four players standing on the selected time will be eliminated.”

The gravity of the announcement hit everyone at once. Whispers of fear filled the air as the players tried to grasp the mechanics of the game. The circle guards soon entered the room to assist in the preparations.

You caught sight of Jun-hee glancing nervously at Yong-sik’s mother, who tried to offer a comforting squeeze of her hand. Gi-hun stared at the conveyor belt, his jaw clenched tightly in suppressed tension. Hyun-ju kept her gaze fixed on the floor, her shoulders hunched as if she was still drowning in despair. Dae-ho lingered a few steps behind the group, hesitating like he couldn’t bring himself to close the gap. Then, you noticed Jung-bae approach him, gently patting his back. Dae-ho flinched slightly at the contact, his expression flickering with unease before he glanced at Jung-bae with a hesitant nod.

Jung-bae gently guided Dae-ho into the group, placing him right beside Gi-hun. Dae-ho avoided meeting Gi-hun’s gaze, his eyes fixed on the floor instead. In that moment, you sensed a lingering tension between them, something unspoken but heavy. Was it because of Dae-ho’s failure to deliver the ammunition during the revolt?

“All players, please step onto the conveyor belt,” the announcer said.

Players began stepping hesitantly onto the unmoving conveyor belt. A few lingered at the edges, their reluctance clear in the way they glanced nervously at the dolls and the machinery. The circle guards moved and guided them into position. One by one, the players were arranged in a single-file line on the conveyor belt, all facing clockwise as instructed.

Once they were in place, the workers bent down and began locking the players’ legs into clamps attached to the conveyor belt. The metal clamps snapped shut around their ankles with an audible click. The players shifted uneasily, realizing the clamps rendered them immobile. Escape was no longer an option.

When the workers finished, they gestured for the players to place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them, mimicking the formation of a train. The players obeyed. The workers gave everything a final check before retreating to the walls.

The voice of the announcer echoed through the massive room. “Let the fourth game begin.”

A low hum signaled the conveyor belt coming to life. It began moving clockwise at a slow, deliberate pace. The sudden motion startled the players, and a few gasped audibly. Some tightened their grip on the shoulders in front of them for balance, while others stiffened, their bodies tensing as they tried to adjust.

Above them, the lights flickered on, casting intricate patterns onto the players and the conveyor belt. Then, the music began.

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s twelve sharp, the Gates are closed.”

But then, the music repeated, and it picked up speed. The conveyor belt responded in kind, moving faster with each repetition of the song. The sudden acceleration made some players gasp in alarm, and a few stumbled slightly before regaining their footing.

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s three sharp, the Gates are closed.”

A sharp ping rang out, silencing the music. The railroad crossing sign turned red, and the conveyor belt came to an abrupt halt. The players nearly fell forward from the sudden stop, but they quickly steadied themselves, clutching the shoulders in front of them for support. A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone processed what had just happened.

Then, the three o’clock area on the conveyor belt lit up with a vivid glow. The light illuminated four players standing in that section, their expressions quickly shifting to panic. The other players turned their heads, their faces pale as they stared at the unlucky individuals caught in the spotlight. The room seemed to hold its breath as the realization set in: those four were marked for elimination.

One of the players in the lit area began shaking their head in disbelief. “No, no, please…”

Four triangle guards appeared beside the conveyor belt. They raised their MP5s, aiming directly at the four players who had begun pleading desperately for mercy. The players’ cries echoed in the vast room, but the guards didn’t hesitate. A series of deafening gunshots filled the air as they opened fire, their bullets tearing through the marked individuals. The remaining players flinched in terror, some even letting out muffled sobs. You felt yourself flinch as well, but you quickly masked your reaction, forcing yourself to remain composed. Drawing attention to yourself was the last thing you needed.

The lifeless bodies of the four players collapsed onto the conveyor belt, their blood pooling beneath them and spreading across the surface. The sight made several players avert their eyes, their expressions twisted with horror and dread. As the tension in the room reached a suffocating peak, the voice of the announcer rang out once again:

“All players, please wait while the workers clean up.”

From the far side of the room, a group of circle guards began to approach. They moved efficiently, splitting into two teams – one to handle the cleanup and the other to tend to the surviving players. The latter team of workers crouched beside the players, unlocking their clamps temporarily. Then, the players were instructed to step aside as the bodies were removed. Once the area was cleared, the guards guided the players back into position, ensuring they filled the gaps left by the deceased. The clamps were locked back onto their ankles.

You took in the scene with a heavy heart. The game was merciless, and the players – your friends among them – were being subjected to unthinkable terror. You couldn’t dwell on it for too long, though. With purpose in your steps, you turned away and began ascending the staircase toward the playhouse.

The interior of the playhouse was cramped but functional, designed to mimic the living room and kitchen of a house while also being made for the sole purpose of operating the mechanics of the game. Manager 019 stood by the controls, their posture relaxed but their focus sharp. As you stepped inside, they glanced over and addressed you.

“What is it? You want to operate this?”

You hesitated briefly before responding. “Yes, but this second round is yours.”

Manager 019 gave a curt nod. “Okay. You can have your turn after the fourth round. Then Manager 009 can take over after your eighth round. That way it’s fair for all three of us getting four rounds each.”

You stayed silent, processing their words. Beneath the square mask concealing your face, your brow furrowed in concern. Twelve rounds. This game would have twelve rounds in total. The realization hit you like a blow to the chest. Your friends would have to endure this ordeal twelve times.

The next round began with the manager pressing on a large green button on the control panel. The railroad crossing sign turned green, and the conveyor belt began its slow, deliberate movement. Above, the lights flickered on, casting those strange, spiraling patterns over the players. The familiar melody of the song started again:

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s twelve sharp, the Gates are closed.”

Twelve. You mentally noted the number.

The song repeated, this time picking up speed. The conveyor belt followed suit, its pace quickening enough to make a few players grip the shoulders in front of them harder.

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s three sharp, the Gates are closed.”

Three. The number registered in your mind, but you barely had time to dwell on it before the song repeated again. The pace was almost frantic now, the conveyor belt spinning faster and faster. A few players stumbled slightly, their nervous gasps audible even over the music.

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s six sharp, the Gates are closed.”

Six. You held your breath. The song looped back once more, but this time, the tempo eased. The conveyor belt slowed to match, giving the players a brief reprieve.

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s nine sharp, the Gates are closed.”

Nine. You noted the number, but the brief relief of the slower pace was quickly overshadowed by manager 019’s movements.

Their gloved hand hovered over a bright red button before pressing it firmly, causing a sharp ping to echo through the room. The railroad crossing sign turned red, and the conveyor belt came to an abrupt halt. The music cut off abruptly, leaving behind a deafening silence that hung heavy in the air.

Manager 019 reached out and pressed the button labeled with the number ‘9.’ It was one of a series of numbered buttons aligned in a row, including ‘12,’ ‘3,’ and ‘6.’ As their gloved finger made contact, the nine o’clock section of the conveyor belt lit up abruptly, casting an intense, unforgiving glow onto the four players standing in that area.

Their faces drained of color as they realized what it meant. The rest of the players turned to look, their expressions ranging from shock to pure terror.

One of the four players began to tremble. “No, no, please.”

The triangle guards stepped forward without hesitation. Each guard took a position beside one of the marked players. The players began pleading, their voices desperate and raw, but the guards raised their MP5s, their fingers steady on the triggers. Without a word, the guards fired.

The gunshots were deafening, each one echoing in your chest. The marked players fell limp, their bodies collapsing onto the conveyor belt. Blood spread across the surface as the remaining players recoiled in horror. Some clamped their hands over their mouths to stifle their cries, while others turned their heads away, unable to look.

“All players, please wait while the workers clean up,” the announcer’s voice rang out.

The circle guards entered once again as they removed the lifeless bodies from the conveyor belt. Other workers crouched to unlock the clamps of the surviving players, guiding them to close the gap left by the fallen. The conveyor belt was reset, and the clamps were resecured.

You glanced at manager 019 as they stood by the controls. Then, your gaze shifted upward to the ceiling of the playhouse. There, mounted inconspicuously, was a CCTV camera overlooking the entire space. Your stomach tightened. You have to take care of that first.

While the workers were still cleaning up the scene, you stepped outside of the playhouse and descended the staircase. Your movements were purposeful as you strode toward the line of triangle guards standing by the wall. Your eyes scanned their jumpsuits and shoes, searching for the subtle marks you, 011, and Gyeong-seok had made to identify one another in the sea of pink uniforms.

The soldiers remained silent, respecting your role without a question. One by one, you scrutinized their outfits, keeping your movements casual to avoid drawing suspicion. Finally, you spotted them – 011 and 014 – standing beside each other, their MP5s slung across their chests. Their attention were already locked on you.

“011 and 014,” you called out, your voice distorted by the square mask.

“Anything I could help with, manager?” 011 asked.

“Follow me,” you instructed without missing a beat.

The two of them obeyed immediately, falling into step behind you as you led them back toward the playhouse. Your eyes darted around the room, ensuring no one was too close to overhear. Once you were certain the path was clear, you lowered your voice and spoke quickly but firmly.

“I want to manipulate the game in the next rounds. But there’s a CCTV in that playhouse.”

011 responded immediately, “Leave it to me. I just need you to distract the guard first.”

You nodded, relief mixing with the tension building in your chest. The plan was risky, but it was your only option if you wanted to take control and help your friends. Just as you were about to say more, the speakers crackled to life, and an announcement echoed through the room.

“Let the third round begin.”

The mechanical hum of the conveyor belt filled the space as the railroad crossing sign turned green. The familiar melody of Open, Dongdaemun began to play once more.

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s twelve sharp, the Gates are closed.”

You ascended the stairs, 011 and 014 trailing close behind. But before you could reach the top, a sharp ping echoed through the room, cutting through the eerie melody of the game. The railroad crossing sign turned red. It came sooner than you expected, making you freeze mid-step. Your head snapped toward the conveyor belt.

The twelve section of the conveyor belt lit up, its harsh glow illuminating the players standing in that spot. Four… no, five players were there. Your breath hitched as your eyes widened in fear. Among them were three random players whose faces you barely recognized… and the kind mother and Jun-hee.

“No,” you whispered under your breath, dread pooling in your stomach.

The announcer’s female voice rang out over the speakers, “Attention. Only four players are to be eliminated each round. The five players standing on the twelve section must now decide among themselves. One player will be spared, and the remaining four will be eliminated. You have one minute to come to a decision. Failure to reach a unanimous decision will result in the elimination of all five players.”

Flickering lights were cast from the ceiling, quickening the heartbeat of every player in the room. An LED timer flickered to life on the floor in the middle of the conveyor belt circle, its large numbers beginning the one-minute countdown. The pressure in the air was almost palpable as the reality of the moment settled in.

The mother’s eyes darted between the random players and Jun-hee, who was already trembling violently behind her. The room seemed to shrink, the oppressive silence only broken by the overlapping voices of the random players as they fiercely argued for their lives.

“I have a child back home!” one of the players shouted, their voice cracking with desperation. “I need to go back to them! How can you ask me to give up my life?”

“We all have something to live for!” another spat back, their fists clenched. “You don’t get to use that as an excuse to save yourself.”

The third player, visibly shaking, clutched her chest as she spoke, her words spilling out in a frantic rush. “Please, just let me live. I’ll… I’ll do anything! I can’t die here. Please!”

Amid the heated debate, Jun-hee’s sobs grew louder. Tears streamed down her face, her breathing uneven as she clung desperately and tremblingly to the mother’s hand. You realized then just how deeply Jun-hee had grown attached to the mother, seeing her as a maternal figure. This bond, forged in fear and mutual care, made the thought of being separated unbearable for Jun-hee. Her cries weren’t just of fear for her life but of losing the woman who had comforted and protected her when everything else seemed lost.

The mother turned to her, her expression softening despite the chaos around them. She placed both hands on Jun-hee’s shoulders, steadying her.

“Jun-hee,” she said gently, her voice warm and calming despite the tremor beneath it. She looked like she was about to start crying too but she tried to be strong for the pregnant girl. “Listen to me. You have to stay strong. You… you have to survive. For your baby.”

Jun-hee shook her head frantically, her face red and wet with tears. “No! No, I don't want... you to die! Please, no!”

Her sobs became louder, her hands gripping the mother’s tightly, refusing to let go.

The mother’s lips trembled, but she forced a small, reassuring smile. “You’re carrying a life, Jun-hee. That’s more important than anything else. I… I’ve lived my life. But I'm sad...”

She paused, causing Jun-hee to stare at her with wide eyes. The mother smiled warmly at her and said, “I'm sad that I couldn't be there to help you deliver your baby... I'm sorry, okay?”

“No, you can’t say that!” Jun-hee cried, clinging to her as though letting go would make her disappear. “You can’t die here! I… Please no!”

Across the room, Yong-sik – who was standing behind Jun-hee – stood paralyzed, tears streaming down his face as he watched his mother and Jun-hee. His hands covered his mouth, his sobs muffled but no less heart-wrenching. He stumbled forward slightly, as though his body wanted to reach his mother but due to the clamps around his ankles, he couldn't.

“Mom!” Yong-sik’s voice cracked as he finally spoke. “Mom!”

The mother turned to him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Yong-sik, you need to be strong. Take care of Jun-hee. Take care of yourself. No more gambling. That’s all I want.”

Hyun-ju, standing behind Yong-sik, began to cry, her lips trembling uncontrollably as sadness overtook her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her voice cracked as she called the mother using the halmeoni title. The mother turned to her with a warm, tearful smile, her eyes glistening with emotion. “Hyun-ju, I pray that you survive. You are strong and beautiful, inside and out, and I am so proud to have known you.”

Hyun-ju’s knees wobbled slightly as she lowered her gaze, her shoulders trembling under the weight of the mother’s words. Tears poured down her cheeks more freely.

Gi-hun, standing in the distance, was already frowning in extreme sadness. His eyes were moist with unshed tears, threatening to spill. He was speechless, the weight of everything he’d lost crushing him. He had gotten attached to this group. They were more than just players to him; they had become his friends and family in this nightmare. Watching this scene unfold only deepened his anguish, and he stood frozen, unsure of how to even begin processing the pain of yet another looming loss. 

“No, no, no,” Jung-bae muttered under his breath, his hands trembling uncontrollably. His voice cracked with raw emotion, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears as he stared at the scene unfolding in front of him.

"Not them... not like this," he whispered, his usual optimism and humor buried under the weight of the moment. For once, his voice held no levity, only a deep, aching sorrow that reflected his helplessness.

Dae-ho stood farther back, tears already streaming down his face. He quickly brought his hands to his face, wiping them furiously, as if he didn’t want anyone to see him like this. Still, his emotions betrayed him. His trembling shoulders and red-rimmed eyes revealed just how deeply affected he was by the scene unfolding before him.

The three random players continued their heated argument, their voices rising and overlapping. One of them turned to Jun-hee and the mother, their tone sharp. “We don’t have time for this! Do you think your life is more important than ours?”

Jun-hee flinched at the words, her sobs intensifying. The mother stepped in front of her protectively, her expression firm, though her lips trembled.

“Don’t talk to her like that,” she said, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes. “She’s pregnant. She’s the one who should survive.”

The random players exchanged tense glances. One of them, trembling with frustration, finally spat out, “Why is she even here in the first place? We’re all fighting for our lives, and being pregnant doesn’t mean she deserves to live more than the rest of us!”

Another player nodded quickly, latching onto the argument. “Exactly! We’ve all got reasons to live. A baby doesn’t make her special!”

The tension reached its breaking point when player 333, standing behind Dae-ho, shouted, “Are you that selfish? That inhumane? You’d let a pregnant girl die just to save your own skin? She’s carrying a life, for God’s sake! What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

The words echoed across the room, silencing the arguing players for a brief moment. But the desperation remained as the timer continued to count down. Every second felt like a hammer driving nails into the fragile hope that hung in the air.

Meanwhile, your heart pounded like a drum as you slipped into the playhouse. Manager 019 stood at the controls, their gloved hands poised over the buttons as they monitored the game from the small window. The scene outside was a horrifying spectacle, but your focus was razor-sharp. You had to act fast.

“019,” you said firmly, stepping closer to the control panel. The urgency in your voice was masked by the distorted tone of your square mask, but it caught their attention. They glanced at you.

“What is it?” they asked, their voice impatient.

You gestured toward the controls. “I need some clarification. There’s a discrepancy in the task parameters.”

As manager 019 turned their full attention to you, you made sure to block their view of the room behind them. Soldier 011, moving with quiet precision, slipped toward the CCTV camera mounted in the corner of the playhouse. She was careful to not get captured in the live feed. With one swift motion, 011 smashed the camera’s lens with the butt of their MP5, the sound of breaking glass ringing out sharply.

Manager 019 stiffened at the noise, spinning around. Their eyes darted toward 011.

“What the hell are you doing?” they barked, reaching for the radio clipped to their belt.

Without thinking, you lunged at them, grabbing their arm to stop them from making the call.

“Get the radio!” you shouted to 011 as you struggled against manager 019’s surprisingly strong resistance.

The two of you grappled, your movements frantic and desperate. 011 joined the fight, trying to pull the radio away, but manager 019 managed to shake you both off with a burst of strength. They stumbled back, reaching for the device again.

But before they could, soldier 014 – Gyeong-seok in disguise – appeared and struck them hard across the head with the butt of the weapon. The force of the blow sent them crumpling to the floor, unconscious.

The room fell into a tense silence. Your heart pounded in your chest, the adrenaline coursing through you making your hands tremble.

“Five.”

Your eyes widened. It was the countdown. Five seconds left for the five players to come to a decision.

“Four.”

Panic seized your thoughts, but you forced yourself into action. You straightened up and rushed to the control panel. Without hesitation, your hand slammed onto the green button you had seen Manager 019 press earlier to start the round.

Suddenly, the railroad crossing sign turned green, and the conveyor belt roared to life, rotating clockwise. The sudden movement caused nearly all the players to stumble in surprise, their startled gasps echoing through the room. Then the familiar, haunting melody began to play again:

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s twelve sharp, the Gates are closed.”

The room was consumed by confusion. Players’ eyes were wide and frantic as they tried to comprehend what had just happened. Jun-hee and the mother stood frozen for a moment, their faces pale and drenched in fear. Then, as the realization dawned on them that they were no longer in immediate danger, they stared at one another in disbelief.

To them, it must have felt like divine intervention. A miracle had spared them from the brutal fate just seconds ago. You could see it in their tear-filled eyes, the way they clung to each other's hands as though afraid this reprieve might vanish at any moment.

But for you, the weight of the moment pressed down like a vice. Sweat dripped from your brow as your hands hovered over the panel. The reality of the situation hit you like a freight train. You are now operating the game. The lives of everyone on that conveyor belt – your friends, strangers, everyone – are in your hands.

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s three sharp, the Gates are closed.”

You pressed your lips into a thin line, anxiety clawing its way up your chest. The weight of what you were doing – what you were responsible for – hung over you like a storm cloud. But you had made it here for a reason, hadn’t you? To help your friends. To protect Jun-hee and the mother. You had saved them, hadn’t you? You couldn’t stop now. The game had to go on or else the Front Man will get suspicious. And you had to make sure your friends stayed safe, no matter the cost.

The song repeated, faster now, its tempo quickening as the conveyor belt sped up to match:

“Open the East, East, East Grand Gate. Open the South, South, South Grand Gate. When it’s six sharp, the Gates are closed.”

Your eyes darted across the conveyor belt, scanning for your friends. Relief washed over you when you confirmed they weren’t near the six section. Your hand moved almost mechanically as you pressed the red button. A sharp ping cut through the air, the signal that froze everything in place. The railroad crossing sign turned red, and the conveyor belt ground to an abrupt halt. The haunting music stopped.

You felt your breath hitch as you mimicked what manager 019 had done before. This time, your finger pressed firmly on the button labeled ‘6.” A floodlight illuminated the six section on the conveyor belt, casting an unforgiving glow on the players caught there.

Four players stood in that section, their faces pale and their bodies trembling as the reality of their situation set in. All of them were O players. The ones who had dominated the vote. The ones who had celebrated the prize money without a second thought for the lives lost. Now, they were the ones begging for mercy.

“Please! Don’t do this!”

Another dropped to their knees despite the clamps around their ankles. “I’ll do anything! Please, let me live! I have a family! I can’t die here!”

Four triangle guards marched forward. They raised their MP5s, the barrels gleaming under the harsh lights. The players’ desperate pleas hung in the air, but the guards fired without hesitation. The sharp crack of gunfire shattered the room, cutting through the cries and leaving only silence in its wake.

You stared at the scene in a trance, your hands trembling as they hovered over the controls. The enormity of what you had done crashed over you like a tidal wave. You had made this choice. You had pressed the buttons that sealed their fate. Your body froze as the sickening thud of their bodies hitting the conveyor belt reverberated through the room.

That’s when the radio in your jumpsuit’s pocket crackled to life. A deep, distorted voice came through:

“Manager 007, what happened?”

The words sent a cold shiver racing down your spine. Your skin prickled with goosebumps as the realization struck you. It was the Front Man. His voice was as chilling and authoritative as ever, and it held an unspoken expectation for a swift and precise response.

For a moment, your mind went blank, panic threatening to overwhelm you. Before you could speak, soldier 011 stepped closer, her voice distorted behind that mask. “Tell him it’s a maintenance delay. Say the conveyor belt calibration triggered a temporary shutdown and it accidentally restarted.”

You swallowed hard and took a deep breath, your fingers gripping the radio tightly. Pressing the button, you spoke, forcing your voice to remain steady despite the racing of your heart.

“Maintenance delay, captain,” you said, the distortion of the mask hiding the tremor in your tone. “The conveyor belt triggered a temporary shutdown and it accidentally restarted. Everything is now under control.”

The silence that followed was agonizing. You could almost feel the Front Man’s scrutiny through the radio. You could even feel his suffocating presence behind you. Seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity before his voice came through again.

“Proceed.”

The radio went silent, and you released the breath you hadn’t realized you were holding. Your hands trembled slightly as you shoved the radio back into your pocket.

“You okay?” Gyeong-seok, still in his disguise, asked, his voice filled with concern.

You didn’t answer right away. Instead, you took a few shaky steps backward, hoping to ground yourself, to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions and chaos swirling around you.

“Be care—” Gyeong-seok began, but his words were cut short as your foot caught against something hard. You stumbled but 011 and Gyeong-seok were quick to react. Their hands gripped your shoulders firmly, steadying you before you could fall.

You turned your head and saw what had caused your stumble – the unconscious body of manager 019 sprawled on the floor. The sight made your stomach twist, a stark reminder of how far things had spiraled out of control.

“Crouch down. Let’s switch masks,” 011 said suddenly.

You glanced at her, your eyes widening in confusion.

“I’ll take over the control panel,” she explained. “I’ll make sure your friends stay safe.”

“Yeah,” Gyeong-seok chimed in. “I’ll guide her, point out which players are our friends. Or she could just focus on targeting the O players.”

You hesitated for a moment, your mind racing. After a brief pause, you nodded. Together, you and 011 crouched down, keeping out of sight beneath the tiny windows of the playhouse.

With trembling hands, you removed your square mask, the cool air hitting your flushed, sweaty face like a relief and a punishment all at once. Your hair clung damply to your skin, the hours spent in the stifling mask and jumpsuit leaving you uncomfortably sticky. Across from you, 011 did the same, her face equally damp.

The exchange was quick. She handed you her triangle mask, and you passed her the square one. Both of you adjusted the masks over your heads, the switch complete in a matter of seconds. The moment her mask was secure, 011 stood and moved to the control panel, taking over with quiet efficiency.

For the rest of the game, she worked in near silence, her hands steady on the controls. Occasionally, Gyeong-seok pointed something out to her but you tuned it out. You stayed where you were, seated on the floor, hidden from view. The coldness of the floor seeped into your body, but it was nothing compared to the icy guilt gnawing at your insides.

Your mind kept replaying the moment you pressed the buttons, the way the floodlight illuminated the O players, the way their desperate pleas filled the air before they were silenced forever. They had celebrated their majority vote, their victory over the X players, but that didn’t erase the humanity in their fear. You had sealed their fate. Their bloods were on your hands.

“Hey,” 011’s voice broke through the thick silence, her tone unexpectedly gentle. You glanced up at her from where you sat on the floor, your body still tense from everything that had just transpired. She kept her gaze fixed on the players through the tiny window of the playhouse, her hands steady on the controls.

“What’s your task after this?” she asked, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of something heavier. Concern, maybe.

You hesitated, your eyes drifting to the floor as you tried to recall the next step in your role.

“I… I will guard the Captain this evening,” you answered, your voice quieter than you intended.

Her silence that followed was tense. The weight of her unspoken thoughts seemed to hang in the air, pressing down on you. Gyeong-seok, standing beside her but a step behind, glanced between the two of you, his curiosity barely hidden.

Finally, 011 spoke again, her voice lower and more solemn than before. “Be careful. Whatever he asks you to do, just do it. Don’t question it. Just follow through.”

Her words made your chest tighten. The weight of what she was implying wasn’t lost on you.

“But,” she added after a pause, “if you can’t handle it… if it’s too much…”

She hesitated for the briefest of moments before continuing, “Just reveal your face.”

Your eyes widened in shock, and you turned your head sharply to look at her. Gyeong-seok’s head swiveled toward her too, his posture stiff with tension.

011, still wearing the square mask, didn’t turn to look at you. She kept her focus on the scene outside. “Once he knows who you are, he will spare you.”

Her statement hung in the air. You couldn’t comprehend it at first. Why would the Captain – the Front Man – spare you? What did she know that you didn’t? Questions swirled in your mind, but you couldn’t find the words to ask them. All you could do was stare at her in disbelief.

NEXT : Chapter 16

PREV : Chapter 14

Story Masterlist

This is the Dongdaemun song (don't mention about this story in the YouTube comments) I used to envision the fourth game. This is not what will happen in the Season 3 because I made this all up using all the clues we got from the post-credit ending. Still, I'm curious to know what's your theory on the fourth game is.

Please feel free to leave comments and feedback about my story, the characters, the "you", and practically anything! I love reading your comments, especially long ones! It motivates me a lot! So what do you feel about the Front Man asking all managers to see him personally? Do you think he wouldn't notice about your stunt? I think I should write about his POV because there are so many things happening behind your back. Since this is a 'you' POV, you couldn't really tell what's going on. Next, we finally get to see 011's face. Those who guessed it right in the previous chapter, you're correct. Now, what do you think about the Masked Officer suddenly calling you and eight others to be the first 'emergency batch' to alternate tasks? Then the part when the Front Man was right behind you and supervising you closely? Do you feel that nervousness yourself? Next, how do you think I wrote the voting process? And then, the fourth game. What are your thoughts on this fourth game I wrote? Do you think it makes sense with all the clues from the post-credit ending of Season 2? Do you think it's brutal? And then that part of Jun-hee and the mother. I really want to know your reaction on this! Anyway, thank you very much for giving my story a chance. I love reading and re-reading all of your comments!

Leave a comment on the masterlist post to be added to the taglist.

[i-amm-mj]

Breeding kink - smut to fluff

afabreader! x Katsuki Bakugo

⚠️ smut, breeding kink, dirty talk, creampie ⚠️

Katsuki doesn´t come from a big a family, so he doesn´t know where this craving for impregnate you with at least four of his kids is coming from. He woke up one day with you beside him, and saw your beautiful body sprawled on the mattress and he realized that you had awoken his most primal desires. He wanted to fuck you day and night until he got you pregnant; until he could see your belly all rounded and your breasts swelling and big from the milk that he was going to help you got out with his own mouth.

“That´s it, baby” he growled in your ear while pounding his dick in and out of your pussy “I´m gonna give you all of my cum and you´re gonna take it like the good girl you are, right?” You were so lost on the pleasure that the only thing you could do was dumbly nod.  

 “I´m gonna get you fucking pregnant. Going to give you as many kids as you want” he gulped hard when your walls pulsed around his dick “you´d like that, wouldn´t you?” you moaned. His sinful words and the way his hips moved against your own had your head spinning without a single coherent thought allowed to form.

“Yes, yes, please” you closed your eyes trying to enjoy the feeling starting to erupt in your lower belly.

“Please what?” He smirked while adjusting himself on the bed so he could lift your left ancle to his shoulder and have a better angle to that spot inside that had you curling your toes.

“Plea-please make me a mommy. I want your cum deep inside me” his breath hitched. Fucking hell, he loved when you responded to his dirty talk even with your mind all numb from the sex “Oh, fuck, I´m so close Kats, don´t stop” you said, and he inclined towards you to exchange a passionate kiss. It didn´t matter that it was all teeth and tongue because it was so fucking hot. You were fucking hot.

“Give it to me, gorgeous. Cum on my dick. Make a mess on me” He continued pounding into you so deliciously. You could feel every vein on his dick and the way it pulsed inside you wanting to explode right there.

“Cum with me, Kats. Please cum with me” you begged. A shiver went through his spine and his dick almost burst at the way your voice shook with every word.

“Fuck, I´m close too” he answered furrowing his brows, concentrating on the way your pussy sucked him in. You were so fucking wet that it slipped easily. He hissed.

“Right there. Right there” you cried out and Katsuki moved his thumb on your clit to amplify the sensations. That was all you needed to reach your peak. You moaned even harder and convulsed around his dick which made him cum at the same time. He spurted his cum in your pussy like he promised and then collapsed on top of you. You massaged his scalp, and he purred in contentment.

“I´m serious though” he murmured after giving your collarbones a light kiss.

“About what?” you asked a little confused.

“Knocking you up with my children” you giggled. He raised his head from your chest and pouted “What´s so funny idiot?”

“Aren´t we too young?”

“We´re 26”

“Exactly” you answered with a smile “Kids are a great responsibility and a very big investment.”  

“I´m hero number 5 right now, and in a few years I´ll be number 1 if fucking Deku doesn´t beat me to it, but even if I´m number 2 for the rest of my career I´m sure I can provide even a family of ten. And I´m sure you´ll get promoted sooner or later too because you´re the fucking best at what you do.” He stated.

“Ten!? Omg, didn´t you say four!?”

“Plans change” he smirked playfully. You laughed softly but wholeheartedly. Katsuki loved your laugh. He loved everything about you.

“We are not even married Kats,” you caressed his face with a smile on your face “my mother would never forgive me having a child outside marriage.”

He considered his words for a few seconds, and you tried to guess what was going on in that pretty but stubborn head of his. He then looked you in the eye and without doubt said “Let´s get married then. What are we waiting for?”

[focusonkayjay]

between the ride and the roses (12)

Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader

Genre/Tags: biker/ motorcycle shop owner! jungkook x flower shop owner! reader, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, slow burn, angst, smut, fluff

Word count: 8.4k+

Series summary: There's an insane turn of events when your calm and peaceful life is intruded by Jungkook, a biker boy who sets up his loud business right next to your own. Your paths cross under unlikely circumstances, starting with a clash of personalities but gradually you find yourself establishing a deeper connection with the annoyingly attractive biker jerk. You both have no idea what's in store for you guys as you try your best to put up with each other.

Chapter Warnings: protected sex, oral (f. receiving), fingering, so many emotions and feelings, jungkook is a SIMP

A/N: sorry for the late update. this is a longer chapter compared to the others to make up for it. hope you guys enjoy this part !! lmk your thoughts and stay tunedddd <3

part 12: high octane roses

Jungkook’s apartment feels warm and inviting, a reflection of him in every way. The dim lighting casts a golden glow across the room, highlighting the cozy furniture arranged in a way that makes the space feel so intimate.

You notice little details… a soft crocheted blanket draped over the couch, a small bookshelf lined with novels and motorcycle magazines, and a shelf filled with framed photographs.

You wander closer to the shelf, your curiosity piqued. The photos tell stories of a life filled with people he cares about. One picture shows him with his friends, all grinning wide, arms slung around each other’s shoulders.

Another captures a younger Jungkook with his family, his bunny-toothed smile as bright as ever. Then, there’s one of him as a child, maybe four or five, holding a tiny toy bike with a proud smile. You can’t help but smile as you take it all in… it’s a side of him you’ve never seen before, and it only makes you fall for him a little more.

As you linger by the photos, Jungkook’s voice pulls you back. “You’re shivering.” he observes, his tone laced with concern. You hadn’t even realized how cold you were, the damp clothes sticking to your skin, amplifying the chill.

“Come on.” he says, taking you to his room as he opens his closet. “You can take a shower and warm up. I’ll grab you something to wear.” He pulls out a soft brown hoodie and a pair of basketball shorts, handing them to you with an easy smile. “You can use the bathroom here. I’ll shower in the other bathroom and throw your clothes in the dryer.”

You nod, clutching the clothes to your chest and watch him leave. As you’re left alone in his bedroom, you’re immediately struck by how personal and cozy the space feels. The room is modest, yet it exudes Jungkook’s personality.

A row of miniature bike models lines the nightstand, and a few posters of sleek motorcycles decorate the walls. There’s even a helmet perched on a shelf, along with some trinkets and scattered books. It feels like a sanctuary… simple, warm, and utterly him.

You take a moment to run your fingers over the nightstand, marveling at the intricate details of the bike models. But the cold clinging to you is insistent, so you quickly head to the adjoining bathroom to shower.

The warm water is a blessing, washing away the chill and the remnants of the rain. After drying off, you slip into Jungkook’s hoodie. It’s oversized, the soft fabric reaching down to the middle of your thighs. You glance at the shorts but decide against them thinking the hoodie covers enough, and the thought of wearing something that smells so much like him is oddly comforting.

Once dressed, you return to his room, taking another look around. You find yourself drawn to the small details… another shelf with neatly arranged books, a picture of him at some biking event, and a pair of worn boots tucked in the corner. Eventually, you settle on the edge of his bed, fingers absentmindedly tracing the soft fabric of his comforter as you wait for him.

The sound of a door opening down the hall alerts you, and moments later, the door to his room swings open.

Jungkook steps in, rubbing a towel through his damp hair, clearly not expecting you to be there already. Your eyes widen as you take him in... he’s shirtless, his toned abs, chest and tattooed arms on full display, droplets of water still clinging to his skin. His joggers sit low on his hips, the waistband of his boxers teasingly peaking around his tiny waist.

“Oh.” he says, freezing mid-step when he notices you sitting on the bed. His wide eyes meet yours, and for a second, neither of you say anything. Then his gaze flicks down, taking in the sight of you in his oversized hoodie, your bare legs hanging by the frame of the bed, almost touching the floor.

He swallows hard, the tips of his ears turning pink. “Uh… I thought you were still in the shower.” he stammers, quickly running the towel over his hair again to mask his embarrassment.

You bite your lip, trying to suppress a smile as your heart hammers in your chest. “I finished just a while ago.” you say softly.

For a moment, the room feels hot, the air thick with something unspoken as Jungkook stands there, towel in hand, while you sit on his bed, looking up at him. His gaze lingers on you, soft yet intense, and you can almost feel the weight of his thoughts.

The sight of you sitting on his bed right out of the shower, wearing his hoodie, your exposed legs, your damp hair… stirs something inside him. There’s a quiet allure in the way you’re looking at him, eyes wide and curious, a mix of shyness and comfort in your expression. It’s as if everything around him vanishes, leaving only you.

Before he can stop himself, the towel slips from his fingers, landing softly on the floor by the door. His feet move on their own as he crosses the room, his chest rising and falling with quiet breaths. He stops just in front of you, and without a word, he bends forward, his hands cupping your face as he leans in, placing his lips on yours.

The kiss is sudden but it's deep and consuming, a silent confession of everything he’s been holding back. His touch is firm but tender, his thumbs brushing against your cheeks as he angles your face closer to his.

Your fingers instinctively reach out, finding one of his wrists for support as you let yourself melt into him. The warmth of his lips against yours sends a shiver down your spine, and for a moment, it feels as though time has stopped.

You lose yourself in the kiss, in the way he tastes, the way he holds you as though you’re the most precious thing in the world. It’s slow and passionate, carrying the weight of many emotions, and you can feel his heart in every movement.

Before you can fully process what’s happening, Jungkook gently pushes you back, guiding you until your head meets the soft comfort of the mattress beneath you.

His movements are firm, yet careful, as though he’s making sure you’re comfortable with every step. You feel the warmth of his body as he leans over you, and instinctively, your legs part to make room for him. He fits perfectly, settling between your thighs with an ease that feels natural, like he’s meant to be there.

The weight of him presses you deeper into the mattress, grounding you in the moment as his hips shift against yours, sending a shiver through your entire body. The kiss grows deeper, more consuming, as though the world outside his bedroom no longer exists.

His hands, once cradling your face so tenderly, slide down to your waist, gripping you firmly. His fingers curl into the fabric of his hoodie draped over you, the slight pressure sending sparks along your skin. You can feel the unspoken desire in his touch, the way his hands hold you with a mix of reverence and longing, as though you’re something he never wants to let go of.

The intensity between you grows as his body presses closer, the heat radiating off him sinking into your skin. When his erection grazes against your core, a soft, involuntary moan escapes your lips, swallowed by the searing kiss. It only spurs him on, his fingers starting a slow, teasing journey along the curve of your thighs.

His touch is light at first, fingertips brushing the outside of your legs, igniting a trail of fire as they glide upward. When his hands slip beneath the hem of the oversized hoodie, the warmth of his palms against your bare skin makes your breath hitch. The delicate, tantalizing movements send a rush of electricity coursing through your body.

You arch into his touch, seeking more of him as his fingers ghost over the waistband of your underwear. Every motion is gentle, slow enough to drive you mad, yet filled with an aching desire. His hands finally settle on your hips, gripping them firmly, grounding you as the tension between you builds.

Jungkook lifts your hips slightly, a subtle yet intoxicating motion that aligns your bodies perfectly. His hardness presses against your core, and the friction sends a wave of pleasure rolling through you.

The motion is slow, his hips moving against yours, each shift of his body drawing a needy sound from your lips. The delicious pressure leaves you breathless, completely lost in the moment and the way he moves with you, as if nothing else in the world matters.

His lips pause against yours for just a moment, and when he pulls away, you’re met with the sight of his flushed face and eyes glazed with longing and desire.

But the moment is fleeting because he dives back in, his mouth capturing yours with renewed fervor. Each kiss is more urgent, each touch more electric, sending another wave of desire coursing through your veins.

It feels almost unreal, having him this close, feeling the intensity of his movements as if the world has narrowed down to just the two of you. His hips grind against yours with a growing urgency, the pressure making your toes curl.

You can feel his need, the way he wants you… heavy, consuming and undeniable. It fills the space between you, and you’re relieved, almost euphoric, to know you’re not the only one drowning in this feeling.

Your heartbeat thunders in your chest, matching the rhythm of his movements. Everything else fades away as he kisses you with a hunger that leaves you breathless, your body aching and trembling beneath him.

When he finally pulls back, his breathing is ragged, his lips red and swollen from the intensity. His fingers trail over your hips, before coming to rest on the hem of the hoodie you’re wearing. His eyes meet yours, dark and searching, silently asking for permission. When you nod, he pulls the hoodie over your head in one fluid motion.

The cool air kisses your bare skin, and you become acutely aware that you’re not wearing a bra. You’d left it in the bathroom, soaked from the rain, and now the vulnerability of the moment makes your cheeks flush. But any self-consciousness melts away when you see the way he looks at you.

Jungkook’s gaze roams over your body, his eyes taking in every curve and dip, lingering on your neck, collarbones, and chest. His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows hard, and he seems almost in awe, as if he can’t believe you’re real. His hands tremble slightly as they move to cup your face, and when he leans in to kiss you again, the tenderness in his touch contrasts beautifully with the raw desire in his eyes.

“You’re so beautiful...” he whispers against your lips, his voice soft but filled with emotion. “So perfect.” His words send a shiver down your spine, and you feel your heart swell at the sincerity in his tone. He pulls back just enough to meet your gaze, his expression a mixture of reverence and need. “You have no idea…” he murmurs, his voice trailing off as his breathing grows heavier. “You have no idea how bad I need you right now.”

His confession hangs in the air, charged and intimate, as you feel the heat radiating between you. When his length twitches against your core, your breath hitches.

His hands move with care, cupping your breasts as his thumbs gently graze over your hardened nipples. The sensation is electric, a bolt of pleasure that draws a soft gasp from your lips. His touch is tender but stimulating, so new and intoxicating that it leaves you panting, your body alight with sensations that are almost overwhelming.

When his mouth replaces his hand, the warmth of his tongue swirling around one of your nipples, you can’t hold back the desperate moan that escapes you. His lips latch onto you, suckling gently but with enough fervor to send waves of heat through your body. Your back arches instinctively, pressing closer to him as your hands grasp at the sheets beneath you.

One of his hands moves to knead your other breast, his fingers working in perfect sync with the ministrations of his mouth. The dual sensations are almost too much to bear, and you squeeze your eyes shut, your brows furrowing as you struggle to process the sheer intensity of it all.

His lips leave a trail of fire as they travel across your chest, ghosting over your sensitive skin and leaving you shivering in their wake. Slowly, he works his way up to the delicate curve of your neck, his movements unhurried, savoring every second as if he’s committing this moment to memory.

He nuzzles into the space just behind your ear, his breath warm and soft against your skin. When his lips press down, marking you with a burning gentleness, it feels both possessive and tender. The sensation sends a new wave of shivers down your spine, your body instinctively reacting to the intimacy of his touch.

Your chest rises and falls in sync with your labored breathing, the air thick with the tension between you. Every movement, every kiss, every graze of his fingers feels purposeful, like he’s pouring his soul into the way he touches you. His hands roam across your body, memorizing every curve, every inch of skin.

You’ve never felt anything like this before... the slow, deliberate buildup of desire, the way his lips and hands ignite every nerve ending. It’s intoxicating, consuming, and all encompassing. The press of his body against yours, the wet heat of his kisses, the weight of his presence... all of it has you teetering on the edge of control.

When his lips finally find yours again, the kiss is deep, languid, and brimming with desperation. You cling to him, your fingers digging into his shoulders as if grounding yourself to him is the only way to stay tethered. His hips roll against yours again, and the pressure is so perfectly maddening that it pulls another moan from deep within you.

“Jungkook…” you breathe against his lips, the word coming out as a plea. Your voice trembles, heavy with longing. “Jungkook… touch me… please.”

Your whispered words hang in the air, raw and vulnerable, and when you repeat yourself, your voice cracks ever so slightly. “Please.” you beg.

Jungkook's lips continue their descent, leaving a trail of warmth along your torso. His kisses are slow and unhurried, as if savoring every inch of your skin. Each touch of his lips ignites sparks that travel through your entire body, leaving you trembling beneath him.

Your chest rises and falls with shallow breaths, your fingers clutching his shoulders as he moves lower. His lips brush against the curve of your stomach, lingering there for a moment as though memorizing the way you feel beneath him.

When he finally reaches the waistband of your underwear, his movements pause, his mouth hovering just above the delicate fabric. Your hips instinctively lift towards him, a soft, breathless moan slipping past your lips... a plea without words.

He notices, his gaze flicking up to meet yours in the dim, intimate glow of the room. His eyes are dark, heavy with desire, yet there’s an undeniable tenderness in them. “Tell me...” he whispers, his voice rough with restraint but filled with an almost reverent care. “Tell me what you want.”

Your throat tightens at his words as you try to wrap your head around this intense moment. “You.” you breathe out, your voice shuddering. The sound is fragile yet unwavering. “I want you.” you repeat, your tone firmer this time, the sincerity in your words undeniable.

A flicker of softness crosses his features, and his lips curve into a small, almost bashful smile. The weight of his gaze makes your heart race as you feel the connection between you deepen in that moment.

And then, without warning, his head dips, and his lips press firmly against your core through the thin fabric of your underwear. The sensation is electrifying, a surge of heat coursing through you that leaves you gasping. Your body arches towards him involuntarily, seeking more of his touch as a wave of pleasure washes over you.

“Jungkook…” you moan, your voice quivering with a mix of surprise and desire. The sound barely escapes your lips before he tightens his grip on your hips, steadying you. His lips remain close, teasingly hovering over your sensitive spot, igniting a fire that seems to consume every inch of you.

Without breaking eye contact, his fingers hook around the waistband. The motion is slow as though he’s savoring every second of the moment. His gaze never wavers, locking onto yours as he smoothly slides the fabric down your legs, the intimacy of his actions leaving you dizzy.

The cool air grazes your exposed skin, a stark contrast to the heat pooling between you. His gaze drops, and when his eyes meet your glistening core, he pauses, his breath hitching ever so slightly.

“God... you’re so fucking perfect.” he murmurs, the words tumbling out like a confession, low and husky. His voice sends a shiver through you, the intensity of his stare leaving you bare in more ways than one.

His touch is steady, as his fingers trail gently along your folds, exploring with an intimacy that makes your head spin. The warmth of his skin against yours feels electric, igniting every nerve as his movements remain patient, savoring every second of the moment.

"So wet for me." he coos as he carefully dips his finger into you. The action sends a jolt of insane pleasure through your veins and you cry out a loud moan. You feel him sink his fingers deep inside you, pumping them as he gradually increases his pace, eventually adding in another digit.

You're overwhelmed by a cascade of sensations once he adds a third finger, as if stars themselves are scattered before your eyes, their brilliance merging with the overwhelming pleasure that surges through you. It's a feeling that defies explanation, a delicate, almost indescribable wave of euphoria that leaves your legs trembling uncontrollably.

Your moans are relentless, and Jungkook breathes heavily, guiding you towards your peak. He is so captivated by the sight before him... your body glistening with sweat, your chest rising and falling with each breath, your legs trembling with the intensity. It’s utterly mesmerizing.

“Jungkook…” you moan, and his gaze shifts to your face as he leans in, pressing a soft, featherlight kiss against your jaw. "Jungkook...I'm close... so close." you breathe out. "Cum for me." he whispers lowly. "Cum for me, baby." he says again and suddenly you break.

A loud mewl erupts from the bottom of your lungs as you orgasm in his hold. Your body writhing and shaking, unable to recover from the intensity of the high you just came down from. "Fuck... look at you." he sighs, drinking in the sight of you.

You feel his fingers delicately massage your core, the sensation making you flinch momentarily, yet somehow, you find yourself yearning for more. "Jungkook..." you start, your voice soft. "I need you..." you beg again. "I need you inside me....please."

As soon as Jungkook hears you say those words, he moves his hands away from you, now standing up straight as he watches you tremble on his bed. You suddenly feel empty, the warmth of his body no longer enveloping you.

But just when you're starting to miss it, you watch him bend down towards you, his face inching closer towards your already sensitive pussy and you feel his lips against your clit.

You gasp loudly, your back arching up slightly at the feeling. His hands curl from under your thighs as he holds them apart, as he continues to lick and suckle on your most sensitive area. He continues like this for minutes, not once stopping, lapping up the wetness that drips out of you with every flick of his tongue.

Finally, Jungkook lifts his head up from between your legs, a smirk playing on his lips as he takes a few steps away from you. You watch as he pulls down his sweatpants, revealing the bulge in his boxer briefs and you can't help but feel a twinge of anticipation at the thought of having him inside you.

As if reading your mind, Jungkook smirks at you, pushing down his boxers to reveal his already hard dick. It stands proud, and you watch in awe as he strokes it gently with one hand while the other one reaches down to rub against your clit, making you bite onto the skin of your lower lip.

He slowly moves towards his nightstand and pulls opens the third drawer, retrieving a condom as he tears it open with his teeth. He slides the latex onto his dick, his hand stroking it up and down to ensure it's fully covered.

As soon as the end of the condom touches his skin, he wastes no time and hovers over you, positioning himself at your entrance. Before doing anything, he finds your gaze, his eyes locking with yours. So many emotions swirl within him, but in this moment, he knows you understand him. The way you're looking back at him speaks volumes, and it all falls into place.

Closing his eyes, he takes a slow breath, feeling the warmth between you both intensify. His lips, still glistening with the remnants of your essence, gently engulf yours in a languid kiss. The kiss deepens with a quiet, unspoken yearning, as time seems to stretch and you finally feel him entering you.

You moan out at the feeling, your eyes widening in shock at how he stretches your walls out. You feel every inch of him as he slides in, your body taking a moment to adjust to the new feeling. But as soon as he stills completely, you feel yourself wrap around his dick, pulling him deeper within you.

His arms find their way around your head, his forearms caging you as he leans in, his nose skimming yours. You watch the way his eyes darken as he begins thrusting, the sound of your skin slapping against each other echoing within the room.

"Fuck..." he mutters, his hips rolling against your pelvis. "Fuck, baby.... you feel... you feel so good." he praises, closing his eyes to truly enjoy the blissful sensation. It's like he never wants this to end.

You moan in response, your nails digging into the skin of his back. As if urging him on, he moves faster, his thrusts becoming more insistent, more desperate. His kisses grow deeper and deeper, his lips trailing along your jawline.

When Jungkook feels himself hitting that familiar tight bundle of nerves every time he thrusts into you, you both begin to groan louder, the sensations becoming too much to bear.

Suddenly, Jungkook pulls out, leaving you feeling empty for a quick second but you watch him quickly flip you over, pushing your upper body down towards the mattress as he positions himself behind you. You feel him slide back into you, and a loud gasp leaves your lips as a rush of pleasure surges through your body.

"Oh god…" you mewl, the feeling becoming too intense to ignore in this new position. Jungkook's thrusts become more forceful, his body crashing against yours with every slap. His hands hold you by the hips as he fucks you into the mattress.

His breathing becomes more ragged, his groans sounding more animalistic as he starts to reach his climax. Your legs begin to shake uncontrollably as he pounds into you, his cock sliding in and out of you over and over again. You can't help but let your eyes flutter shut as you let the feeling take over.

"Fuckkk..." he growls, his hands tightening their grip on your hips. "I'm... so... fucking close." he says, his thrusts becoming uneven as he slams into you. "You're gonna make me cum so hard... fuck." he moans, his head falling forward.

It's when Jungkook flips you over onto your back again, and this time, looks straight into your eyes that he finally reaches his high along with you. He cums into the condom, while your walls pulsate around his length as you too reach your second orgasm with his body falling over you as both of you pant, trying to catch your breaths.

It’s a long moment before either of you moves, a long moment of heavy breaths and soft kisses. You’re sated, completely and utterly sated, but you don’t want it to end. You want to feel Jungkook against you forever, his skin against yours, his heart beating in time with yours.

He rolls off you slowly, his arm slipping around your waist to pull you into his embrace, holding you as if to shield you from the world. His lips find your temple, pressing soft, lingering kisses that seem to whisper unspoken promises, while his fingers trail soothingly over your chest as he fondles your breast, grounding you with his touch.

After a moment, he shifts, propping himself up with a quiet sigh. "I’ll be right back." he murmurs, his voice low and reassuring, his hand tenderly brushing through your hair before he rises and disappears into the bathroom.

When he returns, a warm, damp cloth in hand, his movements are patient, almost reverent. Kneeling beside you, he carefully tends to you, his touch gentle as he wipes you clean.

His eyes remain on you, soft and filled with something indescribable, his silence speaking louder than words as he ensures you feel cared for, down to the smallest detail.

Once he’s done, you offer him a soft, sleepy smile as he climbs back into bed. He takes his time, gently draping the warm blanket over your figure before settling beside you, pulling you into the circle of his arms. Your skin brushes against his, the heat of your bodies blending, creating a cocoon of warmth and intimacy that feels like a world of its own.

“That was amazing.” you whisper, your voice barely audible in the quiet of the room as you turn to face him. His lips curve into a gentle smile, and without hesitation, he leans in to place a tender kiss on your cheek.

“It was.” he agrees, his voice low and soothing, before adding with an earnestness that sends a shiver through you. “It’s like you were made for me.”

Your heart flips at his words, a wave of emotion washing over you. Unable to hold back, you burrow closer to him, resting your head against his chest as his arms instinctively tighten around you. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your ear lulls you into a serene calm, his presence enveloping you entirely.

Jungkook lies there, cradling you against him, his hands resting lightly on your back. He feels the subtle changes in your breathing as sleep begins to claim you, the rise and fall of your chest syncing with his own. As he holds you, his mind drifts, consumed by the depth of his feelings.

The emotions coursing through him are almost overwhelming, far beyond anything he’s ever known. It’s not just fondness or desire... it’s something infinitely more profound. In this quiet moment, with you nestled in his arms, he realizes it’s a much deeper feeling in its truest, purest form.

It’s the kind of feeling that roots itself deep, that alters the very fabric of his being. He doesn’t need to word it yet, the feeling is enough, filling the silence as he watches over you, his heart completely and irrevocably yours.

//

Your brows furrow as a ray of sunlight pierces through your eyelids, warming your skin but pulling you from the depths of sleep. With a quiet groan, you roll over on the mattress, seeking refuge away from the insistent light.

A soft hum escapes your lips as your eyes flutter open, lazily adjusting to the familiar surroundings and a sleepy smile tugs at your lips. The memories of last night suddenly flood your mind, each one vivid and warm, filling you with a sense of calm.

You remain still, your eyes slipping shut once more as your arm instinctively stretches across the mattress in search of him. But instead of the comforting warmth of his presence, your hand meets only the cold, empty sheets.

The realization stirs you, and your eyes snap open, a small pang of disappointment flickering through your chest. Slowly, you prop yourself up, glancing around the room, your thoughts clouded with curiosity. Where could he be? you wonder and just then, you hear random sounds reaching your ears from beyond the door.

You hesitate for a moment, wondering if he’s occupied with something outside, before reluctantly sliding out of bed. Your eyes land on his hoodie, neatly folded on the edge of the nightstand, a detail that makes you smile with quiet affection. Pulling it over yourself, the fabric still carrying his scent, you feel an odd sense of comfort as it envelops you.

With slow steps, you make your way to the closed door, your fingers hesitating on the handle for just a second. Taking a steadying breath, you turn the knob and pull it open, curiosity and anticipation guiding you forward.

As you walk down the hallway, the soft padding of your feet barely makes a sound against the cool floor. You peer around the corner, curiosity tugging at you, and your gaze lands on Jungkook. He’s in the kitchen, his broad back turned towards you, the lean muscles beneath his shirt flexing ever so slightly as he moves.

He’s focused, completely absorbed in whatever he’s working on near the stove, and the sight of him like this... calm and domestic, makes your heart flutter in ways you can’t quite describe.

A tender smile graces your lips as you watch him. There’s something serene about the moment, the way the sunlight streams through the kitchen window, highlighting his features in a golden glow.

You carefully tiptoe closer, your excitement bubbling beneath the surface. When you’re finally close enough, it feels natural to slide your arms around his torso, pulling him into a gentle hug from behind. The moment your cheek presses against his back, a sense of calm washes over you. His warmth radiates through the fabric of his soft t-shirt, and you close your eyes, letting the steady rhythm of his breath calm you.

For a second, you feel him stiffen, surprised by the sudden touch, but he quickly relaxes, his body leaning ever so slightly into yours. “Good morning, sleepyhead.” he says, his voice low and affectionate, carrying a smile you don’t even need to see to feel.

The remnants of sleep still cling to you, and you hum softly, nuzzling closer against him. The scent of him mingles with the savory aroma of whatever he’s cooking, filling your senses in the most comforting way. His hands find yours, resting gently atop them as if to hold you in place.

“You should’ve stayed in bed.” you hear him say, his teasing tone making you smile. “I was trying to be a gentleman and bring you breakfast in bed.” he adds. A soft giggle escapes your lips. “I missed you.” you say. Your words are quiet, almost muffled against his back, but you know he hears them.

Jungkook lets out a warm chuckle, the sound reverberating through you. Carefully, he loosens your arms, turning to face you with a softness that makes your heart skip a beat. His dark eyes, full of affection, sweep over you as he wraps his arms securely around your shoulders.

Leaning down, he presses a lingering kiss to your forehead, his lips warm and gentle against your skin. His thumb grazes the side of your arm in soothing strokes, as if to silently reassure you of his presence.

“I’m right here, baby.” he whispers, his voice tender yet steady, each word laced with quiet devotion. His gaze holds yours for a beat longer, and in that moment, everything feels perfect, like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

You lean closer, wrapping your arms around his waist, and he instinctively tightens his hold around you. The two of you stay there, cocooned in each other's embrace, the warmth of his body engulfing you in a way nothing else can.

“Are you always this clingy?” he teases, the light humor in his voice causing your cheeks to warm. A soft whine escapes your lips as you hug him even tighter, burying your face into his shirt as if to hide from his playful jab.

Despite your wordless protest, your actions seem to betray you, holding onto him like you never want to let go. Jungkook’s chuckle rumbles deep in his chest, and his fingers trace slow, soothing circles on your back.

In this quiet moment, Jungkook’s mind is a swirl of emotions. Somehow, this is everything he's ever wanted. He glances down at you, nestled securely in his arms, and his heart swells. It feels perfect. It feels like home.

After what feels like an eternity but isn’t long enough, he gently pulls away, his arms still lingering around your shoulders as he looks down at you. A soft smile plays on his lips, full of fondness and warmth. “Why don’t you take a seat here?” he suggests, guiding you towards the kitchen island with a tenderness that makes your heart swell with affection.

He helps you settle onto the chair, his touch light but reassuring. “I’ll get you breakfast.” he says, brushing a stray strand of hair from your face before turning back to the stove.

You watch him move around the kitchen, the steady rhythm of his actions mesmerizing. There’s something so thoughtful about the way he works... grabbing ingredients, checking the stove, arranging things with care. You rest your elbows on the island, propping your chin on your hands as you observe him, a soft, content smile spreading across your lips.

Jungkook glances over his shoulder every now and then, catching your gaze with a subtle grin that makes your heart flutter. The way he pours his attention into even the smallest details of your breakfast leaves you feeling cherished.

After a few minutes, he walks back with a tray in his hands. Placing it gently on the counter, he takes his time arranging the cutlery, making sure everything is perfect before finally taking the seat across from you.

Your eyes immediately fall on the spread in front of you. A steaming bowl of kimchi stew, a small pot of perfectly cooked rice, and an array of vibrant side dishes neatly arranged. Your lips part in awe as you take it all in.

“Wow.” you breathe, your voice laced with genuine amazement. “This looks amazing.” Your gaze shifts from the food to Jungkook, and your heart beats a little faster when you see the way he’s looking at you... smiling softly, his eyes filled with quiet pride and affection. “Dig in cutie.” he says simply.

//

After finishing your hearty breakfast and an impromptu make out session on the cold kitchen counter, you and Jungkook finally realize it’s time to face the responsibilities of the day. It’s Monday morning, and both of you have packed schedules ahead.

Jungkook gets dressed first, effortlessly putting on his usual rugged yet polished attire. Once he’s ready, he insists on riding you back to your place so that you can get ready.

Almost 20 minutes later, Jungkook steps into your apartment, his boots making soft thuds against the wooden floor as he takes a moment to absorb the place you call home.

The space is small but cozy, filled with little touches of your personality that instantly make him smile. A faint floral scent lingers in the air, mixing with the remnants of a candle you must’ve burned earlier, the half-melted wax still sitting on the coffee table.

He walks further inside, his dark eyes wandering over everything... the stack of books neatly arranged on a shelf, the framed photos on the walls, and the tiny collection of soft toys resting on your couch.

His gaze lands on a small cluster of succulents sitting on the windowsill, their pots painted in bright colors and nice patterns. A faint smile tugs at his lips as he leans closer, his fingers lightly brushing the edge of one of the pots.

“You’ve got a nice place.” he calls out, his voice soft but carrying easily through the space. “Thanks !!” he hears you reply from the bedroom, where you’re still getting ready. “It’s not much, but it’s home.” you add.

Jungkook chuckles under his breath, his attention shifting to the bookshelf nearby. His fingers graze the spines of the books, pausing on one with a faded, pastel cover. He pulls it out and flips through it idly, his brows raising as he realizes it’s a romance novel. A knowing smirk crosses his face. “So this is what you're into.” he mutters.

“Don’t snoop!” you call out playfully. “I’m not snooping.” he lies, setting the book back in its place with an innocent expression, even though you can’t see him.

He turns and spots a small collection of polaroid pictures pinned to a corkboard by the door. There's some of you and your friends, you and your grandma, he assumes and various other people he can't quite recognize. His smile softens at the sight, his thumb brushing over the edge of the board. He doesn’t realize he’s staring until your voice snaps him out of it. “All done!”

Jungkook turns just in time to see you step out of your room, and for a moment, he forgets how to breathe. You’re not even dressed up fancy or out of the ordinary, it just like how he's always seen you in your shop but something about the way you carry yourself... the way you look at him with that easy smile, has him feeling like he’s just been hit by a freight train.

“You were snooping, weren’t you?” you ask, narrowing your eyes at him. “Maybe a little.” he admits, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “But can you blame me? There’s so much you here. It’s... nice.”

Your cheeks flush at his words, and you try to hide your embarrassment by grabbing your bag. “Well, I’m ready now. Let’s go before you start judging my book collection.”

Jungkook laughs, stepping forward to grab your coat from the rack. He holds it open for you, his hands brushing against your shoulders as he helps you slip it on. The small, domestic gesture feels oddly intimate, and for a second, neither of you say anything.

As you lock the door, both of you walk hand in hand as you go downstairs, heading towards his bike that's parked right outside your building.

The ride towards your shops, feels different today. Jungkook isn’t speeding like he usually does, nor does he seem in any particular rush. His movements are calm and steady and it dawns on you... this is his way of stretching the moment, of holding onto the little time he has with you before the day takes over.

When the bike finally comes to a smooth stop a few meters away from your shop, you carefully get off, placing your hand on his shoulder for balance as you remove the helmet. You hand it back to him with a soft, shy smile.

Jungkook watches you with an amused pout tugging at his lips. “Dropping my girlfriend off to work, and even though she’s going to be right next to my shop all day, I still can’t wait for the day to end so that I can see her again in peace.” he says, somewhat sulking.

You laugh, the sound light and infectious, as you arch your brows at him. “So I’m your girlfriend now?” you ask. “Hello?? I thought we already established that… especially after last night.” he replies instantly, clearly offended.

You snort at his expression, which is a mix of indignation and vulnerability. “Well, you never asked.” you shrug, teasing him. His lips part slightly, as if your words had genuinely taken him aback. He lets out a dramatic sigh, his pout deepening. “Y/N… can I please… PLEASE… be your boyfriend?” he asks, his voice laced with endearing desperation.

You can’t help but grin at how utterly adorable he looks right now. Still, you can’t resist pulling his leg just a little longer. “Go ahead, biker boy. You’ve got a business to run.” you tease and before he can come up with a snarky retort, you lean in close and press a sweet, fleeting kiss to his lips.

“Bye!” you chirp, spinning on your heels and jogging towards your shop’s door before he can protest. Jungkook stays rooted to his spot on the bike, his lips curving into a soft grin. His dark eyes follow your every step as you unlock your shop’s door, his chest fluttering when you pause to glance back and wave at him.

“I’ll take that as a yes!!” he yells after you, his voice laced with boyish excitement. Hearing your laugh ring out in response makes him feel like he's actually floating.

As you disappear inside, his grin fades into a wistful smile. He already misses your scent, your warmth, the way your presence seems to light up his entire world. But then his gaze shifts to his shop, standing right next to yours.

With a reluctant sigh, he starts his bike again and parks it right outside his shop. He steps inside, and the familiar scent of oil, grease, and rubber greets him.

The moment he walks through the door, Jimin’s voice cuts through the air, his attention still fixed on the bike he’s repairing. “Someone’s late to work today.” he teases without even looking up.

“Of course he is. Lover boy here was on a date last night." Yoongi adds with his usual deadpan delivery, though the slight smirk tugging at his lips gives him away. At Yoongi’s words, both Hoseok and Jimin instantly stop whatever they're doing, their heads snapping towards Jungkook with exaggerated curiosity.

“A date?” they chorus in unison, their voices dripping with disbelief and amusement. Jungkook clicks his tongue, pouting as though Yoongi had just spilled a closely guarded secret. “Hyung...” he whines, dragging out the word as his cheeks flush faintly.

“What? You should be glad I never told them about what I walked into here last week.” Yoongi retorts, his voice calm yet dripping with mischief as he adjusts the wrench in his hand. Jungkook halts in his step, his brows furrowing in instant alarm. “Shut up, hyung.” he snaps, the tips of his ears reddening as he strides further into the shop.

But it’s too late. Hoseok and Jimin are already near the counter beside him. Hoseok raises both hands, gesturing for a pause, his eyes glinting with curiosity.

“Hold up, hold up...” he says, his tone somewhere between excitement and disbelief. “It feels like we’ve missed a couple of very important chapters here.” he says. Jimin leans closer, a grin spreading across his face as he crosses his arms. “Yeah, what’s going on???” he asks.

Yoongi, ever the instigator, doesn’t even look up as he continues working. “Not much to tell...” he says, his voice casual but smug. “Biker boy here is completely whipped for the girl next door, and judging by his face, I’m guessing they’ve finally made it official.”

The words hang in the air for just a moment before Jimin and Hoseok erupt into exaggerated cheers, their claps echoing in the garage. Hoseok even whistles, drawing out the moment as though Jungkook’s love life was the highlight of their day.

“Seriously?” Hoseok exclaims, clutching his chest as if he’s genuinely touched. “You and Y/n??? it was about time!!” he exclaims. Jimin nods, his laughter contagious. “And here we were thinking you’d end up married to your bike because of your constipated feelings.”

Jungkook, who had been doing a great job of pretending to check the tools on the workbench, feels the heat rising up his neck to his cheeks. He presses his lips together tightly, but the smile he’s trying so hard to suppress betrays him. It fights its way to the surface, his dimples deepening as he looks down to avoid his friends’ piercing gazes.

“Ah, look at him blushing!” Jimin teases, nudging Hoseok, who’s doubled over in laughter by now. Jungkook groans, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. “Can you guys not?” he mutters, but his voice lacks bite, the slight tremor of embarrassment giving him away.

Yoongi finally looks up, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. “Don’t bother hiding it, Kook. It’s written all over your face. You’re down bad, and there’s no escaping it now.”

And as much as Jungkook wants to argue, he knows they’re right. Because even now, standing in the middle of his shop, surrounded by his teasing friends, his mind keeps wandering back to you... the date yesterday... followed by the beautiful night he had with you... the sound of your laughter... the way you kissed him before running off to your shop... it all just feels extremely surreal.

//

It’s around 7 PM, the fading light outside casting a warm golden glow into the shop through the slightly open shutters. Jungkook is crouched beside a bike, his hands deftly working on tightening the bolts of the rear wheel and adjusting the suspension.

The soft hum of tools fills the otherwise quiet space, the kind of silence that feels earned after a long day. Hoseok and Jimin had clocked out an hour ago, leaving only Jungkook and Yoongi to wrap things up.

Yoongi sits at the counter, his legs casually propped up on a stool as his fingers flip through a stack of receipts for spare parts he had ordered last week. The faint rustle of paper and the occasional clink of a tool are the only sounds in the shop.

As Yoongi glances up, his eyes fall on Jungkook, who is entirely absorbed in the task at hand. The younger man’s brows are furrowed in concentration, his lips pressed into a firm line as he works. For a moment, Yoongi simply observes him... there’s something different about Jungkook today, something lighter.

The thought prompts a question to surface in Yoongi’s mind, and without much preamble, he decides to speak. “So, you and Y/n? How’d that go yesterday?” he asks casually.

The sound of your name breaks through Jungkook’s focus, and he stops what he's doing. A smile spreads across his face, slow and unguarded, as though he couldn’t stop it even if he wanted to. His shoulders relax, and a soft chuckle escapes his lips.

“It… was perfect, hyung.” he says, his voice carrying a warmth that matches the smile lighting up his face. Yoongi leans back slightly, his lips curving into a small smile. He doesn’t say anything immediately, just watches Jungkook, whose expression is a portrait of pure, unfiltered joy and something warm.

Before Yoongi can comment, Jungkook continues, his voice quieter now, almost reverent. “She’s just… so great, hyung... like she was made for me. Everything about her... it just fits, you know?” He pauses, his eyes taking on a faraway look, his mind clearly drifting back to you. “It's like... she’s my person.” he murmurs, the words carrying the weight of certainty.

Yoongi notices the dreamy gleam in Jungkook’s eyes, the way his usually sharp features have softened. It’s like he’s utterly lost, drowning in thoughts of you, and yet he seems completely at peace.

Yoongi chuckles softly, shaking his head. “You’ve got it bad, kid.” he teases, though his tone is devoid of mockery. There’s only fondness in his voice as he takes in the rare sight of Jungkook so smitten.

"I'm afraid I have, hyung." Jungkook says almost instantly, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of something deeper. Yoongi’s brows knit together, his curiosity piqued by the seriousness in the younger one's tone. "Really?" Yoongi asks, leaning forward slightly, his fingers still resting on the counter.

Jungkook hesitates, as his eyes lower, staring at the bike like it holds the answers to the storm brewing inside him. It’s clear he’s sifting through his emotions, trying to put into words about something that’s been weighing on him.

The air in the shop feels heavier, the comfortable silence replaced with an almost palpable tension. Jungkook exhales slowly, setting the wrench he's holding, carefully down as though the movement itself might help him untangle his thoughts.

Then, suddenly, he looks up, his eyes meeting Yoongi’s from across the room. The vulnerability in his gaze is startling, his usual confidence stripped away, leaving only raw honesty. "Hyung…" Jungkook starts, his voice quieter now, like he’s afraid the truth might be too loud. "I don’t like Y/n." he breathes out.

Yoongi blinks, his confusion immediate and evident. He tilts his head slightly, a frown creasing his features. "Kook, what?" he questions.

Jungkook shakes his head quickly, lifting a hand as if to wave off Yoongi’s misunderstanding. "No, no, that’s not what I mean." he says, his words coming faster now, almost stumbling over them. "What I’m saying is… I don’t think it’s just ‘like.’ This thing between us... it's... it’s not simple. It’s not... casual. It’s so much... more than that for me."

He pauses, his chest rising and falling as though the admission itself has stolen the air from his lungs. His voice grows softer, but the weight of his emotions makes every word hit harder. "It’s deep, hyung. So deep that I can’t even explain it. It’s like… she’s the only thing that makes everything else make sense."

Yoongi watches him closely, the younger man’s words sinking in, layer by layer. His own expression softens as realization dawns upon him. The way Jungkook speaks, the way his eyes seem to light up even as he struggles to explain himself... it’s unmistakable.

"Kook…" Yoongi starts, leaning back slightly, his voice tinged with both surprise and understanding. His eyes widen as the pieces fall into place. "No way..." he chuckles, his tone louder, tinged with disbelief.

Jungkook doesn’t respond immediately, his jaw tightening as he looks away for a moment. But then he meets Yoongi’s gaze again, and this time, there’s no hesitation.

"You love her, don’t you?"

<- part 11 // part 13 ->

series masterlist

taglist:@kimyishin @ghijkd @dolligguk @mimi1097 @jksusawife @yooforeaa @abbie1847 @myjungkookthighs @thesarcasmqueen-22 @fairypjminie @lovelytaes-blog @jjeonjjk7 @daddyjeonnn @vantelover1306 @jeeykey @shellyyy177 @daskewl @blackswan18 @korian97 @minimoninini @ericawantstoescape @rpwprpwprpwprw @tokkiggukie @jaytheatiny

[polarisjisung]

LITTLE THINGS

synopsis: when your boyfriend climbs up the very tree you hate so much, on a stormy night, all just to see you, suddenly the big bad oak tree outside doesn't seem all that intimidating

wc: 1.2k

pairings: chenle × fem! reader, established relationship

genre: fluff

warning: mentions of a storm, uses of petnames, use of the word death

notes: HAPPY CHENLE DAY! this is a little cheesy but fuck it we ball ig

You've always hated the massive oak tree outside your bedroom window, the one that likes to play these unintentional pranks on you in the middle of the night.

Branches flying and spinning as if they're about to snap off, leaves forming shapes you didn't even know existed through the window as the wind whistled behind you.

It felt eerie, like you were in those horror movies where the main lead seemed to have no common sense and jumped at the oppurtunity at getting themselves killed, like they actively sought out death.

It made you feel like danger lurked at every corner, you were caged by nothing more than the four thin walls of your bedroom, and that the curtains that masked the outside, though not particularly well, were your only form of blissful ignorance.

On the windy, less peaceful nights as you tossed and turned in bed, you didn't appreciate that massive oak tree whatsoever. Tonight, your dislike for the thing feels amplified, and you come to the conclusion that you'll be chopping it down even if it's the last thing you do. Heck, you'd get the saw and do it yourself if you could.

You don't like it, the rumbling, those loud cracks or the booming sound followed by quick, incessant flashes across the sky.

It caused shivers to run down your spine, your pupils to dilate and your eyes to be screwed shut, your fingers curling in on themselves as you cocooned yourself in the warmth of your blanket.

Simply put you don't like thunderstorms

And that darn oak tree is of no help. Especially not when there's a rather distinct shadow slowly crawling across that of the tree, one you take peaks at and look away from in turn as you slowly sink deeper into your mattress, seeing it move towards you, getting closer by the second

You swear you'd elicit a scream had it not been the dead of the night, knowing if you did, you'd get an absolute earful about it the next morning, being such a scaredy cat at your big age

There's a knocking at your window only a few moments later. You gulp.

God you did not want to die today.

"Y/n" there's a deep, hesitant whisper of your name and you can't help but curl further into the thin duvet that rests over your shaking body, by no means was it cold, but it felt protective against the storm outside, and that was reason enough for you to wrap yourself up in the blue comforter— your life practically depended on it

You're imagining things, you convince yourself, sighing and closing your eyes in attempts to drift off to sleep.

But the light treading of footsteps that grows louder and louder has you bolting your eyes open in seconds

"Oh goody, you're awake" chenle's beaming voice in your room at 2am was not what you had been expecting, you're not quite sure where he gets this much energy from in the middle of the night either, shooting him a dark glare, between your own two sleepy eyes

"You couldn't use the damn door Zhong?" your hand plants itself against your forehead as you shoot up from your bed, quietly stomping over to him to shut the window— something you'd been meaning to do for the past few hours, but had simply been too scared to do.

"Yeah well your parents hate me and I'm not sure they'd like me making my jolly old way through the front door given the hour" he rolls his eyes, setting his wet jacket down to dry

"And you think they'll like you for sneaking in through the window instead?" you whisper yell, brows somewhat furrowed

"What they don't know won't hurt them" he shrugs, a little too casually for someone who'd just parkoured their way up a tree at 2am, you hum regardless, he wasn't wrong.

"Besides they don't hate you" he takes a seat at the edge of your bed

"Now don't lie to me princess" he chuckles low and slow "we both know they hate do, especially daddio"

"Hate is a strong word, they're just not your biggest fans" you defend, letting chenle wrap you up in the spare hoodie of his he'd bought along with him "though I can't say that you calling my father, daddio is doing much to help"

"I didn't come here to talk about whether your parents approve of me" he smiles, eyes rolling yet again as he wraps his arm around you, "that's a conversation for later— right now, I'm here for you"

"At 2am on a Monday morning? we have school Chenle"

"Well correct me if im wrong princess but I'm sure you'd rather me be here than be all alone on a night like this" he says, gesturing towards the window with a tilt of his neck

"No way" you huff "i'm a big girl, a little storm won't phase me" you say proudly with a puffed chest, not that it lasts long as you practically throw yourself into chenle's arms with a muffled screech, when another strike of lightning booms above you, heartbeat erratic

chenle chuckles to himself

"What was that, a little storm, not sure about a big girl but you sure are a big baby" he laughs again, "my big baby"

You pout, "don't tease, it's scary"

You feel his hand run across your hair in attempts to ease the racing of you heart, pulling you from his chest to take ahold of your cheeks in his hands, gently caressing them with tender eyes locked into your own

His stare is strong, unlike yours, yet there's a deep rooted gentleness to those eyes that overwhelms you with calm. Chenle always knew this fear of yours made you feel pathetic, childish in fact.

"is it still scary? even when I'm here"

You respond with a shy shaking of your head

"Nothings scary when you're here," you whisper against his hold, and chenle swears, he feels his heart swell at how sweet your words are, falling from your lips so hushed, almost like they were sacred

"Not even that big bad oak tree outside?" chenle points at the horrific outline of the tree outside, earning a quick shudder from you before you tuck yourself back into his hold

"Not funny lele" you sulk

"Come on princess, it was a little" his lips tug upwards, your own smile hidden away between the material of his black hoodie

You shake your head "hate that tree with a passion"

"even if it helped me get up here?"

You shake your head again, maybe the big bad oak tree wasn't all that bad, maybe you just had to give it a chance to prove itself

"I'm glad you came" you say, pecking his cheek to affirm your gratitude

"Of course I came princess, you know I could never leave you alone on a night like this" he holds you tight against his chest, so firm you wonder whether he too thinks the wind would break through the walls and sweep you away

"Besides, I have to make sure there's no other guys sneaking in through your window"

[buryustogether]

lilac - chapter 3

miguel o’hara x f!reader

summary: your boyfriend doesn’t have the time anymore. good thing both miguel o’hara and spiderman do.

wc: 5.2k

tags/warnings: domestic dispute, unhappy relationship, pining, mentions of kidnapping, mentions of violence, allusions to suicide, mentions of strip clubs

author’s note: got a lil carried away with my emotions for this one ngl

Your pink pen pressed harshly down on the science quiz you were grading, smearing a pit of the sparkly ink as the searing noise of an electric guitar being tuned submerged your little apartment from the floors to the ceilings. You glared up from beneath your brows, a predator chained just inches from her prey, as Ferris and his band of four barked and howled between themselves in your living room. From your perch at the tiny dining table, you watched them, your knuckles paling around your pen. They had moved the furniture around to make room for their equipment, shoved your couch, your armchair, your coffee table - fuck, even your television stand - against the walls so that they could spread out and practice for a gig the drummer had managed to score; probably by going down on the manager of the place, but you’d never say that out loud.

Unless they provoked you - which, with every ticking, prolonged minute that passed, you were getting closer and closer to your inclined tipping point.

Sniffing quietly, you shook your head and tried to go back to grading your quizzes. So far, your class had done a fairly good job. A few percentages below eighty, but not many. No matter what score they got, however, you were sure to place a sticker on the corner of the page. Of course, as you had expected, Gabriella O’Hara’s score was a perfect hundred. A small smile graced the corner of your lips. She was a bright kid, you’d give her that. While she needed a little extra help in mathematics from time to time, she practically excelled in every other subject. You scribbled out a little note praising her for a job well done before beginning to move on to your other papers.

From the living room, another glass-shattering, skin-crawling shriek was raised from Ferris’ guitar. You twitched in your seat, subtly raising your eyes to watch the band. Your boyfriend was downing his second beer of the day, despite it being barely eleven in the morning, and he had his feet propped up on some chick’s - the new keyboard player, because the last one stormed out of the group after realizing what a bunch of asswipes they were - and idly strummed a lazy medley on the taut strings of his guitar. It was hooked up to the speaker, so every note that he twanged out was amplified tenfold.

Downstairs, your neighbor knocked against their ceiling with a broom. Telling you all to shut the fuck up, no doubt.

Taking a deep breath, you put on your best smile - which looked more like a grimace, actually - and cleared your throat. “Babe,” you said tightly, drawing Ferris’ attention away from the keyboard player. He regarded you with a roll of his head and hand on the strings to stop the vibrations. “Maybe it’s time to pack it up. You’ve been…” You hesitated. “Practicing for almost two hours now. Why don’t you save some of the music for the paying customers tomorrow instead of the neighbors?”

To your chagrin, like he was dumping fuel across the little flame that had flickered to life in your chest, he shrugged a shoulder and went back to his guitar and the girl across from him. “We’ll leave when we’re done,” he replied nonchalantly, eyes never meeting yours again. “Still got some more songs to run through.”

“Yeah,” you scoffed and went back to your work. “You look real fucking busy.”

“If you’re so tired of listening to us,” your boyfriend snapped suddenly, “why don’t you find somewhere else to go? This is my place too, you know.” He exhaled a venomous sigh and downed another swig from his bottle. “Always on my ass.”

By now, the rest of the apartment had gone silent. The other band members glanced between the pair of you, movements suddenly stiff with tension they had no idea how to release. It felt like no matter what they did, it would light the fuse on either one of you.

Feeling your cheeks heat and your palms become sticky with embarrassment, you swallowed thick and nodded your head slowly. Then you stood, began to gather your papers, and stuffed them into your purse.

“Hey,” said the band’s drummer, a pudgy guy with thick lenses that had, actually, always been nice to you despite their leader’s obvious intentions, “if you need us to clear out, we can. We can find another place to set up where we’re not bothering you.”

You released a short huff, sounding more akin to a snarl than anything else. It seemed your judgment in men really was shit; you’d chosen the wrong fucking band member. “That’s okay,” you spat as you tugged on your shoes and checked that you had your keys. The drummer’s face flashed with guilt and you felt bad for a moment, but then your eyes flickered to where Ferris had wandered into the kitchen to fetch himself another drink. Like a raging wildfire, the flames in your ribcage roared and seared your insides, making them feel like you’d implode upon yourself if you stayed here - in your own damn home - any longer. “I’ll go somewhere else.”

With that you exited your apartment and slammed the door behind you, not stopping your frantic escape from Ferris’ snarls and rolling eyes until you hit the street down below. Before you on the road, traffic moved at a sluggish pace. Horns blared and street lights flickered. Shop fronts gleamed in the sunlight and bells over doors jingled. As you took a long, deep inhale that granted your lungs a wave of fresh air and your eyes with a certain wetness in the corners, you realized your crumbling relationship with your boyfriend was such a trivial little thing in this city. Nothing was going to stop, halt in its tracks, just because your world was falling apart.

Life went on. There was nothing you could do to stop that.

Plopping yourself down on the bus stop bench, you placed your head in your hands and tried to keep yourself from crying anymore. You couldn’t let anyone else see you cry, because what if they did, and they turned out to be like Ferris? Told you that you were being dramatic, that you needed to pull yourself together and be a girl? Fuck, you didn’t think you could handle someone else telling you that. You didn’t need anyone else against you; it already felt like the entire world was.

What you needed, desperately, terribly, pleadingly, was someone else in your corner.

In your pocket, your phone chimed with an incoming text. Wiping away the tears sitting heavy against your lids, you pulled it out. It was an unknown number; your cyber security app had blurred the message, waiting until you accepted to see it. You swiped on the blurred screen, then clicked open the message.

Hi, it’s Miguel O’Hara. I hate to cross any lines here, but Gabriella is having a hard time understanding the homework assigned for this weekend. I tried to help, but it’s beyond me. Some sorry excuse for a geneticist I am, right? Anyway, I was texting to ask if you’d be able to meet us somewhere today and help Bri. I was thinking the public library? We’re going to be headed to the park afterward for soccer practice… you’re welcome to come along. She’s eager to show you a new trick she learned yesterday. Again, excuse my forwardness. We understand if you’re not available. :)

You sniffled slightly, rereading the text over and over again, trying to stuff down the fluttering feeling arising past the flames inside you. Your head snapped up and you were on your feet in less than a moment, hailing the first taxi that passed you. When you climbed inside, the driver asked you where to.

“The public library,” you said, and managed a smile at him in the mirror.

Half an hour later, you sat at a desk in the middle of the study section of the New York Public Library, already having drawn out fresh sketches and examples of the mathematics homework you had assigned for this weekend. Your foot bounced with anticipation under the table, and you found yourself constantly glancing over your shoulder at the wide, arched doorway that let into the private section.

You’d tutored students outside of class before, so you shouldn’t have been so excited. You’d met with them in diners and cheap restaurants, outdoor pavilions when the weather allowed, hell - you’d even sat with them outside their cramped apartment buildings on overturned milk crates and used cardboard as a back for the worksheets while their parents were busy working three jobs and balancing five other kids on their hips at the same time. You weren’t one to judge; you knew how hard it was out here for some people. You were a teacher; it was your job to love and nurture and teach your kids, no matter who they were or where they came from.

So you shouldn’t have been this excited to tutor one of your students. Even if she did have a smoking hot dad.

Small, quick-paced footsteps - like thunderclaps along the ground in the nearly-silent room - pricked your ears and turned your attention to the doorway. A wide, easy grin broke across your lips as you spied Gabriella breaking away from her father’s side to rush toward you and your table. In her arms she carried a wrapped bouquet of flowers. When she reached where you had risen from your seat, she pressed her face into your belly in lieu of a hug.

“Hi, Miss Y/N,” she said, rather loudly, then presented the flowers like they were sterling silver encrusted with diamonds and jewels unimaginable. An ear-to-ear smile stretched from one of her ears to the other. “These are for you.”

Miguel arrived behind her, a backpack slung over his shoulder and a gentle grin of greeting gracing his beautiful face. He tilted his head at you for a moment, then ruffled his daughter’s hair and said, “What are they for?”

“A thank you,” Gabriella rushed to say as you accepted the bouquet. “For coming to help me.”

You tried to squash the butterflies that fluttered through your stomach when he smiled at you, instead pushing your focus to the flowers clutched to your chest. They were fresh blooms, a collection filled with pinks and purples and a few yellows here and there. “Well, thank you so much, sweetheart,” you said as she rounded the table to go and sit by her father. “They’re beautiful.” You took your seat again and carefully set the gift beside your purse. “And you don’t have to thank me. I was already out today anyhow, so it wasn’t any trouble.”

“Really?” said Miguel. He pulled the bag from over his shoulder and gave it to Gabriella for her to begin pulling her schoolwork out. He quirked one of his thick brows, his sad-looking eyes meeting yours. Jolts of excitement, and pleasure, and adoration went sprawling down your spine all at once, like back to back shocks of raw, untamed electricity. “I figured you would have been staying in during a tourist weekend like this.”

You wanted so badly to tell him just what you were doing out, why you weren’t at home enjoying your two days of free time between your two jobs - one that required every bit of your soul and heart during the day, and another that required every bit of your body during the night. You wanted horrendously to confide in him the troubles plaguing you like an illness only he could cure you from, wanted him to secure those thick, sinewy arms of his around your form and hold you tight, assure you in that husky tone that everything would be alright.

But instead, all you said was, “Can’t let tourists drive us locals from our stomping grounds, can we, Mister O’Hara?”

The corner of his mouth quirked upwards, his eyes stuck upon your form even after you’d pulled your attention to the worksheet Gabriella had pulled out.

For a long while, the three of you sat at that table in the library. You taught Gabriella the maths lesson over again as many times as she needed it, helped her with the more challenging problems on the worksheet, then made up a few on the spot to give her for the extra practice. You even tilted around your textbook so that Miguel could see it and gave him a rundown of the next few lessons so that he could help her the following week, should she need it.

It was perhaps an hour or so later when you sat back in your chair, watching as your student set to work on the few practice problems you’d given her. You shut your eyes for a moment, exhaling a long breath, and allowing your brain to shut off for a moment. You’d succeeding in getting Ferris and his stupid, stubborn fucking attitude off your mind for a time, but now you were faced with the realization that sometime today, you’d have to go back home. You’d have to see him again, most likely get into another argument that would lead to one of you sleeping on the couch the next couple evenings.

Most likely you.

“How are you doing?” came Miguel’s voice from across the table.

You thought for a moment he was speaking to his daughter, looking over her work, but when no reply came, you opened your eyes and realized he was talking to you. You blinked a few times, watching as he smirked kindly and crossed his arms over the table. Fuck, he was so easy to look at. He was wearing a t-shirt against the sunny day today, giving you a generous view of the muscles in his arms. They sloped down to his elbows, and further still to wrists wrapped in Gabriella-made friendship bracelets, to large, wide hands that were callused at the fingers and bruised at the knuckles. You wondered briefly if he boxed during his workouts.

Sliding your hand up your face, you gave him a tired smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. Despite only speaking to one another a few minutes every time at pick up and drop off, you felt you could talk to him better than even the girls at your nighttime job. “I’m alright,” you said, then added, “Just… tired, is all. Lots on my plate right now. Work, stuff at home, the whole ‘masked vigilante swinging around the city’ thing. Well… you know how it is.”

It was not the last detail that seemed to faze him. It was the second. “Is everything okay?” he asked, tilting his head to the side slightly, like that of a curious puppy. The lines beneath his eyes deepened a bit, the untamed hair atop his head slipped to his temple. “Sorry if I’m overstepping a boundary, or anything like that. I just -”

“No, you’re alright.” You reached out to finger at a petal on one of the flowers in the bouquet, fondly brushing the delicate thing as if it would disintegrate if you handled it any rougher. His eyes followed your movements deftly. “And, everything’s… okay. Sort of… okay.” You sighed and pulled away from the flower, instead opting to rub at your temples. “Just drives me out sometimes, you know? Everything… happening in those walls. Sometimes it gets too much.”

“You’re never out on the streets, are you?” Suddenly his gaze had turned serious and stony, his mouth set into a hard line across his chiseled expression.

You swallowed thick, feeling the dropped baritone of his voice hit the bottom of your belly and head south to your core. You shifted slightly in your seat, crossing your legs over one another to mask the subtle movement. “No, never.” Forcing yourself to chuckle, you dropped a hand to the desk. “You don’t have to worry about me, Mister O’Hara. I’m just fine.”

Before you realized what was happening, Miguel had reached out to brush his long, thick fingers over your knuckles. Your skin was suddenly alight with a blaze you didn’t even know existed. He leaned forward slightly across the table, lowering his voice so that only you heard it in the cage between your ribs. “It’s alright to ask for help, you know,” he murmured quietly. You were caught in his gaze, unable to pull yourself away. “If you ever need something, some place to stay… our door is open.”

Your tongue had ceased its ability to work, your heart its ability to beat properly. You could only stare at him, wide-eyed, as he settled back in his chair. Miguel O’Hara had just offered you his home. Fuck - he knew. He had to have known. Maybe he could see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice when you whispered; maybe it trembled too much. Or maybe he could just sense it, feel it from the bottomless pit in your soul screaming out for someone to pull it back into the daylight.

Just when you trusted yourself to speak again, both your and Miguel’s phones alerted at the same time. Across the study section, other devices went off, as well. Simultaneously, you pulled out your cells and read the messages scrawled across the screens.

“Jesus,” you muttered upon scanning the message. A kidnapping had just taken place not a block from the library. Car details and plate numbers were attached, along with an urging for anyone with information to call the authorities. “This city gets worse every day.”

Miguel glanced up at your words, hesitated, then looked down at Gabriella. She was still busy with her work, tongue stuck out gently between her pink lips. You sensed him tense from across the table.

“...Miguel?” you asked, tentative to use his first name. “Is everything okay?”

After a short, brief moment, he seemed to make up his mind about something. He stood from his chair so abruptly that it squealed softly against the tile floor, throwing the backpack over his shoulder and rounding the table. “Excuse me just a second,” he said, already heading toward the doorway. “I have to make a call. Ten minutes, tops.” Then he was gone, jogging too quickly and hurriedly to be making a phone call - or so you thought. You wanted direly to follow him, see what he was doing, but you couldn’t. You had your student to take care of.

Inhaling shortly, you turned to Gabriella only to find her staring at the doorway her father had disappeared through. You were quick to find something to change the subject. “These flowers are so pretty,” you told her and nudged the bouquet slightly. She met your eyes, your gentle smile, and it seemed Miguel’s sudden absence was wiped from her mind. So was the inner workings of a nine year old.

“I got to pick them out,” she said proudly, then went back to her worksheet. “But it was Daddy’s idea to get them for you.”

Your heart skipped a beat in your chest. You did your best to maintain your smile, trying not to grasp at your chest and stop the oncoming heart attack making its way through your systems. It had been Miguel to get the flowers? “Yeah?” you said in a small voice.

Oblivious to your strained tone and the excited bouncing of your leg under the table, the little girl nodded and hummed. “Uh-huh. He like-likes you. He told me so.”

Holy fucking goddamn son of a bitch.

You cleared your throat because you knew if you talked about this any longer, you would explode into a little cloud of confetti. Then you’d never even get to see him again, look at him in this new light because fuck, was it a new light. It was a new light you could dance under, twirl and sing and jump under, because no one was going to judge you anymore, and even better, now you could invite him to be under it with you. And you knew you just might have a chance of him saying yes.

And fuck, what a dance that would be.

“Are you excited for the field trip to Alchemax on Tuesday?” you asked her, recalling the months it had taken Washington Elementary’s principal to get permission to bring classes there. She had insisted it was an important place for them to visit, considering all the work they were doing as of late. You guessed your suggestion for a trip to the zoo had been vetoed. “Your dad works there. Maybe we’ll see him. You can brag to all your friends that he’s a fancy scientist.”

“Maybe,” she said, scratching out a wrong answer on her paper. “He works on the seventh floor. I’ve seen his work badge thing. We probably won’t be able to go up there.”

“Here’s hoping we can,” you said to yourself beneath your breath.

Ten minutes passed since Miguel’s sudden disappearance, and then another. Thirty minutes was just approaching, as was the beginnings of sundown, before you sensed him approaching you from behind. Turning in your chair, the first thing you noticed was that he was out of breath, sweating at his temples and down his neck slightly. God, he looked good like that. But then your rational side kicked in. Had he been running somewhere?

“I think that’s enough homework for today,” he said as he reached the table and ruffled Gabriella’s hair again. She batted his hand away, but nonetheless began to pack up her things. As she did so, he switched his gaze to yours, tilting his head in that way he did. “We’re going to head to the park, kick a ball around for a while. You’re welcome to join us, if you like.”

Numbly, because now that you knew he not only liked you, but like-liked you, you heard yourself accept and follow them out the doors of the library and onto the street. The deep purple sky felt a bit brighter than before, and the steps you took together, side by side, seemed a little closer than necessary. The sidewalks were cramped, sure, but not enough so that your hands needed to brush every few seconds. Not enough so that your shoulders bumped when you stepped off curbs to cross roads.

The park was quiet this time of day, occupied only by a few elderly couples leaning against walking canes and teenagers out past their curfews sprawled out on benches making out like they knew they were going to die tomorrow.

How long had it been since you had kissed Ferris? The saddest part of you knew that you couldn’t recall.

For hours, you sat on the sweet-smelling grass of the park’s lawn and watched Miguel and Gabriella scrimmage, kicking around a ball worn by years of scuff marks and green stains from fields. The breeze blew their matching hair this way and that, the dying sunlight illuminated their identical smiles as they round about one another in only a way a parent and a child could know one another. You cheered when either scored a goal. You laughed when they called one another names. And when they urged you to come join, even though the night was throwing itself over the sky and the stars were beginning to wink down at the park, you got to your feet and played.

You realized, through your aching laughter and the grass stains on your knees, that you hadn’t been this happy in a very, very long time.

That night, after you had wished Miguel and Gabriella a goodnight and walked home, after you had found Ferris crashed out in bed and the dishes still in the fucking sink, you found yourself sitting on the rooftop of your apartment building. It wasn’t quite silent up here, not with the helicopter chopping in the distance, or the occasional honk of a car down below, or the dog barking three stories down, but it was better than facing the quiet of your own home. You knew you would go mad in between those damned four walls, listening to your boyfriend snore and the clock in the kitchen tick and the floorboard creak when you walked to the bathroom.

You couldn’t face the quiet, not after the wonderful, deafening, blaring joy of this afternoon.

You let your legs dangle off the edge of the rooftop, sitting back on your hands and staring at the glaring screen of your phone. Your thumb ached slightly from scrolling through anything and everything you could find to keep yourself distracted. The newest clean energy replacement from Alchemax. The latest from politics. The child that had been kidnapped this afternoon, now home and safe, thanks to Spiderman snatching the kid from the backseat before plowing the speeding car with the kidnapper into a metal gate.

There came the soft, muted noise of a weight landing on the power box on the rooftop behind you, and you whipped around to find a familiar - but no less startling - red and blue figure sitting perched on the metal edge. Spiderman tilted his head at you, balanced on the balls of his feet despite the hulking frame of his muscles.

“Just came to check up on you after the other day,” he said through the mask. His eye lenses moved as his eyes roamed your figure. “Didn’t know you were this far gone.”

Clicking your phone off anxiously, feeling your heart thunder in your ears, you gave a little laugh and looked down at the drop beneath your feet. “I think if I was ready to end it,” you joked in return, “I’d go for something a little less traumatizing for pedestrians.”

Spiderman was still for a moment. Then he extended his wrist, and a string of web shot across the rooftop to stick to the space on the lip beside you. He used it to yank himself across the tarmac of the roof, landing again on the balls of his feet on the edge. He shifted himself, resting his forearms overink his thighs, and turned his masked gaze to the city before you both. Golden lights twinkled from skyscrapers and apartments and office buildings, creating a constellation of life between windows. The night air was crisper up here - as crisp as it could get, what with the smog from arsonist fires and churning factories and gas emissions - and the stars seemed to shine just a touch brighter.

“So… how are you doing?” the vigilante asked, keeping his gaze on New York. “After the robbery, I mean. Something like that, it can… stay with you.”

There came a fluttering in your heart. But rather than express such a sensation, because you had every right to be wary about giving yourself away anymore, you said, “It wouldn’t be the first thing like that to happen to me. And I’m sure it won’t be the last.” You lifted a hand to the star-lit city, crowded to the rim with life and hatred and love. “We’re in New York. What more can you expect from a city like this?”

For a long while, neither of you said anything more. It was strange being so close to the man everyone had been talking about for the couple weeks he’d been active - so close you could lean right over and pull that mask off. But you kept your distance.

Spiderman took a breath and said, “Couldn’t sleep?”

You shrugged a shoulder. “As if I typically sleep at this time anyway.” Then you turned to face him again, locking your ankles together over the edge of the rooftop. The breeze swayed your hair back and forth, like you were suspended underwater. The tension in your lungs certainly felt that way. “Did you enjoy the show the other night?”

He was still for a moment. For two. Then he met your gaze through his mask, his eye lenses narrowing. Even through the cover that hid his face, the heat of his eyes scorched holes through you. “What do you mean?” he asked.

Feeling slightly bolder than you had a moment ago, you lolled your head at him. “You know what I mean.” You sniffed, leaning back on your hands. “Did you follow me? Or was it just a coincidence that Spiderman showed up to my club the day he saved my ass?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“...Sure.” You felt a flutter of embarrassment within you, of doubt and guilt. What if that hadn’t been Spiderman that night at The Menagerie? What if it was some other guy, with some other scar on his collarbone, and you had gotten it all wrong? Despite your sudden worry, you refused to let your confidence waver. “So… do you make it a habit of checking up on every person you help?”

For the first time, you watched and listened as he cracked a smile and chuckled. The lenses over his eyes narrowed as his cheeks rose and his mouth spread into a smirk. You watched the bit of mask over his lips stretch. “You got me there,” he drawled in that low, husky tone of his that made you cross your legs a bit tighter, squeeze your thighs tighter. “Just… couldn’t really get you off my mind. You’ve got courage, saying no to that guy. That’s admirable.”

You felt your cheeks flush. Spiderman? Calling you brave? What an ironic sense of humor the universe had.

“I guess someone has to stand up and say no,” you murmured into the breeze.

“Yeah. Someone has to.”

Moments turned into seconds, and those turned into minutes. You almost wished you could stay like this forever; here, on the rooftop with Spiderman, with the breeze rustling your hair and the car horns beeping and the rest of the world forgotten.

But all too soon, it was over.

Spiderman rose to his full height in a seamless transition, turning his head to face the street away from you. “Should get back now,” he said, then switched his gaze down to you. You wondered, behind that mask, what color his eyes were. “Sure you’re not going to jump?”

You felt yourself smile. “Promise, Spiderman.” You watched as he nodded his head, then prepared to catapult himself off the building and swing onto the next one. Before he could, however, you called out. “And hey,” you said, drawing his attention, “if you ever drop by the club again, ask for the Monarch.”

He stared at you for the longest moment. Then he turned, stepped off the lip of the rooftop, and disappeared.

You didn’t bother leaning over, watching him spring a web from his wrist to flip through the air and parade down the street above the cars and streetlights. Instead you looked back to the city’s skyline far above yourself, silhouettes of buildings framed by a rich violet horizon.

Perhaps one day, you would see what it looked like without all this smog and the army of dark clouds hanging over it.

But for now, you were content with watching it darken until it was nothing but black and purple.

tags: @mooomeadows @twentysomethingwereyote @screamforyani @fangirlreice7 @axdjelx @ornamentalnecromancy @faust-pda @ilikethemoon28 @mrm-pachypoda @wadafrick @natthernandez @bakgoktski @soupsexsunsalutationsss @roxannarichie @lovagirlxxx @soggyeyeballsss @yoyoyoyoyo55555 @sophipet @quantii @lavnderluv @cookiezxx @euphorica @its-a-polyglot @nicalysm @maxi-ride @exzidss @crappwr0m @femme-is-dead

(strike through means blog could not be tagged)

[gel-electrophoresislab]

“This is why I wear sneakers”

Pairing: Peter Sutherland x reader

Synopsis: You’re an FBI agent alongside Peter. You decide to change up your style one day. Peter notices immediately, but you refuse to tell him why.

Warnings: Running barefoot, girls being mean, talks of gender

————————————————————————

"You look... different," Peter said, his eyes lingering on your freshly polished heels as you sailed into the office.

You glanced down at the black stilettos and shrugged nonchalantly, hoping the blush didn't betray you. "Just felt like switching it up," you replied, your voice a tad too breezy.

The room was the same as always, the fluorescent lights humming their endless tune, the scent of stale coffee wafting from the break room, and the ever-present murmur of agents discussing the latest intel. Yet today, it felt like the walls were closing in on you, as if the very air was charged with an unspoken tension that even the most seasoned agent couldn't ignore.

"New mission?" Peter asked, his gaze lingering on your outfit—the stark contrast to your usual tennis shoes and fitted khaki pants.

"No, just... I don't know," you said, shifting in your chair. The leather creaked under your weight, a sound that seemed amplified in the quiet tension.

"You okay?" Peter's voice was gentle, genuine concern etched into every syllable.

"Yeah," you lied, forcing a smile. "Just tired."

He leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest, studying you with those sharp eyes that had seen more than their fair share of the world's darkest secrets. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

Your heart skipped a beat. You knew that, of all people, Peter Sutherland—your best friend, your partner, your confidant—deserved honesty. But you couldn't bring yourself to admit the real reason behind the heels.

"It's nothing," you assured him, the lie sticking to the roof of your mouth like a piece of gum you hadn't had the courage to spit out.

The room felt suddenly too hot, too small. You fidgeted with the hem of your skirt, the fabric whispering against your skin. The silence stretched out between you, a tightrope threatening to snap under the weight of all the things left unsaid.

"Let's grab lunch," Peter suggested, breaking the tension. "Maybe some fresh air will do you good."

You nodded gratefully, eager for a change of scene. As you stepped out of the office, the cool breeze kissed your skin, a welcome relief from the stifling atmosphere. The sun was shining, the world outside seemingly oblivious to the turmoil within the four walls you'd just left. You followed Peter's lead, the clack of your heels echoing off the pavement as you made your way down the busy street.

And then it happened. A code blue alert blared through your earpiece. A high-value target had been spotted nearby. Peter's eyes met yours, and without a word, you both sprang into action. You chased the suspect, the sound of his footsteps pounding like a drum in your ears. But the heels—oh, the heels. They were a liability, a hindrance to your usual grace and speed.

With a growl of frustration, you kicked them off, the pavement biting at your feet as you sprinted barefoot after the criminal. The world around you blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds, your only focus the man in the navy windbreaker weaving through the lunchtime crowd.

You and Peter caught the guy in a deserted alley, the smell of garbage and despair thick in the air. You tackled him to the ground, your bare feet skidding on the gritty concrete. The adrenaline rushing through you dulled the pain of the impact. Peter was right behind you, breathing heavily, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

As the cuffs clicked shut around the criminal's wrists, you couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity of the situation finally hitting you. You looked up at Peter, your cheeks flushed and your hair a wild mess. "This is why I wear sneakers," you gasped.

Peter chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well, you looked pretty badass barefoot," he said, a teasing lilt in his voice.

You rolled your eyes, but couldn't help the grin that spread across your face. The tension of the morning melted away like snow in the sun. For a moment, it was just the two of you, partners in the chaos of the job you both loved.

"Come on," Peter said, helping you to your feet. "Let's get back to the office and get you some shoes before the next crisis hits."

You nodded, the weight of the unspoken conversation from earlier lifting just a bit. Maybe today was going to be okay after all.

"So, the heels?" Peter prompted as you walked back to the office, the echo of your barefoot sprint fading behind you.

You sighed, the adrenaline wearing off and leaving you feeling vulnerable. "Some of the women at the office," you began, feeling the heat rising to your cheeks. "They said I should dress more like a... well, more like a girl."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What? Why?"

"They said I look like one of the guys," you mumbled, looking down at the discarded heels in your hand. "I just wanted to prove them wrong."

"You don't have to prove anything to anyone," Peter said firmly. "You're an amazing agent, and you look great in whatever you wear."

You glanced at him, a hint of a smile playing on your lips despite the sting of the earlier encounter. "Thanks, Peter."

When you arrived back at the office, the other agents looked up from their screens, surprise and a touch of envy in their eyes. You could see the whispers start, the glances thrown your way. But with Peter by your side, you felt invincible.

You made your way to your desk, the cold air conditioning kissing the sweat on your brow. You dropped the heels into your drawer with a clunk, vowing never to wear them on a mission again. Peter leaned over, his hand on your shoulder, his eyes full of understanding.

"You know I've always liked you just the way you are, right?" he said softly. "You don't have to change for anyone."

You swallowed hard, nodding. "I know."

With a wink and a smirk that made your stomach flip, Peter announced loudly to the room, "I think your tennis shoes look hotter anyway." The office fell silent, all eyes on you. A few agents chuckled, and you felt a blush creeping up your neck.

But instead of the embarrassment you expected, a strange warmth spread through your chest. It was Peter's way of saying he liked you for you, that he didn't care about the heels or the dress code or what anyone else thought. It was Peter being Peter—supportive, protective, and utterly charming.

Author’s note: please let me know if I should keep writing these!! I’m always looking for feedback :)