#hhhh these just keep getting longer

[firefly464]

Scott | Pearl | Martyn (You are here!) | Cleo | Scar | Grian

Word Count: 2,049

Fandom: 3rd Life | Last Life SMP Series

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences 

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply 

Relationships: Martyn Littlewood | InTheLittleWood & Rendog, Martyn Littlewood | InTheLittleWood & Scott Major | Smajor1995 

Characters: Martyn Littlewood | InTheLittleWood, Rendog (Video Blogging RPF), Scott Major | Smajor1995 

Additional Tags: Character Study, POV Second Person, Memory Alteration, this one leans into it way more than the other ones did, Only Winners Remember the 3rd Life | Last Life SMP Series, Martyn Littlewood | InTheLittleWood-centric, Martyn Littlewood | InTheLittleWood Needs A Hug, Canon-Typical Violence, 3rd Life | Last Life SMP Series-Typical Character Death, Martyn and his relationship with loyalty, Ambiguous Martyn Littlewood | InTheLittleWood and Rendog Relationship, you can really read it as /p or /r it works just fine either way

Series: Part 3 of Life after Life (again and again and again)

Summary:

Loyalty is such a strange concept. You don’t get it.

Well. That’s not true. You know how valuable another person can be. How having someone to watch your back can be the difference between life and death.

You also know that your life is far more important than theirs. If it ever came down to it, you would run away and leave them for dead in a heartbeat. You fully expect them to do the same for you.

~~~

Or, an exploration of Martyn and how he feels about loyalty

~~~

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62221153

Or read it under the cut :D

~~~

Loyalty is such a strange concept. You don’t get it. 

Well. That’s not true. You know how valuable another person can be. How having someone to watch your back can be the difference between life and death. 

You also know that your life is far more important than theirs. If it ever came down to it, you would run away and leave them for dead in a heartbeat. You fully expect them to do the same for you. 

So maybe it’s more accurate to say that you don’t understand undying loyalty. The kind that leads a person to throwing themselves in front of a sword for someone else. The kind that leads a person to getting themselves killed. 

The idiotic kind. 

The kind that Ren seems to think you have as he hands you a sharpened axe. 

Well. No harm in playing along, right?

---

You never really intended to stick with Ren for this long. You were planning on ditching him as soon as things turned violent. 

It’s fine. That option isn’t off the table. You can still get the hell out of here. 

It doesn’t matter that your green life was just taken by a mob of all things, after you had stupidly refused to give up the chase. It doesn’t matter that you would have hunted Scar down to the ends of the earth if it meant you could get that flag back. 

It doesn’t matter. It’s fine. It’s fine.

---

The coat that Ren gives you sits heavy on your shoulders. It weighs you down, filled with expectation. 

You’ve already died twice for this man. You don’t know if you’ll make it a third. You know that he expects you to stay loyal, to stay by his side. 

The insignia upon your back feels like a death sentence already. 

You try not to think about how little the thought upsets you.

 ---

In the end, you don’t betray him. You’re never given the chance. 

You don’t even get to die for him either. What a joke. 

No, you get to experience the joys of watching Ren’s blood be spilled across the stones of the altar that he had built. 

You watch as his body crumples to the floor. You can hear your own voice, screaming his name. 

You’re almost at his side when the arrow pierces your heart. You don’t even hear it whistle through the air. 

How fucking pathetic. 

~~~~~

Loyalty is a weird concept. It’s confusing. It  doesn’t make all that much sense to you. 

You know that you’re supposed to be loyal to the Southlands, but that group was doomed from the start. You’d be an idiot to not prepare a lifeboat when you can see the iceberg in the distance. 

So you create a backup plan. You meet up with those from the fairy fort. You’re not sure why them specifically, but it feels right. 

You still don’t plan on doing anything stupid for them, but it’s good to have a backup. 

Besides, Ren owes you! He owes you for saving his life from that stupid fire. 

You still don’t know why you did that. It was a dumb decision, you could have easily gotten yourself killed in the process. 

You ignore how natural it had felt to run to his aid. How throwing yourself through the flames had been easier than breathing. 

You have to ignore it. Otherwise you might go insane. 

---

You’re the last one left. You’re left in the crumbling facade of the place you once called home. 

They’re gone. They’re all gone. 

You shouldn’t care this much. You shouldn’t be this distraught. 

You had seen the iceberg from a mile away. You had prepared the lifeboat, you were ready to bail. 

And yet… you had stayed. You didn’t abandon ship. 

You’re such an idiot.

~~~~~

Loyalty is fucking stupid. That’s the conclusion that you’ve come to. 

What’s the point of having a soulmate if they abandon you the second you mess up? Aren’t they supposed to stay by your side? To help and support you? Make sure that you don’t die?

They’re most certainly not supposed to tell you to fuck you off. 

And ok fine, you probably didn’t help when you pushed Cleo off a cliff and got you both killed, but how were you supposed to know that there was a ledge there? Honestly, you fail to see how this is your fault. 

Besides, you had died too! So it’s not exactly fair to completely blame you. 

You try to make a backup plan. You meet up with Ren and Pearl, try to create a new alliance. 

It’s the perfect group of people! The two that have been disgraced and abandoned by their soulmates and… Ren. 

For some reason. 

You’re still not entirely sure why Ren is included in the alliance, but it feels like the right decision. You barely know the guy, but you feel like you can trust him. 

It’s probably a stupid decision. It’s probably going to get you killed. You think you might ok with that.

---

In the end, you’re forced to return to Cleo’s side. You don’t want to, and you’re pretty sure she wants it even less, but you have to do what you have to do to survive. 

With everyone on red, it’s not like you have much of a choice. You need someone to watch your back if you have any hope of winning. 

You would go back to Ren and Pearl, but you have no idea where Pearl is, and Ren is—

Gone dead he’s dead and you couldn’t do anything to save him you didn’t even get to see him die you didn’t even get to give him a burial you failure how dare you abandon your king like this—

Well. He’s not here. That’s what’s important. 

So. Cleo it is.

---

When you die, it’s alone. You’re huddled in the secret passage underneath the snow. 

It’s cold. 

You wish you could say that you’re surprised Pearl turned on you. You’re not. Of course you’re not. You would have done the exact same. No point in pretending like you wouldn’t.  

You’re not that stupid.

~~~~~

Something’s wrong. Something’s broken. Something isn’t right.

You can feel it the second that you open your eyes. Someone has tampered with the world's code with your code and no one else seems to notice or care. 

Why don’t they care???

You can’t help but let out a sigh of relief when the curse burrows underneath your skin. Hard to focus on anything else when every inch of your being is screaming out for blood. 

But then you kill BigB and the curse is lifted and you’re left with nothing but the knowledge that some part of your soul has been stolen and you can’t even remember what it was.

It makes you want to scream. 

---

You return to Scott, hoping that maybe being by his side will help soothe the ache that plagues you. 

It almost works. Almost, but not quite. 

---

You try to bring it up to Scott. Subtly, of course, you’re not stupid enough to reveal a potential weakness to the people who will be trying to kill you. 

But you have to know. You have to know.

“I think something got messed up in the world creation,” you say, forcing yourself to keep your voice light. 

“What do you mean?”

“I dunno. It just… feels like somethings missing, I guess?” It’s the only way you can describe it. “It’s like there’s a bit of code missing.”

Scott freezes. He stares at the chest he was organizing. The only sounds you can hear are the waves lapping against the island. 

You knew it, you knew it!! You knew that it wasn’t just you!! There really is something wrong! It’s the only reason he would react like this!

But then he turns to you. And you feel your heart freeze in your chest. There’s no relief in his gaze, nothing that would imply he feels the same break in the world that you feel. 

Only pity.

It fills you with rage. You want to claw the expression from his face. 

“Oh… oh Martyn….”

You don’t bring it up again.

 ---

Scott tells you to kill him. He tells you that you have to do it you have to kill him. If you don’t someone else will and he’d rather it be you than anyone else. 

You’d be a failure of a right hand man teammate if you didn’t. 

You watch as his blood spills out across the stones of the altar into the water around you. 

The water is so cold.

You swallow the sob that threatens to bubble up. 

---

Grian and Pearl keep looking at you with the same pity that Scott did. They look at you like you’re a glass sculpture that could shatter at any moment. 

They know. They know something that you don’t. What do they know what could they possibly know that you don’t?

You hate it. You hate it so much. 

---

When you turn red, Scott is by your side. He gives you a red sash, embroidered with white, saying that he put it together in their spare time. 

The fabric feels warm in your hands. It feels right as you tie it around your waist. 

It’s a dumb decision. An enemy could easily grab it as you’re running away. It could easily get you killed. 

You don’t care. You need to keep it close. 

You can’t let them take it you won’t let them take it it’s all you have left of him you have nothing else you have to keep it close. 

You’re not sure why. 

---

Grian goes pale when he sees the banner around your waist.

Good. 

---

You’re one of the last three left. Scott and Impulse seem to think that the best way out of this is a fair fight, that it’s the best way to decide a winner. You watch them toss their armor and weapons into a pile in the sand. 

Scott and Impulse are idiots. 

You don’t care that Scott has been your teammate since day one. You’ve known from the start that your life is far more important than his. 

You’re not here to make friends and play nice. You’re here to win.

---

Their bodies hit the sand. The banner around your waist is stained with blood. 

You’re crowned the winner. 

Your memories return, and everything makes sense.

~~~~~

He’s not here again. It still hurts, but not as much as it did. Because you remember him now. You know what it is that you’re missing. 

You tell Jimmy that you’ll stick by his side, but it’s more of a formality than anything else. You’re not about to get yourself killed for him. 

There’s only one person who you would consider throwing yourself in front of a sword for, and he’s not here.

Jimmy doesn’t need to know that. 

--- 

You hear a snicker from behind you as you’re working on the base. 

“‘Big dogs’, huh?” Scott asks. 

You pointedly ignore the look that you know he’s giving you. You don’t even have to turn around to see it. You can feel it digging into your skull. 

You laugh. “I have no idea what you could possibly be referring to.”

It’s almost enough to soothe the ache in your soul. 

Almost, but not quite. 

~~~~~

You think you might understand why people chose to die for others. 

The realization clicks into place as you open your eyes and—

Oh. Ren is standing next to you. 

He’s back. He’s here he’s back he’s standing right beside you and you can hear him laughing and the sound feels like returning home.

He doesn’t remember everything anymore. He doesn’t remember the exact way that your hands had trembled when you cut off his head, he doesn’t remember the way that he had comforted you after your first death, he doesn’t remember the time that you spent together. 

You don’t care. You don’t care even the slightest bit. He doesn’t need to remember the history that you once shared to know that you’re with him until the end.

Because he’s here. He’s climbing into your boat and sailing away from everyone else with you and he’s here and you can’t remember the last time the world felt this right. 

[sergeantjessi]

Okay, the fic is almost done, I just have to hurry up, and then I can focus on doing uni work

*1k words later*

Okay, the fic is almost done, I just have to hurry up, and then I can focus on doing uni work

*1k words later*

Okay, the fic is almost done, I just have to hurry up, and then I can focus on doing uni work

*1k words later*

Okay, the fic is almost done, I just have to hurry up, and then I can focus on doing uni work

*1k words later*

Okay, the fic is almost done, I ju

[focusonkayjay]

stuck with you | (2/5)

Pairing: Jungkook x (f.) Reader

Genre/Tags: computer sci major/ shy/ nerdy! jungkook, econ major/ popular/ influencer! reader, college au, roommates au, roommates to lovers, friends to lovers, idiots to lovers, angst, smut, fluff

Summary: Jungkook’s a hopeless romantic—emphasis on hopeless more than romantic. From the moment he first laid eyes on you, he swore he heard bells chiming, like the angels from above were giving him a cosmic nudge. But he’s always been the awkward, nerdy guy—the one who blends into the background—while you? You felt like a dream way out of his league. Fate, however, had other plans and now, you’re his roommate and living with you—in all your effortless glory—is equal parts chaos and heaven. The only challenge? Keeping his ever-growing feelings in check. That is—until a cocky fuckboy with not-so-pure intentions sets his sights on you, and suddenly, just loving you from the sidelines might not be enough.

Word Count: 20.4k+

Chapter Warnings:  butchered representation of a scene from the anime "attack on titan" (im sorryfjhjfghierg), mentions of blood and some gorey stuff because of the anime scene hhhh, jaehyun is a huge dick, heavy on the angst, lots and lots of angst, again some inaccurate econ and comp sci things, oc is just an oblivious cutie </3, did i mention angst

cher's notes: second part is here ahhhh !! there’s a lot happening in this chapter, so buckle up. also — i finally decided this mini series will have 5 parts in total, which means the chapters are gonna be on the longer side because i want to squeeze in everything. and to my lovely EBYT readers — the next part is officially dropping tomorrow YAAAHOOOO. thank you so much for reading and supporting, it means the world. stay tuned and let me know how you’re feeling about this series so far !! now let me go catch up on all your sweet reblogs and replies eeee !!

★ PLAYLIST ★ MOODBOARDS

two: it doesn't take much

"Kook, you free?" you call out, leaning against your doorframe, eyes fixed on Jungkook, who's sprawled across the couch, one arm draped lazily over his stomach as he scrolls through his phone. At the sound of your voice, he instantly looks up. "Yeah, why?" he asks, locking his screen.

"Come here." You don't wait for a response, disappearing into your room and like always, without a second thought, Jungkook gets up, padding down the hall to get to your room.

Jungkook loves your room. 

Loves the way your room always carries a faint trace of vanilla intertwined with something floral—jasmine, maybe, or that one candle you always keep burning on your nightstand, housed in a delicate frosted glass jar. He loves how the soft glow of your LED lights bathes the space in warmth, how everything—your desk, your computer, your shelves—is so meticulously arranged.

Your room is just so... you, and every time he steps inside, he can't help but take it all in, admiring the way you've turned four plain walls into something that feels like a world of its own.

His gaze immediately falls on the huge box resting on your bed, and he doesn't even have to ask because frankly speaking, he's seen this sight plenty of times to know it's another PR package.

"Sit." You grin, already taking a seat on your bed, gesturing at the empty spot in front of you. "I got these lip stains in the mail today." you explain, excitement lacing your voice as you pat the box. "Wanna test them out with me? Pleasseeee."

Jungkook wonders why you're even asking, why you're evening saying 'please' because when has he ever said no to you?

He simply huffs out a laugh, shaking his head as he settles onto the bed, sitting criss-cross in front of you like he's your personal test subject. You giggle as you carefully start unboxing the package, peeling back the layers of wrapping with an almost childlike excitement.

Jungkook watches, momentarily distracted—not by the package, but by you. 

The way your eyes light up, the way your fingers move with care as if unwrapping something precious. The packaging is extravagant, unnecessarily grand for something as simple as lip stains, but when he sees the way it makes you smile, he figures maybe that's the point. 

Maybe it's meant to make people feel like this. And if that's the case, then he hopes every product you ever receive comes wrapped in the prettiest boxes, because the look on your face right now?

Yeah, he'd like to see that again.

"Wow..." you breathe out, eyes wide with amusement as you take in the sight before you—eight lip stains neatly nestled inside the box. You weren't expecting this, especially not so soon. 

The brand had sent you PR before, after that one tiktok you made for them, but this? The limited-edition collection, delivered straight to your doorstep? It was definitely a pleasant surprise.

"Look at all these shades." you gasp, voice laced with excitement as you carefully pluck out the first one. The colors range from soft pinks to deep berry tones, each more tempting than the last. You turn to Jungkook, eyes gleaming. "Wanna try this one?"

Jungkook raises a brow but doesn't protest because again, when has he ever said no to you? 

"These are peel-off lip stains." you explain, twisting the cap and the scent—sweet, vaguely fruity—drifts up immediately. "Peel-off?" Jungkook repeats, skepticism creeping into his tone.

You nod enthusiastically. "Yeah, you apply it, wait a few minutes, and once it dries, you just peel it off. It leaves behind a stain."

He furrows his brows, still struggling to wrap his head around the whole concept, but he nods anyway. Because, really, if there's one thing Jungkook has learned, it's that when it comes to you and your beauty experiments, it's better to just simply go along with it.

"Come here." you say, nudging the box aside to make space as you inch closer. Jungkook straightens his back, his hands resting idly on his lap as he waits, patient and compliant, like always. 

With one hand, you gently cup his chin, steadying his face. Your fingers are warm against his skin, and Jungkook swallows, trying to ignore the way his pulse betrays him. Slowly, with careful precision, you begin tracing the outline of his lips.

And that's when it hits him. The proximity.

It's not unfamiliar—this has happened before. Every time you apply something to his face, you get so, so close that he can almost feel your breath ghosting against his skin. But somehow, it never stops setting off a chain reaction inside him. 

His breath catches the moment the wand glides over his lips, and he notices—of course, he notices—the way your eyes remain so intently focused on his mouth.

God, this is not good for his heart. His poor, overworked, utterly helpless heart.

Before his thoughts spiral any further, before he lets himself feel too much, he does what he always does—he closes his eyes. Shuts out the sight of you, the nearness of you, the way his chest tightens at the thought of you. Because he is not god's strongest soldier.

Once you finish filling in his lips with the product, you sit back, tilting your head as you admire your work. That's when Jungkook finally opens his eyes.

The color of the peel is darker than the actual stain—almost unnaturally so—and it makes him look... well, a little funny. You try to hold it in, but a giggle slips past your lips before you can stop it.

"What?" Jungkook asks, brows furrowing in confusion but the moment he speaks, something feels off. His lips feel stiff, like they've been coated in wax, and the weird sensation makes his frown deepen.

"Don't talk." you say quickly, waving a hand in warning. "You have to let it dry first."

His expression remains skeptical, but he still obeys. Your attention, however, has already drifted back to the box. While Jungkook patiently waits for his peel-off stain to dry, you figure it's time to test out another shade yourself.

"Which one should I try?" you hum, tapping your chin in thought. Then, pushing the box towards him, you grin. "You choose for me."

Jungkook takes a moment, scanning the neatly arranged tubes. His eyes land on a deep crimson shade—rich, elegant, the kind of color he just knows will look good on you. Without a word (because someone told him not to talk), he simply points at it.

You smile, clearly pleased with his choice, and take the tube in hand. Reaching for the little mirror on your desk, you carefully begin applying the stain to your lips, oblivious to the way Jungkook watches you, his own lips still tingling, his heart still hopelessly traitorous.

God.

The way you apply that stain to your lips—so slow, so precise, like it's a ritual rather than just makeup. The way your gaze lingers on your reflection, eyes flicking over every detail as you smooth the product across your lips with effortless grace. 

Jungkook swears he's never seen anyone look so mesmerizing while doing something so utterly mundane.

It's ridiculous, really, how something as simple as this—just you, applying lip stain—has him completely entranced. His pulse trips over itself, his stomach does this weird, weightless thing, and suddenly, he's wondering if it's normal to be this enchanted with someone.

And then, just as quickly as you began, you're done. You twist the cap back on, set the mirror down, and turn to him with a soft, satisfied smile. You begin fanning your lips and gesture Jungkook to follow. He blinks, forcing himself to shake off whatever daze he's in before wordlessly copying you.

So now, the two of you just sit there, cross-legged on your bed, silently fanning your lips with comically serious expressions. If anyone were to walk in right now, they'd probably think you were performing some bizarre ritual.

Jungkook should find this ridiculous. Maybe even funny. 

But all he can focus on is the soft curve of your lips, the way your lashes dip with each slow blink, and the effortless way you exist—completely unaware of just how much space you take up in his head.

After what feels like forever, Jungkook notices you reaching for the mirror again. His gaze follows the movement of your fingers as you carefully press against the edge of the lip stain and begin peeling it away. His brows knit together slightly because, for a second, it almost looks like you're peeling off a layer of your skin.

But then, as the translucent film lifts, the color left behind on your lips begins to show, seamlessly tinted like a watercolor painting. And suddenly, the whole concept makes sense to him.

You peel away the last bit and turn to him with a smile. "Looks nice?"

Jungkook nods, eyes still fixed on your lips, like he's studying every shift of color, every little detail. "Come here, let me do yours too," you say, gesturing him closer.

Without a second thought, he inches forward, bringing his face to your eye level, and for the second time tonight, he finds himself painfully aware of your proximity.

Your fingers gently take hold of the dried stain on his lips, peeling it away while Jungkook sits perfectly still, his breath hitching just slightly at the sensation, his gaze locked onto your face. 

And then, just as the final layer comes off, you let out a delighted gasp. "Oh my god !!" you beam, tilting your head to admire the color. "This shade looks so good on you."

Jungkook blinks, lips slightly parted. He doesn't know what's worse, the fact that you're still so close, or the fact that you're looking at him like that, like he's something pretty.

You lean back slightly, pulling the box closer, skimming the fine print with a look of mild amusement. "Hmmm... it says here that these are kiss-proof." you giggle, tapping the side of the box. Then, with zero hesitation and far too much nonchalance, you glance at Jungkook. "Should we test that out?"

And that's it. That's how Jungkook dies.

You want to test it out? 

With him? 

Test it out... how exactly?

His brain stutters. His body forgets how to function. His soul quite literally leaves his body and ascends to the heavens for a moment before violently crashing back down into the reality of what you just said.

There are several things happening inside Jungkook right now, and none of them are good for his well-being. His heart is in the middle of a full cardiac arrest, his stomach is doing something between a backflip and a complete nosedive, and his entire nervous system has gone into DEFCON 1. 

The mere thought of your lips on his—of actually getting to kiss you, even under the guise of some ridiculous experiment—is enough to send him spiraling. His pulse is thunderous. His breath? Completely nonexistent.

"You... you want to test it out?" he croaks, like he needs to double-check before his imagination starts running off the rails. You nod, completely casual, as if you didn't just send his entire life into turmoil. "Yeah, why not?" you shrug.

Why not ?? 

WHY NOT ?! 

Oh, Jungkook can think of a million reasons why not. Maybe because he has spent months suppressing every urge, every look, every stray thought about how insanely, stupidly in love with you he is? 

Maybe because the idea of your lips even remotely close to his, is enough to send him into a self-destructive spiral? Maybe because if this actually happens, if he actually gets a taste of something he has wanted for so long, there's no way in hell he'll ever be able to come back from it?

"Oh... O-okay." he stammers, because—obviously. What else is he supposed to say? 

No? No?! That's not even a possibility.

He braces himself. Inhales sharply. Inches just the tiniest bit closer, his eyes fluttering shut, waiting, anticipating, standing on the precipice of something life-altering.

This is it. This is the moment his world shifts on its axis. The moment he has his first ever kiss kiss with none other than... you, the girl he's been hopelessly, irrevocably in love with for months.

And then—

A loud, exaggerated smooch sound fills the air.

But he feels... nothing. 

No soft pressure against his lips, no warmth against his skin and that's when he slowly opens his eyes, only to find you inspecting the back of your hand.

"Wow, these really are kiss-proof." you muse, turning your hand under the light, admiring the complete lack of transfer.

Oh.

Oh.

So that's what you meant.

Jungkook just sits there, utterly motionless, trying to reboot his entire existence. Of course that's what you meant—testing it on the back of your hand, like a normal person. Like a sane person.

Meanwhile, he? He was two seconds away from experiencing cardiac arrest over the sheer possibility of kissing you.

"You should do it too." you say, finally looking up at him, still completely unaware of the absolute catastrophe you've just triggered inside him.

Oh, should he? Should he go ahead and casually press his lips to his hand like this is some simple, scientific experiment—like he didn't just mentally prepare himself to kiss you, like he didn't just have a full-blown crisis over it?

Jungkook swallows hard, blinking at you in disbelief. He has two choices here—either expose himself completely and let you see exactly how down bad he is, or just go along with it, pretend he wasn't internally combusting moments ago.

So, with what little dignity he has left, he clears his throat, nods stiffly, and hesitantly lifts his hand to his lips. The second they touch, he glares at his palm like it personally offended him.

Yeah. Great. Exactly what he wanted to be kissing right now.

Eventually, Jungkook loses track of time. He doesn't know how long he's been sitting in your room, letting you test shade after shade on him, obediently parting his lips whenever you tilt his chin, watching as you do the same on yourself with that same meticulous focus that drives him absolutely insane.

By the time you're finally done testing them all, you lean back and let out a satisfied sigh. "Oh my god, I actually love this product." you gush, eyes twinkling. Then, you turn to him. Jungkook blinks, still caught in the haze of his own thoughts, and god, the poor boy looks exhausted. 

"Oh my god," you gasp, brows furrowing. "Did I wear you out?" you ask and Jungkook stares at you. No, he's not worn out. He's still internally screaming over how catastrophically, idiotically stupid he is.

How could he have just assumed you wanted to kiss him? How did his brain take "Should we test that out?" and spin it into some earth-shattering, life-changing confession? How did he let himself believe, for even a second, that you—his roommate, his favorite person, the love of his goddamn life—were about to kiss him?

He wants to dig a hole and disappear. He wants to time travel back to that very moment and slap himself. He wants to not be this delusional.

"Oh... no, no." Jungkook says quickly, maybe too quickly, shaking his head in a way that's anything but natural. He hopes you don't hear the sheer devastation clinging to his words, the lingering disappointment he's trying so hard to swallow. "I was just... genuinely shocked at how well-made these products are." he lies, forcing what he hopes is a casual nod.

You beam at him, still completely oblivious. "That's true." you giggle, and just then, the doorbell rings. "Oh! That must be Jae!" you perk up instantly, getting off the bed without hesitation.

Ah. Right.

Jaehyun.

Jungkook had almost managed to forget about him for the briefest moment.

But of course, Jaehyun is still very much here. Still the same looming, overbearing presence in Jungkook's life—the human equivalent of an immovable roadblock, an unavoidable stop sign placed directly in his path.

It's almost like Jungkook can't escape Jaehyun.

No matter where he turns, no matter what time of the day it is, Jaehyun is somehow there, effortlessly inserting himself into your life in ways that makes Jungkook's skin itch.

Sometimes, he spots the two of you outside the econ building, standing too close, laughing at something he'll never be in on. Other times, he sees you sitting together along with Jimin in the cafeteria, Jaehyun casually taking up the seat beside you like he has every right to be there, like he's always been there.

But the absolute worst part? Seeing him here. In your shared apartment. In the living room. On the couch. In the kitchen. In your room. Jungkook hates how easily Jaehyun exists in it... like he belongs, like he fits. And of course, he's still your infuriatingly unavoidable, ever-present, stupid fucking assignment partner so Jungkook can't really say anything.

Jungkook hates it. Hates how it feels like Jaehyun never has to fight for a place in your world—how he just gets to be there. How, no matter how much Jungkook wants to, he can't just wish him away.

It's sickening. Truly.

And now, Jungkook has to sit here, lips still faintly stained from your little PR experiment, and watch as you rush to greet the very person who—whether you realize it or not—has become the greatest thorn in his side.

As Jungkook steps out of your room, he instantly spots Jaehyun stroll in behind you with that same effortless arrogance, the kind that makes it seem like he belongs wherever he goes, even when he doesn't. 

Jaehyun's gaze barely lingers on Jungkook before a slow, amused smirk tugs at his lips, his eyes honing in on the faint stain of color still lingering on Jungkook's mouth. 

"Yo, dude, are you wearing makeup?" He snorts, his tone laced with something condescending, something that instantly grates on Jungkook's nerves.

It's not the question that bothers him—it's how Jaehyun asks it, like it's some kind of joke, like he's pointing out something ridiculous for the sake of mocking it. Like he expects Jungkook to laugh along, to act embarrassed, to give him something.

But Jungkook isn't ashamed. Not in the slightest.

"We just tested out some lip stains." you reply casually, completely oblivious to the sudden change in the air between the two boys. 

Jaehyun lets out another scoff of a laugh, shaking his head like he just can't believe what he's seeing. "Man, that's kinda wild." he mutters under his breath, but it's loud enough for Jungkook to hear, loud enough for it to hit exactly where Jaehyun wants it to and Jungkook's fingers curl into fists at his sides.

"Yeah?" His voice is low, dangerously calm. "What's wild about it?"

Jaehyun shrugs, all nonchalance and feigned innocence. "Nothing, man. Just not something you see every day." he says but the smirk still stays plastered. 

Jungkook knows exactly what Jaehyun's doing. 

He's seen it enough times, studied him enough to understand that he's the kind of guy who speaks in veiled jabs, just ambiguous enough that if you call him out, you're the one who looks like you're overreacting. The kind who masks condescension with an easy laugh, who pokes and prods just enough to worm his way under your skin but never enough to be held accountable for it.

Jaehyun gives him one last once-over before turning his attention to you like Jungkook isn't even there anymore, like he isn't worth another second of his time. And just like that, Jungkook has never wanted to punch someone more in his life.

"Kook, can you focus?" Taehyung grumbles, clearly unimpressed by how Jungkook keeps zoning out in the middle of their match. "Sorry." Jungkook mutters, forcing himself to snap back to the game. 

His grip on the controller tightens, fingers moving instinctively as his character lunges forward in the video game, but the distraction lingers. His reaction time is slower than usual, and Taehyung instantly notices.

A few more minutes pass, and Jungkook spaces out again, his mind wandering somewhere far from the game, far from Taehyung's apartment, far from anything he actually wants to be thinking about and Taehyung finally snaps. 

"Okay, what the hell is your problem?" He groans, chucking his controller onto the couch before turning to face Jungkook with narrowed eyes.

Jungkook exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. He's been here for almost an hour now, sprawled across Taehyung's couch after a long day at uni, because Taehyung had insisted they play Elden Ring together. 

And normally, Jungkook would be invested, completely locked in, competitive, trash-talking Taehyung for every little mistake. But today, he just... isn't. Because, truthfully?

All he can think about these days is Jaehyun. And he hates it.

Hates how the guy lingers in his head like some ghost that refuses to leave, clinging to his thoughts in a way that feels unnatural. Hates how his presence is so deeply embedded in your life, hates the way you smile when you're with him, the easy way you laugh at his stupid jokes.

And most of all, he hates how Jaehyun always manages to worm his way under his skin, like a splinter buried too deep to pull out. It's the way he does it, too—so effortlessly, so casually, with those sharp-edged smirks and barely-there scoffs. 

The snide remarks disguised as harmless teasing, the subtle but deliberate pauses before his dismissive looks, the offhanded, too-innocent comments that always feel like they carry an edge meant just for Jungkook to catch. It's calculated. It's infuriating. And worst of all? It's working.

But it's not like Jungkook can say that out loud without making himself look childish. 

"It's nothing." he says instead, voice quieter than before, looking away. "Come on, Kook." Taehyung's voice softens, and Jungkook barely has time to react before Taehyung tugs the controller right out of his hands and sets it aside. "Talk to me. You've been like this for days. You don't say anything, but I know something's been bothering you."

Jungkook swallows, jaw tensing. "Come on." Taehyung presses, inching closer, his sharp gaze scanning Jungkook's face. "It's about Y/n, isn't it?"

Jungkook exhales through his nose, long and slow, because at this point, what's the use in denying it? Taehyung's like a bloodhound when it comes to this stuff and there's literally no escaping him.

"Okay, fine." he mutters, sitting up straighter. "But promise me you won't judge me." he adds and Taehyung blinks at him, looking downright offended. "Dude. When have I ever judged you? The fuck?"

Jungkook sighs because—yeah, fair. But still, admitting this out loud makes him feel ridiculous. Like he's a teenager with a stupid crush, and not a grown adult who should be handling his emotions better.

"Okay, listen." he starts "Y/n's been working on this assignment with some guy for the past few weeks, right? I think it's been, like, three weeks now?"

Taehyung nods, waiting for him to continue.

"And this guy..." Jungkook exhales sharply, fingers tightening into fists. "Something about him just feels off, you know? Like, I'm not saying I'm jealous, but the way he acts around Y/n, the way he acts in our apartment... it's just weird. He's way too comfortable."

Taehyung raises a brow at that. "Comfortable? In what way?"

"For starters, the way he talks to her." Jungkook leans back against the couch, shaking his head. "They're always laughing, cracking jokes, and sometimes... I don't even think Y/n notices it, but he just looks at her weirdly, you know?"

The moment the words leave his mouth, he instantly regrets it, because that's when Taehyung's knowing smirk appears. "Ohhh...." Taehyung drawls, grinning like the menace he is. "From the way you're talking, you are most definitely jealous, Kook."

"Tae. That's not the point here." Jungkook says firmly, fixing him with an unimpressed glare. "Okay, okay, sorry." Taehyung lifts his hands in surrender, still smiling. "I mean, maybe they're just friends? They share the same major, they're in the same class... maybe that's why they seem so close? Maybe that's why he's so comfortable around her?" Taehyung tries, tilting his head in thought.

Jungkook's lips press into a tight line. "Yeah, well..." His voice trails off. "That could be it." There's a brief pause before he's talking again. "But still... something about that guy just feels so... eerie." he mutters, his brows knitting together. "Especially the way he looks at me."

Taehyung's expression falters slightly. "Looks at you?" he asks. "Yeah. Like I'm beneath him. Like he somehow knows what I feel for Y/n. Like he knows seeing him with her bothers me." Jungkook clenches his jaw, frustration simmering beneath his skin. "It's like he's taunting me without saying a word."

Taehyung tilts his head, considering. "Well... don't you think you might be reading into it too much?" His voice is softer now, genuinely questioning.

Jungkook lets out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, that's what I thought at first too. But it's happened so many times now that I can't just brush it off." He exhales sharply, dragging a hand down his face. "Jaehyun just knows how to get—"

"Wait. Wait." Taehyung suddenly cuts in, eyes going wide. "Did you just say Jaehyun?" he asks and Jungkook blinks. "Uh... yeah?"

"Bro." Taehyung groans as he stares at Jungkook like he just dropped the biggest plot twist of the century. "Why didn't you fucking start with that?"

Jungkook blinks, completely lost. "Start with what?" he asks. Taehyung looks like he wants to throttle him. "That the assignment partner you're talking about, the guy who's been getting on your nerves, the one who's been way too comfortable around Y/n— is Jaehyun. Jaehyun from econ." He repeats, as if saying it again will somehow make more sense.

Jungkook furrows his brows, still utterly bewildered. "Uh... yeah? That's him? Do you know him?" he questions and Taehyung throws his hands up, exasperated. "Dude, of course I know him. He's on the soccer team." His voice is flat, like this should have been obvious.

"Wait. What?" Jungkook's eyes widen. Now that is brand-new information.

"You'd know this if you actually came to my games and paid attention to my team instead of coding." Taehyung deadpans. "But anyways, that's besides the point." He quickly waves it off, redirecting the conversation back to the actual issue at hand. "Kook, that guy... he's bad news."

Jungkook swallows hard, his fingers curling slightly. Because fuck, a part of him already knew. He had felt it from the start but hearing Taehyung say it out loud? That solid confirmation makes his stomach twist.

"Bad news?" He forces his voice to stay even, though his pulse kicks up. "Like... how bad?"

Taehyung sighs, raking a hand through his hair. "Long story short? He's a huge fuckboy."

Of course. Of course Jaehyun was a fuckboy. 

Jungkook should have seen that coming. Should have realized sooner. But before he can say anything, Taehyung keeps going.

"Not publicly, though. Not in a way that makes it obvious, I guess. He's careful about his reputation around campus, I think... but god, I've heard him talk in the locker room... so many times, with the guys. He goes to these high-end clubs, finds random girls from other universities... and sleeps around with them."

Jungkook exhales slowly, trying to keep his composure, but there's a bitter weight settling in his chest, pressing down like a warning he doesn't want to hear but needs to.

"And what's truly disgusting is..." Taehyung pauses, like he's searching for the right words—or maybe trying to stop himself from getting sick just thinking about it. "It's how he talks about it in the locker room. He gives these guys every explicit detail of what he did, like it's some kind of conquest. The way he talks about women—like they're nothing but objects—it's fucking sickening."

Jungkook clenches his jaw, his fingers curling into fists.

"I told him to cut it out once." Taehyung continues, his voice tight with disdain. "But he just brushed me off, laughed it off like I was being sensitive. Since then, I can't really stand the guy. We're nothing but teammates now. And honestly? I avoid him as much as I can." He lets out a scoff before adding, "Even the coach caught him once, warned him to keep that shit out of the locker room. It was getting that bad."

Jungkook looks up sharply. "And did he stop?"

"Of course not. He just got more discreet about it. Makes sure no one important is around, but I still hear him whispering sometimes, running his mouth like he always does." Taehyung replies, shaking his head. 

Jungkook feels something dark stir in his chest, an unsettling mix of anger and unease.

"But so far..." Taehyung adds, hesitating for a beat. "I'm not really sure if he's brought up Y/n or spoken about her. But now that I'm hearing all of this from you... I can't help but wonder—what if she's his next target?"

Jungkook stiffens.

"You know Y/n..." Taehyung sighs. "She's popular. A lot of guys have tried to get her attention and maybe Jaehyun sees this whole 'assignment partner'  thing as his way in. Like a slow game. Build some trust and then eventually, you know..." His voice trails off, but the implication is crystal clear.

And Jungkook does know.

"I have to go." he suddenly says, rising from the couch with urgency and Taehyung instantly nods in understanding. "I need to talk to Y/n before it's too late." he adds, hurriedly grabbing his jacket and bag. 

Without wasting another second, he's out the door.

You're almost halfway through your research paper assignment with Jaehyun. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of data collection and analysis, a blur of brainstorming sessions, frantic note-taking, and the constant hum of keyboards clacking.

You've worked everywhere...  in your apartment, in the campus library and you've also convinced him to work with you during some free periods because you really just want to get over with this paper.

And right now, you're seated on the floor in the middle of your living room, surrounded by papers, pens, post-its and your laptop as you work on the assignment. 

"Ughhh, I'm so sick of this." Jaehyun groans dramatically, dropping his head onto the coffee table with a light thud. "You say that every week." you remark, not even bothering to look up from your screen as you highlight another key point.

"Yeah, well, every week, I mean it more." he huffs making you chuckle as you pat his back absentmindedly. "Just a few more weeks, and we'll be submitting this nightmare. We got this." you smile. 

Jaehyun lifts his head, eyes filled with suffering. "I hate uni so much. Not only do we have this paper sucking the life out of us, but don't forget—we have that pop quiz next week too."

"Oh yeah." you nod, unbothered and still focused on your screen. "Should be fine. I'm already prepared for it."

Jaehyun narrows his eyes. "Of course you are. Ms. 'I go viral on tiktok and get straight A's' ...You stress me out." he comments, shaking his head. "That sounds like a you problem." You shrug with a smirk, finally looking at him.

"Okay, first of all—rude." he scoffs. "Second, how do you even have time to do all this? Like, I swear, you're out here thriving while I'm over here running on two brain cells, a prayer, and an iced coffee." he rambles.

"Skill issue." you shrug, turning back to look at your computer. "Wow. Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss much?" he says, shaking his head. "You know it." You grin, clicking away at your laptop.

A few seconds pass before you exhale softly, rolling your shoulders to ease the stiffness settling in. "Hey, I'm gonna use the restroom real quick." you inform Jaehyun, stretching slightly as you rise to your feet and Jaehyun gives you a nod.

The second you disappear, the living room falls into an eerie silence but not even a full minute passes before the front door suddenly unlocks with a sharp click. The door swings open, and Jungkook storms in, slightly breathless, his eyes scanning the apartment with urgency.

"Y/n?" he calls out, his voice edged with something Jaehyun can't quite place. His breath is uneven, his shoulders rising and falling as if he ran the entire way here.

Jaehyun watches, unimpressed, as Jungkook's gaze finally lands on him—alone in the living room. "What are you doing here?" Jungkook blurts out, his tone laced with irritation, like he wasn't expecting to see Jaehyun here, at this time. 

Jaehyun smirks, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the coffee table, exuding pure, effortless arrogance. "What do you think?" he counters smoothly. The question is rhetorical, and Jungkook knows it, but it still grates on his nerves.

Jaehyun's cocky demeanor sets Jungkook's teeth on edge, but he doesn't let himself react—not yet. Instead, he steps further inside, eyes narrowing. "Where's Y/n?" His voice is sharp, cutting straight to the point, though he's still catching his breath.

Jaehyun's smirk widens, like he's amused by the urgency in Jungkook's tone. "Relax, coder boy." he drawls lazily, tilting his head. "What's got you so worked up that you had to come running all the way here?"

Jungkook clenches his jaw, already irritated beyond belief. "It's none of your business." he says flatly. For a brief moment, something flickers in Jaehyun's eyes, something almost akin to surprise at Jungkook's tone, but it disappears just as quickly, replaced by another insufferable smirk. 

"Damn." he chuckles, his tone dripping with mockery. "Someone's got their panties in a twist today."

That does it and something inside Jungkook snaps.

He moves in closer, his entire body radiating tension. "Look, Jaehyun, I don't have time for your stupid fucking games." he grits out. "I know what you're up to, so cut the cocky bullshit and stop acting like you're above me when in reality, you're nothing but a pathetic fuckboy."

Jaehyun scoffs, his smirk faltering just slightly. "Excuse me?"

Jungkook rolls his eyes. "I've always had a bad feeling about you from the start." he mutters, voice rough with frustration. "And today, it's confirmed. You're just another sleazebag who gets off on playing around with girls, and you probably think Y/n is your next target." His words are cutting, precise, but he's not done yet.

Jaehyun simply raises an eyebrow, his elbows still resting on the coffee table casually as if Jungkook's words don't faze him. 

"You think you can weasel your way into her life under the guise of this assignment, play the part of the helpful, charming friend, gain her trust... and then what? Wait until she lets her guard down and try to get her to sleep with you?" His expression darkens, eyes narrowing with nothing but pure, undiluted disgust. "All while trying to step over me like I'm nothing?"

Jungkook's chest rises and falls steadily, his anger simmering just beneath the surface, barely contained. "Well, that's not happening." he states, still staring down at Jaehyun. 

"Because I'm telling Y/n everything—who you really are, what you're trying to do. I'm going to make sure she knows exactly what kind of a pathetic excuse for a man you are before you get the chance to screw her over like you've probably done to every other girl."

For a moment, Jungkook is almost shocked by how easily the words flow out of him, but maybe that's because of the sheer anger surging through his system. Or maybe it's because of something deeper— his need to protect you. Either way, standing here, staring Jaehyun down, Jungkook feels no hesitation. No doubt.

"Are you done?" Jaehyun finally sighs, his tone almost bored. Jungkook furrows his brows, irritation flaring at how utterly unaffected Jaehyun looks right now.

"I mean, that was quite the speech." Jaehyung muses, nodding his head. "Didn't know you had it in you, coder boy." His smirk widens. "Seriously, I'm impressed. I didn't know you could string together sentences like that, let alone talk for a full three minutes straight while actually making eye contact." He chuckles, his voice dripping with condescension. "That must've taken everything out of you, huh?"

Jungkook inhales sharply, his fists twitching at his sides, ready to fire back, but Jaehyun doesn't give him the chance.

"Go ahead." Jaehyun spreads his arms out as he leans back against the foot of the couch behind him, as if inviting the challenge. "Run along and tell Y/n whatever you want." His tone remains even. "Tell her I'm some lying, manipulative fuckboy—see how that goes for you." His smirk lingers as he leans forward again, voice dropping just slightly. "You think she'll believe you?"

Jungkook stiffens at that and Jaehyun doesn't miss it.

"You got any proof?" he continues smoothly like he knows he has the upper hand here. "Because without it, you're just some desperate guy throwing baseless accusations."

Jungkook grits his teeth, his pulse pounding so hard in his ears that he barely hears the low chuckle Jaehyun lets out next.

"Y/n's known me for, what? A couple of weeks now?" Jaehyun continues. "And I've been nothing but a sweet, funny, cooperative assignment partner." He shrugs. 

"So what do you think is more likely? That she'll believe me, the guy who's actually been good to her, or you, the guy seething in the corner, throwing accusations like a jealous little kid?"

Jungkook stands frozen, his blood simmering. Because as much as he wants to fight it, as much as he hates to admit it, Jaehyun's words are getting to him.

Because how is he actually going to convince you?

How is he supposed to make you see the truth, that Jaehyun isn't who you think he is? That beneath all the easy smiles and effortless charm, he's just another predator looking for his next game? How is he supposed to prove it when he has nothing to back up his accusations?

Sure, he heard everything from Taehyung—but that's all there is to it. And if Jaehyun hasn't done anything wrong, if he hasn't pulled anything shady, hasn't let his mask slip even once in front of you, then what reason do you have to believe Jungkook? Why would you take his word over Jaehyun's?

"You know..." Jaehyun hums, dragging Jungkook from his spiraling thoughts. "If I were you, I'd be a little more worried about myself right now." He pauses for a beat, letting the weight of his next words settle in before he drops them like a grenade. 

"Imagine if Y/n found out about your feelings for her."

Jungkook's entire body goes still. His stomach twists violently, his breath stalling in his throat. He blinks, trying to process, trying to breathe, but it's like Jaehyun's words wrap around his lungs and squeeze, choking the air from his system. 

He feels stripped bare, exposed in a way he never has before, like Jaehyun just ripped open a wound he didn't even know was visible. "How did you—"

Jaehyun lets out a laugh, shaking his head. "Oh, come on, it's so fucking obvious." he drawls, his smirk widening as he watches Jungkook with a smug expression like he can see the panic seeping into his bones. 

"Think Y/n will be pleased to know that the guy she's been living with is, what, obsessed with her?" His voice is teasing, but his words slice like a blade. "That he's been pining after her this whole time?" He clicks his tongue, shaking his head. "Man, that's gotta be mad awkward for her."

Jungkook feels his stomach drop.

No. No, you can't know.

You can't. Because if you did, if you ever realized the truth about the way he feels, it would ruin everything.

He's spent months burying it, shoving it down so deep it's almost suffocating—because he knows. And even though it's painful to admit, even though it eats away at him in the quiet moments when you're close but never close enough, he knows exactly where he stands in your life.

Just a roommate. Just a friend. Nothing more.

Living with you has been one of the best things that has ever happened to him, and he's never wanted to risk that. Not when you trust him so effortlessly. Not when you're so comfortable around him.

He needs you to keep looking at him the way you always have—not with wariness, not with hesitation, not with the painful realization that the person you've trusted all this time has been hiding something from you.

Because what if you pull away?

What if you start second-guessing every touch, every glance, every effortless moment that once felt so natural? What if you hesitate before leaning into him like you always do? 

What if you stop walking into his room like it's your own, like you don't need permission, like you belong there just as much as he does?

What if you stop asking him for the little things—the things he's always loved doing for you? Testing out your makeup, dragging him into your random tiktoks, even though he's hopelessly awkward with them, handing him your phone and making him take a hundred pictures until you finally find the one. 

All those tiny, insignificant moments that have come to mean everything to him.

What if you stop looking at him like he's your friend—like he's your safe place—and start looking at him like he's something else?

Something he was never supposed to be.

What if he loses the little piece of you he's been holding onto all this time? What if his feelings jeopardize everything?

"Oh hey Kook, you're back." Your voice cuts through the storm of thoughts threatening to pull him under, snapping him back to reality. His head jerks up, eyes instantly finding you as you step out of the bathroom, drying your hands.

Jungkook's eyes sting, a sharp, unwelcome pressure settling in his chest, like a dagger wedged right in the center of his heart. But somehow, out of sheer necessity, he forces himself to regain his composure for a fleeting moment.

He watches as you move so effortlessly, so unaware, casually making your way to the coffee table before settling beside Jaehyun, as if nothing has changed. As if the ground beneath him hasn't just shifted. 

"Yeah... I... I'm back." His voice comes out steadier than he expects, but the hesitation lingers. His gaze flickers towards Jaehyun, who's now focused on his laptop, acting completely indifferent. But that smirk—that stupid smirk—still lingers on his lips, like he's utterly pleased with the way everything played out before you arrived. 

Like he's already won.

When he notices you return to your work, the rhythmic clicking of your keyboard filling the air, he takes it as his cue to retreat to his room.

Closing the door behind him, Jungkook throws his bag onto the bed and lets out the loudest sigh, squeezing his eyes shut as he presses his fingers against his temples.

God, he feels like he's stranded in the middle of nowhere.

That conversation with Jaehyun has left him shaken and probably extremely disoriented. Because now, he's trapped—caught between two unbearable choices.

On one hand, he has to warn you. He can't just sit back and watch as Jaehyun plays whatever twisted game he's playing. But on the other hand, he can't risk you finding out about his feelings because he would rather die than jeopardize everything between the two of you.

But even though his own emotions feel insignificant compared to your safety, compared to protecting you from someone like Jaehyun, the fear still gnaws at him. 

You live with him, for fuck's sake. 

The last thing he wants is for you to feel pressured around him, for you to start walking on eggshells around him.

He exhales deeply, slipping off his glasses before collapsing onto the mattress, an arm draped over his eyes. For a few moments, he stays like that, willing himself to silence the thoughts swirling in his mind.

Then—faint but distinct—the sound of the front door closing cuts through the quiet. His eyes snap open. Did Jaehyun leave?

Pushing himself off the bed, he moves towards the door, stepping out into the living room. His gaze lands on you almost instantly as he watches you clear up the coffee table, gathering your books and laptop.

"Did Jaehyun leave?" he asks softly grabbing your attention as you glance up, adjusting your things in your arms before offering a soft smile. "Oh, yeah. He just left."

Jungkook swallows, standing still for a beat too long.

Maybe he shouldn't let Jaehyun's words get to him. Maybe he's overthinking it because shouldn't he at least try? Shouldn't he say something? If nothing else, shouldn't he talk to you about it, regardless of his feelings for you?

You'd understand that, wouldn't you? You'd see it for what it is—just concern, just a friend looking out for you.

Right?

"Hey, Y/n..." Jungkook starts, taking a hesitant step closer. You hum in acknowledgment, making your way towards your room to put your things away. He follows quietly, maintaining a careful distance, his pulse drumming in his ears.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, what's up?" you ask, placing your things on your desk before turning around to see him standing by your door, his posture tense and his expression troubled. "What's wrong?" you ask, your voice instinctively softening. 

Jungkook exhales sharply, his eyes darting everywhere across the room except your face. "Um..." His hands curl into loose fists at his sides, like he's bracing himself. He's trying so hard to formulate whatever he wants to say, in a way that won't sound completely weird.

"Do you... do you trust Jaehyun?" he finally asks, his voice careful, but he can already see the confusion flicker across your face, the way you tilt your head slightly, the way your lips part as if you're waiting for him to clarify—because surely, you must have misheard him. "Do I trust Jaehyun?" you repeat, blinking.

Jungkook closes his eyes, the voices in his head getting louder and louder, and suddenly, the words are tumbling out if his mouth before he can stop them. "Yeah, like... um... you know, Jaehyun's a guy and... and like I said before, he's just so comfortable around you, and... I was just wondering—"

"Where is this coming from?" you interject, your eyes narrowing slightly. "It's just..." He inhales sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm worried about you because Jaehyun... he seems weird and I... I don't really trust him."

Fuck.

Why does he sound so wrong right now? He's trying his best to be rational, to not sound invasive, to not make it seem like he's overstepping. But every word that leaves his mouth feels off, like he's fumbling through a minefield, one misstep away from ruining everything.

Your lips part slightly, and you blink at him, utterly bewildered. "Kook, I'm not sure what you're trying to imply, but Jae's just a classmate and my assignment partner. That's it." Your voice remains patient, steady, but the confusion is unmistakable.

"And I get that you're worried... probably because, um, he's a guy, I guess?" You exhale softly, shaking your head, but there's no bite to your words. "But trust me, Kook. I know how to take care of myself." You're not defensive. You're not brushing him off. You're genuinely hoping your words reach him, that they ease whatever is twisting inside him.

Standing here, looking at him, the only conclusion you can draw is that Jungkook thinks Jaehyun has some weird intentions with you. And that's valid, you suppose—guys can be creepy, and you know Jungkook is just looking out for you. 

But after spending so much time with Jaehyun, you've never once felt uncomfortable around him. Never noticed anything strange. So right now, this conversation barely makes any sense to you.

But then, something suddenly clicks.

You remember that conversation with Jungkook a few nights ago, when you were walking back from the diner, how he had casually, but pointedly, inquired about Jaehyun and made a comment about him getting a little too comfortable around the apartment.

So maybe... that's what's bothering him. Maybe Jaehyun's constant presence is just irritating him.

"Look..." you start again, offering a small, understanding smile. "if this is about him hanging around the apartment too much, I promise, I can always—"

"It's not about that." Jungkook cuts in quickly, shaking his head and your brows furrow slightly. "Then what is it about?"

"I just..." He exhales harshly, jaw clenching. "Y/n, I don't trust Jaehyun." he says again, but this time there's more certainty but Jungkook can tell you're still not catching what he's trying so hard to tell you. 

You on the other hand, let out a quiet sigh because you get why he's saying this—you really do. But at the same time, you need him to understand that there's nothing to worry about.

"Kook..." you start gently. "I don't know why you feel that way, but I promise you, Jaehyun hasn't done anything weird."

Jungkook's stomach twists.

"I know guys can be creepy sometimes..." you continue, offering him a small, reassuring smile, "But Jaehyun isn't like that. We're really good friends, and I trust him."

You trust Jaehyun.

Jungkook barely breathes.

This—this is exactly what he was afraid of.

Because from where he's standing, it looks like Jaehyun has already sunk his claws into you, already manipulated you into thinking he's someone he clearly isn't. And if Jungkook pushes any further, if he insists, if he prods too much, it's only going to make him look bad.

It's going to backfire. It's going to make him look like the jealous, possessive friend who can't stand the idea of you being close to another guy. 

And he can't afford that.

"I... I know that..." he stammers, pulse hammering against his ribs. "But, Y/n, he's a guy, and—" he still tries but you cut him off again. "And what?" you ask softly.

He's a fuckboy, and he probably just wants to sleep with you.

The words sit heavy on the tip of his tongue, pressing against his teeth, desperate to spill out—but he can't.

Not when you're looking at him like that. Not when you so clearly trust Jaehyun.

Jungkook feels his palms growing clammy while his chest tightens with frustration, with something deeper, something almost suffocating. God, he wants you to understand. He needs you to understand.

But how can he make you see it when every word he wants to say will only make him sound irrational? How can he explain when you're looking at him with those soft, patient eyes, completely oblivious to the storm raging inside him?

"Kook, please." you murmur, shaking your head with a quiet laugh, like you're trying to put him at ease. Your voice is so warm, so gentle, but completely, utterly oblivious. "I really appreciate your concern, I do. But trust me on this, okay? Jae's a good guy." 

You really don't see it, do you?

"I'm really thankful that you decided to reach out to me." you add, sincerity lacing every word. "But you're overthinking it, okay? So just... drop it, alright?"

You offer him another soft, patient smile. A smile that tells him you don't understand. A smile that tells him you think he's just being protective. A smile that makes his stomach churn because he sees it now... how easily Jaehyun has slipped past your defenses, how easily he's convinced you.

And Jungkook hates it.

But what can he do?

"Come on, let's have dinner." You say, effortlessly dropping the subject as you walk past him, gently patting his shoulder on the way. 

But Jungkook stays where he is, frozen in place and he can't help but feel utterly defeated.  

Days slip by after that conversation, and eventually, it fades from your mind.

You don't think about it much after that night—after all, Jungkook meant well. He always does. And in an effort to ease his concerns, you'd casually convinced Jaehyun to start working with you in the library instead of your apartment. It wasn't a big deal since it didn't change much for you.

Jungkook, on the other hand, notices immediately. 

Jaehyun's presence in the apartment had significantly decreased, and he couldn't help but regret bringing the whole subject up. Because now, you're still meeting Jaehyun—just somewhere else. Somewhere he can't see. Somewhere he can't hear the way Jaehyun talks to you, or watch for any subtle red flags.

It's frustrating. Irrational, maybe. But Jungkook can't shake the feeling that Jaehyun is just too good at keeping up a friendly act.

But apart from that, thankfully, despite everything, things between you and Jungkook remain unchanged. You don't seem to think he was being weird or overstepping that night. You're still just as comfortable with him as ever.

Like right now, you're nestled beside him on the couch, stealing his nachos while your eyes remain fixed on the TV screen as "Attack On Titan" plays and even though you usually don't care much for anime, something about this one has intrigued you enough to sit through multiple episodes today.

Jungkook, on the other hand, is watching you more than the screen, quietly amused at how you keep shifting closer, your brows furrowed in deep concentration as you try very hard to make sense of what's happening. 

He finds it endlessly endearing when you take an interest in the things he likes. Like the time you asked him to teach you Super Smash Bros. (only to suck so badly that he actually felt bad winning against you), or the time you spent an entire afternoon trying to solve a basic 3x3 rubik's cube, getting progressively more pissed off until he just scrambled it back up and pretended you were close.

Right now, your heart pounds as you grip the edge of the couch, eyes glued to the screen, watching in horror as Eren desperately struggles to save Armin from getting eaten by the Titan. "Please don't tell me one of them's about to die right now..." you whisper, half-hiding your face behind your hands, dreading the answer.

"Just keep watching." Jungkook murmurs beside you, eyes now fixed on the television as he pops a nacho inside his mouth.

Onscreen, Eren, still trapped inside the Titan's mouth, summons all his remaining strength to hurl Armin onto the rooftop—saving him from the jaws of death. Your breath catches in your throat, a flicker of hope igniting in your chest. Maybe—just maybe—Eren will find a way out too.

And then, the scene continues to unfold as Eren continues to talk and slowly reaches his arm out but—

The Titan's jaws snap shut.

"PAUSE! PAUSE!" you shriek, lunging for the remote, fingers fumbling as you mash the button in sheer panic. The screen freezes mid-frame, blood splattered in the air, the horror frozen in time. Your stomach twists as you turn to Jungkook, eyes pleading. "Jungkook, please tell me Eren is not about to die right now. PLEASEEE."

Jungkook leans back against the couch, exhaling like this is some tragic burden he's forced to carry. Of course he knows what happens next. He's a veteran at this point—he's rewatched this exact scene countless times but when his gaze meets yours, they're heavy with what you assume is sympathy.

"I'm sorry, Y/n... but Eren dies here."

Your stomach plummets. "What?"

Jungkook nods with a sad smile. "Yeah. This is one of the biggest plot twists in anime history. They made him seem like the main character, but it was all just a setup for Armin to take over."

You stare at him, mind reeling. "I—what? But—Eren... he can't just die like that!"

Jungkook sighs dramatically, dragging a hand through his hair. "I know, right? It's brutal. But the whole story was actually Armin's from the beginning. Since he always wanted to see the ocean and all, from here on out, it's about him trying to avenge Eren." he explains.

You sag against the couch, hands tangling in your hair as a groan of devastation leaves your lips. "This is insane. I can't believe Eren just dies like this."

"Yeah. It sucks." Jungkook sighs and you're too deep in mourning to notice the way the corners of his lips twitch and the way he bites his cheek to keep himself from laughing.

Then, just as your grief starts to settle in, Jungkook reaches for the remote and resumes the episode. With a deep breath, you sit up straighter, drawn back into the story despite yourself.

Eren is somehow inside the Titan's stomach, floating among the grotesque remains of those who were devoured before him. He's shaking, eyes wide with horror, talking to himself as memories flash before his eyes. For a moment, confusion flickers through you. Wait—he's still alive?

The screen goes dark for a split second.

And then—

A monstrous arm bursts through the Titan's mouth, the sheer force sending the creature staggering forward. A sickening, gurgling sound rips through the air as the Titan's entire body begins to convulse, its back bulging grotesquely before—

BOOM.

A violent explosion of steam and blood erupts, and through the thick smoke, another Titan emerges—

A Titan that looks oddly familiar.

Your jaw drops and your entire brain short-circuits.

"WAIT, HOLD ON—" You practically leap off the couch, eyes glued still to the screen. "IS THAT—OH MY GOD—IS EREN A—"

Jungkook loses it. The absolute glee in his laughter is sickening as he throws his head back, body shaking as he cackles, completely and utterly entertained by your reaction.

And you? You seethe.

"YOU LIED TO ME?!" You whip your head towards him, betrayal written all over your face. Before you even process what you're doing, your hand finds the nearest couch pillow. 

SMACK.

"Y/N, wait—"

"YOU LET ME THINK EREN DIED—" SMACK-SMACK-SMACK.

"BUT HE'S A TITAN NOW?!" SMACK-SMACK.

"HOW DARE YOU—"

Jungkook is laughing so hard that he's struggling to dodge your relentless attacks. He can barely catch his breath, eyes squeezed shut as he tries (and fails) to shield himself. He just couldn't help himself, your reactions are just too priceless.

"Y/N—wait—" he chokes out between laughs, trying to scoot away from you, but your vengeance is swift and unrelenting. And then—

It happens so fast.

Jungkook shifts to dodge another one of your swings, but his foot catches on the edge of the rug below, and in one ungraceful misstep, he stumbles—hard. Before you even realize what's happening, the momentum pushes you backward, and in the next second you land against the couch with a startled gasp, the pillow slipping from your fingers, and Jungkook falls forward—

Right on top of you.

Your breath hitches, the world around you shrinking into the mere inches that separate you from Jungkook. 

For a moment, neither of you move as his hands remain planted firmly on either side of your head, caging you in, while his chest hovers just above yours—close enough that you can feel the residual warmth radiating off him, but not close enough to touch.

Your eyes lock, wide and unblinking, both of you equally startled by the sudden shift in proximity.

Jungkook swallows hard, his throat bobbing, and he can almost hear the erratic pounding of his heart, the violent drumming echoing through his entire system, reverberating in his fingertips, in his spine, in the very air between you.

And you?

You gulp, pulse stammering in your system as a strange warmth curls in your chest, spreading like wildfire. 

Has Jungkook always looked this good? 

Because right now, with the way his dark hair falls messily over his forehead, with the way his lips are parted ever so slightly, he looks breathtaking.

And for some reason, the sight of him above you, his body framing yours, his scent wrapping around you like something dangerous, something intoxicating... has your stomach twisting into an unrecognizable knot, your chest doing peculiar things you don't quite know how to name.

You're not even thinking straight when your gaze unconsciously flickers from Jungkook's eyes to his lips.

And he notices—immediately.

For some inexplicable reason, his tongue darts out, running over his lower lip in a slow, almost instinctive motion. The simple action sends a shiver through you, and before you can stop yourself, your breath stutters out and almost in perfect synchrony, you both exhale.

Your body doesn't move—doesn't even attempt to push him off. And the strangest part? You don't want to. There's something about the way he's looking at you, hovering over you, his dark eyes locked onto yours with an intensity that makes your pulse stammer.

Jungkook, on the other hand, feels utterly lost. What the hell is this? Why can't he move? If he had any shred of sanity left, he should be pushing himself up, putting space between you, pretending like this never happened. But he doesn't. He can't.

And why... why are you looking at him like that?

Suddenly—

The sharp, shrill chime of the doorbell slices through the air like a knife, shattering the spell in an instant. The tension between you snaps like a rubber band, leaving behind only the rapid pounding of your hearts.

Almost instinctively, Jungkook jerks upright, pushing himself away while you scramble to sit up on the couch.

"That must be—"

"I guess that's—"

You both speak at the same time, voices overlapping, only to fall into an awkward silence. Cheeks flushed, breaths still uneven, you both pointedly avoid each other's eyes, pretending as if the last few seconds never happened.

"That must be the pizza." you finally say, forcing your voice to sound normal and Jungkook nods quickly, still refusing to meet your eyes. "I'll... I'll go get it." he informs and before you can respond, he's already turning on his heel, practically fleeing towards the front door.

As soon as he disappears through the doorway, you sink back into the couch, exhaling a shaky breath you didn't even realize you were holding. Your hand drifts to your chest, pressing against the frantic beat of your wild heart, like a caged animal trying to break free. 

You close your eyes for a moment, but it does nothing to erase the image seared into your mind because all you can see is the way he looked on top of you, the way he looked into your eyes, the way he licked his lips.

You have no idea what this feeling is, why the proximity has left you breathless, why your knees feel weak, or why your spine feels like something dangerously close to jelly.

Your fingers twitch against your chest, pressing harder, as if you could physically restrain the rampage inside you, as if you could will your body into forgetting the way he looked at you.

But it's no use. 

Jungkook returns with two large boxes of pizza and a couple of soda cans while you keep your eyes fixed on the screen where Attack on Titan still plays, except the storyline passes by without meaning, your mind too preoccupied to register any of it.

Jungkook nibbles on his lower lip as he walks closer, setting the boxes down on the coffee table before hesitantly lowering himself onto the couch. He keeps a noticeable distance between you, his posture slightly stiff.

God, he hopes he didn't make you uncomfortable. Prays you won't start treating him differently after this. It was truly an accident, except for the part where he just stayed there, hovering over you instead of moving. 

Maybe he should have moved. Maybe he should have reacted faster.

He's spiraling.

"That smells good." you say suddenly breaking the awkwardness before reaching for one of the boxes and flipping it open. Casually, you pull out a slice and hand it to him, like you always do.  "Here."

Jungkook hesitates for half a second, his eyes flicking to your face, but when he sees that there's no awkwardness, no tension in your expression... just warmth and normalcy, relief washes over him like a tide.

"Thank you." he murmurs, his lips twitching into a small, grateful smile as he takes the slice from your hand.

You pull out a slice for yourself, and the two of you settle into eating, shifting your attention back to the anime playing on the screen. The silence between you isn't heavy, but Jungkook still feels the sudden urge to fill it.

"How's your assignment coming along?" he asks, taking a bite of his pizza. "Oh, we're almost done. We should be able to submit it next week." you nod, reaching for a soda.

Jungkook hums, chewing thoughtfully. Knowing that you're almost done with the assignment eases something in his chest. Maybe once it's submitted, you won't have to spend as much time with Jaehyun but before he can say anything, you let out an exhausted sigh.

"I genuinely can't believe this semester is finally ending. But honestly? I never want to relive it again." you shudder dramatically, cracking open your soda can and taking a long sip making Jungkook chuckle beside you. "Yeah, I get that. It's been brutal."

"What are your plans for the break?" you ask suddenly, turning towards him. "Oh, I'm heading to Busan. My parents have been on my case about visiting." he answers, shaking his head with a small smile and you snicker. "Sounds like they miss you."

"Miss me? Please." He scoffs. "The second I walk through the door, my mom's gonna be like, 'Oh, Jungkookie, since you're here, can you fix the WiFi? The TV remote stopped working too. Oh, and the washing machine is making a weird noise.' They just miss getting things repaired for free."

You shake your head, amused. "Well, don't blame her. You really are the most handy IT guy. You're always fixing things around our apartment too." Your voice softens slightly at the end, making Jungkook glance at you for a beat longer than necessary.

"Yeah, that... that's true. But I swear, just because I study computer science, my family thinks I can hack into the government or... I don't know... bring back deleted WhatsApp messages or something."

That, for some reason, makes you laugh harder than you intend to. "Wait... has someone actually asked you to do that?" you gasp between giggles. "Oh yeah." he breathes out, proceeding to take a sip of his soda. "My aunt. She genuinely believed I could recover messages from two years ago." he sighs. 

"Plus, my sister's been dying to test out her new designs on me." he adds casually. Right — Jungkook’s older sister was an insanely talented tattoo artist. “Oh right, I forgot you’re her muse." you giggle, nodding toward his inked-up forearms.

It’s always fascinated you, the contrast between Jungkook’s usual nerdy demeanor and the bold, intricate sleeve that tells a completely different story. The first time you saw it, you couldn’t wrap your head around how someone like him could be covered in tattoos like that. 

But then he told you the story of how his sister first practiced her art on him, how that one small design spiraled into something bigger, how he realized he loved the way it looked and the way it felt like carrying a piece of her work with him everywhere he went.

And to be brutally honest, you think it’s one of the hottest things about him because you’ve caught yourself staring more times than you can count — when he’s slicing vegetables while he's cooking or when he's using the screwdriver to fix something or when he stretches and the ink shifts across his skin like it’s alive.

Yeah, it’s impossible not to look.

"What about you, though?" he asks after a moment, shifting slightly on the couch to face you better. "What are your plans for the break?" 

"I'm going back to Ilsan too. I miss my dad." You exhale softly, a small, fond smile gracing your lips.

Jungkook hums in acknowledgment, a small smile tugging at his lips. And for a moment, the two of you lapse into silence, but this time, it feels comfortable, like neither of you are skirting around something unspoken.

And soon enough, just like that, you're back to your usual self, tossing question after question at Jungkook, trying (and failing) to navigate whatever the hell is happening on the screen.

“I swear to god, if one more random character turns out to be a Titan, I’m throwing this pizza straight at your face.” you grumble, taking an unnecessarily aggressive bite of your slice and all Jungkook can do is bite back his smile, the kind that threatens to split his face in two, because do you even realize how ridiculously, unfairly cute you are right now? 

With his afternoon class just half an hour away, Jungkook remains perched on the kitchen island, absently chewing on an apple while his eyes stay glued to his phone as he watches a video titled: "Can You Really Cook an Egg on a PS5?"

The answer, apparently, is yes—if you block all the vents, run Elden Ring on max settings, and let it overheat to the point of near combustion. The guy in the video is currently cracking an egg onto the console, looking way too excited as the edges start turning white and Jungkook squints. 

There's no way that's safe.

Just as he takes another bite of his apple, the doorbell rings. He blinks, reluctantly pausing the video (he needs to see how this ends) before standing up. You're still in the shower, so with a sigh, he makes his way towards the front door to see who it is. 

With the half-eaten apple still in his hand, he swings the door open, only to frown instantly  because the person standing on the other side is probably not even the last person he wants to see right now.

"Why are you here?" Jungkook blurts out, not bothering to hide the irritation on his face or in his tone. 

Jaehyun merely rolls his eyes before stepping inside uninvited, his shoulder deliberately bumping against Jungkook's on the way in. "Where's Y/n?" he asks, like Jungkook is some receptionist.

Jungkook scoffs at the sheer audacity but begrudgingly shuts the door behind him. "I asked you a question." he says, keeping his voice firm, his annoyance barely contained.

Jaehyun exhales dramatically, like Jungkook is just so exhausting to deal with. "None of your business." he says, shamelessly striding towards the couch and plopping down on it like he owns the place. 

Jungkook glares, grip tightening around his apple. He considers throwing it at Jaehyun's head but ultimately decides against it as he crosses his arms over his chest. 

At least, for now. 

Just then, the bathroom door creaks open, and you step out, towel wrapped around your damp hair and your huge bathrobe cinched around your frame. You move towards your room but pause mid-step when you spot Jaehyun in the living room and Jungkook standing stiffly nearby.

"Jae?" you ask, furrowing your brows as you adjust the towel on your head. "What are you doing here?"

Jaehyun's lips pull into a lazy smile. "Since we're turning in the assignment today, I thought we could go together. You know... to Mr. Jung's cabin."

Right. Today's the deadline. 

But you distinctly remember telling Jaehyun that you'd meet him on campus, so seeing him here unannounced throws you off a bit. You glance at Jungkook, and his expression tells you instantly that he's not quite pleased seeing Jaehyun here. 

"Well... I thought I'd meet you directly on campus." you say, hesitant and Jaehyun shrugs. "I know, but I thought it'd be nice if we walked there together." He says, leaning back against the couch.

You press your lips together, debating. It's not that big of a deal, you suppose.

"Fine." you breathe out. "Give me a few minutes. I'll go get ready." you inform and as you turn towards your room, you cast Jungkook a small, almost apologetic smile, hoping Jaehyun's sudden presence isn't annoying him too much. 

The moment your door clicks shut, Jungkook steps closer, arms still crossed over his chest. His gaze locks onto Jaehyun with barely concealed irritation.

"Why bother coming here when she already said she'd meet you on campus?" Jungkook spits out, his voice edged with barely restrained irritation. "At this point, you're just looking for excuses to show up here."

Jaehyun exhales through his nose, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips as he leans back against the couch. "Damn, dude..." he drawls, stretching his arms behind his head. "You're not even gonna try to hide how much you hate me, huh?" His tone is amused, almost mocking like Jungkook's irritation is just entertainment for him. 

"You know... you really impress me." Jaehyun continues with a smirk, and though Jungkook isn't sure what Jaehyun is about to say, he can already tell it's something ridiculous and meant purely to get under his skin.

"I mean, I get it—my existence near the girl you're in love with bothers you. That much is obvious." Jaehyun chuckles, shaking his head in mock sympathy. "But honestly? I gotta give you credit, man."

Jungkook's brows knit together, irritation flickering into confusion. "What the fuck are you saying?" he grits out, keeping his voice low.

Jaehyun exhales, shaking his head like he's genuinely impressed. "Living with her must be a real challenge, huh?" His voice drops. "Knowing you'll probably never have a shot with her, but still having to see her every single day? Watching her, hoping—pathetically, might I add—that one day she'll just... what? Wake up and suddenly fall for you?"

Jungkook's grip tightens around the apple in his hand, and he's sure that if he squeezes any harder, it'll burst apart in his palm. But before he can put an end to whatever nonsense is coming out of Jaehyun's mouth, the bastard pushes forward.

"And to make matters worse, there's another guy in the picture. And it just kills you, doesn't it?" Jaehyun leans forward now, elbows now resting on his knees, his voice dripping with arrogance. "The fact that you can't do anything about it. The fact that you think I'm stealing something from you." He scoffs, tilting his head. 

"But let's be real, Jungkook. Even if I weren't in the picture, do you really think you'd ever have a chance?"

Jungkook's breath hitches. His skin is burning, his blood is boiling. "Just shut the fu—"

"You really think someone like Y/n would ever like someone like you?" Jaehyun interrupts smoothly, his scoff laced with pure condescension. "She's probably just nice to you because she feels bad for you. Because you're... well, you."

Jungkook sees red. His vision blurs at the edges, his patience fraying thread by thread. How dare this guy walk all over him like this? He parts his lips to retaliate, but Jaehyun just keeps going, reclining back into the couch with that infuriating smirk of his.

"She keeps you around because it's convenient. Because you're her roommate. She includes you in her content because she doesn't want you to feel left out." He exhales a laugh, shaking his head like he finds the whole thing funny.

Then, he levels Jungkook with a slow, smug grin. "You're like her pet nerd, man. That's honestly just sad."

At that moment, something in Jungkook shifts. His expression, once hardened with anger, flickers, just for a fraction of a second. The fire behind his glare dulls and morphs into something else, something far more unsettling. Like a slow, sinking drop in his stomach, a quiet, insidious doubt creeping in where it has no right to be.

Because as much as he doesn't want to let Jaehyun's words get to him, as much as he's always told himself that whatever Jaehyun says is just meant to provoke him, somehow, this—this—feels different. It doesn't feel like empty taunting or a cheap attempt to piss him off.

It feels like the truth.

A truth Jungkook never wanted to consider.

His grip on the apple tightens again, but his pulse wavers. He wants to scoff, to roll his eyes, to tell Jaehyun to shut the hell up and get out. But the words just won't come out. Because somewhere, buried in the venom of Jaehyun's condescending smirk, in the way he speaks like he knows something Jungkook doesn't, a seed of doubt takes root.

Do you really feel bad for him? Do you really only include him so he won't feel left out? Is he just... convenient to you because you live together?

The thoughts come fast, scraping against his skull like nails on glass. It's stupid, it's ridiculous—it has to be. He knows you. Thinks the world of you. You're the last person to be that cruel.

But it doesn't take much, does it?

Not for someone like Jungkook... someone who has spent his entire life standing on the outskirts, watching as the world moved past him like he was never meant to be a part of it.

Someone who has always been the quietest voice in the room, easily drowned out, easily overlooked. The boy who was more comfortable with equations and codes than with people, who found solace in screens or pages rather than conversations. The boy who never quite fit, who never quite mattered in the way others did.

It doesn't take much to convince someone like himthat someone like you—only keeps him around out of obligation. That maybe every laugh, every kind word, every inclusion was never because you wanted him there, but because you felt like you had to. 

That maybe, in the grand scheme of things, he is nothing more than a convenience... a default presence in your life simply because he happens to live under the same roof.

And that? That thought hurts in a way he never expected. It coils in his chest, sinking deep into the cracks of insecurities he thought he had long buried. 

Jungkook stands there, unmoving like a statue carved from the weight of his own thoughts as Jaehyun's words continue to ricochet inside his skull. Each syllable lands like a carefully aimed strike, while Jaehyun? 

Jaehyun just watches him with that same smug, self-satisfied smirk, like he's basking in the sight of Jungkook's silence. Like he's thriving off the lack of a response, off the way Jungkook has been rendered utterly speechless.

The sound of your door unlocking shatters the silence.

Jungkook flinches, snapping back to reality just in time to see you step out, your hair now dry, your bag slung effortlessly over your shoulder. You're wearing a fitted top and a denim skirt that ends just at the middle of your thighs—casual, effortless, and yet, somehow, still unfairly perfect.

Your eyes immediately land on Jaehyun as you stride towards the couch, completely oblivious to the wreckage he's left in Jungkook's wake. "Let's head out?" Jaehyun asks, standing up from the couch with an easy smile and you nod before turning towards the door.

"Bye, Kook." you say, your voice soft as you smile sweetly at him. "Have a good day. I'll see you later." 

You walk past him without a second thought, slipping into your shoes as Jaehyun follows behind you.

Jungkook turns to see you both at the door way and hears you both murmuring, something quiet, something casual, but it barely registers because he's still drowning. Still trapped beneath the weight of words that shouldn't have mattered but somehow do.

Jaehyun lets out an airy chuckle, throwing Jungkook one last look, before stepping outside with you. 

And just like that, the door clicks shut, leaving Jungkook standing there, adrift in the silence, drowning in thoughts he never wanted to have, thoughts that now refuse to leave.

Because no matter how much he wants to shake them off, the seed has already been planted. And the worst part?

He's afraid it might have been growing there all along.

"I can't believe that stupid assignment is finally fucking over." Jimin exhales, shaking his head as he leads the way out of the teacher's lounge with you, Jaehyun and Namjoon following closely behind after just turning the assignment in.

"But seriously, it's insane how this semester is already wrapping up. Like, what do you mean we have finals in two weeks?" He groans, running a hand through his hair as you all make your way down the hallway.

"On the bright side, we've got our break coming up." Jaehyun chimes in, his hands tucked lazily into his pockets and Namjoon nods at that. "Yeah, and even though it's just a month, it's definitely needed." He sighs, cracking his neck, already feeling the exhaustion creeping in.

"Why don't we all grab something to eat together? It's Friday, and I think we deserve to blow off some steam after that absolute nightmare of an assignment. Plus... I'm starving." Jimin suddenly suggests, flashing a sheepish smile as he falls into step beside you.

"Honestly? Same." you nod, absentmindedly rubbing your stomach before glancing over at Jaehyun and Namjoon. "You guys in?"

"Yeah, I don't mind." Namjoon shrugs, stretching his arms behind his head. Jaehyun tilts his head slightly, as if contemplating, before nodding. "Yeah, sure. But real question—what are we eating?"

Jimin hums, tapping his chin in thought before his eyes light up. "I know this hotpot place downtown. Why don't we go there?" he suggests, glancing at the three of you who instantly give him approving nods. 

Soon enough, the evening slips by as the four of you spend time together in the cozy hotpot restaurant, savoring both the food and the easy conversation. But eventually, with plates emptied and bellies full, it's time to part ways.

Namjoon is the first to leave, heading straight for the subway station with a casual wave. Jimin, meanwhile, slides into the backseat of his cab, rolling down the window to glance at you. "You sure you don't wanna come with?" he asks, brows raised.

You shake your head with a small smile. "It's alright, Chim. I'll walk."

Jaehyun, who was just in the middle of booking his own cab, quickly shoves his phone back into his pocket. "Then I'll walk with you." he offers. "Oh, you really don't have to." you say quickly, but he just shrugs, with a grin.

"Well, okay then, you guys figure it out. I'm heading out." Jimin leans back into his seat, already getting comfortable. "Y/n text me when you get home!" he calls out just before the car pulls away, leaving you alone with Jaehyun on the dimly lit sidewalk.

You turn to him with a pointed look and swat his arm. "Hey, you should've just booked your cab."

Jaehyun barely flinches, his expression entirely unbothered. "And let you walk home alone? Yeah, no thanks," he says easily, already taking a few steps forward.

You roll your eyes but fall into step beside him, the two of you blending into the steady flow of people weaving through the bustling streets—couples ducking into cafés, groups of friends spilling out of restaurants, neon lights flickering against the pavement.

Jaehyun suddenly smirks. "I gotta admit, I didn't expect working with you to be such a breeze."

You narrow your eyes at him, mirroring his grin. "What's that supposed to mean?" you challenge. "You thought I'd be a bad assignment partner?"

He shrugs, far too relaxed. "Sort of."

Your mouth falls open in mock offense before you swat his arm again. "That's so mean." You laugh, shaking your head, and just then, your eyes suddenly catch on a store display on the other side of the street that makes your heart skip a beat. 

It's a toy store, the shelves stacked with colorful puzzles and games, but what truly grabs your attention is the bold sign right outside the entrance—Limited Edition 21x21 Rubik's Cube Available. On Sale Now!

"Oh my god..." you gasp, already changing direction without a second thought while Jaehyun blinks, watching in bewilderment as you suddenly make a beeline for the store. "Hey, uh... Where—"

"Can we make a stop there, please?" You interject, turning to him with an excited smile, practically bouncing on your feet as you point towards the toy store. 

"The toy store?" Jaehyun asks, confused. "Yeah! They apparently have the 21x21 rubik's cube in stock—and it's on sale." You turn back towards the store, eyes practically shining. "I have to get it for Kook."

Jaehyun watches you, exasperated, but you don't notice. 

Your mind is already elsewhere, thinking about Jungkook and his oddly specific hobby of collecting all kinds of rubik's cubes. You know how badly he's wanted the 21x21 variation—he's grumbled about it enough times, always complaining about how it's out of stock everywhere.

And now that you have a chance to get it for him, there's no way you're passing it up.

Jaehyun, on the other hand, has to fight the urge to groan out loud because are you seriously about to waste time in some toy store just so you can buy a damn rubik's cube for that nerd of a roommate? 

This was so not how he had envisioned this walk going. 

But before he gets the chance to question you again, he lets the thought go and sighs before  lazily following you into the toy store and watching you get all giddy over a stupid rubik's cube. 

All for that nerd Jungkook.

The moment you step into the store, your eyes instantly land on exactly what you were looking for. "Oh my god, he's going to love this." you murmur, already picturing Jungkook's reaction.

Jaehyun, however, instantly notices the price of the cube and his eyes widen in disbelief. "You're seriously spending that much... for your roommate?" His tone is incredulous, as if he can't fathom why anyone would go to such lengths.

"Um, yeah." you say nonchalantly, shrugging like it's the most obvious thing in the world. You glance at the price, completely unfazed because you already had a rough idea of how much it would cost.

Jaehyun scoffs, eyebrows raising as he struggles to mask his irritation. "Why, though?" he presses, trying to keep his voice casual. "Just because." you shrug with a smile, picking up a fresh box from the shelf before making your way to the counter without a second thought.

Once you step out of the store, Jaehyun falls back into step beside you, his irritation tucked neatly behind a mask of nonchalance. He decides to keep his focus on you instead, letting you ramble about some ridiculous high school memory. 

It makes the walk easier, makes the time pass faster until, before either of you realize it, the familiar sight of your apartment building comes into view.

"Thanks for walking me home, though I hope you know it was completely unnecessary." You turn to Jaehyun with a small smile. He lets out a chuckle, shaking his head. "You really need to stop acting like you're inconveniencing me. It's the least I can do for a friend."

You smile at that, but he's already speaking again. "We are friends, right? I'd hate to think I was just a temporary assignment partner to you." His playful pout makes you laugh. "Of course, we're friends." you assure him, tilting your head.

"Glad to hear it. So don't go pretending like you don't know me the next time we cross paths on campus." he teases. "Wouldn't dream of it." you reply with a giggle. He grins before glancing up at the darkening sky. "Anyway, it's getting late. You should head inside."

"And you should go home." you quip, nudging your chin toward him. Jaehyun exhales, rocking back on his heels. "Yeah, yeah. Well then, I'll see you around."

There's a brief pause before he subtly opens his arms, and you immediately recognize the gesture. Without much thought, you step forward, wrapping your arms around to hug him. 

Just a simple parting hug. No big deal.

Jungkook had returned from class nearly three hours ago to an empty apartment. He figured you were still busy with work, but somehow, being alone had only made it worse. His mind kept circling back to that conversation with Jaehyun.

In fact, it never left him. It had followed him all throughout his lecture, clung to the edges of his thoughts like a stubborn stain, looping over and over in the cruelest of ways.

And now, sitting out on the balcony of your shared apartment with a half-empty beer can dangling from his fingers after downing who knows how many before it, the conversation still refuses to let him go. 

Jungkook glances down at the empty cans resting on the floor beside his chair and tips his head back with a sigh, staring blankly at the expanse of the night sky, hoping—praying—that maybe if he sits here long enough, the weight in his chest will lift.

But it doesn't.

Because no matter how much he wants to brush it off, Jaehyun's words had cracked something open inside him. Had made him look at something he had never even considered before. Had forced him to question things he had never thought to doubt.

That maybe, to you, he was just an obligation. A convenience. A pet nerd.

He exhales sharply, taking another swig of his beer, but it tastes awful tonight... too bitter, too sharp against his tongue. He scowls at the sensation, shifting in his seat as if the discomfort is something he can physically shake off.

And then suddenly, a faint murmur rises from the street below, breaking through the restless hum in his mind and his gaze flickers downward as he peaks over the railing. 

And there you are, walking side by side with Jaehyun down the street and Jungkook instantly freezes.

You're holding onto a large paper bag, but he barely registers it, because all he can focus on is the easy, natural way you move together, the way your head tilts towards Jaehyun as you speak, the way you seem so comfortable with him by your side. 

You were with him this whole time?

His grip tightens around the beer can, metal bending slightly under the force.

You submitted the assignment today. The whole reason you were spending time with Jaehyun in the first place, is over. So why are you still hanging out with him? Why are you laughing like that? Why is he walking you home at this hour?

His eyes flicker back to the bag in your hands.

Did you go shopping with him? Is he your shopping partner now? Did you drag him into different stores, let him see the indecisive way you hover over products, let him tease you over your choices? Did he help you pick things out, offer opinions that Jungkook thought were his to give?

It's stupid. So, so stupid. Jungkook knows he's being irrational, knows how miserably unreasonable it is to let something this trivial get under his skin, but god, he just can't help it.

The sick feeling in his stomach festers, spreading like an ache he can't shake off.

His eyes remain fixed on the scene below, watching as you and Jaehyun come to a slow stop in front of the entrance to your apartment building. He finds himself shifting forward, standing to get a better view, even though a part of him hates how this must look, how he must look, lurking on the balcony like some desperate voyeur.

But he just can't look away.

Not when he sees Jaehyun murmuring something to you, not when you giggle at whatever he's saying.  And then—

Then you move closer.

Your arms lift, wrapping around Jaehyun in an easy, familiar hug and suddenly, something inside Jungkook snaps.

A sharp, piercing ringing floods his ears, drowning out everything else. His vision blurs at the edges, his throat tightening with something he doesn't want to name. He exhales sharply, chest heaving with the weight of something too much, too sudden, too overwhelming.

And he can't—he can't do this. Can't just stand here and witness whatever's going on between you and Jaehyun.

So before he even fully realizes it, he's spinning on his heels, retreating back inside the apartment, yanking the balcony door shut behind him with a force that rattles the frame.

The glass quivers.

And so does he.

Once Jaehyun leaves, you make your way towards your flat, your fingers tightening around the paper bag as a small, giddy smile tugs at your lips.

Before unlocking the door, you glance down at the bag, already trying to imagine what Jungkook's reaction is going to be when he sees the ridiculously oversized rubik's cube you've bought for him.

You fish out your keys and unlock the door, stepping inside and slipping off your shoes—but the moment you do, something feels... off.

It's too quiet.

No sound from the TV. No faint clatter of dishes from the kitchen. Not even the rhythmic clicking of his keyboard that usually fills the apartment late into the night. You pause, tilting your head slightly. Is Jungkook already asleep? 

That's odd.

Stepping further in, your gaze drifts to the glass balcony door and that's when you spot the multiple beer cans scattered carelessly on the ground beside the familiar plastic chair and a frown tugs at your brows. 

Jungkook drinks, sure, but he's never been the one to sit alone and down cans by himself. He always prefers drinking when you're around, and even though his tolerance is high, something about this... him drinking alone, doesn't sit right with you.

You shake off the uneasy feeling and head to your room, placing the paper bag on your nightstand. Maybe tonight isn't the best time to surprise him. If he's drunk, it can wait till morning.

Still, the nagging concern in your chest refuses to settle so you pad across the wooden floor and stop outside his door, softly knocking. "Hey, Kook? Are you asleep?"

Silence.

On most nights, you'd take that as your cue to leave him be, assuming he's already knocked out. But tonight, you hesitate because something about this doesn't feel right. You wait a few moments, debating whether to push further, before slowly and hesitantly turning the doorknob.

"I'm coming in." you warn softly, pushing the door open and your eyes immediately find Jungkook, curled up under the covers, lying on his side with his back turned to you. His shoulders are tense, posture stiff like he's bracing for something.

"Kook?" you call out again gently, but the way he curls in tighter, pulling the blanket up higher over his frame, is enough to tell you he's not asleep. "Hey... what's wrong?" you ask, still lingering by the door, unsure if you should step in or step back. "I saw the beer cans..." you add, hoping it might coax him to talk. "You never drink alone. Did something happen today?"

Under the covers, Jungkook grits his teeth, jaw clenched so tight it aches. He doesn't want to hear your voice right now, not when every syllable feels like salt in a fresh wound. Not when his mind is still replaying the sight of you and Jaehyun. 

Not when the bitter taste of the beer still stubbornly sits on his tongue and not when Jaehyun's voice, his words, his taunts are all clawing their way back up to the surface, pressing against the inside of Jungkook's skull until he feels like he might combust.

He knows if he opens his mouth now, something ugly will spill out, something raw and twisted that he doesn't even fully understand himself.

But you're still there. Still standing at the threshold, your worry so palpable it practically seeps into the room. You take the smallest step forward. "Jungkook..." you try again. "You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is... I'm here."

Your voice is a comfort you don't even realize you've become... a warmth he never asked for but somehow clung to, thread by fragile thread, until it wrapped around him like a lifeline. 

And that's exactly the problem. 

Because comfort breeds hope, and hope is a dangerous thing for someone who's spent too long convincing himself he didn't deserve it in the first place.

Suddenly the sharp sound of his tongue clicking fills the silence, loud enough to make you flinch. "Can you just leave me alone?" he spits and you freeze for a brief moment at his tone. You've never heard Jungkook talk like that.

"I... what?" you ask, confusion laced into your tone. "I just wanted to check—"

"Why do you always act like you're entitled to walk into my room whenever you feel like it?" he snaps, voice raised just enough to sting as he sits up abruptly, sheets pooling at his waist, and when you get a look at his eyes, you're confused. There's something storming behind them... something troubled, something restless, something dangerously close to breaking apart.

"What— I'm— Kook, what... what's wrong?" you stammer, your voice small, fragile against the weight of his glare. He exhales sharply, like the air itself offends him, yanking the sheets off his body with a roughness that startles you as he stands to his feet. "Just get out." he mutters.

And something about the way he says it, the way he looks at you, rubs you the wrong way. You don't know if it's the alcohol talking or if it's pure, unfiltered anger, but if there's one thing you've never done, it's disrespected Jungkook. So why the hell should you stand here and let him tear into you like this, when you have no clue why you deserve this in the first place. 

"Excuse me?" Your arms fold across your chest, feet planted firmly into the ground. "What's with the attitude?"

"Attitude?" He lets out a hollow laugh, the kind that doesn't belong to the Jungkook you know. The sound of it makes your stomach turn. His gaze locks onto you, and that's when you see how his eyes glisten but there's no time to process that because he's already speaking again.

"I'm sick of you."

Three words. Brutal and merciless. They hit you like a slap you never saw coming.

"I'm sick of you walking into my room like you own it. I'm sick of being your personal mannequin every time you can't pick a fucking outfit or decide between two pairs of earrings. Sick of you asking for my opinion like my words mean something — like I mean something, when we both know the second you get what you want, I'm invisible again."

Your heart stutters in disbelief, chest tightening with each accusation hurled your way. But Jungkook's just getting started, words spilling faster now, sharper with every breath.

"I'm sick of being your backup plan — the human crutch you lean on whenever it suits you. You only come to me when you need something. Someone to just go along with everything you say. Someone to play your little sidekick in this perfect world of yours." His voice cracks, but he powers through it, jaw clenched so tight you can see the muscle twitch.

"I'm done being your fucking plaything, Y/n."

The air between you turns suffocating, his bitterness clashing against your confusion like a storm building with no place to go.

"Jungkook??" you start, but your voice falters halfway, cracking under the weight of confusion clawing at your throat. "Where... where is this even coming from? Look... I think you're really drunk right now and—"

"Can you just leave?" he interjects with a scoff, running a hand through his already-messy hair before turning his back on you, like the mere act of looking at you is too much to bear. "Go back to Jaehyun." he mutters. 

"Maybe he'll help you pick out a new set of nails. Or film a tiktok. Or whatever it is you need to feel relevant today." The jab is low, muttered under his breath, but sharp enough to slice through your already fragile composure.

"What does Jaehyun have to do with any of this?" you demand, voice rising just slightly, the confusion twisting into something bordering on anger. Because none of this makes sense... not the venom in his voice, not the sudden shift in his attitude, and definitely not the way he's acting like you're the villain in some story you didn't even know you were a part of.

"CAN YOU PLEASE JUST LEAVE ??" This time, he practically yells, voice cracking under the weight of his frustration. There's something almost desperate in the way he says it, like he's begging you to go before he loses the last shred of control he has left. Like he knows the alcohol is working overtime, dragging out words he doesn't mean, words he won't be able to take back once they're out in the open.

"No." Your voice is steady, even as your heart pounds in your ears. You step forward, planting yourself firmly in front of him. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what the fuck this is all about. Because right now, you sound completely ridiculous." Your hands fly up as you speak, your frustration boiling over.

"Oh, I'm ridiculous?" He lets out a hollow chuckle, one that makes your stomach knot as he turns to face you. "Right. I'm the fucking clown here for actually caring about you, when it's so painfully obvious that the only reason Jaehyun's even nice to you is because he wants to fuck you."

The words hit like a slap, and even Jungkook looks momentarily stunned by how harsh he sounds. But he doesn't take it back. He doesn't soften. Instead, he holds your gaze, daring you to react.

Your lips part, but no words come out at first. There's only that awful, twisting ache in your chest, followed by a low, trembling whisper. "What the hell did you just say?"

"Oh, come on, Y/n." he snaps, throwing his head back, hands planted firmly on his hips like he's trying to hold himself together. "Are you seriously that naive? You actually believe a guy like Jaehyun is just being friendly? You seriously trust him?" The laugh that follows is humorless, dripping with disbelief.

"What is your problem with Jaehyun?" you ask, voice sharper now, anger slowly overtaking the confusion. "I know him better than you, Jungkook. And honestly? It just looks like you have no idea what you're talking about and I'm so tired of you always twisting him into something he's not. It's exhausting."

"Right. Of course." Jungkook's laugh is sharp enough to slice through a bone, and it makes your blood boil. "Of course, you'd say that because I'm the crazy nerd who has no idea what he's talking about while he's your precious friend. So excuse me for actually giving a shit and trying to fucking warn you because god forbid someone who cares about you tries to protect you." 

You scoff, disbelief flooding every inch of you. "Do you even realize how insane you sound right now???"

"Right, so now, I'm insane." he laughs again, shaking his head. "You really don't get it, do you? I'm only reliable to you when you want to film some trend for your tiktok page or you need someone to hold the camera for your pictures or... or give you an opinion on your outfit, or help you test out your makeup. That's all I am to you, isn't it? Some idiot you can pull into whatever you want because I'm convenient. Because I'm easy."

The accusation knocks the air clean out of your lungs. For a moment, all you can hear is the faint ringing in your ears... the kind that comes when a blow lands too hard, too fast, leaving no time to brace for impact. You don't know if it's the alcohol swimming in his veins or if there's something deeper unraveling inside him, something that's been building for longer than you realized. 

But either way, your mind spins, your eyes sting, your heart stumbles over itself, and all you can do is stare at him, wide-eyed and breathless. "You really think... I'm that shallow?" You whisper, feeling your whole body tremble. "You really believe... that's all you are to me?"

"I don't think, Y/n. I know." The certainty in his voice makes your heart break. "Because let's be honest, Y/n... you're so fucking oblivious. So blind to anything that doesn't fit neatly into your perfect little world. All you see is you...  your life, your influencer crap, your curated existence where every outfit, every angle, every caption matters more than the people standing right beside you."

He exhales harshly, running a hand through his hair, frustration dripping from every word. "You never bother to look past what's directly in front of you. If something isn't wrapped up and handed to you in plain sight, it doesn't fucking exist to you. And if anyone tries to warn you or tell you something you don't want to hear, you'll just brush it off like it's noise because you always know best."

He pauses, closing his eyes as his tongue pokes his inner cheek. "So tell me, Y/n. Why the hell am I even standing here, wasting my time, wasting my breath, when I already know exactly how this ends?"

There's a pause... a silence so deafening it drowns out every other sound, leaving nothing but the roar of your own pulse thundering in your ears. Your entire body feels like it's on fire, skin prickling, blood boiling beneath the surface. Your legs threaten to give out, and your chest aches like your heart might splinter apart right there in his room.

Because the sight before you feels like something out of a nightmare — a version of Jungkook you've never seen before. So cruel. So angry. So intent on wounding you in ways you never thought he could.

And knowing this is how he sees you... this twisted version of you he's built inside his head, it makes you sick to your stomach. You can't even recognize yourself in the reflection of his words. You can't recognize him either because in his eyes, you're nothing more than a girl who uses him, a girl who takes and takes and never sees the damage left behind.

You can't even stand to look at him right now.

"Fuck you." your hoarse voice cuts through the air, sharp and trembling all at once, and for the first time all night, they seem to actually land. It's like the phrase itself snaps Jungkook out of the angry haze he's been spiraling in, dragging him harshly back into reality. 

And suddenly, the weight of everything he just spewed... every cruel word, every accusation dripping in bitterness, crashes down on him all at once.

His mind was already a mess, thoughts piling up and collapsing under their own weight, and god knows how many cans of beer only poured gasoline over the fire. But now, standing here, watching the way your eyes glisten with heavy tears you're clearly fighting not to let fall — he knows.

He's gone too far.

But it doesn't matter, because you've already turned on your heel, walking out of his room as the door slams so hard behind you that it rattles the frame and Jungkook just stands there... frozen, knowing damn well there's no point in running after you now because the damage is already done.

And maybe, there's no coming back from it.

The minute Jungkook's eyes flutter open, a sharp, splitting pain shoots through his skull, forcing a low groan from his throat. His head throbs in time with his heartbeat, and for a moment, the only thing he can focus on is the sheer discomfort pulsing behind his eyes. 

He doesn't even remember when sleep managed to claim him — doesn't know if it even could be called sleep at this point. It felt more like passing out, drowning under the weight of alcohol and exhaustion, until everything just shut down.

Maybe it was the beer. Or maybe it was the emotional storm he set loose in his own damn room.

Unlike you, no amount of alcohol could ever grant Jungkook the mercy of forgetting. Every word he spat out, every venom-laced accusation, every careless action from last night still clings to him like smoke in his lungs... impossible to breathe past, impossible to forget. 

Sobriety doesn't cleanse him, it only sharpens the edges of his guilt, replaying the night in vivid clarity until it's all he can see.

He exhales shakily, running a hand down his face as he sits up. His body feels heavy, like guilt itself has settled into his bones. 

Luckily, it's the weekend so he has no classes to attend, but university is the least of his concerns right now. Because beyond this door, past the thin walls of his room, is you. And the thought of facing you feels like stepping onto a battlefield he already lost.

God, why did he go so far last night? Why did he let everything boil over like that? He desperately wishes that he could justify it somehow, but there's no excuse good enough to make sense of the way he tore into you. 

The combination of alcohol, unchecked insecurities, and the festering jealousy he had been trying to swallow down for weeks turned him into someone cruel.

And the worst part is, he knows exactly where it all came from. Knows that half the venom he spat at you wasn't even his own voice, but a twisted echo of all the insecurities Jaehyun had planted in his mind. All the doubts he thought he buried. All the fears he thought were beneath him. 

And yet, he let them sink in. Let them wrap around his throat until they came spilling out in words he can never take back.

He hates it. Hates himself for giving them power. Hates that he let jealousy and insecurity turn him into someone you probably don't even recognize. Someone he doesn't recognize either.

He can't believe it, can't wrap his head around the fact that he hurt you, of all people. The one person who's always been there, always understood him in ways no one else ever could. The one person he's loved... quietly, desperately, for longer than he's even willing to admit to himself.

With a heavy sigh, he steps out of his room and drags himself to the bathroom. Cold water might not fix much, but maybe it'll wash off the grogginess, the self-loathing, the stale bitterness clinging to his skin. 

Because no matter how much he wants to hide out in his room forever, he knows he can't avoid you. Not when you live under the same roof. And when the time comes to face you, he knows... the look in your eyes will hurt more than any hangover ever could.

Once he's done freshening up, Jungkook steps into the living room, his gaze immediately drifting towards your closed bedroom door at the far end. He wonders if you're still asleep — or worse, if you've decided to barricade yourself inside for the entire weekend just to avoid him.

The thought alone sends a fresh pulse of pain shooting through his already throbbing head.

Maybe he should go for a walk. Clear his mind. Let the cool morning air numb the edges of his spiraling thoughts. Maybe if he can think straight, he can find the right words for an apology that doesn't sound pathetic and a way to piece together the wreckage he caused. 

It's laughable, really. 

An apology couldn't possibly erase the things he said. But still, it's the bare minimum and it's all he has right now.

Dragging himself towards the doorway, he opens the shoe cabinet to grab his sneakers, but his hand freezes mid-air. Three shelves — the ones you always claimed for yourself, filled with your endless collection of shoes — are almost entirely empty.

The heels you complained about but wore religiously. The sandals you slipped into on lazy mornings. The sneakers you wore everyday to university. They're gone. 

Not rearranged, not tidied up — just gone.

His brows knit together in confusion. He blinks once, twice, willing the image in front of him to change. Maybe he's imagining it. Maybe his mind, already clouded with regret, is playing cruel tricks. But the shelves remain just as bare, the emptiness staring back at him like a gaping wound. And that's when the cold fear starts to settle in, slithering into his veins like ice water.

Without wasting another second, he turns on his heel and practically bolts to your bedroom. There's no hesitation when he pushes the door open, no knocking — because suddenly, his fear outweighs every sense of decorum.

And when he steps inside, the fear that had been gnawing at the edges of his mind solidifies into something much heavier. Because right there, in plain sight, is your half-empty wardrobe with the hangers swinging slightly out of place and the remaining clothes pushed messily to one side.

He steps further in, eyes flickering to the bed where the sheets lay crumpled and tangled and then, almost instinctively, his gaze shifts to the nightstand, landing on the paper bag. The same one you'd been clutching in your hand last night when he spotted you with Jaehyun from the balcony. 

It shouldn't matter. Not right now. Not when there are far more pressing things to worry about — like the fact that half your belongings are missing and your presence is nowhere to be found. But despite the rational voice in his head, his body moves on its own as he steps closer and his fingers ghost over the edge of the bag, just enough to peer inside.

His eyes widen the instant they land on the box inside, the bold, unmistakable letters printed across the top feel like a punch straight to his gut — sharp, unforgiving, and entirely deserved. His stomach churns violently, and there's a hollow ache expanding in his throat, the kind that comes when guilt is so heavy, it feels physical. 

Jungkook feels like the biggest piece of shit to ever walk this earth — no, worse than that. Like the human embodiment of every bad decision, every reckless impulse, every thoughtless word that ever left his mouth.

He stands frozen, rooted to the spot, staring down at the 21x21 rubik's cube box — the same one he had spent months obsessing over, scouring every website, visiting every store, only to come up empty-handed every single time because it wasn't available anywhere. 

And now here it is, sitting quietly in a bag you brought home, a silent reminder of how deeply you knew him, how much you cared, even when he was too blind to see it.

How you always seemed to hold on to the most trivial things he said, like the things he barely even remembered saying himself. Like the other day when Jimin had mentioned the ruckus you had caused at the grocery store, just to hunt down a snack that Jungkook loved so much. 

Or the way you never — not even once — made him feel embarrassed about the things that made him who he was. Like those nights you curled up beside him, watching anime even though he could tell it wasn't really your thing. 

Or the times you clumsily grabbed a controller, trying to navigate a game even after admitting that video games made your brain feel like it was overheating. 

And that one time, when he was knee-deep into coding some app, you sat beside him for hours, asking the silliest questions. Like if 'public static void' was some secret spell, or if the code could understand sarcasm, or if bugs were actual tiny creatures living in his laptop.

But he didn't mind. Not even a little. Because you were there, genuinely interested, even if you didn't fully understand. 

In a world full of people like Jaehyun, people who sneered at his interests, mocked his passions, rolled their eyes at the things that lit him up inside, he had you. You, who never dismissed his hyperfixations as childish or weird, who never made him feel like his interests, his passions were boring or not worth the while. 

Because you cared, even when you didn't have to. Even when it would've been easier to just ignore him and dismiss the things he likes, you stayed, trying to understand his world just because it was his.

How, all throughout high school, he was just there. 

Not the life of the party, never the one anyone texted first — or at all, if he's being honest. Never the one anyone saved a seat for at the lunch table or dragged along for spontaneous midnight runs to the arcade. 

Too quiet. Too awkward. Too easy to overlook. 

He was the background noise in everyone else's coming-of-age story, a shadow against the walls of every hallway, a name barely anyone remembered until the attendance was called by the teacher. 

Just there — existing, breathing, occupying space, but never truly seen.

People passed him by like scenery, glanced through him like glass, mostly acknowledged his presence only when it was impossible to ignore like a bump in the hallway, an accidental brush of shoulders, a group project where they needed just one more person. 

To them, he was a placeholder. A footnote in stories far more interesting than his own. And he thought he'd made peace with that... with being invisible. 

Until he came to university — and met you.

Until he was searching for a roommate — and somehow, it was you.

You, who pulled him out of his shell and into the light with nothing but gentleness. 

You, who welcomed him into your world, made space for him in something you were passionate about, something that mattered to you so deeply... something he turned around and tore apart with careless words and cruel jabs last night.

The very thing that brought you both closer, the thing you once shared with him like a piece of your heart, folding him into your world of silly videos and spontaneous laughter, making him the unexpected star in a spotlight that had always belonged to you, became the very thing he ridiculed.

And that truth is a punch to the gut, because if anyone else had disrespected your passions like that, he would've fought them on the spot. But it wasn't anyone else — it was him.

And suddenly, it's as clear as day that none of this is the beer's fault, none of this is Jaehyun's fault. Every cruel word, every misplaced accusation, every ugly insecurity that spilled out of him last night — all of it, every ounce of damage, was his own. His own mistake. His own idiocy. His own inability to believe he could be worthy of someone like you.

He ruined the one thing that truly meant the world to him... the one thing that gave him the chance to connect with you, to laugh with you, to simply exist beside you and said things he didn't mean, lashed out in ways he never intended, all because he was too caught up with the noise inside his own head.

He swallows hard, still staring blankly at the box, almost like if he blinks, it might vanish... like if he stares at it long enough, he can somehow rewrite the truth of what it really is. 

He can't believe how effortlessly his mind turned against you, how easily he assumed the worst — how quickly something so pure became something ugly in his head. 

That it could've been an outfit, an accessory, something trivial that Jaehyun had helped you pick out. That you had replaced Jungkook, your little shopping partner, your unqualified but always eager style consultant, with a person like Jaehyun.

The very thought now feels ridiculous, almost laughable, if it didn't make him sick to his stomach.

He jumped into conclusions without a second thought, all because he saw you with another guy. As if you owed him an explanation. As if he had some unspoken right to be angry, to feel betrayed — when the brutal truth was, even when he learned the whole truth about Jaehyun and tried to warn you, he never once gave you the honesty you deserved.

Never told you the real reason behind his distrust, never admitted what he had heard from Taehyung, because he was more worried of overstepping, more afraid of looking like the villain in your eyes, more scared of you finding out about his feelings.

"Jaehyun has a reputation." he could've said. "Taehyung's heard the way he talks in the locker room — the way he talks about girls. So you should be careful around him."

It was that simple. That's all he had to do... say those words, or at least something close to them. Just a moment of honesty, instead of hiding behind vague warnings and random questions like "Do you trust Jaehyun?"

So how could his concern ever be justified when he never gave you the full story? When all he ever did was beat around the bush, hoping you'd read between the lines he was too paranoid to write?

He doesn't even realize when the first tear breaks free, sliding silently down his cheek but by the time the second one falls, it's almost impossible to ignore the pain in his chest.

You were planning to give him this. A gift that showed, in the simplest yet loudest way, just how much you saw him, how much you remembered even the tiniest parts of him... the parts no one else ever cared to notice.

And in return, what did he give you?

Cruel words sharpened to cut, accusations flung carelessly into the air, every insecurity he had rotting into poison and spilling out of his mouth all because some random person triggered him. He gave you doubt, and hurt, and every ugly, jagged piece of himself he never meant for you to see.

And now, you're gone.

<-part 1 // part 3 ->

series masterlist

my masterlist <3

TAGLISTS CLOSED <333

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[sneezygiant]

So this is just an ' A and B ' story, except with names. I'll be using these names often, but the species, gender, personalities, and even perhaps appearances will change depending on the stories being told.

Arin will always be the giant, and for convenience they are purple in dialogue and pronouns (if needed)

Bailey will always be the smaller, and for convenience they are orange in dialogue and pronouns (if needed)

______________________

"B-bailey...it...tuu-tuh..tickles..." Arin said through hitching breaths, eyes fluttering as they scrunched up their nose, as if trying to get away from Bailey's little fingers.

"I know it tickles, you idiot. It's why we don't go sticking our gigantic noses into trees. There are birds in trees" Bailey snapped back at their gigantic friend, who had a bird stuck up their right nostril.

Bailey was not happy about the position they had found themself in, starting to stick an arm deep into a gigantic nostril. All the way up to the shoulder... But it still wasn't enough. The bird was still waaay out of reach, and the giant was struggling to hold back yet another sneeze.

"mmm suuh..huuuh..hHhHh..uuhh r-rry...i-it whuu...hHhh...was so p-pretty..." Arin whimpered between needy hitches, their nose scrunched up even more, eyes fluttering unevenly before squeezing tightly closed, lips parting to reveal sharp fangs-

"Don't you dare!" Bailey squawks out desperately, trying to remove their arm as quickly as they could from Arin's nasal passage...but it was far too late.

"HhhHhHH! hiiiihhHH!...HAH! ...HaAH'DSHEEEIEW!" A handful of itchy hitches struggled their way out of the giant, before accumulating and exploding forward into a massive thundering sneeze. Poor Bailey was caught in the crossfire. Only have gotten their arm partially out of the ticking time bomb that was their friend's nose.

Bailey got the full force of the sneeze, little bit of spray and all. They had gotten flung a few yards away, hitting the ground hard with a groan. Taking in a deep breath, they lay there for a long moment. It was needed.

"Bailey!" Arin cried out in panic, pushing themself up out of their laying position with their arms, looking at Bailey in worry.

"are you ok? I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! The bird just really really really tickles ... And your arm tickled... I'm sorry!"

Bailey didn't move from their spot, instead giving a soft sigh.

"Is the bird still in your nose, or did you sneeze it out?"

Arin paused, taking a moment to sniff at the air, before wrinkling up their nose.

"it's still in there...still tickles" Arin babbled, bringing up a massive hand to squish and rub at their nose, snuffling heartily.

Bailey groaned as they pushed themself back to their feet. Approaching Arin they took on an impatient demanding tone.

"lay back down, you oaf"

They waited for Arin to obey with their hands on their hips, and the giant quickly but carefully did so. Now that Arin was back laying on their stomach, Bailey wasted absolutely no time at all and took action.

Bailey stepped up to that massive nostril, and quickly hoisted themself in, making as mad as a dash as they could towards the bird. They knew they didn't have much time at all.

Arin shot up into a sitting position with a sharp, startled gasp, a hand instinctively going up to press against the underside of their nose. They had not been expecting Bailey to do that at all.

"mmuuuh..! Huuuuh! HHhhHhh! hhHhh..." Arin's breath started to hitch near instantly. Their eyes started to water, chin tilting up, lips parting, eyes then squinting shut.

Bailey was having a hard time keeping their balance, the nasal membrane around them trembled and spasmed. The large hitches pulling in an inhumane amount of air creating a Gale force that threatened to topple them forward. Bailey had to constantly straighten themself out and fix their footing to stay up right and moving. It didn't help that the nasal membrane was starting to leak due to all the irritation.

"just hold on a liiiiitle longer! I see it! Hold it back! Hold it back!" Bailey shouted, trying to run. They could see the bird, up close it was clear its little foot was caught in a nose hair.

"HHhhHHh! I-... c-...cUUUHHhhh! C- CAN'T!" Arin gasped out, tears leaking down their face. It felt as if their nose was on fire.

Bailey took a desperate dive, tackling the little bird- subsequently freeing it from the hair. They held the struggling bird in their hands, slipping in a tad further as their chest met the 'floor' of Arin's nose. Once they stopped their slide, they rolled onto their back and hugged the bird firmly to their chest, bracing themself. Just in time too.

"HHHHhhhHhhh! Hhh! HaaaHHhh! HAAh....HAH'DSHEEIEW'uuh..!....DSHEIIEW!"

It was like being in the middle of a hurricane. A Gale force wind whipped around before exploding outwards, shooting out of the giant's nose like a bullet. Bailey landed on the ground with a wet splat. They had fallen on their back, exhaustedly releasing the soaked bird. The poor animal taking its chance to quickly hop away.

With a groan Bailey looked up at Arin, so dazed their vision was blurrily doubled. Seeing two giants before they clashed back into one being.

Arin snuffled, feeling their sinuses prickle once more. They wrinkled up their nose, taking in a deep sniff, before their mouth went slack.

"Huuuh! UuUuhhh...huuuUUuuHHhh ..." They gasped out , eyes closing and chin lifting before-

" HUHRSHHHOO!" Arin sneezed one final sneeze, taking a couple long moments to snurfle and sniff before noticing Bailey still laying prone on the ground.

Arin gave a gasp, getting on their hands and knees, crawling over until they loomed over Bailey. Looking them up and down worriedly, afraid to touch.

"are you ok?!" Arin basically shouted, causing Bailey to flinch slightly.

"I will be if you keep your nose out of trees" Bailey responded a tad bitterly.

[candydust]

I know I'm slow with updates, I'll try to do better. :')

The angle for this chapter was suggested by @1dwaekki and I like the way that scenario can be formed - it can go in every direction possible. 🤗

Chad and Tristan – Part 12

They were lying in bed. After attending a cocktail party earlier that evening, Tristan felt a little tipsy and the room spun lightly. Chad, designated driver and sober, dozed off quietly. Breathing slowly from his nose. His nose stuffed up from the allergy attack at the event. The different fragrances of strong perfumes had inevitably taken a toll on him, leading him into several and intense sneezing fits.

‘Chad..? You awake?’ Tristan asked into the darkness.

‘Mm…’

Shifting in bed, Tristan let his eyes rest over Chad’s profile. Admiring the beautiful lips and the rounded nostrils over the perfectly shaped nose. A vision he could gaze at forever.

‘…what, honey?’ Chad spoke sleepily.

‘I was thinking ‘bout what you said at the party. When you had that… uh sneezing fit… fits?’

‘M’hm..?’

‘You said that uhm… those sort of fits were kind of wearing you out?’

‘…yes, very true.’

‘…and that uh… your sneezes sometimes causes you some type of pain?’

‘Did I say that..?’

‘Indirectly, I guess… but, is that true?’

‘…well, yea, sometimes.’ He sniffled thickly. ‘…it depends.’

‘On what?’

‘On…’ He exhaled, then sniffled again but sharper. ‘…on how powerful the sneezes are. And the amount, I’d say.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me earlier?’

‘I don’t-uh… listen, honey. I’m really trying to sleep.’

‘I’m just curious.’

‘I’m not sure why I haven’t told you. It’s not like it’s hurting me on a deeper level. It’s just uncomfortable sometimes.’

‘Alright… wish you’d told me sooner though.’

‘…yea.’ Chad moved in the bed, with his back turned. Tristan rolled his eyes. He’d liked to enjoy Chad’s nose just a little while longer. Instead he listened to the sounds of the stuffed up sniffles. ‘I’m really tired. We’ll talk about it in the morning, okay honey?’

‘Yea. Sure.’

But Tristan couldn’t sleep. He was still in a buzz and it took a few more for hours for him to finally reach slumber.

‘…uh’Wreschoo!!!’

Chad doubled over in the passenger seat. Frantically keeping a tissue over the nose, rubbing it over the tensed nostrils.

Spring had reached full potential, and flowers were in full bloom, spreading seasonal pollen everywhere.

‘…hhhh… are we… hhhh…’ Chad didn’t hide the fact that he was struggling. Or perhaps the attack was exhausting him to a certain extent. Barely able to form a complete sentence before the next sneeze snuck up upon him.

‘….hhhhhh… SCHIESCHscho!!!! Goodness.’

He pinched the affected nose, closing it and massaging it gently.

‘Aw bless you.’ By a loving touch, Tristan brushed the hair out of Chad’s face. ‘…my baby.’ He cooed. ‘It’s really getting to you, isn’t it?’

Chad nodded, with his mouth half opened, eyes already closed.

‘…ha’Gnghxhh!!!-WEISCHhhhgnnh!! uhhh… eh’Gniizsch!!-gnnxth!!-…hhhh… K’tischooo!!!!’

The harsh fit sloppily caught into the tissues.

Tears were streaming down Chad’s face and Tristan wiped them off with delicate care. ‘I feel really bad for you. Have you taken the meds?’

Again, Chad nodded with a helpless and hitching breath. Openly allowing the next sneezes to build and take over.

‘…hhhh… they hav’haven’thhh…. hhh…. yASCHSCHEW!!!! Jesus.’

He pulled out a couple of more tissues from the package. ‘…goodness… excuse me.’ His conduct revealed a stressful notion, wiping with the tissue around his vulnerable nose. ‘…the meds haven’t kicked in yet.’ The loosely buttoned shirt fell down from his wrists as his hands were raised up to his face for a quick cover. ‘….hhhh’yEISCHh’gnxt!!!’uh… eh’GNTXsch!!!!’ The desperation of suppressing the sneezes showed itself into a repercussion as Chad’s body trembled from the effort.

‘Gorgeous be careful.’

Chad gave Tristan a glance, exposing the redness within the eyes.

‘I do my best.’ He managed to utter as Tristan kissed the wet cheek.

‘That looked painful though.’

Chad sniffled wetly into the damp tissue. ‘…kinda’.’

‘Then why are you stifling your sneezes like that?’

‘I’ve always stifled my sneezes, you know that. And especially…. uh, hhhh… when I’m… hhhh… or we’re-ugh goodness-pardon….’ Chad unfolded the tissue quickly, ‘…hhh’heASCHHHschew!!!! …oh… Outside. Forgive me.’ He wiped with the paper over the nose, giving Tristan another swift glance.

The harsh sneeze had burst out so violently that a few droplets slipped out and met Tristan’s knee. ‘So sorry.’ Chad excused himself again, the tissue stroking beneath the trembling nostrils. 

‘Bless you..!’

Tristan parked them right by Chad’s office.

‘I can’t let you go to work like this, you’re in a terrible state.’

‘I’m just a little sneezy.’ Chad waved off the issue and brushed with a finger under the flaring nostrils. ‘…I’ll be okay.’

‘A little? What do you consider to be ‘a little’?’

‘I’ll be fine, honest…’ His breath hitched helplessly, keeping the crumbled tissue over his lips as his eyes fluttered shut. ‘…ah’WRESCH’schew!!!!…ugh.’

‘Chad, babe... you need to get that under control before you can go anywhere. I’m actually forbidding you to leave this car until you’re better.’

The car doors were demonstratively locked.

‘Honey, you can’t… that can take ages and by then I’ll be late.’ The tissue moved over the red nostrils. ‘You’ll be late, too.’

‘I’m taking my chances…’

Tristan’s voice trailed off. Watching the desperate motion over the flaring and twitching nostrils drove him crazy from within.

The sniffling pattern proven to be wet and liquid whenever Chad experienced allergies, and when subjected to them and after doing it so constantly, it didn’t take long for Chad to unintentionally start sighing after each one. It wasn’t loud or annoyed type of sigh – just a soft and tired reminder of the strength the conduct required.

Chad began to eye Tristan with skepticism.

‘What’s wrong?’

Tristan’s gaze flickered. ‘What do you mean? Besides you being sexy as hell?’ He put his hands on the steering wheel.

‘I’m not sexy.’ Chad sniffled with the routine sigh. ‘I really must go now.’

‘No.’ Tristan put a hand on Chad’s thigh, urging him to stay. ‘Please. Nothing is more important than health.’

‘… there’s… ugh…’ Chad’s eyes narrowed and with his nostrils flaring widely he cupped a hand over his mouth. ‘eh’GNnisch!!!-hh’iisch!!!-yEiSCH’gnhh!! ...schooo. Goodness heavens.’

‘Aw gorgeous, please stop with the stifling, you’ll eventually hurt yourself.’ He spoke humbly, gently stroking Chad’s hair.

‘I’m… uh.’ Chad sniffled strongly into the tissue. ‘I’m fine.’

‘Babe… listen to me, just for once?’

‘Okay okay I’ll stay, I don’t wanna argue.’ Chad replied defeated with a strained motion, visibly shaken by the lack of control the sneezes subjected him to. ‘But you owe me. I’ll be missing work and being punctual is very important to me and you know that.’

‘I really don’t think I owe you something for caring for your well-being…’ Tristan lifted a brow.

‘So you want me to go?’

‘No.’ Tristan smirked. His fingers reaching for Chad’s neck and he brought them together and let his lips grace against Chad’s. ‘You’re being stubborn today.’ He whispered.

‘Some things are important to me.’

‘Like..?’ Tristan kissed him again.

‘Like… eh, hhhhh…’

Chad’s breath shuddered at the touch of Tristan’s skin and it left him shivering too, but from obvious and entirely different reasons.

‘…excuhh-‘ Chad turned his head away from Tristan just in time. ‘…ghhischo!!!-yESCH’gnxx!!!-nGnnhx!!! ….hhhh… gUH’ischoo!!!’

Tristan rapidly fetched another tissue and tenderly placed it over Chad’s lips.

‘…uh’WREASCHschooom!!!!’ Chad snapped forward and unrestrained into it.  ‘…hhhh, hhhh…. weh’ASCHschewmm!!! …ugh… oh my… Thank you so much.’

‘Wow… bless you. That was… that entire attack was fucking amazing I’m not gonna lie.’

Tristan spoke mesmerized, observing Chad accepting the tissue and wiping off the runny nostrils.

‘Oh...’ A pink hue found Chad’s cheekbones. ‘…thank you …I’m glad.’ Whilst timidly pressing the wrinkly tissue at the upper lip, he sniffled repeatedly. ‘…I sometimes can’t believe that I can do something so involuntarily and that excites you.’

‘Really?’

‘It sometimes feels like a gift.’ He shyly admitted.

‘A arousing gift.’ Tristan chuckled, feeling surprised by the endearing confession.

‘Yea. I suppose.’ Chad leaned over and kissed Tristan’s cheek.

About ten minutes later, Chad’s sneezing fit decreased and so did his temper and he relaxed in Tristan’s presence. And just shortly thereafter he was ready to face work.

‘You seem so much better.’

‘Thank you. I feel better.’ Chad sniffled. The nose still clogged up, but his eyes clearly brighter.

‘I’m very happy about that.’ Tristan smiled, then leaned over to kiss the beautiful lips once more. ‘Have a great day at work.’

‘Thank you. You too.’ Chad was about to open the car door when he came to a full stop. ‘Tristan..? The door?’

‘Oh, right, right.’ Tristan cheekily unlocked them.

‘You’re so silly.’ Stepping out of the car, Chad shook his head with a smile.

‘Hey, if they complain, just blame it on me.’

‘Oh believe me, I will.’ Chad giggled. ‘I’ll miss you.’ He noted, closing the door.

[mademoisellekalopsia]

Five Minutes

|| CONTENT WARNING || Deep hiccups Yawn-hiccup Hint of Arousal So. Much. Kisses. Overwhelming and endearing moment Cuddling Spooning Mention of guilt Grunts and groans Pet names Case lasted for 15 minutes

|| KEEP IN MIND: Bedroom Setting A-Sleepyhead B-Morning Buddy

"Darling. Mmrr...time to wake up." [B spoke in a velvety, yet gruff tone, lightly rubbing a hand on A's arm]

"Mmm." [A shifts their legs] "No..." [Grumbling, scooting away from B]

"Come on. It's morning. Time to get out of the bed." [B whispered, moving closer to their spouse]

Wrapped in their shared blanket, A huffed, groaning as they stretched and scratched their cheek, eyes closed whilst B brushed their hair.

[A spoke in a murmur] "Mmmrr...Says who?"

"Says me, dove." [B kisses A's neck, their stubble grazing A's skin] "We can't stay in bed for long."

"Yes, we can." [A replied lazily, restraining to squirm from the tickling sensation of B's stubble]

"No. I know, but no." [B gruffly chuckled]

"Let's go to bed." [Reaching for B's hand to pull them close]

"We ARE in bed, darling." [Once A found B's hand, they cuddled]

"Under the covers. Just for a..." [Interrupted with a long yawn, smacking their lips]

"You said that many times." [B said in a gravelly tone, softly chuckling]

Engaging in a playful banter, A snuggled closer to B's front, seeking their warmth.

"You know how I get in the morning." [A's eyes are still closed as B looks down at them]

[B hums in feigned thinking] "Do I now?"

"You doooo." [A dragged their word in feigned disbelief, then dozed off again]

[B notices, a deep chuckle escaped their lips] "Babe." [B coos to them, trying to gently rouse A awake]

"Hey." [B softly uttered close to A's face, feeling a hand scratching their stubble, leaving them to chuckle more]

"MMMmmm...Hey." [B said again, now capturing A's attention as they slowly opened their eyes to look at B, eyes half-lidded]

"Hhh...hi." [A replied in an incoherent mumble]

[B took a deep breath, leaning close to A's scratches] "You slept in early."

"Then...I woke up." [A grumbled, groaning at the thought]

"Nightmare?" [B grew a slight concern in their tone]

[A shook their head lightly, bringing relief to B] "Toilet...and some water."

[B leaned in, breathing in A's signature and addicting scent, letting out a soft chuckle] "Ooh, I see. MMmrr...I suppose I should've let you sleep in a little longer."

[B presses their lips on A's forehead, A giving a reply] "Yeah, you should've. Just five minutes. Unless...you are considering to make it into hours then-"

"Now that's tempting. At the same time, no can do, dear." [B reasoned, finding A's request endearing]

"Why not?" [A softly asked, slightly pouting]

"Because you have done that before." [B brushes A's straying hair in front of their face as they converse]

"Mmmm...yeah? Well, sorry...mmm-not sorry." [B chuckled, shaking their head at A's laid-back, yet straightforward reply]

[B leans in to give A morning kisses, one on the forehead and one on the lips] "MmMmm..." [One last morning kiss on the forehead, hearty hums escaping both lips] "MmMMm..."

A stretched their legs, groaning as they lay flat on the bed, B gazes at them with endearment.

"Hmmh..." [B catches A again in their arms, A looking at them with half-lidded eyes]

"Hi." [B said again]

"Hey." [A chuckled at B's greeting, then scratches B's growing stubble again]

[B chuckled at their small playfulness in assumption] "Enjoying yourself there?"

[A nodded, letting out a big yawn] "HUAAawh...'scuse me."

"Big yawn." [B acknowledges]

"HHhh...you were...moving around in your sleep." [A mentioned]

"Was I now?" [B asked, A humming in confirmation] "Too much moving around? I hope not."

"MMmmno-no. Not too much, dearest." [A leans in to kiss B's lips, B accepting it, letting out a low grumble]

"You WERE half awake." [B replied in a gravelly tone, remembering as A did visit the bathroom]

Small moments like these are always appreciated in bed, specifically. Trouble getting up, a bit of conversation before starting one's day, A and B are enveloped with each other's solace. Despite the time running, A continues to scratch B's stubble, and the room is quiet for a few seconds.

"You love that, huh?" [B innocently teased] "Keep on playing with it."

"It feels good, right?" [A asked]

[B nodded in contentment, grumbling as if they were purring] "I'm glad..." [B lets out a deep, long yawn, smacking their lips together]

[As A continues to give a hearty scratch on B's stubble, B realizes something.] "Is this just your excuse to make me fall right back to sleep with you?"

"Is it working?" [A cooed, rewarding them for their quick deduction]

[B lets out a husky chuckle] "You rascal. Mmm...I'll let you have your fun, for now."

[A took a deep breath, sighing longingly as they enjoyed their sweet time while it lasted] "Being in bed with you is something I didn't expect in my life."

"Well, expect the unexpected, dear." [B leans in, giving a whiff of A's signature scent]

[B swallowed a lump which was audible for A to hear] "We'll have to get up in a little bit. M'kay?" [B brushes their fingertips on A's haggard locks]

[A huffed, still wanting to stay in bed, changing the subject] "Up to anything for today?" [A questioned, leaning to B's caress]

"Mmm-mm." [B shook their head gently] "Oh, I'm visiting the food bazaar later downtown. Want to come along?"

[A thought about it] "Hmm, I guess it wouldn't hurt to come. Sure." [B smiled, their hand now rubbing A's back to give some warmth]

"I went there yesterday. Lots of snacks, delicacies, meals, drinks..." [B paused to let out another deep yawn] "From around, hooah-nnnghhh...mmm-the world. 'Scuse me-"

[B was taken aback when they earned a deep hiccup on their chest after yawning] "Mmrr. HhhhHMP!-guh. HUP!" [B's eyes widened as they realized they were having a deep case, grumbling]

"Owh, my poor love." [A chuckled softly, kissing B's lips, receiving another deep hiccup that rocked their chest and stomach]

[B snuggled close, their head resting on A's shoulder as they continued to hiccup] "HUHMP!-mhmm. HMK!-MMK!" [B would let out soft grunts, smacking their lips to keep them moist]

[A closed the gap between them, rubbing a hand on B's back for comfort] "There, there. I got you." [A was flushing up]

"As I-HMP! I was saying. HIMP!" [B utters] "food and drinks-H'GULP! Nnn..."

[A kissed B's head, feeling a bit flushed] "They're quite...deep today, huh?"

[B tried to take a deep breath, snorting a hiccup halfway, letting out a long sigh] "HMMP!-buh, they a—" [B's head tucked in quick] "—are. Geez."

[B backed up, letting out a deep hiccup] "HUP! Sorry! Sorry, that was sudden-HMMP!" [They chuckled, rubbing their caving chest subconsciously]

"No-no, it's okay! Haha." [A rubs B's chest, a hand tucked under B's] "Uh...hiccups in bed. Again." [A said in a concerned, yet content tone]

[B notices A's reaction, how they are comforting B, who was hiccup-prone] "Mhm. A-HU'UHP! Again...they're going HMK! all out. What have I done? HMmMK! To deserve this?" [B said in feigned grumpiness]

"Big yawns." [A smiled softly at the thought, but they couldn't help but pause every time B hiccups]

"Relishing-HINK!-uh...in them?" [B whispered, another deep hiccup escaped their lips close to A's face]

[A could've sworn their ears are steaming, feeling the gears crank up] "A little. M'sorry." [They spoke in a slightly guilty tone]

[B shook their head, pulling A close to their spasming body] "Shh. No worries-HMmMP!" [A deep, silent double hiccup rippled B's body which A could feel every second of it]

[B looks down, seeing A's guilty face etched, giving A a warm embrace] "We can st—stay like this for a bit. HIMP! If you want."

[A looked up to B, pouting a bit] "You could use a cure right now." [They suggested]

"And HUMK! miss out on this? [Murmuring] Your HNK!UH!—Your darling flushed face? HMMP! Rubbing my chest?" [Chuckle-hiccuped, leaving a heavy grunt, but reassured A with a sheepish grin]

"I can deal a little de-HMP'MK! Deep case. [Grunts] Just five-HNK! five minutes of it will DO!" [Silent hiccup]

[A could feel B swallow another hiccup, their chest thumping once] "They are certainly making their presence known."

B arched their body, leaning to A's hand rubbing their sternum and stomach

"Mmmrr. You take such GUCK!MmHP! Mmm...good care of me-hhhHMK!Uh!" [B purred lowly, A could feel the rumbling on their chest against their palm]

"Just five minutes, then let's cure them." [A firmly said, feeling content and concerned for their beloved]

[B couldn't help but let out a croaky guffaw-hiccup, letting out a guttural groan after calming down] "We stayed in bed HMMMP! a little more than we agreed-" [Swallowed a deep hiccup, groaning at the action] "agreed on."

[Murmur-chuckle, feeling the thumps against B's chest and stomach] "I honestly can't complain." [A admitted, flushing rosy]

B's smile widened, giving hiccup kisses on A's face. The case persisted in deep rhythmic successions, leaving B to groan and grunt to a few, but it didn't made them uncomfortable. Just taken by the abruptness. In their shared bedroom, their bodies touched and cuddled under the covers, relishing in the cool room, rays of the golden sun peering through the curtains. A couldn't help but enjoy B's presence, alongside the hiccups, which B finds endearing to know and explore this side of A.

They felt appreciated. They both are.

[rius-cave]

I love all your adamsapple posts! As a fellow angst fan, would you mind givin an overview of all the angst at the beginning of the relationship? Specifically like Adam dealing with falling from heaven and stuff

Thank you so much! I love thinking about them hhhh

Hmm, if we're going for Adam dealing with being a fallen angel now, there isn't a lot of Adamsapple at this point imo (or at least not necessarily lol)

Well! If you didn't see it, I talked before about how I think Adam would go through something very similar to the five stages of grief. He would first not really believe that this is happening to him. Him? Adam? The first man who started it all, in hell? Impossible. There's probably some weird mistake going on here. But besides what I said in that post, yes, of course he would panic, be angry, etc, when he sees his newfound demon form. He probably doesn't have a lot of time to dwell on it at first, either because he starts getting killed by demons left and right, or because Lucifer had already found him etc etc. In any case, there isn't a lot of self reflection happening.

But then once things settle in, he sees his reflection for the first time, and it's upsetting. In my sinner!Adam design, his hair is completely black now, his horns are now real, his feet feel foreign for him (he hasn't yet seen that they're now hooves) and there's just... This heavy burden on his shoulders tells him his bad, it's the weight of the sins he's committed, but he doesn't recognize the feeling, he's never had to think about the justness of his actions before..

But he still thinks this is some kind of mistake, that either Lucifer or Charlie or even God is playing a prank of him, this isn't where he belongs. He keeps being a nuisance, an asshole, he's condescending and rude and doesn't take anyone, much less Charlie's hotel, seriously.

And then things progress, things change, he's now trying to "redeem" himself but he only half believes it. Or rather, he says he still doesn't believe it, but there is already a seed planted in his heart, that maybe, just maybe, they are all right and he really does deserve to be here.

This is nothing but a mere thought in the back of his head that he crushed every time it tries to resurface though. His conscience is catching up to him but he still won't admit any fault.

And then he sees his red blood for the first time.

Blood, thick and bright, with an unmistakable red color that he hasn't seen on himself for literal millenia. At this point he's been dead longer than he was alive, so it's only a distant memory. The truth finally manages to resurface in one big wave. Demons bleed red. Sinners bleed red. People that have earned the punishment of God bleed red. People that don't deserve kindness, that are damned to eternal suffering, that were deemed guilty, bleed red. He doesn't even get mad anymore. He doesn't cry, he doesn't scream, he just stays there, looking at the blood trickling down, his blood. And it finally dawns on him that he's here because of his own actions, because of his own evil. His body and emotions become numb and he goes on autopilot for a while, until he finally snaps. At someone, at something, it doesn't matter, anything to get rid of this stupid feeling that he's worthless and that he's never meant anything, that he's just stuck down here for eternity unless some angel has pity on him and kills him on the next extermination.

Luckily for him, he has people around him that know exactly what that feels like, and now, they're willing to help out. For real this time.

[itsohh]

One For the Road

A/N: Hhhh first thing I’ve finished for a while. I keep losing passion for the things I’m writing but I ended up finishing this at like 5am this morning with the ol listen to a song on repeat non stop trick.

Summary: Finally taking a break from work, Taina finds you having a good time at the organisation's 'unofficial bar'. At the end of the night, the pair of you plan to head home but one quick trip to the bathroom is required.

Word count: 2225

Warnings: Smut

AO3 Masterlist

It wasn't too often that she ended up in The Rec Room anymore. With her position as a squad leader, a lot of her time was spent agonising over details and plans. With Nøkk, Eliza Harry and Jordan all out of the picture there was much heavier pressure on her shoulders. It made sleep harder and the days longer. Yet, with the help of Yumiko, Gustave and Sam it was never too much. Yumiko was a solid strategist who worked well with her. Gustave allowed her work to continue without question or the limelight and then Sam was a rock that ensured that she made the correct decisions.

Sam also happened to be the one that made sure that she had a work-life balance. Which is why she was locked out of her own office. Sure, she could break in if she really tried but Sam gave her that look, one that told her to listen. "Go relax. Enjoy yourself. Working yourself to death isn't going to help anyone."

His words rang in her mind as she entered The Rec Room. It was more of a bar than a proper rec room, certainly not to normal regulation. It wasn't their proper rec room, it just had the same name. It wasn't part of their base, therefore, not against regulation. It was, after all, a public place. A public place that only Rainbow operatives knew about. A secret little underground bar that had plenty of business from them all.

Her first intention had been to hit up the bar for a drink but a group of loud laughter caught her ear. In the almost completely deserted bar, three people seemed to be enjoying themselves by the pool tables.

Ana, Max, and most interestingly, you. Taina's travelled to Ana who leaned against a post. She watched as you and Max dramatically sang and danced to the music. The pair of you seemed like you didn't have a care in the world while Ana was content to enjoy the display.

"I can't get her off of my brain." In a dramatic turn to face Max, the back of your hand flew to your forehead. A pained and closed-eye expression spread across your face. Max braced his hand on the side of the pool table and leaned closer to you. He had a fake shocked expression as he poorly sang the next line.

"I just wanna go to the party she gon' go."

Your hands fell out and your arms flew into a shrug. "Can somebody take me home?"

There was a pause between the pair of you as the song picked up. A devious grin spread across your face, one that was mirrored on Max's.

"Love me, hate me, say what you want about me. But all of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy." The pair of you sang off-key at each other and Taina couldn't help the way her lips curled upward at the sight. Her silent footsteps had her approach and at first, only Ana noticed.

"Having fun are they?" Neither of the two women looked at each other.

"They said and I quote 'this is our song', I presume there's more to the story." Ana raised a brow and Taina pressed her lips together.

"It's not one I know."

"Are they like this often? We were playing pool." Ana glanced back to the table.

"All the time, it's one of the reasons they don't get paired up together very often in training."

"Why's that?"

"I imagine in a real scenario they would be fine but in training, they can't take it seriously enough."

"At least they know how to make the mood light." Ana smiled and Taina glanced down for a second.

"Hey, Cav!" Max's voice had you spin around and her eyes snapped up to meet his then yours. Your shoulders dropped and your smile drew into a large grin.

"Taina! You're finally out of your office." Your hand twitched slightly and she could tell that you were itching to hug her but refrained from doing so. You respected her public boundaries.

"I am. Sam made sure of that." Taina pretended to sound annoyed but didn't stop the slight smile on her face.

"Told you she would listen to him." Your hush voice spoke to Max and nudged him with your elbow. Taina raised a brow and you pretended to be innocent.

Taina didn't push the matter. "What are you two drinking?"

"Cranberry juice." You picked the glass off the high-end table next to you and Max showed her his bottle of Corona.

"How 'bout I buy you a drink Boss?" Max asked and Taina shook her head.

"Don't plan on staying too long." Her eyes met yours and the pair of you silently communicated.

"What about a game then? We have been killing Ana." Your hand emphasised your words alongside your voice. When Taina looked towards Ana she recover a shrug.

"They are surprisingly good at the game."

"It's because they spend all their time playing rather than practising." The scold didn't have any venom to it. It was a tease.

"Hey, you're his boss, not mine. I think Yumikos quite happy with my training  habits."  

Taina rolled her eyes at you and picked up Ana's cue that rest next to her. "Come on then, one game."

-

What started as a lighthearted game turned into something more. Sure, you and Max made a good team but Taina just happened to be good. Really good. What she really focused on though, was the way you bent over that table. Your eyes focused on the ball in front of you. Lined up perfectly, you were almost completely flush against it. With your leg hiked up on the table she got a decent view of your back. Just before you hit the ball, your eyes flicked up to meet hers. Your tongue darted out over your smiling lips.

In that second it seemed like all of eternity, a slow-motion moment that didn't stop. But you continued, with the wink of your left eye time sped up once again. Taina's breath hitched and she watched as you sunk the ball in.

A loud sound came as Max high-fived you. He bent over the table and one by one the pair of you perfected the entire game. A smug smile graced your entire face and your hand slapped into Max's once again. The pair of you pulled into each other and nodded.

"That's how it's done Goose." You laughed and he grinned back at you.

"Sure is." The pair of you basked in your glory before you turned to Ana and Taina.

"Good game ladies, maybe next time there will be a different outcome."

"Uh-huh." Ana folded her arms with doubt.

"Well, that was the one game."

"You off to hit the sack?" Max asked before he took a sip of his drink.

"It's late."

"Gotta get those eight hours of uninterrupted sleep huh?" You teased and licked your bottom lip before you continued. "I'm gonna head to the bathroom and I'll be right with you." The look in your eyes was all Taina needed to know.

"I'll come with you." Her eyes were of a predator and Max shrugged to Ana when the pair of you promptly left the pool table.

"See you later guys!" You waved over your shoulder and slipped off towards the bathroom.

The pair of you had barely stepped into the woman's bathroom before she was on you. Her soft lips pressed against your throat while her palms shoved your shoulders. The force had your back slam against the tiled bathroom wall. A moan escaped your mouth as your head tilted back. Eyes closed, the moan turned into a breathy choke before you swallowed.

Taina's hands found the side of your thighs where she pawed and squeezed at the side of them. Open-mouth kisses continued to litter your neck, she nipped and sucked on the flesh but not hard enough to leave a mark. With a solid grip on your thighs, she pulled them apart and slotted her body in between them. In the same motion, she lift you up off the ground and you automatically wrapped your legs around her waist.

"Is this what you wanted when you got Sam to do your dirty work?" Taina's voice purred out but there was also a slightly aggressive undertone to it.

"I- ngh -genuinely wanted you to take a break. We all did."

"All?" She pressed her clothed cunt against yours. No friction but the pressure started to get to you, joint with the manhandling groping she did on your thighs.

"Me and everyone in Ghosteyes. You come to bed so late and push yourself so hard."

"I always push myself hard." Her lips detached from your throat and made itself up to your ear.

"Yeah, but this is unhealthy hard. You’re just as bad as As-" You cut yourself off and the pair of you stiffened at the thought. "I might not be in your squad or a squad leader but I'm here for you Taina. I miss you." Your head lowered and your pleading eyes met hers. "We're a team." She paused and looked into your eyes.

Taina slowly leaned in, far softer and slower than all her earlier movements. Those soft lips finally graced your own and she poured all her emotions into it. It ramped up and your hand tangled in her hair. That kiss always a promise. Everything that had been building up over all the weeks finally came to a burst.

Your hand tugged at her hair and that was it. She practically growled against your lips and pulled you away from the wall. The cool touch of the sink basin made contact with the bottom of your thighs and Taina pulled away from your body. Your mouth gaped open slightly when she sunk down on her knees. Her hands grabbed the side of your shorts and pulled them down with her, you lift your hips slightly to help. Soon she had dropped your shorts on the floor, her eyes on yours for a moment before her focus was on your cunt before her.

Taina didn't bother to remove your underwear and only pulled them to the side. The cool hair against your cunt had you shiver and you gasped when her tongue ran the entire base against you. From the bottom of your lips to the top of your clit she firmly dragged her tongue against it.

Your hand flew to your mouth to prevent yourself from crying out her name. She had that smug look on her face but didn't repeat the motion. With two fingers Taina pushed your lips open. This time her tongue dipped into your cunt and lapped at your juices. Her mouth pressed against your cunt firmly and she sucked on you before she pulled back.

Caveira lets go of you for a moment and pushed her hair back. She stretched her neck slightly and found her grip on your thighs once again. You watched when she rolled her shoulders and then forced back in.

The tip of her tongue traced the outside of your lips. She dragged it against your entire cunt. The tip of her tongue made little kitten licks against your clit which had you bury both hands back into her head.

You bucked slightly against her mouth and swore out as she alternated between long swipes and more focused smaller ones. Each one firm against your cunt. Her nose pressed against your skin and you leaned against the mirror while she ate you would with everything she had.

One hand let go of your thigh and she pressed two fingers against your now swollen cunt. Already abused from her mouth, she started to rub it in circles. "Taina." Your moan of her name rewarded you with a light bite against the inside of your thigh. She always did love the way you dragged out the end of her name.

"Close aren't you?" Her tongue danced over her teeth with a smile. "Come on, you don't need my permission. Cum for me."

Her eyes stayed on yours as she expertly continued to run your clit. Your face shivered and you bit down on your lips to prevent yourself from crying out. A muffled whimper slipped through as pleasure tipped over the scales and you moved your hips against her hands. Your thighs squeezed shut and she had to catch them as you came.

"There's a good girl." She let go of your cunt and helped put your underwear back into place. A wet patch soaked through and she stuck her coated fingers into her mouth. With a humm, she sucked on your taste. "I'm sorry for making you miss me." Taina rose to her feet and nestled her way against you. The pal of her hand slapped against the mirror and she leaned in.

A slow wet kiss full of tongue shared with you, her tongue licked against your own and you could taste yourself on her. "I'll make it up to you." She promised and you let out a little whine.

"I want you to look after yourself." You murmured against her lips, only barely disconnected.

"Two birds one stone."

[totaldramafan-lauri]

O-OK.....OK, OK, OK.....I-I've let it sit with me for a while, so......j-just....gonna get it off my chest now. I-if I keep dragging this out, I'm gonna look overdramatic, so.....OK......phew.....

I.....I've developed a bit of a crush on.....hhhh.....Sh-Sh-....Shadow....Milk.....

N-now....obviously, I kinda hate myself for this.....? B-but....not cuz of the "why", but cuz of the "how".....

I-I do understand why this happened to an extent. He is a character who appeals to a lot of my.....t-tastes.....He's a villain, and a manipulator....a VERY VERY VERY good manipulator, at that.....a-and normally, that's one of my fav character types. S-so, yeah, if I obsessed over Affogato, it makes sense for me to like Shadow Milk. They're pretty similar. Shadow Milk is just a LOT showier, which.....sh-shouldn't deter me, cuz hey, Alastor, y'know.....? And Spinel! Heck, Spinel even had the unhinged jester aesthetic! I shouldn't be surprised at this at all! R-right....?

I-if this was his first ever appearance, I wouldn't be confused at all. The problem is that it's NOT his first appearance. We've known him for a YEAR. A-and, during his debut, AND in the Wind Archer story, I legit didn't feel this way about him. My opinion began and ended at "He's fun". I enjoyed him as a villain, but I was not frothing over him. Heck, I was actually all on-board with the common speculation that he was gonna be the final Beast released despite how impatient his fanbase was. I was willing to wait for him! I wasn't antsy to get to him as soon as possible....

I-I could always TELL why he was a simpable character, I just didn't simp myself! M-my reasoning was partially cuz of Golden Cheese, but also the big reason - or, at least, I THOUGHT so - was that he was a bit TOO goofy....? L-like, I know that's just his exterior, but....I-I tend to not simp for overly-comedic characters, and even compared to Alastor, he crossed the line a bit too far....

S-so....how.....how....HOOWWWWWW? Did this happen? Wh-why am I s-suddenly falling for him NOW? After a YEAR? Of knowing him, and knowing what his deal was, and not feeling this way, why does it kick in NOW? It's not like he's changed that much in this newest chapter! He's still the same! I-it's just that......h-he started affecting me more strongly this time, and it's like.....HOOOOWWW? WHY NOW?

I thought I knew where I stood with him! "Fun villain with fun mood swings and great voice acting but STAY AWAY from Vani...." I-I thought things wouldn't change from that....b-but.....something broke, and I dunno how it happened....I-it can't be just cuz of him getting more screentime, cuz he actually didn't get that much in the episode! W-was it just....the scenes he did have just being THAT good? Was it specific lines hitting me more this time? Was it me realizing that he ISN'T overly-comedic and actually quite charismatic and intelligent? W-was it getting to see more of his manipulation tactics at work? A-and his powers (shapeshifting, portals to his own dimension, illusions) having potential that finally hit me.....? I...I can't tell....

B-but.....I also can't deny it. Th-this is what happened.....a-and I don't like it. I-I don't wanna feel this way about him. It makes me feel like a traitor to Vani, and Golden Cheese by extension. B-but, the longer I lie about it, the longer he wins....so, I gotta tell the truth.

Th-the other reason I was putting this off was that.....I-I've been talking to one of my readers who recently mentioned how much they hate the Beasts as a whole, which put me on edge while I was d-dealing with this, and....I-I'm just gonna make it clear now - I don't hate the Beasts. I ONLY hate Burning Spice. I've always been more-or-less neutral towards Mystic Flour, and I've always enjoyed Shadow Milk even before this mess. I-I don't want people thinking I hate all the Beasts cuz that's not true.

A-and also to be clear, just cuz I'm gonna be more honest about this going forward doesn't mean things are gonna change beyond that. M-maybe I'll talk about him more often, but I'm not making him an F/O. I-I'm gonna be treating him like Alastor - a "dangerous guy who I will admire from a distance rather than ship with" and nothing more. I-I can't think of a way to ship with someone like him without it being OOC, and my feelings for him still make me feel icky so I'm not even gonna try. Th-that's Her Radiance's territory, and I belong only to her....I-I'm still loyal to her. I'll pick her in a heartbeat. Heck, like I shared before, when she made a brief appearance in one of Vani's illusions, I shouted "NO!" out loud. If that doesn't say enough about how much I still adore her, I dunno what will. X//////D

A-and.....yeah, just cuz I e-enjoy watching him work.....d-doesn't mean I still don't want Vani back. Th-that hasn't changed either....M-my feelings towards the ending of episode 7 are so complicated, it feels like I'm being split in two.....I-It hurt, but I also didn't feel as devastated as I could've been.....and it wasn't just cuz of being prepared for something bad.....>///////>

Y-yeah.....

S-sorry for the rambling, but....I-I really needed to get this all out there. Phew.....>////////<

[marshmallowprotection]

OMGOMGOMG KAIT YOUR VAMPIRE RAY CONTENT JUST GOT MY HEAD BUZZING WITH BRAINROTS AND IDEAS HHHH okayokay so i dont remember which media is this from but its also related to vampire stuff where the vampire gave a locket with a few drops of their blood in them as a sign of courting to their significant other. what if we reverse that? what if mc gave the locket with their blood to ray as a keepsake or something?

I am so happy to hear that it's got your brain buzzing with all kinds of ideas! I love Vampire AUs. I've played around with it before in the past but this is the first time I've written one for Readers to enjoy the idea first, instead of me with my CMC content. Now, I've seen this idea in a few different pieces of media before but none of the ones that I've consumed firsthand.

So, so far, with everything that I've established in this specific universe, your blood is better than anything else in the world to Ray. It is so strong that he cannot go too long without it, because for whatever reason, you are the sweetest treat to ever come close to him and he is utterly insatiable after he gets to have a taste for the first time.

Even being away from you for long periods of time it's difficult because it’s not just your blood that haunts him. It’s your scent. The more time he spends away from you, the more his entire body begins to twitch and tremble, begging for the smallest piece of you to float his way. 

The desire inside of him grows stronger and stronger the longer he's away from you, and if he's kept away from you just long enough, it physically pains him. You are everything to him, and no amount of trying to drink other blood will erase that fact. So, in this case, would having a bit of your blood on hand keep him under control? That's an interesting thought piece. 

Because, on the one hand, having that around could help him in a pinch, and it might be just enough to keep him going so he doesn't show any sign of what you really are to him in front of his savior; On the other hand? What if that amount only serves to make him want more? What if it's just enough to make him lose control?

Because, he would do everything in his power to make sure he would never do such a thing, but if his instincts take over, there's only so much he can do to stop himself. And if he put you in a position where you got hurt because of that, he would never ever be able to forgive himself. Ray brought you to this place because the very last thing he wanted to happen was see you in misery. 

So, I think at the end of the day, it's going to come down to your choice. If you think it's a good idea to give him something that will give him the ability to tide himself over no matter how long he has to stay away from you, then you should do it. But, if you see that it's only making things harder for him, try and take it away. He might not let you do that.

It's not that he would want to tell you no, it's just that the idea of not being able to be with you at all, even with a part of you, feels wrong. He would do everything in his power to not drink everything in that vial, but it's possible he might just crack now and again and you'll have to refill it for his sake, even if he tells you not to, because you're just that kind of that person aren't you?

[sugoi-writes]

FUCK. I WROTE PART NINE AND HAD IT ALL READY TO GO AND THEN MY KID GOT HER HANDS ON MY PHONE AND CLOSED THE APP. THANK LUCIFER I HAD THE FIRST HALF SAVED AS A DRAFT BUT STILL. OTL sending this separate because I was paranoid she'd do it again and I would have to write the second part a third time 😭 also realizing I forgot to put my sig at the bottom of Pt.9

..... Annnnd of course, after pressing send I remember that I forgot to rewrite the part where reader chokes Alastor when they cum. just shoot me holy motherfucking shit

At some point I'mma just make these into a full blown PWP fic. It seems like they get longer with each installment 🤣 (I'm sorry btw, I always feel kinda bad whenever I leave long messages in anyone's inbox 😫

AYEEEE WELL YA KNOW WHAT THEY SAY - GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE!! 😘❤️‍🔥

It's a fitting pet name Hunny Pun! You're the queen of puns and you're so so SO sweet like a Honey Bun! is that icing or Alastor's jizz on you??? ... im so sorry i'll see myself out again 😭 CAN'T FIND AND KISS ME IF I FIND AND KISS YOU FIRST BABES~! ❤️❤️❤️

I can't hold on to my anonymity anymore guys so I'mma be making Pt.10 my reveal post~ it's killing me that I can't leave rabid fangirl messages on your works like you all do here for me! I really did wanna wait until I got the Smutmus Holy Trinity complete or at least in the revision stages but just- GAH! I NEED YALL TO KNOW HOW AMAZING I THINK YOU ARE. Beautiful beautiful minds, inside and out i can't even-!

Seriously though, I can't even begin to express how grateful and happy I am to have met any of you! And there are no words in the English dictionary (or any at all really) that I could use to describe what I feel about how accepting and supportive you've been! I could NEVER thank yall enough for helping me to find the joy in writing again. I love all three of you so much and I'm honored to call you friends!! 🥺🥰💋

- ☄️❤️ Smut Santa

False Alarm for the Next Part!! And honestly, thank God, the vibe is still not charged HAH--

Oh no!!! I'm so sorry that happened to you!! I had a similar experience when writing my part 2 to my Nun! Alastor fic. Fun fact: had to re-write it 5 times because I kept forgetting to save it. ;;_;; hhhh my baby fever is so bad I'm crying, but man, KIDS! What a little stinker 🥹❤️

Also, my ask box is usually super empty? Like, you could LICK the floor with how neat and empty it is? I LOVE messages? Even better if they long like Alastor's girthy fucking co--

We--We were- when we??? ALASTOR GETS--??? MY HANDS AROUND HIS???

*Danny.Exe has experienced an Error*

*Rebooting*

OKAY IM BACK--

☄️❤️Anon... babycakes. At this rate I'm gonna do more than fucking kiss you. I think we're past that now. And if you keep calling me 'Hunny Pun', or similar pet names, I'm just gonna jump your bones--

Hug you!!!! I meant hug you!!!

It's Alastor's jizz. It's canon-- NO DONT LEAVE I NEED TO KNOW HOW I GOT IT ON MY FAAAAAAACE

GUYS CODE TREAT, CODE TREAT, THE ANON VEIL IS DROPPING!!! ITS DROPPING DHDHDJDHDJ-- You will never gain a mutual as fast as you will then I SWEAR

☄️❤️!!! Smut Santaaaaa! 🥹😭❤️ Your mind is a beautiful, smutty, enchanting place!!! Knowing that you've been religiously cranking this out, while also having a kiddo... Seriously, how do you do it??? If anyone deserves the praise rn, 🎵it's you??? It's you, ITS ALWAYS YOU!!🎵 ❤️❤️❤️

Don't push yourself too hard! Please? ❤️ I will treasure these rare, scrumptious little treats for as long as I have brain cells left ❤️ I will call you friend until you tell me to quit or I lose my voice for good. And even then, my lips will keep moving and repeating the same thing until I'm blue in the face. ❤️❤️❤️ you are such a sweet, sweet, soul, and I can feel your vibes, and they are so wholesome! I can't wait to meet the person or sexual fiend behind it all! I feel like I speak for us all, and not just the main 3, but EVERYONE: everyone who has read your posts love you to bits. And they love your work to bits. Best believe when you publish your first work, we'll be there. En masse. And we will be EAGERLY returning the love you surprised us with.

Thank you for all that you do. On this post in particular, you deserve a foot rub, a forehead kiss, and a hug that lifts and spins you off your feet! 💗💗💗

Have a blissful, best of days you can have, dear! You deserve it! 💗

[indecisive-dizzy]

Any ideas for Howdy and Eddie? They are my special little pookies and I love them

I’ve been obsessing over Howdy x Eddie, that ship is just so fun to me and I love them (Frank can be part of the ship too, Frank/Eddie/Howdy is lovely too :3)

hhhh I'm so sorry but I'm brainrotting over my disabled Eddie au sobbbs but I will Try dang it

But first! DISABLED EDDIE IS SO 😭😭😭✨✨

I'm going to bite Eddie Dear. I'm feral and Unwell.

To me it just makes soo much sense??? I have shit coordination/balance and my life is hell and I want to project so hard. It's representation and it gives me Delicious angst and hurt/comfort opportunities.

phew ok ok ok,, hcs,, howdy,, eddie,,, ok,, i got this

They both will, would, and have eaten an entire head of lettuce. Howdy makes sense, bc he eats lots of greens already. But Eddie? bbg is so sleep deprived it's the only thing he can think of to eat.

They're rivalry is a Bit. They are the only ones aware of this. Everyone else thinks Howdy genuinely has problem with Eddie in regards to business but it's all jest! A joke, a charade, a whole ass Bit! They find hilarious!

Eddie swears more than you think. He just keeps it professional when working. Howdy wishes he could record some of Eddie's more,,, creative cursing.

By contrast Howdy doesn't swear that much, he's so used to being surrounded by little siblings + other family that he just,, doesn't think about it? ofc he'll swear occasionally out of shock, exasperation, or anger. he can say fuck, he just doesn't think to! he doesn't have an issue with swearing, either.

Shipping stuff,, ok!

The Bromance turned Romance Pipeline is Real. It would take a while for the others to notice they even started dating lol bc they keep it 'professional' during work hours.

Physical affection is both their love language. Oh My Golly. They are never Not in contact with each other. Cuddles are top tier holy shittt

Eddie also writes love letters bc he's a sappy goof and words of affirmation is his other love language.

Howdy has never received a love letter before and Swooned when he read the first one. He keeps them all in a special box by his nightstand <3

Bringing Frank into the mix? Hoo boy they are not ready. They are. But also not. If it's not Eddie holding his hand it's Howdy's on his back. If it's not Eddie holding him by the waist it's Howdy literally picking him up for a kiss. Frank is overwhelmed with affection all the time /pos

A sprinkle of angst, Frank may get sad from time to time bc they feel almost,, out of place in the relationship. Eddie and Howdy are incredibly close and have known each other longer than they've both known Frank. This causes some self doubt.

However Eddie and Howdy are Quick to shoo the thoughts away! The reassure Frank and smother them in affection! All praise and loving words. How much they love him, how happy he makes them, just everything about Frank Frankly they adore.

Over time this doubt fades away, Frank becomes confident in themselves, their love, and their Loves!

Literally the best wedding ever. Eddie and Frank combined forces to keep Howdy from turning it into one Big Advertisement lmao. It was great!

[getitfrenchship]

Hello, friends! Hope you're all doing well. In fact, I'd like to know what you're all up to so I can reconnect with friends again. What things are you watching/playing/doing now? Any new things in life you'd like to discuss?

Below the cut I'll say what I've been up to!

Just got back from my local con today and while I did spend a lot on game collecting + VA stuff, I'm glad I went. Thankfully I got paid Friday (though that means I'll have to wait to get paid again in 2 weeks) and my financial situation isn't dire. It's kinda like when you go to Disneyland and get caught up in the spectacle of things. Oh yeah, an IRL friend from high school helped me with a lot of the VA stuff since she had a VIP pass & could skip long lines. (On that note FUCK F//UNKO SCALPERS FOR HOGGING LINES AND MAKING ME WAIT 2 HOURS FOR ONE VA AAAAAAAAAA)

Thankfully, no insurance adjuster lady to drive me up the wall this past month at work. A few eh client encounters but overall it's been way more pleasant than it was a few months ago. ...Might still need to figure out vacation time just so I can take a longer break (and maybe find a government job if I'm able to find something so I have guaranteed holidays).

That being said, S//aimon's series is starting to see a spike of discourse and one of the servers I'm in keeps talking about it. It's making me feel bad as a result. Thankfully, none of the people in it are starting the discourse, but they tend to go "getaloadofthisguy" a lot. Along with usual self ship discourse that I see on my dash (that again thankfully neither friends nor I directly participate in), it kinda just drains me.

Seasonal anime I'm watching are Detergent (hopefully one of Shitsui's big scenes will happen next week; they took a break this week), Und//ead Mur//der Far//ce, Hel//ck (though I'm admittedly not really paying attention to this one), Happy Marriage, J J K season 2 (i am not ready for this arc AAAAAAAAA), and Z//om 100. When there isn't a seasonal anime for me to watch at work, there's Sai//ki K (I think watching Bla//ck Lag//oon kinda helped make me more bitter at work, but I'm feeling better now that I'm watching Sai//ki). Oh, I might check out OPLA since I hear it's an actual good adaptation. Aaaand F//ionna and C//ake too! God, I went "kindred spriits" with Simon's episode

Currently I'm playing Se//a of St//ars and I really like how it looks & plays so far! (Of course, I loved Chr//ono Trig//ger, so the gameplay feels right at home). I wooould continue Gh//ost Tri//ck, but I'm at a stealth section and like I expected, I'm looking up a lot of the puzzle solutions online instead of figuring it out for myself. Curse you, time limits!!! (And for Bom//b R//ush, I feel like I need to play with music, but I keep forgetting to bring my wired headphones. Bluetooth is for my phone mainly due to personal preference). I also watched the endings for OT2 and AUGH I LOVE THIS GAME SO MUCH!!!

Oh, a new manga I found called "Inv//isible Man & his soon to be bride" is cute so far.

someday i will find balam merch. somedaaaay

I might do a separate post showing my current ideas for S/I's/OCs, but hhhh I'm hesitant. Right now I just know for a P3 OC he takes inspiration from "The Stranger"

boy howdy i sure hope bluesky finally makes my account or i can get an invite because i really want tweetor to die. ...though i'd miss posting switch screenshots directly

[coughdontfeelwellcough]

Sicktember - I shouldn't be worried about you, but for some reason I am

Fandom: my own ocs Sophie and Casper

Words: 1311

Author's note: Part two of a trilogy with these two.

Part 1 Part 3

Hope you enjoy!

The Nook was a bookshop in an almost forgotten corner of Notting Hill in London. The shop itself was cosy and warm, sandwiched between a bakery and an empty building which had been abandoned so long ago that nature had mostly reclaimed it. Normally Casper was happy to be the one to open the little shop. He loved working at The Nook, helping customers find the specific books they were looking for and on quiet days he could sit in one of the comfortable chairs and just read until it was time to go home. However on this particular morning Casper wasn’t in the best mood, he’d woken up with a sore throat and a stuffy nose, a sure sign a cold was on its way. 

The door to The Nook was old and heavy, made of wood that had been once painted a bright blue though it had been mostly faded by the sun. Casper sniffed as he pushed it open, groaning as the weight of the door fought against him. He was thankful it was warm inside, the early morning sun streaming through the windows and making the place feel cosy. 

“Morning, ‘ole girl,” Casper greeted, clearing his throat. 

He always liked to greet the shop when he arrived, especially on a Monday when they’d been closed. It was like greeting an old friend though sometimes Casper wished the old building could reply, sure it would have plenty of its own stories to share. 

Casper set about getting the shop ready to open, turning on all the lights, sweeping the floors and putting the change in the till. It was a natural routine, one he’d been doing on his own for the last two years. Casper didn’t own The Nook, that pleasure was held by a Mr Henry Ludwig. Mr Ludwig was a nice man in his eighties, he’d been running the shop for many years and had hired Casper two years previously but as he’d been getting on he’d started leaving the day to day running to Casper, only popping in now and then with new deliveries and occasional words of encouragement. It had been just over a week since his last visit and Casper wasn’t worried, they’d had a new stock of Agatha Christie’s arrive over the weekend that would keep them going for a while longer. 

Casper finished sweeping up and was about to turn around the open sign on the door when he felt a tickle in his sinuses. 

“Hhh…HhNTGH-shh! HTSHH-httshw.” he sneezed into his elbow. 

Urgh. 

Casper hated being ill, it reminded him of being a sickly kid. He was always the first one down and the last one back up. He could still hear his mother scolding him as he came from school with yet another cold. Just then there was a knock at the door and his first customer of the day had arrived. 

“Hello Casper,” Mrs Hudson was a woman in her seventies who came in every day to see the new books and to chat while she waited for her knitting group to start. 

“M’borning,” Casper replied, his voice already sounding stuffy. 

“Anything new over the weekend?” she asked, peering at the shelves nearest the door where he always put the newest releases. 

“Just a bo… box… off.. hhHH-HNGHH-eww… hhHH-ISHHHwww!” 

Casper sneezed into his wrist. “Sniff Sorry… A box of Agatha Christie’s,” 

“Bless you! Oh shame, I read all those in the seventies,” she replied. 

Casper sniffed thickly, he could already feel the congestion building in his sinuses. 

“Sounds like you’ve got a bit of a cold, remember the saying dear; feed a fever and starve a cold.” 

“Yes, thank you Mrs Hudson. I’ll remember that,” 

Mrs Hudson continued talking to him about her grandsons as he straightened up the autobiographies until it was time for her knit and natter club to start then she was off, wishing him well as she went. 

Casper continued about his daily routine, walking loops around the shop, tidying books as we went. It was never partially busy in The Nook and even less so on a Monday morning, he’d been open for over an hour before he sold his first book, a copy of a new Lee Child to a commuter who gave Casper the most disgusted look when he’d sneezed while handing him his change. His cold was really starting to take its toll, his head had started to pound and his throat felt like he’d swallowed glass. But before Casper could find himself a comfy seat and a book of his own the bell rang, signalling another customer. 

“Hey Casper,” 

He turned to see the girl from the bakery next door, she was holding a takeout cup and brown paper bag. If Casper had been able to breathe through his nose he’d been able to smell the rich coffee and pastry. 

“Hi Sophie,” he rasped. 

“I got concerned when you didn’t come in for your usual order so I thought I’d bring it over, is everything alright?” she asked. 

Casper hoped his blush wasn’t too evident on his pale complexion. He’d been going into Sophie’s bakery every day for breakfast since he’d started working at The Nook, and in those two years they’d gotten to know each other quite well. 

He knew that she’d taken over the bakery three years ago from her Abuela and how’d she’d been around baking her whole life, and she knew how much he needed his books and his coffee to function. 

“I’m fine, just got a bit of co.. hhHHhhH-HHTTSH-tisw.. hh..hh..Col…hhHH-HSSHH-Eww.. A cold.” Casper ducked away to sneeze harshly into his elbow. 

“Bless you! Are you alright? They sounded like they hurt,” Sophie asked. 

“hhuuhhHGITZHH… hhh-UHH-GITZT…Ugh.” he could really feel the congestion settling in, making him feel headachy and dizzy. 

“Jesus, bless you again. What are you even doing at work? I’d have called in sick,” Sophie asked, putting his coffee down on the counter. He wanted nothing more than to drink it but the pain in his throat said otherwise. 

“No one to call,” he rasped weakly,

“Still.. Wouldn’t you rather be in bed?” 

Casper shrugged, running a hand under his dripping nose. He hadn’t felt that bad when he’d gotten up but his cold had been steadily getting worse and yet the idea of going back to his lonely little flat left him hollow. 

“The books are good company,” he coughed. 

Sophie gave him a look that might have been sympathy, he was used to being alone and dealing with illness alone was just one of those things. Most of the time he just got on with it and figured it would go away on its own. Which worked out fine, till it didn’t.

“Okay, but, just look after yourself. It’s just I shouldn’t be worried about you but for some reason, I am. Especially after that laryngitis you had a few months ago, you were miserable.”

Casper felt his heart clunch or it might have a cough. “I’ll be okay, it’s just a co… HUSHH-TEWW… HHHuhhh.. HITISS-hEWw.,” he sneezed before breaking into a productive cough. 

“Bless.. Just promise me you’ll go to a Doctor if it gets worse.” 

Casper nodded,coughing against his wrist. He was starting to feel really lousy and wanted nothing more than to curl up with a book and sleep off this cold, but for some reason he couldn’t stop his heart from pounding. 

“I won’t, I promise. Then where would I get my coffee?” 

She smiled. “Feel better Casper.” 

“Thank you Sophie.” She waved goodbye and left the shop, the bell dinging as she went. 

The rest of the day went on as they usually do; the customers came and went with their books. Casper soldered on, despite his cold leaving him sneezy and drippy, the thought of the girl next door keeping him going. 

[finitestateai]

Sorry if this is out of line but I have Ideas and need to share them but you're the only robot girl horny poster I know. Anyways, you know about Shepherd Tones? The sound that's supposed to feel like it's continuously going higher/lower without actually changing? Well. What if there was a similar tone you could use for the pleasure of your robot girl? Pleasure ever increasing but with no release, feeling like you've gone past the edge a hundred times over, but the climax never comes. And it just keeps increasing the pleasure the longer time passes.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and I am left only with the yearning to experience it.

Not out of line! I love getting these!

And whoa I I nmndfgfhkk th-th-that hhhh yyes yyesplease 😖😵‍💫🥵🥺

[kosi-annec]

[HAIKYUU!!] Season 3 episode 9

Why's yachi just waiting outside? C'mon yall let her in too

Ooh flashback to the training camp arc back *checks google* season 2!? Goddamn, I don't think i remember much from then lmao

"he looks so calm" uhh kiyoko those eyes don't speak 'calm' to me, kinda looks like he's contemplating revenge hskshsk

Back to present, WHERE CAVALRY HAS ARRIVED!!

LMAO god this bg karasuno fan trio is great, those guys probs become like sports friends after this

Everyone's so shocked that tsuki basically demanding to be put back in lol, this is probably the closest to begging we'll ever see him

Aww HSKHSKS that lil interaction between hinata n tsuki

Oh another bald guy? Why is that hairstyle so common in the haikyuu universe??

HHHH COME ONE CROWS KEEP IT UP! YES NICE ONE KAGE, Bought enough time for our shield to get back in!

Honestly kazuhito did really well for someone who's not played with this much high stakes before, he was able to keep his cool for almost the entire time

Karasuno's bout to make a comeback this round now that tsuki's here!

DON'T FUCK THIS UP ASAHI, YA GOTTA GET A POINT W THIS SERVE! Agh, that's fine just don't let it drop- oh SHIT TSUKI ARE U GOOD???

"... that he was just a lengthy apathetic nerd" i mean, that assessment is still kinda correct oikawa LMAO

YASS TSUKI YOU'RE DOING SO GOOD!! Omg he called noya "nishi" HE USED A NICKNAME! OMG HE TRICKED TENDO!! HIT IT TANAKA- LETZ GO MATCH POINT!!!

Mmm yeah, that's wat makes karasuno a dangerous team. They're not like the big leagues who stick to a kind of play style. Due to the new-ness of Karasuno, they're willing to adapt and try any new tricks if it means they become a stronger team. "The reckless crows" ngl that sounds kinda cool for a title

"..can you please stop calling me that?!" "Sure, how's you're a piece of shit then?" "FINE, PIECE OF CRAP" omg it's this scene HSKHKS

Oh shit yeah, those 3 have been the main guys that do the synchronized attack, god that must hurt their legs..

"..you meant that like while you were still useful right?" SHEESH SHIRABU, but yeah he has a point, he can't always be tossing to ushi

FINAL STRETCH, COME ONE KARASUNO GET THIS POINT

AAAaa fuck, it was out. Shit, ushi's up- OMG IT WAS ALSO OUT

From wat i understood from tadashi's mentor (idk his name), being able to commit to big risky plays like is more for psychological warfare if anything

hhhh everytime tsuki uses his hand i cringe for him. COME ON HINATA ONE TOUCH THIS! FUCK- they jumped too soon

They're tied again... ONE OF YOU JUST WIN ALREADY, PREFERABLY KARASUNO

OK crows got another point, now don't fuck this up kage. SHEESH that serving animation tho, with that camera turn? Smooth af

CHANCE BALL GET IT GUYS, SCORE THAT POINT!! FUCK- HINATA NO NOT AGAIN, that looked too similar to when karasuno lost to seijo before, when hinata got blocked

uh oh, yeah they got a point but I don't think tanaka can hold on any longer

Huh?? OH fuck even HINATA is getting exhausted, he couldn't even jump. This is bad...

aaAAA NO NO NO- omg GOOD SAVE NOYA! holy sHIT HE DID IT AGAIN!? GET DOUBLE RECEIVED BITCH, THAT'S OUR GUARDIAN!!

19-20 come on crows, just one more point

hhh you sure coach?? I'd rather not put any more strain on tsuki's hand... aH PFT- KAGE JUST YEETED HINATA LMAO

Ok ok, serious time. AAAA COME ON STOP EM TSUKI! Ah, flashback. I do love seeing tsuki interacting with the big guys in nekoma and fukurodani

ONE TOUCH GUYS COME ON, END IT!! One last synch atk, GET IT HINATA

wha- A FUCKING CLIFFHANGER!?! oh hell nah