#his hair his robes and even his eyebags are waves!

[thatonehermesartist]

I post a lot of Hermes, but here is some old Poseidon art I made when I was first introduced to Epic

Best experienced while listening to Ruthlessness at the same time ♡

[sincerelyhecate]

you (hit me with a broom and) set my heart ablaze

Title: you (hit me with a broom and) set my heart ablaze (chapter 9)

Pairing: Jason Grace/Percy Jackson

Length: 14.6k words

You can also read this on AO3.

∘◦ ☆ ◦∘

“I miss you, Jason,” a voice, dear and familiar, echoed in the haze of Jason’s sluggish mind. The words were stricken in grief, oozing loneliness, and the pang of sadness they carried reverberated through his very bones, beckoning him to follow.

With considerable effort, he pushed his body to work. To brave through the heavy fog swirling all over his dreamscape, just to reach that voice.

“Will you ever wake up?” 

It wasn’t a question as much as it was a desperate plea. At the distress laced within that familiar tone, he knew he had to go wherever it was. Though his limbs protested, he slogged through everything with renewed vigour. 

It took him a while—minutes bleeding into hours as he walked on—to notice the unyielding darkness clutching tight to his vision. Oh. It was a belated realisation, but he’s now aware that he’s yet to be conscious. 

There’s only one thing left to do, then; muster the will to wake up. 

And so he mustered that will. Though his eyelids were as heavy as lead, his bones rusted metal, he refused to admit defeat. He’s so close to his destination, he could feel it in his veins. Sooner than he knew it, he found himself at the precipice of his dream, the door to wakefulness waiting just beyond the blurry edge. Just one final push, until he could return. 

And then— 

“There you are.”

With near-herculean effort, Jason cracked his eyes fully open, a little blinded by the light as his vision adjusted itself to his surroundings. A few seconds passed as he laid there in a stupor, slowly registering the arching ceiling and the greying walls of the Hospital Wing. The tickling scent of medicinal potions prodded his nose, nearly dulling his senses again…

…until he felt a hand holding his, their connected palms moist with sweat. He tilted his head, eyes flitting from those enjoined hands upwards to find Percy, sitting on a rickety stool at one side of his bed. 

His boyfriend looked rather haggard, to put it simply—not that it diminished his Greek god looks any less. Fully dressed in his school robes, yet still looking rather worse for wear. Voice solemn, he greeted Jason, “Good morning, Sleeping Beauty.”

Only then could Jason focus on Percy’s face in its entirety, slowly realising just how exhausted he looked. Eyebags hung heavily underneath his green eyes, red-rimmed from lack of sleep. There was a hint of stubble on his chin and cheeks. His tie hung crookedly around his neck, evidently thrown on haphazardly, and one of his collar leafs was creased like a dog-eared page. His hair was a storm of black waves; dishevelled more than usual, if it’s even possible.

Despite it all, his lips were curled in a small, relieved smile as soon as his eyes met Jason’s. The muscles on Jason’s face stung a little as he returned it with his own weaker one. Knowing it’d please Percy, he joked back in a whisper, “Did you manage to defeat the evil dragon?” 

His throat was as scratchy as the sound of an old radio; drier than a desert. Percy fetched a glass of water from the bedside table and brought it to his lips. At the first sip, his parched throat screamed in relief. When the glass was moved away, Percy’s face was lit with his signature grin. Like the sun itself had sent him in its stead. 

“That I did.”

“How long was I out for?”

“Two days. Was the dream really that nice?”

Jason’s heart stuttered at Percy’s reply. Two days? He thought he’d been out for one night at most.

He wondered what would’ve happened if Percy didn't call out to him. Would he stay entrapped in his dreams forever, floating aimlessly in the centre of the void engulfing his mind? Would he continue to wander amidst the endless emptiness, a stagnant existence for all of eternity? It didn’t feel like he’d wanted anything in particular then. Not even the will to wake up—until Percy’s voice had reached out to him. 

It was nothing short of a miracle, the way Percy pierced through Jason’s unconsciousness; as always his unknowing saviour, his unaware, wonderful hero.

Shaking his head slightly, he pushed his back off the mattress to settle against the headboard. “Steady,” Percy said, hands hovering over Jason’s sides in case he’d crumple down again. It was as sweet as it was unnecessary; he already felt miles better than when he’d lost his consciousness.

“Pomfrey checked on you earlier and said you’d be waking up anytime today,” Percy informed as he warily settled down again. His voice was eerily quiet, like the calm before the storm. “She told me you’ve been putting too much strain on yourself, your body needed a longer time than usual to recuperate.” 

A pause. And then, almost accusingly, “Have you been training too hard before the match?”

“No harder than my usual routine,” Jason clarified, though it was only half the truth. He’d done his routines like normal…just double the amount. Everything had stemmed from his own drive that shared very little difference with the desperation to keep his promise, one that he’d decided he had to fulfil no matter what. It’d almost been for naught because of the rain, but he managed to pull it off in the end, with a few extra injuries to show. 

As par for the course with Quidditch.

Which was why it’s a little strange when Percy’s face dropped at his words. This wasn’t the reaction he’d imagined when he’d won. He’d expected a sunny celebration, not this downcast reception. A frown began to mire Percy’s lovely eyebrows at his clarification, and Jason’s heart clenched at the sight. 

“Please don’t lie to me,” Percy said. “I asked Frank and he said you’ve been working your fingers to the bone for the past few weeks.” He let out a heavy sigh, as if he’s disappointed with himself. “This is what I get for not monitoring your practice sessions.”

“What for?” Jason asked gently. “I have my teammates for that. You, on the other hand, have N.E.W.T.s to worry about.”

“And your teammates failed you. Not that I blame them. You’re rather one stubborn bloke.” Before Jason could counter him, Percy cupped his cheek with a hand and stroked his skin with a gentle thumb. The stare he gave him suggested there was no room for debate, at least not at that very moment. Holding down his tongue, Jason gulped down the budding apprehension in his throat.

With a deep breath, as if he’s bracing himself, Percy said, “I know it’s pretty arrogant of me—telling another capable Seeker how they should play their game—but don’t ever play the way you did last match again. Alright?”

It turned out that there was room for debate, after all. 

Jason didn’t like where this conversation was going, but he had to speak his mind. “You know as well as I do, especially with the circumstance at hand, that we both would’ve done whatever it takes to win, right?”

“But not at the expense of your life!”

Jason suppressed the urge to scoff. “Darling, that much wouldn’t finish me off.”

“I can list tens of hundreds of consequences where things could go horribly wrong last time, Jason.” Percy’s voice was gradually trembling. Jason knew it wasn’t from the hyperbole, and he felt terrible hearing it. “This isn’t something you could dismiss so—flippantly! This is you we’re talking about!”

The prickling sensation of déjà vu pricked at Jason’s skin.

“…We had this conversation once, didn’t we?” he told Percy. “We did. And if my memory serves me correctly, the situation was almost the same as now, except I was in your place and you were in mine.”

“I—” Percy was stunned into silence, staring at Jason in disbelief. It was evident that he’s unhappy with how Jason had pulled a reverse on him. Endearingly, his fingers still carried on their gentle ministrations against Jason’s skin, this time drawing shapeless patterns on his hand. “That was—”

Jason watched on quietly as his boyfriend struggled to find his words. After a while, Percy relented with a heavy sigh. “Fine. I know I sound like a hypocrite. I know I would’ve employed the exact same strategy if I were in your situation. To that, I’ve been thinking.” 

A pause. Another deep breath.

“For both of our sakes, I’ve been thinking,” Percy continued, “of dropping this whole image of the trouble-loving, reckless young wizard that I somehow have going on—for Merlin knows why—if it means you’re not put in harm’s way again.” There was a pointed decisiveness in his tone. “I’m gonna turn over a new leaf for good this time.”

What? Guilt spiked in Jason’s chest. Even if he ultimately wanted Percy to heed his own advice, he never wanted him to change as a person. That wouldn’t be fair. “Why? You’re fine the way you are, Percy.”

“I’d be inclined to agree if I hadn’t been such a bad influence on you,” Percy muttered, voice laden with regret. Jason detested listening to it. He had to say something, make it stop somehow. “I thought it’d be okay to let loose around you in the beginning, since you’d always been so principled. I didn’t know the effect that I’d have on you. Having you suffer grave injuries for my sake was the furthest thing from my mind.”

“And that’s on me. You’re not responsible for something I decided on my own.”

“I’m still responsible for being a bad influence.”

Really now. “I am perfectly capable of deciding what’s good and bad for myself, alright?”

“Merlin, you’re a stubborn one!” Percy sputtered in exasperation.

“They say birds of a feather flock together,” Jason shot back. “So I could say the same to you.”

“I have to do it, Jason. I can’t depend on others to keep me in line all the time. Even Annabeth, my closest friend since I was eleven, couldn’t really manage that. It’s something that I need to do on my own.” His hand travelled upwards to card through Jason’s hair once again. It took a bit of effort for Jason to not let his eyes close and hum in pleasure at the way Percy’s nails gently raked against his scalp. 

Belatedly, he had a feeling that this wasn’t really what it was. “Percy—”

“Before I knew it, we’re becoming too much like each other. It shouldn’t have been a bad thing, until things ended up this way. This has to be a lesson for me.” Percy must’ve seen the bewilderment in Jason’s face when he said it, because he pressed on, “I want to do it, baby.”

And there they were, his puppy eyes. So lethal when combined with that pet name.

“Fine,” Jason relented. “You can do anything you want. I won’t stop you.” He took a deep breath. “And I owe you an apology. I’m really sorry I made you feel that way.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“But,” Jason continued, injecting as much sincerity as he could in his voice. “I need you to understand this, at least: I fell for you because of how free you are as a person, Percy. How unapologetic you are in staying true to yourself. How unrestrained you are against everything. The last thing I ever want is to stifle you from being yourself.”

“You were never stifling, Jason,” Percy said with a shake of his head. The downward curve of his eyebrows looked so sad, Jason’s heart clenched at the sight. He reached out to smoothen the crease in between with his index finger. Thankfully, it relented rather quickly. “You’ve only been looking out for me, haven’t you? I never wanted you to stop doing that either. It’s time for me to be mindful about you too.”

“And you’ve always been. I let you push me around because I wanted you to. Because I had so much fun with you. And even if you did change back then—held yourself back from being who you were—just for my sake,” Jason decided with an air of finality, “the outcome of the match wouldn’t have been any different.”

He tried not to relish too much in the surge of pride rushing through his veins at the way Percy gawked at his reply. Really, his boyfriend had severely underestimated how far his stubbornness could go.

“That isn’t to say I’ll brush off your worries and concerns, darling,” he clarified in reassurance. “More than anybody else, I get it. It nearly killed me too, back when I crashed into you.”

“Then, how do I stop you from doing the same stupid things I do?”

“You only have to ask! Provided you listen when I ask you the same,” he offered, not wanting to drag this pointless back-and-forth any further. “More than we already do, let’s look out for each other. You said we’re becoming too much like each other, didn’t you? I refuse to think that’s a bad thing. Let’s learn how to navigate around this new change instead. Learn how to decide what’s best for us, together.”

Percy hesitated for a bit afterwards, taking the time to mull over Jason’s suggestion. His lips were pursed and bitten this way and that, the cracked skin blooming red, as he fought an internal war with himself. Jason waited on patiently. He’d wait for eternity if it’d get Percy to understand.

Much to his relief, Percy finally conceded. “Can’t say it’s a bad idea. I’ll learn to be more careful, and you’ll learn to let loose more.” He raised a warning index finger and warned, “But no more suicidal moves, alright?”

“Yep, just like that,” Jason said, nodding vigorously. He’d still jump into literal hellfire if it’d make Percy happy, but at that moment, it was enough. “Tell me what I should do, and I’ll tell you the same, without holding back from being ourselves. We’re a team, you and I.”

“A team…” Percy said carefully, as if testing the roll of it on his tongue. “I love that.”

“And I’d love it if you could return to your lessons, Mr Jackson,” Madam Pomfrey interrupted. “As healthy as communication between young couples are, the Hospital Wing is hardly the appropriate place for it.” She placed a tray of breakfast on Jason’s lap before informing him, “You may leave after eating your meal, Mr Grace. If you need more rest, I can write your Professors a note for you to take the day off.”

“I have a free period now, ma’am,” Percy said. The matron raised a suspicious eyebrow, but forwent questioning him any further. After Jason confirmed that he didn’t need anything else and thanked her for her care, she briskly left with a single nod.

As soon as she disappeared into her office, Percy took the bowl of porridge on the tray before Jason could even reach out for it. He stirred the porridge thoroughly, then blew on a spoonful, before promptly feeding Jason with a careful hand. 

Jason’s heart couldn’t help but melt at the way Percy fed him. His eyebrows would furrow in concentration as he meticulously cut the diced chicken into smaller bits. He’d make sure he got all the veggies in the spoon as he scooped the porridge. He’d even wipe the corner of Jason’s mouth with a thumb when a little bit of rice would stick on it. All of it was so charming, Jason couldn’t hide his own smile.

After about five spoonfuls, Jason said a little too late, “You know I can feed myself, right?”

“Shut up, you love it,” Percy replied, not that he’d ever let him in the first place. Jason chuckled around the spoon, allowing himself to be pampered for once. 

Though he’d always preferred the one at the dorm for better privacy, Jason would sometimes go for a soak at the Prefects’ Bathroom as a treat. When the stress of his many responsibilities accumulated into a throbbing headache and knots twisting painfully in his muscles, he’d make the trip to the fifth floor with the hope that the gigantic bathtub filled with scented water, cotton-soft foam and multicoloured bubbles would help.

Today was one such occasion, a week after his discharge. When he was submerged in the tub, nude and content, the tension in his shoulders slowly dissipating like the steam rising above the water, the last person he’d thought he’d be seeing was the Slytherin’s team Captain.

“Hullo,” a gruff voice greeted him. Jason cracked his eyes open and saw Nakamura clad in a bathrobe, face unreadable as he regarded the bubbly surface of the shimmering bathwater.

“Hello, Nakamura.”

“Mind if I join you?” 

Out of all the possibilities that could have arisen when you put the two of them in a room together, this was the last thing Jason had expected.

“…Not at all.”

At his acquiescence, Nakamura’s bathrobe dropped in an unceremonious bundle on the tiled floor. He had a rather fit body, Jason couldn’t help but observe. Percy is fitter for sure, his mind provided unprompted, and he tamped down a silly smile at the thought. He’s so in love with his boyfriend, no other men could ever hope to compare. 

He respectfully averted his gaze when Nakamura stepped into the water without bothering to cover his nether regions. Silence hung in the air for a while, barring the sounds of running water and popping bubbles. Then, just when Jason was about to climb out from the awkwardness, Nakamura asked, “Everything’s alright with Jackson?”

“Yeah.”

Sensing Jason’s slight discomfort, Nakamura said with a pointedly casual air, “They say one of the ways men could learn about each other better is when they’re naked together.”

Jason moved two steps away from him. The mermaid in the stained glass window let out a soft giggle. “Is that a proposition?”

“Merlin, no. I don’t want Jackson to murder me in my sleep.” 

“Alright.”

Another bout of silence enveloped the flowery air once more. Before Jason could wonder if he should continue the stilted conversation, Nakamura spoke up once again, with a hint of determination in his tone: “Look, I’m sorry about everything that happened back then.”

“This is the second time you apologised. I’ve already forgiven you, haven’t I?”

“I know,” Nakamura said, sinking lower into the water. “Thank you for that. Something feels off inside me still…Maybe it’s because I’ve never really gotten Jackson’s forgiveness.”

“You can try harder, then,” Jason suggested.

“Not when he treats me like I’m just the passing wind every time. Besides, I’m fine with him not wanting anything to do with me anymore.”

“Are you sure?” Jason questioned. “You used to be friends, weren’t you? I never wanted to be in the way of that.”

“It makes it easier to move on,” Nakamura said, folding his arms over his chest. Jason was a little confused by the statement, but he decided to keep quiet. There was another long pause as Nakamura visibly hesitated. Then, completely out of the blue, he said, “Not that this will threaten your relationship in any way, but I’d like to confess something. Get this thing off my chest once and for all.”

To say Jason felt perplexed was putting it mildly. “Be my guest.”

“I was jealous when I acted out the other day. I knew I never had a chance, but I was so pissed with everything that I did it anyway.”

“Jealous of whom?” Jason carefully asked.

“Of you, obviously. I fancied Jackson for quite a while then.”

…Oh.

Unaware, or uncaring, of Jason’s inner turmoil, Nakamura pressed on, “I thought I could get over it, since I never had the bollocks to confess, nor the effort to pursue him seriously, but seeing how close both of you’d gotten in such a short time, how easily you talked to him, how much he smiled around you, there was this ugly feeling tearing at my chest that’d pushed me to act the way I did. It was horrible, as you’d seen it. I’m still ashamed of it, and it cost me whatever goodwill Jackson had left for me, so in the end…yeah.”

“You can still salvage it, you know?” Jason pointed out. Instead of whatever feeling he’s supposed to harbour for the bloke, Jason only felt pity. It’s a shame that Nakamura had to hurt this much over some childish squabble, and he had regretted it in the end, hadn’t he? At the very least, he didn’t deserve Percy’s endless animosity. “This is your final year together. Merlin knows when you’ll see each other again. I’ll talk to Percy later, alright?”

“You’re not threatened?”

Jason swallowed the scoff building in his throat. Percy's beyond head over heels for him. Case in point: no one had ever managed to score Percy during the long six years he'd harboured a crush on Jason. It’d take a lot more for Jason to feel the slightest bit threatened.

“Not at all,” he said, and because he’s not petty, he only smiled kindly at Nakamura. “It’s worth a shot, don’t you think?”

It took the other boy a while to respond, and when Jason was sure the rest of his stay would only be filled with the eerie, mystical sounds of the bathroom at night, he saw Nakamura give him a ghost of a nod.

The rest of the school year passed by in a blur. With the conclusion of their match against Hufflepuff, the only notable event awaiting Jason was his finals. For Percy, he still had his last match of the season against Ravenclaw, and would then dive headfirst into N.E.W.T.s.

Perhaps it’s because Ravenclaw was intrinsically such a studious bunch, having the last match so close to the final exams had ultimately spelled their doom. They were very reserved and dispirited in their play, as if wanting nothing more than to get the match over and done with so they could return to their revisions. Meanwhile, the Slytherins were being their usual slippery, cunning selves, playing with as much vigour as they did in any other matches, thus drawing the match to a close with a whopping 250-50 to their name.

N.E.W.T.s was notoriously faithful to its name, but Jason wasn’t that worried for Percy. And when his boyfriend had exited the examination hall for his final paper with a dopey grin, Jason instantly knew that things had gone swimmingly. It wasn’t at all a surprise; Percy was very smart. Had the world decided to not inhibit him with ADHD and dyslexia, he’d probably be considered one of the smartest seventh-years by the whole school (and he actually was, according to Jason’s unbiased observation. He’s just a victim of his unfair circumstance). And with Jason helping him revise past syllabi (complemented with the occasional good luck kisses), having a bona fide genius as his best friend, and the Professors sensibly accommodating his neurodivergence, Percy was confident he’d pass all of his papers.

In the end, the Inter-house Quidditch Cup was awarded to Gryffindor as the champion, followed by Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Considering the rather tame final match, you could say it was a rather anticlimactic end to the season, but Jason believed he had enough surprises, and accidents, to last a lifetime.

“And now we wait until Gryffindor wins the House Cup,” Percy sighed, feigning a bored yawn.

“You guys still have a chance,” Jason remarked courteously, even though Clarisse would’ve had his head if she heard that. “All teams sans Ravenclaw only have one loss each, so it’s all up in the air now.”

“Well, someone’s forgotten he docked a whopping 90 points from my Captain just to protect me.”

“Oh,” Jason replied, feeling a little sheepish. “That had to be done. Sorry.”

“Merlin, what a time. I was on my wits’ end when you still wouldn’t budge while Nakamura was about to hex your handsome face off.” A shudder rippled through Percy’s body as he reminisced. Fixing Jason a meaningful stare, he warned, “Don’t ever try to do that again.”

Well, Jason wouldn’t make a promise he can’t keep. “I can take a hex or two for you, darling. It’s not a big deal.”

“It would be once I committed bloody murder afterwards, wouldn’t it?”

Jason felt his eyebrows rise when Percy’s words struck a realisation within. “Piper’s right. We really are dramatic.”

“Embarrassingly so, though I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Percy replied cheerily. He took Jason’s hand and led him away from the noticeboard where the final ranking for the season was tacked onto. “Let’s go to the Hall and get you that Cup.”

In the blink of an eye, the school year came to a quiet close. Before Jason felt the slightest bit ready, he found himself sitting in the Great Hall for the End-of-Term Feast, dressed smartly in his school robes. The Hall was bedecked with decorations of red and gold to signify Gryffindor’s overall victory, and the air was electric with the students’ excitement for the summer hols, and joy over surviving yet another tough school year. 

For some reason, it was mostly sombreness that filled the void in Jason’s heart. Even the usual rowdiness of his triumphant housemates, that’d been so infectious in previous years, didn’t quite manage to overpower it. Trying to find a remedy, he glanced at Percy’s usual spot at the Slytherin’s table, but his boyfriend was nowhere to be found. 

“Gryffindor wins the House Cup once again. Another year, another clichéd ending.” Suddenly, before Jason could even wonder where he’d gone, Percy appeared on his other side, his words lined with a sarcastic edge. “I’d complain more if it wasn’t for my baby here.”

“There you are,” Jason sighed in relief, voice all melty. With no effort to spare, Percy’s returning grin pierced through the grimness within, replacing it with incomparable warmth. Without fail, just like the sun.

“Go back to your seat, Jackson,” Piper complained.

“Lay off me, McLean. It’s my final feast in this school,” Percy retorted with a roll of his eyes. He squeezed into the nonexistent space between Jason and Piper to invade their table, ever oblivious to the other Gryffindors’ annoyance from his presence. Jason shared none of his housemates’ sentiment, leaning against Percy when his boyfriend wrapped an arm around his waist, promptly resting his head on those soft black curls.

Drink up, his conscience said, as they dug in after the Headmistress’ lengthy speech. Relish in his wonderful presence for as long as you can, before you inevitably part ways tomorrow.

“Congratulations for winning the Cup, baby,” Percy said as he munched on a crispy drumstick. He was eating with only one hand, his other arm unwilling to part with Jason’s body. Jason had to wipe the food on the corner of Percy’s mouth more times than he could count.

“Thank you, darling. It’s our win; I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Chuckling fondly, Percy sneaked an oily kiss to his cheek. He couldn’t even find it in himself to feel disgusted, nor feel the will to wipe the grease off his cheek, too enamored by everything Percy.

“Sit on the train with me?” Percy asked when the buzzing atmosphere in the Hall slowed down to a steady murmur, as the rest of the students finished up to prepare for bed on their final night of the semester.

Jason sipped the last drops of his sparkling water. “You didn’t even have to ask.”

“Let’s celebrate your birthday together. Just the two of us, in our own private compartment. We’ll buy every single kind of sweet off the trolley for our own little birthday party, gobble them up before we reach King’s Cross, then spend the rest of the way snogging to our heart’s content.”

That sounded like a really lovely idea. Jason told him so.

“You wish, Jackson,” Piper piped up. “You can’t just have him all to yourself on his birthday! His seventeenth one at that! He’s our best friend first and foremost, and we reserve the right to throw him a birthday bash tomorrow.”

“We’ll be dropping by anytime,” Leo warned, somehow ending up dining at the Gryffindor table too. “You better be decent when we do.”

“Fine,” Percy acquiesced, grumbling. “I’ll give you lot half an hour at most, then I’m gonna start snogging him no matter what happens.”

The rest of the evening passed just like that, to the lilting of sophisticated toad music, the soft clinking of cutleries and the wonderful sounds of his friends’ bickering and laughing together. Sparing his best efforts, Jason made it a mission to commit them to memory. His best friends would still be there with him next year, sure, but Percy had added so much colour into his life as a student, he wasn’t sure if school would be quite the same in his boyfriend’s absence. 

When Percy kissed him good night after walking him back to the Tower, before playfully warning him to have a good night’s sleep so they could go all out tomorrow, Jason could only pray to the stars that he could heed his advice. When the dreaded day that’d been plaguing his mind for so long would be arriving tomorrow, he’s not sure if he could sleep a wink, after all.

***

King’s Cross was as bustling with people as ever when the Hogwarts Express pulled into Platform 9 ¾. Percy used to relish in this lively atmosphere every end of the school year. It meant he was getting closer to home, and to his beloved Mum, Paul and now his loveliest baby sister Estelle. 

Today was a little different. 

Though he’s still excited to return to his family, there was this foreign yet familiar sensation of dread tugging at his heart all the same. Perhaps it’s because it’s the last time he’d experience all of this delightful commotion; of goodbyes with the promise of future reunions at Hogwarts. Perhaps it’s also because he’d be leaving Jason behind as he made his first foray into adulthood alone, and only Merlin knew how much he detested the very idea.

Saying his farewells to his classmates was easy. With his close friends, like Annabeth and Rachel, it was a little less so. There were some shedding of tears when they bidded each other goodbyes, but it was mostly due to pride and joy that they made it until the very end together.

With Jason, it was the most difficult. 

A mere year of friendship, and barely a year of a relationship, hardly justified long periods of separation. At Hogwarts, not seeing Jason longer than a few hours was difficult, his boyfriend being the highlight of his day as it was. Now that the chapter of his life as a student had come to a close, Percy wasn’t sure if he could survive not seeing Jason for weeks, if not months.

Hence why there wasn’t a better time than this one. To say the words he’d been holding in time and time again, despite wanting nothing more than to utter it at the first instance Jason had reciprocated his feelings. The sacred three words, ones he believed he’d have a hard time saying when the time comes. 

(For they meant the irreversible. For they meant forever.)

Hands jittery on the handle of his trolley, he halted on his tracks to face Jason beside him. His boyfriend followed his lead and returned his stare with a curious look, probably wondering why he’d stopped so suddenly. A tiny smile tugged at his scarred lips, always so fond at every single one of Percy’s quirks.

In the end, it’s surprising how easy it was to say it, considering everything. Though his heart pounded against his ribs, and his breathing cut itself short, the words uttered by his lips were steady and sure. Perhaps because it’s merely the truth, and Percy had never found it hard to bare his heart to Jason.

“I love you, Jason."

Upon hearing the words, a tiny gasp escaped Jason’s lips. His chest visibly hitched. His eyes widened as a rosy glow bloomed in his cheeks, like pink roses unfurling their petals at the beckoning of late spring. His mouth slightly parted in reply, his lower lip quivered, but he was silent for a few infuriating moments, only looking at Percy like he’d only seen him for the very first time.

Percy’s heart gradually inched towards the earth the longer Jason stayed still, and he was about to blurt something, anything, just to salvage the moment, when his boyfriend came to his rescue by crowding his space to kiss him deeply on the lips. 

"Here I am, cowardly thinking if I could get away with saying it over a letter,” Jason said. His voice was so soft, Percy could almost physically feel the tenderness within. The knot that was suffocating his chest unravelled, and he felt like he could finally breathe. “You never failed to sweep me off my feet, darling. In the most inopportune of moments, in the way that’d always leave me breathless for more.”

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, and then, with the most angelic smile Percy had ever seen gracing his face, said the words Percy had wanted to hear so much it had been painful: “I love you too, Percy."

Like sunflowers basking underneath the rays of the sun, warmth bloomed in his chest, spreading all over his insides in delightful tingles. The ground disappeared underneath his feet, but instead of falling, he found himself soaring in the vast sky above, its colour stolen from the very blue of Jason’s eyes. When he closed the distance between them in a fierce hug, Jason’s arms were open and waiting. Percy wasn’t sure if he could ever bear letting go.

Futilely, he begged into the crook of Jason’s neck, “Come home with me.”

Jason’s voice was gentle against his hair, placating. “I really want to, darling. But not now. I have something to settle at home once and for all, but until then, I can’t—”

“Who says you can’t do whatever you want, kiddo?”

At the sudden sound of a woman’s voice, they broke slightly apart in surprise. Percy looked toward the source, and immediately felt like he was doused in icy water. Goosebumps prickled his skin all over. 

Thalia Grace was standing two metres away, hands on her hips in a languid posture. Her Auror robes were fashionably tailored to suit her tastes, which was to say artfully ripped and torn in places. She looked like she’d barely aged beyond seventeen, yet still appeared mature beyond her years; larger-than-life, cool as fuck, ostensibly dangerous. Her sharp face wore an amused expression as she regarded them, whose bodies were still tangled together in the middle of the crowded station, like a stone parting the sea of people.

“Hey, Jason. Happy birthday.”

“Thals!” Jason exclaimed, pleasantly surprised. He was still holding Percy tight, hands clasped behind the small of his back, uncaring of what his (terrifying) sister might think of the sight. “What are you doing here?”

“What?” Thalia deadpanned. “Can’t I be the one to pick up my baby brother once in a while?”

“What about Argus?” Jason asked.

“I sent the house a quick note telling them I’d be picking you up.” Her eyes met Percy’s in a piercing stare. The warmth of her tone dropped down by several degrees. “Long time no see, Perce. Heard you’ve been romancing my precious brother behind my back.”

“Hey—” Percy cleared his throat when his voice embarrassingly cracked. “Hey, Thalia! It’s good to see you again! A-And yeah.” He let go of Jason, and a surge of courage rushed through his chest when Jason sought his hand to grip it in reassurance. “As you’ve heard, I’m Jason’s boyfriend. We—l-love each other. So, er, I humbly ask for your blessings. And support.”

“Love?” Thalia questioned, eyebrows disappearing beneath her fashionably unruly bangs.

“Yes, Thals,” Jason confirmed in earnest. “I love him, and he loves me. In fact, I love him more than he loves me, so you know what that means.”

“Debatable,” Percy muttered out of the corner of his mouth. “I love you the most.”

“Shush, you.”

“Well, I wasn't planning to get in the way of you guys or anything,” Thalia said, mouth twisting like she’s holding back laughter. The boulder on Percy’s chest began to roll away, allowing him to breathe a bit easier. “Who am I to stop my beloved brother in his noble pursuit for happiness?” She approached them casually before stopping right before Percy. “Though we do have a private conversation waiting, you and I. For old time’s sake.”

"No threatening my boyfriend, Thals,” Jason warned.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Thalia said cheerily. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Got all your things?”

Jason gestured at his trolley in affirmative. “Yeah.” 

Thalia took a step back and turned toward her brother. “Got your farewell speech ready?”

Jason’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “How do you know I’m leaving the house?”

“What?!” Percy exclaimed. Thalia ignored him, while Jason just tightened his hold on his hand.

“Really, Jason? I’ve known you since you’re a wee little baby. More often than not I feel like I’m more of a mum than a big sister for you. Kinda fucked up when you think about it, but it’s not like we had any decent adults in our household growing up. Anyway, I digress.” 

She took Jason’s other hand to squeeze it tightly. Who knew Thalia was such a doting older sister? “You’re seventeen now, Jason. Practically and legally an adult already. No one has the right to stop you from spreading your wings and leaving the nest. And it’s not like the nest we grew up in was particularly homey, is it?”

Jason’s smile was wistful. “Yeah. I dunno if Dad and Juno would take it well, though. I—”

Thalia held up a placating hand. “That’s why your ever-so-reliable sister is here to back you up. Don’t you worry. Dad would agree because I have a very valuable bargaining chip in hand. An M.L.E. top secret one,” she explained, whispering the last sentence with a wink. “Juno would too, because as much as she is an ugly old bat, she’s always had a soft spot for you. Everything’s gonna be fine.”

His face glowing with gratitude, Jason let go of Percy’s hand to wrap her in a hug that she returned just as fiercely. When they released each other, Thalia said, “You still owe me two more, but that can wait. Now,” she glanced at Percy with a ghost of a smirk, “say your goodbyes.”

It took him quite some effort to toss away the terrifying feeling that separation brought. In the back of his mind, anxiety and fear were constantly clawing at his consciousness, translating themselves into embarrassing trembles evident in his fingers. Try as he might to cover his shakiness, unsurprisingly, Jason’s embrace did the trick.

“I have to drop by my parents’ for a bit, then I wager I’d be staying at Thalia’s until I get my own place,” Jason murmured against his cheek, his voice soothing as a balm.

“Which won’t be for another year, at least,” Thalia piped up from the side.

“I thought it’d take me a while to convince them to let me go—not that I wouldn’t leave if they ever tried to stop me—but I have a feeling it won't take much time at all now that I have Thalia by my side. So, I’ll see you soon, okay?” Jason continued, before planting a kiss on his lips.

“Yeah, okay,” Percy said, voice wavering, still dreading the prospect of his boyfriend leaving.

“I’ll see you very soon, darling. Next week at the earliest.” Another kiss, a touch deeper this time, like Jason wanted to sear the feel of his lips in Percy’s mind. “Okay?”

“Okay!” Percy said, eyes now watering against his will, mouth forming a shaky smile. “See you soon, baby. I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too,” Jason replied with his own watery smile, his eyes twinkling from both mirth and tears. “I’ll owl you as soon as I get the chance. I love you.”

This time, Percy’s the one who initiated the kiss. The rest of the week seemed so gloomy now when he realised he’d be Jason-deprived for days, if not weeks. Ignoring the heavy feeling in his chest, he mustered a grin when they parted. “I love you too!”

It took every ounce of his willpower to finally let go. Every single cell in his body screamed for anything but. When Jason walked away, tailing Thalia toward the exit of the station, eyes still locked onto Percy’s as if he couldn’t bear looking away, only the promise of their coming reunion had held him back from chasing after. 

Despite everything, Percy’s not about to see his boyfriend off without a smile and an enthusiastic wave. This goodbye, after all, would not last forever. He waved with as much vigour as he could muster, grinning wildly like it’d only be tomorrow when they see each other again, just like back in Hogwarts. Jason waved back with the same enthusiasm, walking backwards like he couldn’t care of tripping over his feet or running into anybody, keeping at it until he finally disappeared from sight. 

When the tiny precious dot disappeared around a corner, buried underneath the throngs of people going to and fro under the summery London sun, Percy swallowed the grief in his chest and took out his cellphone, now functioning outside of the castle’s magical confines. 

“Hi, Mum.” He rubbed his nose to suppress a sniffle. “Yeah, I’m here.”

Crack. The familiar explosive sound of Apparition went off ten metres away from Percy. He was sitting on a bench near a park right behind the row of houses where his family home was located, waiting for Jason’s arrival exactly two weeks after their last meeting at King’s Cross. It was a little later than noon on a weekday, so the park was practically devoid of any Muggle at this time of the day.

Apparently, everything had gone smoothly on Jason’s side of things. According to his latest letter, Thalia’s bargaining chip didn’t really see much use, for Jupiter Grace hadn’t really planned on stopping his only son from his shot at independence. He couldn’t care less about keeping their façade of the ideal pure-blood family now that all his kids were adults. His stepmum had even shed a few tears and made Jason promise to have tea with her at least once every few weeks, a fate Thalia was grateful to have escaped. Most importantly, Jason had moved out of his childhood home without a hitch, and Percy was all too eager to have him in his arms again.

Glancing toward the source of the noise, he was greeted by the sight of a wobbly Jason hanging onto a steadier Thalia, his hand tightly gripping the handle of a leather suitcase. Perched on Jason’s lovely Roman nose was a brand new pair of square glasses, the metallic gold of the frames glinting underneath the sunlight. He was dressed comfortably in a simple white tee and a pair of jeans. His usually perfect hair was a little mussed in places, complementing his disoriented face from the Side-Along Apparition. When he finally noticed Percy in the periphery of his vision, his face broke into a grin so radiant it punched the air out of Percy’s lungs.

“Baby!” Percy gushed, all but leaping into Jason’s waiting arms.

“Surprise!” Jason said, laughing as Percy’s lips latched onto his like no tomorrow. “How do I look?”

You look like someone I’d marry in a heartbeat. The man I’d be with forever. In fact, I would’ve dropped down on my knee this instant if I had a ring on me. Maybe because it’d been so long since he last saw Jason’s wonderful form, even he was aware of how sickeningly besotted he sounded. “Even more beautiful than the last time I saw you. How is that possible?”

“Oh, darling,” Jason said, tucking his chin bashfully. “You just stole my line for you.”

Percy tilted his head expectantly, and Jason indulged him with another sweet kiss. Oh, how he’d missed the plushness of Jason’s lips. The delicate taste of peppermint humbugs on the tip of his tongue. The gentle warmth of his breath against Percy’s cheek. Everything about him checked the list of reasons why Percy thought Jason should never take his lips off his again, and really, he shouldn’t at all if it’s possible.

“Seriously, though,” Jason said as soon as their mouths broke apart again. The immediate sense of loss made Percy’s stomach squirm unpleasantly. “It’s great that I’m wearing glasses now. I can actually look at your pretty face without having to squint like a weirdo.”

“Damn, it’s like I’m not even here,” Thalia deadpanned.

“Thalia!” Percy greeted sheepishly. “Would you like to drop by our place for a bit? Mum can fix you a pot of tea.”

“Thanks, but it’s alright. I’m still on the clock, after all,” she said, tone a little too flippant for someone sneaking off work. Then, completely out of the blue, and absolutely expected of an overprotective sibling, she warned, “I better not see even a strand of his hair misplaced when I see him again, Jackson, lest you’ll receive the honour of rehashing my splendid work on Dylan in my seventh year.”

A flashback crossed Percy’s mind, of the bloke struggling to carry his watermelon-sized nose to the Hospital Wing after Thalia was done with him. While the prick had deserved it, Percy couldn’t imagine doing anything that’d warrant the same. Jason, as if agreeing, sighed, “Thalia, stop embarrassing me.”

“Just doing my job, kiddo,” Thalia said with a smirk. “Besides, I like having the upper hand over Percy Jackson sometimes. Watching him squirming uncomfortably for once is pretty fun.”

“You wish,” Percy said good-naturedly, throwing her a cheeky grin. “Can’t have myself looking lame in front of my boyfriend, can I?”

He chanced a glance at Jason, just to see him already looking back. A helpless, fond smile was tugging at his lips, stretching his cute scar by a tiny margin. At the receiving end of such a loving look, handling Thalia Grace, menace extraordinaire, felt like a walk in the park.

“Well, try harder,” Thalia snorted. She held out a fist expectantly, and it took Percy a second too long to realise he’s supposed to return her fist bump. After sharing one last hug with her brother, ruffling his hair (“Thals!” Jason grumbled) while she’s at it, Thalia gave them a salute before Disapparating with another ear-popping crack.

***

“Sorry to have you walk all the way to my place. Our Floo Network is private, you see, since Mum didn’t wanna risk Estelle’s safety. You never know who’d accidentally pop in these days.”

“It’s fine!” Jason reassured him. “Honestly, I’m glad I could have some alone time with you before I meet them.”

Percy nudged him playfully. “Nervous?”

“A bit,” Jason replied with a sheepish chuckle.

“Well, there’s nothing to worry about. They already love you.”

By the time Percy said that, they'd finally arrived at the Jackson-Blofis’ front gates. It was a quaint little place that seemed far more lived-in than the gigantic mansion Jason had stayed for most of his life. The front lawn was occupied by a tiny garden where flowers and herbs of every kind flourished, adding colour to the beige walls of the house. The door was of handsome teakwood, decorated with the house number on a brass plate right on its middle. When Percy unlocked the door with a tap of his wand, it gave off a satisfying click, before opening to reveal a very massive hellhound.

“Huh,” Percy said, amused. “Looks like you’re meeting Mrs O’Leary first.”

Mrs. O’Leary, despite her sheer size and resemblance to the Grim, turned out to be a really sweet girl. Jason’s face was full of affectionate drool by the time she let him go. After cleaning himself with a quick Scourgify, he was led out of the hallway and into the living room where Percy’s mum was waiting.

“Mum,” Percy greeted, arms spread in an exaggerated, grandiose gesture. His face was shining with pure, unadulterated excitement, as if he was one of those play-pretend Muggle magicians doing a grand reveal. “Meet the Boyfriend: Jason Grace.”

“Hello, Ms Jackson,” Jason said politely. His hands hung stiffly on his sides; a little too shy to keep up with Percy’s pace. “Nice to meet you.”

“Hello, Jason! Please, just call me Sally.” She pulled him into a warm hug before leaning back to cup his face in her palms. “Oh, I’ve heard so much about you. You’re even more handsome in person!”

“Thank you,” Jason said, cheeks heating up. “You’re very beautiful in person too, Sally,” he replied honestly, earning a beam of approval from Percy.

This close to her face, he could somehow pick apart the resemblance and differences between mother and son in more clarity. In terms of mere appearance, Percy must’ve taken after his dad a lot more. However, from the curve of their smiles, to the way their eyes glint, to the gentle warmth and defined resilience emitting from both of them, Jason could also recognise the one that actually raised Percy and gave him the best life there was to give.

After turning his head this way and that, Sally concluded, “I can see why Percy is so smitten. Can’t believe he scored such a stunner!”

“Mum,” Percy said, not looking at all serious. “He scored me.”

“Oh, but of course. Let’s pretend those lovesick letters and whiny Floo calls from you were nothing more than a fever dream,” Sally said, smiling knowingly at her son. Percy rolled his eyes fondly in return. “You boys go and have lunch in the kitchen. I need to do some shopping for a bit, so make yourself at home, alright?” With a flick of her wand, Jason’s luggage flew up the stairs presumably to the room he’d be staying in. 

Once Sally left, Percy dragged him to the kitchen next. He was then treated to the best meal he’d ever eaten in his entire sorry life. It was a notion he’d once thought as impossible after years of partaking in Hogwarts’ feasts. Now, as he held back from literally wolfing down the food on his plate, he believed those couldn’t hold a candle to this. From the magic she created on her stove and in her oven, Sally’s hands were surely crafted by the gods.

“You’re moaning,” Percy quipped after Jason emitted a sound he’d never thought he could make while he polished off his plate of toad-in-a-hole. “Not that I was expecting any less.”

“I’m staying in this kitchen forever.”

“No, you’re not,” Percy said, so dismissively, so uncaring of Jason’s feelings, so privileged to have access to this heaven for most of his life. Jason could almost cry, ready to square off against his boyfriend if he ever dared to remove him from his seat. Miraculously, Percy somehow managed to suggest something better. 

“We’re going to my room next.”

As he laid on his side on Percy’s bed, thoroughly smothered in Percy’s bewitching scent of summertime seaside, Jason’s heart was performing a complicated dance routine to reflect his nervousness-cum-excitement. Percy was facing him in the same position, sparing barely an inch between the two of them. His breath was warm against Jason’s face. His lips were in Jason’s favourite shape: a tiny, contented smile.

As it turned out, he’d be sleeping in his boyfriend’s room for the rest of his stay; a decision vetoed by Percy, who voluntarily became his mouthpiece when Sally had brought up the guest bedroom. 

Percy’s bed was readily Engorged to become queen-sized to fit both of them before Jason’s arrival. Taking a quick look around before he’s pulled into the bed by his overexcited boyfriend, the room was typically that of an average young adult’s while simultaneously screaming Percy all over and in every corner. For one, the colour of his room was predominantly blue. Everything was in a homey clutter that exuded a laid-back atmosphere. The decor consisted of a miscellany of items that reflected his interests, like the poster of the Seeker for Puddlemere United, Charles Beckendorf, and the gorgeously painted aquatic life swimming across the walls.

“Rachel gave the walls a makeover when she came over, then Annabeth performed some complicated spells to make them animated,” Percy explained when Jason stared at one corner of the room a little too long, entranced by the gentle swishing of the painted seaweed. A seal pup was playing hide and seek amongst its tendrils.

“Your room is stunning. It feels like we’re underwater.”

“Sorry I couldn’t share the same enthusiasm, Jason,” Percy deadpanned. “We currently have more important things to pay attention to. Like us.” 

The mattress creaked a little as Percy shifted closer until they’re nose to nose. His finger traced against the rim of Jason’s glasses, green eyes full of wonder, like to him, an average bespectacled boy was an incredible sight to behold.

“It’s our first time in bed together,” he commented, after a minute of silence.

“How do you feel?” Jason asked. Before acknowledging his own, he thought knowing Percy’s feelings would help ease the nerves buzzing underneath his skin.

“Nervous. Excited. But mostly so damn happy.”

“Yeah?” Jason said, no longer able to contain his own grin. He placed a careful hand on Percy’s arm, relishing in that familiar body heat that he could now feel so vividly seeping into his skin. “Well, I’m essentially the same.”

“Finally,” Percy sighed, like this was everything he ever wished for his entire life.

“Finally,” Jason agreed.

A pause. Then, Percy asked, a little too carefully, a lot more hopefully, “Are you perhaps, erm, amenable to do…naughty things in this bed together?”

A giggle escaped Jason’s lips. Jokingly, he asked back, “Hm…What sort of naughty things?”

“The ones that involve…” Somehow, Percy managed to shift even closer, until there’s no more space in between them. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration, as if he couldn’t miss Jason’s reaction when he said it. As he spoke, Jason could the flutter of his lips against his own, his voice dwindling to a whisper. “…our naughty bits.”

With that, Jason burst into laughter. It was the way Percy had said it so earnestly, so carefully—like it was the most scandalous thing that had ever come out of his mouth, despite his penchant for dirty talking—that tickled Jason’s funny bone right. As he studied Jason’s amused face, Percy’s grin grew larger and larger, before he’s also reduced into barely contained snickers.

“Y-Yeah,” Jason said once he could breathe a little easier again, in a stage whisper to imitate Percy. “I am amenable to that. But not now, sorry.” He patted his slightly bulging stomach, vaguely feeling like a pregnant person with how much he’d eaten. “I still feel so full.”

“No problem. My prick can wait.”

Another bout of giggles escaped his lips. It felt a little stupid how giddy he was about it, but he also found himself not caring less for feeling so. “Looking forward to it.”

“I think it feels the same. Can we snog now, though?”

“Pardon my sausage breath,” Jason said, before catching those chapped lips in a passionate kiss.

They spent the rest of the afternoon entangled with each other, just talking. It’s nice, sharing this moment of mundanity together after the whirlwind that was the last school year. No classes to rush to, no N.E.W.T.s to study for (yet, in Jason’s case), just taking their own time basking in each other’s delightful presence.

“Dad wasn’t easy to deal with most of the time,” Jason was saying, when Percy had asked him about his departure from his childhood home. “He’s always away for work and stuff, but I wasn’t really free to do whatever I wanted even in his absence. Things got harder when Thalia left; it was left to me to become the perfect heir. The one to carry on the Graces’ name for the rest of his life.”

“How did you convince him to let you go?”

“Well, it’s not really a matter of convincing. I just told him the truth, about who I really am and what I really want.” Which was to say, that he’s gay and has a boyfriend. Apparently, those were enough to seal the deal. “He questioned me a few things afterwards: if I’m really sure I want to cut ties with him for good, and if I’m ready to start anew without his support. Kind enough to give me a final offer too, if I ever wanted to change my mind at the last second.”

“That’s horrible, fuck,” Percy seethed.

“Well, that’s just how Dad is,” Jason said wistfully. “To him, the family’s good name comes before all. It made leaving a lot easier. When he told me to just do whatever I want, it was the best outcome I could’ve ever hoped for. I was ready to fight if he ever insisted that I stay and play the role I was given since birth. I was ready to lose everything if it meant I could be with you.”

Percy’s jaw was trembling slightly from poorly disguised indignation. “Should’ve caught the ride with you when I had the chance.”

Jason caressed that defined jawline with a careful hand, relishing the way Percy leaned into his palm. With his coaxing touch, the trembling subsided. “I know you have more guts than the average Gryffindor, but my dad’s not someone to be trifled with. The reach of his influence within our community is nearly unmatched. If he wills it, he could take anyone out without lifting a finger. The last thing I need is for him to make an enemy of you.” Chills ran down his spine as he unwittingly imagined the worst. “Besides, Thalia was there.”

“I still wish I could’ve done something,” Percy insisted. “I’m over the moon that you’re here, but I wish I could’ve done more to help.”

“You’ve done enough just by being here, darling.” And it was the simple, ultimate truth. Percy was the reason he finally had something to fight for. To be who he truly was. “This is why I’m here, and I wouldn’t trade this for anything else.”

The comfortable rhythm of their conversation carried all the way to the evening. Afterwards, Jason had the pleasure of meeting Percy’s baby half-sister, Estelle, when they ran into Mr Blofis on the way downstairs. Having just woken up from a nap, she was a bundle of pure joy comfortably nestled in her dad’s arms, eyes shining in curiosity at the sight of her big brother and the tall stranger next to him.

“A friend from your magic school?” Mr Blofis asked in greeting, already reaching out for a handshake.

Jason introduced himself as Percy’s boyfriend. The grip of Mr Blofis’ hand was firm around his own. “Nice to meet you, Mr Blofis.”

“Likewise, son. Just call me Paul.”

Not letting her presence go unnoticed, Estelled let out a high-pitched squeal. For someone who’s only a few months old, she seemed to exude infinite energy.

“Oh, hello there!” Jason greeted in a sing-song voice. Delighted, she let out another squeal as if saying hello back. Her chubby hands reached out to him, and when he offered a finger, she immediately wrapped her tiny palm around it.

“She likes you,” Percy and Paul said simultaneously.

Pleased, Jason cooed, “Awh, I like you too!” which was a little bit of a lie because he outright adored her. “I’m your big brother’s boyfriend. Nice to meet you!”

She gurgled and squeaked in reply, happy drools running down her round chin. In a squeaky voice, Percy translated, “Nice to meet you too!” and Jason thought that was the cutest thing in the world.

Dinner was a pleasant affair, though melancholy prickled at Jason’s heart all the same. After all, it’s the first time he’s having a meal with a family that treated him like their own. It was so familiar yet so alien all at once, like he’d simultaneously returned home and arrived at an entirely new world. As a result, he’s rather stiff in the beginning, struggling to find the appropriate angle from which he could insert himself into the lively conversation. The Jackson-Blofis clan, being the gracious hosts that they were, made sure he felt right at home.

“So you’re going to be a professional athlete once you finish school?” Paul asked, as the crooning voice of Celestina Warbeck warbled in the background.

“Yes. I’ll be attending a training camp this summer at Montrose.”

“That’s pretty far away,” Paul noted, though distance didn’t really mean anything when it came to magic. Just by taking a Portkey would bring Jason directly to the campsite in an instant, which was very convenient.

Estelle was on her dad’s lap, her large, round eyes barely moving away from Jason. When he would acknowledge her at times with a smile or a cooing, she would emit a bubbly laugh before resuming her staring, like he’s the most interesting thing she’d ever seen.

“She’s smitten. Like brother, like sister. One look at you and everything else disappears,” Percy commented with a pleased grin, passing Jason another slice of the carrot cake that put all other carrot cakes in the world to shame.

“Well, she does have an eye for good people,” Sally added good-naturedly. “That means we have nothing to worry about.”

“I can take care of myself, thank you.”

“I know that, love,” Sally said. “I was actually more concerned about Jason having to clean up after your mess in school.”

“We cleaned each other’s messes up,” Jason reassured her. Under the table, Percy’s knees tapped affectionately against his. “And Percy was an outstanding student, if not a little…rowdy.”

“Oh, no need to sell us on him, Jason. I know he can be a lot to handle,” Sally replied with a soft smile, prompting a chuckle from Paul. She looked at her son with shining eyes, amused at the wonder of a child she’d been bestowed with. “When he was in his first year, we’d receive a letter from school almost every other week. Had to sort a lot of things out with his Professors before we could find the common ground to accommodate his ‘troublemaking tendencies’.”

“Mum,” Percy groaned. “I’m trying to look good here.”

“I am making you look good. Who wouldn’t love a bad boy like you?”

“Right?” Jason agreed. “The whole school is infatuated with him. I’m sure lots of people will miss him now that he’s graduated.”

“None of my concern,” Percy huffed. “I only care about you.”

After dinner, Jason offered to help Sally and Percy do some late-night baking for a new batch of brownies to be sold at her shop tomorrow. Paul turned in early with Estelle now that she’d shown obvious signs of exhaustion from too much playtime. He wondered if they’d care if he scrutinised a little too hard on the recipe, trying to find what exactly made Sally’s creations so delicious, and whether he could try to recreate them later (for his own personal consumption, of course. He’s not a recipe thief).

“I was a little confused when Percy started asking me to split his cookies in two separate containers,” Sally was saying as she put the pan filled with brownie mixture in the oven. “It took quite a bit of prodding for me to find out the truth.”

“Wait…” Jason said, the gears in his brain turning. Oh, no. “Does that mean Percy had been sacrificing half of his cookie supply for me?”

“Sacrificing?” Percy repeated incredulously. “Why do you make it sound like I was forced to give them up? I was sharing them with you!”

“Still—”

“Don’t you worry, my sweet,” Sally reassured him. “I just sent him double the usual amount once he admitted they’re for his lovely boyfriend.”

Jason somehow felt even more mortified. “Oh, Merlin. Did I make you do double the baking, then?”

“It’s no big deal!” Percy said, almost at the same time as Sally’s: “Oh, I’d always end up baking more than I should anyway.”

“See?” Percy said, shoving a spoonful of excess chocolate mix into Jason’s mouth, effectively putting a stop to his protests. “In fact, you actually helped prevent excess cookies from going to waste.”

Jason faltered mid-argument once he realised he’s on the losing side of the back-and-forth. In the end, he settled for a sincere gratitude. “…I can’t thank you enough for your kindness, Sally. Personally, the cookies have really helped me go through some of my toughest days.” That, and Percy’s company, of course.

“Nothing I haven’t heard before,” Sally said kindly. “But I’m glad they did. And really, being Percy’s boyfriend already promises you a lifetime supply, so I hope you’ll get used to it.”

Later that night, dressed in a fresh pair of pants, comfortably buried in Percy’s embrace underneath a dolphin-patterned blanket, body sated in more ways than one, Jason spent his remaining wakefulness to ponder Sally’s choice of word that’d been stuck in his mind since.

Lifetime. A lifetime supply of cookies, which meant a lifetime of this relationship, which meant a lifetime to spend with this wondrous young man embracing him. 

A lifetime sounded so wishful, even with how confident Sally had sounded saying it, and Jason knew better than to delude himself with flights of fancy and wishful thinking. But for some reason, right here, right now, safe and sound in his lover’s arms, it didn’t seem at all impossible. Rather, it almost seemed assured. Like as soon as he decided to become Percy’s boyfriend, it would be for as long as the world could imagine, like a voyage without a destination, or a road without an end.

Life could be cruel sometimes. Jason knew of the fact rather intimately. It would rip the most precious thing you ever possessed out of your hands without as much of a warning, because that’s just how it worked. Realistically, nothing could last forever. Even then, Jason was never the type to easily let go. If life ever dared to, Jason would simply hold on tight, even if it meant having his arms torn right off in the process. Because in the end, that’s just how he was, and the effort would be worth it.

***

It took Percy quite a while to acclimatise himself with the joys and sorrows of adulthood.

Luckily, being best friends with Annabeth meant being two steps ahead of everyone else. Ever the overachiever, she had already planned the next five years of her life in great detail, so naturally, it was a given for him to follow her example. His plan wasn’t as elaborate, mind you, and certainly didn’t extend to the next few years, but having already gone through the necessary steps before sitting for his N.E.W.T.s—surveying each establishment, corresponding with prospective employers, and weighing each plausible option—he managed to snag an internship at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for an unfortunately productive summer.

In the end, Percy had safely acclimatised. Somewhat. Though it was almost literal hell compared to Hogwarts’ seventh year, he managed to survive his internship until the very bitter end, and left the establishment knowing more about the inner workings of the Ministry than he’d rather care to. Jason, like a fish in water, had jumped over the hurdle that was his training camp flawlessly, and returned in his arms as world-class athlete material. 

As September inched closer, Jason decided to spend the rest of his summer hols at the Jackson-Blofis’, much to Percy’s delight. And on the day Percy turned eighteen, nobody could’ve ever foreseen that the owls from school would finally drop by. A telltale screech announcing their arrival echoed shrilly outside the kitchen window just when the two boys were about to have a light brunch together. Thankfully, they’re the only ones home at the time. Percy’s parents were out for some ‘quick shopping’ (that sounded suspiciously like preparing a surprise party at the nearby café they’d frequent as a family), and had brought Estelle along with them.

“Woe is me,” Percy sighed in forlorn, dramatically face-planted in the cool wood of the table, imagining the grim days that would follow Jason’s departure to Hogwarts. His skin was still buzzing from Jason’s morning surprise for him: giving him the greatest bodily pleasure he’d ever experienced in his life as soon as he’d woken up. “To be deprived of the sight of a bespectacled beauty walking down Hogwarts' ancient hallways, performing his Head Boy duties like the wonderful teacher’s pet he is, scaring off snotty first-years with his mere presence—”

In his seat from across the dining table, Jason snorted as he perused his own letters. The collar of his teal turtleneck was doing a shoddy job of hiding the red blooms scattered around his neck.

“—while I, his pitiful, yearning lover, would toil away by myself day and night, tearfully waiting for his return into my arms. Woe is me!”

Completely unsurprisingly, Hogwarts had decided to push Jason further toward the edge by piling even more responsibilities onto his broad, capable shoulders. Among his final exams’ stellar results, and the lists of textbooks and other miscellaneous items required for seventh year, was a special letter from the Headmistress. It proclaimed his appointment as the next term’s Head Boy and Quidditch Captain, like he hadn’t already had so much on his plate as Percy’s full-time boyfriend. So inconsiderate.

“Will you be able to handle it?” Percy asked worriedly. He knew Jason would—spectacularly so—but it’s his duty to become a worrywart lover, after all.

“I’ll manage. Plus, it’d look good on my résumé.”

“Assuming you’d be alive by the end of it!”

“With my best mates, the cookies from your mum, and the love letters that you’d inevitably send every three business days, I definitely would,” Jason said, waving a nonchalant hand. “Rather than that, wouldn’t you want to know what’s in your envelope?” His deep voice turned a touch softer. “Nervous?”

“On my wits’ end, more like. I’m 90% sure that’s a Howler asking me to return to school. As a first-year.”

Taking pity on him, Jason gently pried the accursed envelope off his hand. The poor thing was hideously creased from his tight grip. Belatedly, he noticed his fingers trembling just as Jason’s steady ones brushed against them. 

As if he wasn’t holding the very thing that decided the ultimate fate of Percy’s foreseeable future, Jason advised, a little too calmly, “Take a deep breath, darling.”

And what do you know? Apparently, he’d been holding his breath too. He did as he's told, and his lungs heaved a sigh in relief as it was filled with much-needed air.

“Just so you know, there’s nothing to worry about.” It was a bit unfair how confident his boyfriend sounded. Percy wanted to berate him for it—Jason wasn’t the one who sat for those hellish papers, after all—but he was also too panic-stricken to exhibit any other emotions than, well, sheer panic. Lungs seizing on their own again, he watched on in mild terror as Jason carefully smoothened the envelope, nimbly pried open the flap, and extracted the unassuming piece of paper that was supposedly the results of his N.E.W.T.s. 

It wasn’t a Howler, at least. Thank Merlin.

Time was truly an illusion. Everything felt painstakingly slow when Jason began unfolding the paper in his usual endearingly careful manner. Percy wished there was a fast-forward button to press, to just skip this process and straight to where he’d be in a month's time; landing himself in a cushy job, slacking off at work and pining for his faraway lover.

Before he fully unfolded the paper, Jason seemed to have second thoughts. “Don’t you want to look at it first?”

“Please do the honours. I wanna see your reaction before I could even dare to look at it.”

Wrong call. Percy forgot Jason was a master of stony faces. With only his golden lashes fluttering occasionally, his face was barely discernible from that of an expressionless marble bust as he perused the letter’s content.

“Jason Grace,” Percy said when the silence went for too long, just shy of begging. “Please. I’m dying over here.”

Like the lovable little shit he was, after what seemed like an hour, Jason announced calmly: “…No failing grades.”

That was enough for him to jump off his chair in celebration. “FUCK YEAH!”

“Do you want to look at it now?” Jason offered, already smiling from his contagious glee. Percy very resolutely refused to look down to where the contents of the paper was facing him; opting to stare into the endless azure of Jason’s eyes instead.

“Read it to me one by one.”

“Someone likes suspense, after all. Firstly, Transfiguration…” Jason dragged the end of the word, before stopping entirely. He then blinked innocently at Percy.

“Jason!”

“…A.”

“Figures.” Percy sighed in relief, body sagging against the back of his chair. He rubbed his chest to console his tremulous heart. “I’m rubbish at Transfiguration.”

“What? You’re definitely not, because you passed,” Jason argued pointedly, before he continued down the list. “Potions: E. Charms: E. Care of Magical Creatures: O.”

“No surprise there.”

“Herbology: O. Astronomy: E.”

At the mention of the subject, a fond memory came knocking on the door of Percy’s brain. “Remember our Astronomy Tower evening excursion?”

“Our evening break-in, you mean.”

“Our pre-relationship date,” Percy countered. “Good times.”

“I do remember that one,” Jason confirmed, smiling fondly in reminiscence. “I also remember dying from the anxiety of getting caught. Finally, our favourite subject. Defence Against the Dark Arts: O. Outstanding. No fails." His smile transformed into a proud grin. "You passed all of your N.E.W.T.s with flying colours, Percy Jackson. Congratulations.”

“Thank Merlin. You sure took your sweet time,” Percy grumbled. His heart sang from sheer relief. “My heart almost didn’t make it.”

Now that it’s all over and done with, Jason migrated to the seat adjacent to Percy’s. Like he’d known all along what Percy actually needed, he wrapped Percy in a tight, comforting side-hug.

“You were so confident at the end of your final paper.” His voice was so gentle, Percy could almost cry. “What happened?”

“That was just my fake bravado trying to bury my crippling self-doubt.”

“Well, the worst had subsided,” Jason said. “You did amazing, all things considered.”

“I can’t take all the credit. It’s all thanks to you lot.”

“No, it wasn’t.” Jason tapped his nose lightly with a stern index finger. “There’s no one else but you who sat for your papers. And realistically, nobody did it all on their own. Even the smartest girl in your year joined—well, hosted—a study group. Your success is all yours, darling.”

He always seemed to know what Percy wanted to hear too. They hadn’t been together for long, but Jason seemed to have developed an Inner Eye of his own to read Percy so effortlessly. Twisting his body to envelop Jason fully in his arms, he buried his nose into the elegant slope of Jason’s neck. Even in the summer, the scent of spring showers was as prevalent as ever.  

In turn, Jason buried his face in Percy’s hair, breathing him in. His grip around Percy tightened snugly, and each of Percy’s five senses was then overwhelmed with everything Jason. The feel of his lips. The taste of his skin. His heady scent. His noble form. His soft edges, reserved only for Percy. 

Percy wanted to drown in every single one of it. Sink into its beautiful depths. Be buried underneath its very essence, for all of eternity.

“…I don’t want you to leave.”

“I don’t want to, either.” Jason’s voice was tiny. Percy thought he could hear a slight quiver on its edge.

“I know what I want for my birthday present now.”

He felt Jason’s fond chuckle on his crown. “Oh, no. What about the one I already prepared?”

“Let’s move in together, once you’re out of Hogwarts,” he pressed on against Jason’s skin, more pleading than suggesting. It was supposed to be a throwaway comment, but as soon as he grasped the implication behind it, a new sense of purpose began to bloom in his chest. 

Maybe that was the answer to all this fretful pondering: starting a new life together.

After all, this precious thing that they had was far from the end. It’s only just the foreword, the prologue, just shy before the actual first chapter of their tale. At the back of his mind, a new plan began to spin itself into existence. He’d play his part while Jason finishes his studies. He’d work hard, enough to afford a nice little flat to live with the love of his life. Maybe somewhere in London, then maybe they could migrate abroad after the next few years. Right now, his next course of action was only to prepare whatever they need for a new life together. A year seemed ample time to get to work.

“Please?”

Jason’s clever fingers carded through his hair. “You don’t even have to ask.”

A giggle, joyous and giddy, tumbled out of his mouth unwarned. “Anywhere you have in mind?”

“I’d go anywhere in the world with you.”

Time, inconsiderate as ever, kept on flowing without mercy. Before they felt even the slightest bit ready, their short summertime together came to an end as September 1st quietly arrived. As they filed out of Paul’s car at the parking lot near King’s Cross, no one ever seemed to notice the turbulent storm brewing inside Percy’s heart. His feet felt as heavy as lead, and his grip on Jason’s hand was tight as a vice. Only because it was Jason who led him would his body even muster the will to move.

“None of that, sweetheart. It was no trouble at all,” Sally said kindly to a teary-eyed Jason as he thanked the Jackson-Blofis clan profusely for coming to King’s Cross to see him off, right after they crossed over to Platform 9 3⁄4. Off the side, Thalia was regarding the scene with a wistful smile. Even without uttering a single word, Percy could tell how grateful she was for the kind gesture. 

Hugs, thank-yous and well-wishes were exchanged between Jason and the others before Percy’s turn to say goodbye finally came. Kind enough to let them have a private moment before the train rolled away Scotland-bound, his family and Thalia stepped away to engage in a casual conversation. They pointedly made some distance from the two lovebirds—a smart move lest they be subjected to the most sickly sweet, soppiest good-byes imaginable to mankind.

“Your family is so wonderful,” Jason sighed, throwing them a helplessly fond gaze. “This is the first time I’ve ever known what it’s like—to have a whole family see you off to school.”

Merlin knew how badly Percy wanted to deck Jupiter Grace in the face if he ever saw the old git. Pushing off the wayward thought and unclenching his tight fist, he took a calming breath and grinned brightly at Jason.

“You’ll have more of that to come, when we see you off for championships and stuff.” Wagging his finger bossily, he reminded, “Floo Call after dinner tonight. Don’t forget.”

“You know I’d never.” Jason returned his grin with a cheeky one. He was still a little misty-eyed. The bridge of his glasses sat precariously on the tip of his nose. Percy pushed them back with an index finger, and brushed a thumb underneath Jason’s lashes to wipe away a stray teardrop. 

“Just to warn you,” he added, “I’d scream ‘BABY, I MISSED YOU’ at the top of my lungs as soon as the call connects, so make sure you’re there on the other end when I do.”

“I will. Can’t have you frighten the new kids with your soppiness, can I?”

“Nope. Now,” Percy made to pull him along onboard the carriage, “let’s get to our compartment.” 

“Wow,” Jason said, despite making no effort to stop him. “Already making me break the rules on my very first day as Head Boy?”

“Just kidding.” With more effort than necessary, he willed his steps to a halt. He turned around to stare into Jason’s eyes, purposeful. His hands settled on Jason’s upper arms, squeezing those shapely biceps. “But seriously, baby. I’ll miss you so much.”

“I’ll miss you too,” Jason said. His voice was tender, akin to the caress of the morning breeze. “How can I ever focus on my N.E.W.T.s now, when the thought of you would occupy my mind the whole time?” His lips brushed against the tip of Percy’s nose, reverent. “My darling Percy.”

God. Merlin. Dumbledore. Anyone who bothered to listen to his silent prayer: please don’t let him make a fool of himself and cry. Another deep breath he took sounded more like a sniffle. The dam hidden behind his lower lashes threatened to crumble. His throat stung a little when he cleared it. “I know you’ll do a fantastic job as Head Boy and Quidditch Captain. Ergo, try not to suck the fun out of people too much.”

Jason rolled his eyes fondly. “It’ll be difficult without you by my side, but I’m sure I’ll manage.”

Silence. 

And then, “Don’t go.”

Jason stared into his soul, meaningful. Empathetic. “I don’t want to, either.”

It’s beyond embarrassing to be tongue-tied at this very moment, wishing so badly for Jason to know how desperately he wanted him to stay. His words were stuck at the very edge of his lips; only a pathetic keen managed to escape. Jason, kind and patient as always, took Percy’s hands in his own. His lips were pursed, pink stained in red underneath his perfect teeth, as he tried for a reassuring smile. His quivering jaw certainly didn’t help, but Percy thought he looked so precious, he already wanted to put his lips on him again.

“I’ll be back soon,” Jason said. “Sooner than you think.”

“Yeah…”

Percy felt a tap on his shoulder, sharp and impatient. He glanced sideways to find Leo, who wore an unamused expression on his face. “Really, mate? He’s only going to school.”

Piper popped up at his other side. “Do we really need to witness all this drama every time you send each other off?”

“Who’s we?” Percy managed to find his words in a grumble. In a way, he’s grateful for their timely appearance. He was so close to breaking down in the middle of this large crowd consisting mostly of kids younger than he was, and that would’ve been mighty embarrassing. “You lot will not be invited.”

“We’re gonna invite ourselves anyway, so don’t worry,” Piper shot back sweetly.

“And everything is returning to normal again this year! You’ve been hogging him for the entirety of last year and this summer, we’ve been dearly missing our best friend,” Leo added with an impish grin that was infectious to everyone present.

Like the angel he was, Jason took his side. Always. All the time. “Don’t be mean to my boyfriend. I’ve always been available for your company.”

“Yeah, while on his lap or attached to his arse,” Leo replied. “No sane person would ever want to get near that.”

Percy wanted to pepper those reddened cheeks and ears with kisses so badly, but he decided to spare the others’ eyesights. With a friendly punch to his shoulder, Leo assured, “Don’t worry, mate. We’ll take good care of him.”

“Like we do every year,” Piper continued, earning an eye-roll from Jason in return. “It’s almost eleven, so wrap it up quickly, okay? You wouldn’t want him to miss the train.”

Holding back his tongue from saying that he did, in fact, want Jason to miss the train, Percy gave her a half-hearted smile and a cursory nod in reply. With a fond pat to his head, Piper waved him goodbye before boarding. Leo followed suit with a salute and an “Adios!” And then, once again, he and Jason were left by themselves.

The softness of Jason’s lips as they met in a kiss left behind a tingling sensation that was sure to haunt him until their very next meeting. It would probably be on Christmas, or the next Hogsmeade outing when he’d Disapparate to the town for a visit, but either way, his heart would surely suffer from unstoppable longing until he could get a glimpse of his boyfriend again.

As he prayed for the awful sensation of loss to subside, Percy took a deep breath, ignored the sting in his eyes, and gave Jason the largest, dopiest grin he could muster. “Be good at school, okay? Goodbye, Jason.”

Not caring for Percy’s internal dramatics, Jason scooped him in a rib-crushing hug and whispered, almost fervently, “Goodbye, Percy. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

With obvious reluctance, Jason released him and planted a quick, final kiss in reply. Then, he smiled his loveliest yet, looking prettier than anything else in the world, before boarding the train without taking his eyes off Percy’s. 

Nothing on this Earth could have explained what prompted his next action. As if having a mind of their own, his legs pulled himself towards the other end of the train, his eyes trained on Jason’s shadow swiftly walking through the compartments in search of their friends. A glimmer of azure met his eyes, and he realised Jason was also walking alongside his pace in the train. Just two young wizards in love, drawn to each other like two opposite poles, like moths to a flame, like a Seeker to a Golden Snitch. 

Like fate had ordained it so, cruelly, senselessly, the train began to move just as they both came to a stop, separated by glass and metal and suffocating locomotive smoke. Not wasting any of their precious moments left, Jason scrambled towards the window as soon as he arrived in his compartment and opened the glass panel in Percy’s face. Behind him, Leo and Piper were already seated across from each other, all fond grins and exasperated shakes of their heads. 

The autumn sun above held no contention to the brilliance unfolding before Percy right at that very moment. Jason, with his eyes crinkling endearingly into crescent moons, boyish grin more stunning than a thousand stars, pointed canines glinting in the morning sunlight, just a step away from flinging himself off the moving train, was a view that would forever etch itself in Percy’s memory. One that would eternally set his heart ablaze; a torch lit by their love’s undying flames.

Their hands caught each other at the very last second, a brushing of fingers with the feather-soft touch of a kiss. Percy’s heart roared victoriously, like the deafening cheers of the spectators in a stadium the very moment a Seeker grasped victory in his hand.

[nyongsimp]

i do (pjy)

pjy x female reader word count: 2.6k genre: fluff. warnings: just jinyoung using a tuxedo mature content: no.

summary: the biggest and happiest day of your life should feel different, shouldn't it?

It would be a total lie if you said that you weren’t nervous today. Today, of all days, you felt your headache growing stronger, your stomach going sick just at the thought of what’s about to happen, your knees falter. You felt like this wasn’t going to go as it should, and today should be perfect.

You heard a knock at the door of your apartment, the same one that you had been emptying for a while now, only having the basic furniture and the least amount of decoration on it, you just had some plants around so it wouldn’t be too tasteless. Taking deep breaths you walked to open the door and before you could welcome them, there were squeals from them.

“It’s the day!”

“How are you feeling?”

“Aren’t you excited?”

“Look at your eyebags! You sure you slept well?”

“We’ll take care of that.”

“Come on people, we have a huge day ahead.”

Trying not to let the overwhelming sensation of anxiety rise from the depths of your stomach, you smiled and nodded in agreement, welcoming all your friends and the team who would help you get ready. They brought breakfast, makeup, hair tools, and everything you could need to feel and be the prettiest bride in town.

The make up artist let you grab some food before they start getting you ready, so you went for some fruit and scrambled eggs, once you finished eating some of the staff started preparing your hair, while others did your nails and moisturized your skin. You were given a white silk robe a week prior to wear today while you were being pampered and getting ready for the ceremony.

Everything that happened after was a fuzz, the only thing you knew is that you were having a lot of doubts and you were hating yourself for that. You loved Jinyoung with everything in you, so why the hell were you doubting about marrying him when this was all you ever wanted?

After hours of hair and makeup, you were finally getting your dress, and it was the most wonderful bridal dress you had laid eyes on. Only you and your Maid of Honor -and maybe Bambam- had seen it, and three of you agreed that it was the dress. It felt so fresh and not as heavy as it seemed, it had everything you wanted; the constellations, the ocean waves, the feeling of forever and always.

Standing on your bridal shoes, your Maid of Honor helped you place the veil and the tiara. Only then, while looking at yourself in the mirror you felt like crying, which she noticed and asked the people there, even your parents, to go to their places as the wedding was about to begin, which wasn’t a total lie.

“Hey…” she started with a low voice, “are you alright? Wanna talk about it?”

You denied and then nodded with your head, feeling the knot tight on your throat, “It’s nothing,” you sobbed, trying not to ruin your makeup, “it’s just that… What if he stops loving me? what if he regrets this later on?” you felt the tears trying to escape from your eyes, so you looked up and blinked to make the tears go, “what if he notices later on that I’m not what he wants, what he needs?”

“And you’re thinking all of this because…?” she came near you and hugged you.

“It’s stupid, really,” you sobbed again.

“Was it the article?” you nodded. There was an article released stating how you seemed unfitting for the nation’s first love, Park Jinyoung, as you were a foreigner and you knew nothing about their culture. You thought that his fans would be harsher, but even then, their fandom was welcoming and accepting. Why did the media and the rest of the public thought they had a word on it? Why do they feel so entitled to say that?

There was a knock on the door that made you both jump, your Maid of Honor stood up and before walking to attend the door said, “just remember this: the boys had said that they have never seen Jinyoung to be like this to someone, to look at them with so many emotion in his eyes. You are the one he chose to marry, and that's all that matters.”

“Who's that?” your friend said, and then the ones knocking spoke.

“How’s the bride? Asking for the groom, but it’s not as if he was becoming a mess because he misses her so much.”

“Jackson, you’re not supposed to say that.” Mark said to the first one who spoke.

“Can we come in? I wanna see the bride though.”

“Bam-ah.” That was Jaebeom.

“No, no you can’t. How do I know that the groom isn’t there with y’all, don’t you know it’s bad luck if they see each other before the wedding?” you laughed lightly.

“Damn, she’s good,” you heard Yugyeom say, “come on, hyung, just speak to her.”

He was there? 

Your Maid of Honor looked at you and you nodded. Maybe all you needed was to hear his voice to know that everything would be fine. Standing up you went all the way to the door, always so careful not to trip on the edges of your dress. You heard the whispers behind the door and breathed deeply, not wanting another breakdown for them to hear and worry.

“Babe?” his voice was calm and warm as always, you felt your heart flutter and heard a tiny ew before a hit was landed onto someone’s head -maybe Bambam’s-, “How are you feeling?”

“Ow, he’s placing a hand on the door. Do it too, do it too!”

Making you take some steps backwards, your Maid of Honor went out of the bride’s room to give you some privacy, “come on boys, the bridesmaids are over here. Let’s give the love birds some alone time.”

You heard some steps and then the deep sigh of your groom, “I know you read the article. You know that doesn’t matter to me, right? The reason I’m here today is because I know you’re the one for me, and I hope to be the one for you.”

“It’s hard, Jinyoung. My life has never been in the public eye, I- my life was as if I didn’t exist.” you laughed out of anxiety.

“I don’t want to tell you that it won’t be hard, the public will always be there, but something I learned through all my years as an artist is that they will never know the truth behind everything, so just let them play with what they think, and enjoy your privacy. I won’t let anybody hurt you, ever.” you could feel his anger and annoyance towards the media, his worry towards you.

Your hand was on the doorknob while the other was on a fist, trying to stop yourself from opening the door and throwing yourself in your lover’s arms.

“What are you doing here?!” you heard the planner say to Jinyoung, “you are supposed to be at the altar now, waiting for her. Go, boy, go.”

“Jinyoung!” you said as soon as you heard some shifting on his side of the door, “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby.” you heard his smile, “See you in a bit.”

You went to fix your skirt and veil, and a few seconds later your Maid of Honor came in with your bridal bouquet. It was time for it. You took the bridal bouquet from her hands and she went in for a hug right when the rest of the bridesmaids went inside the room. You inhaled deeply just in time for all of you to go down the aisle. Your heart was on your ears and your hands were a bit sweaty.

As you approximated the bridal party you felt the anxiety fading away. He chose you, he wanted you forever.

You hugged your parents and held them by the arm, as they were going to escort you to Jinyoung. Your Maid of Honor walked along with Jaebeom, Jinyoung’s Best Man, and in a blink of an eye the doors opened again and the piano started playing the bridal arrangement you asked for, your feet started walking and you were watching how they moved the hem of your dress. Taking another deep breath you looked up to your guests, your parents, Jinyoung’s family, your bridesmaids and Jinyoung’s groomsmen, to finally see Jinyoung the most handsome you have ever seen him.

Just by looking at him you felt everything else disappear, there were only you and him. By the whiskers in his eyes you knew he was smiling, but his shoulders were shaking and his hands were covering his mouth.

Could he be…?

At the moment he turned around and bent a bit over himself you knew he was crying which made you start crying. You counted the steps before you could be with him. Jinyoung turned back at you and now that you were closer you could actually see his tears rolling on his cheeks. 10 more steps and you will be next to him. This felt just like in the movies; the music in the background, the rest of the people fading away and only existing you two. You never thought the movie feeling could be so real.

4 more steps and you will be with your forever.

3.

2.

1.

You both whispered a hi to the other before your father spoke, “I had my doubts about you, and I may not like you for the rest of my life because you’re taking her too far away from me, but I know that you care about her, that you love her, and that you make her the happiest I have ever seen her, and that’s why I trust you with my daughter, son.”

You felt your mother’s embrace and then your father’s just before he placed your hand on Jinyoung’s, and they went to their seats. Your Maid of Honor took your bouquet and both your hands were in Jinyoung’s, and as soon as you felt the warmth of his hands you knew he was nervous as well. He placed a gentle kiss in your knuckles before uncovering your face from the veil, which caused both of you to laugh lovingly at each other.

Jinyoung’s eyes were glossy and his cheeks puffy, you felt like you could explode from joy at the moment he smiled back at you and caressed your face with his hand. Your doubts and anxiety fading away every second you felt Jinyoung by your side or grabbing your hands. You were sure that none of you were paying attention to what the minister was saying, focused on playing with your fingers or stealing glances of the other. The minister asked you both to stand so you could say your vows to each other.

Taking Jinyoung's hands in yours, you spoke, “If someone told me years ago, that I would be marrying the love of my life, my person, at the other side of the world, I would have never believed them. Mostly because I couldn’t see myself without being near my family, but now I found a new family here,” you looked at your friends and his family.

“I know I dreamed of you when I was younger, but you didn’t have a face nor a name. Ever since we first spoke I felt something different with you, and I know you felt it too,” you felt your throat close and your eyes fill with tears, “and weeks later we confirmed it on our very first date as a couple, when I knew that–” you sobbed, feeling the tears rolling down your face. “That if I let you go I would regret that for the rest of my life.” Jinyoung kissed you softly on the lips, causing you to smile, and you looked at his family, “So, I want to thank your family, and everyone you shared your life with for making you the man you are today, the man I fell in love with, and the one and only I want to spend the rest of my life with, because with you life is better, Jinyoung. I love you.”

Once you finished your vows, you looked at him in the eye and you knew he was on the verge of crying. Jinyoung squeezed your hands a little and you squeezed back, giving him strength. You swear you saw the oldests of the group holding back his tears.

“Yah, don’t cry hyungs.” you heard Youngjae whisper.

Jinyoung spoke after licking his lips, “I am aware that most of the media says that you’re not good enough for me, but what they don’t know is that I am the one who’s not good enough for you. You are staying away from your parents, speaking a different language, and adapting to a new culture while I stay here with everything I knew since child. I know that I wouldn't be here today if it wasn’t for you; your enthusiasm every time I told you about a new script or a new song that I had on mind, the joy you received me after long weeks of shooting or recording, even though I knew you were waiting for me awake even if you were exhausted, how every time you said that haters didn’t know the real me and gave me strength by staying by my side. None of them knows that I’m the one that’s lacking, and none of them knows me better than you do.” his hand went to cup your cheek, caressing your skin with his thumb.

“You said–'' he gulped, drowning his tears, “said that we confirmed that this was how it’s supposed to be on our first date, but for me it was before; when we ran to each other that day on the beach of my hometown at night, when the moon was shining above us, and at that moment I knew that you would be my moon and my stars, enlightening my darkest nights. You’re my one and only, and I’m the happiest man on Earth because I get to spend the rest of my life with you. And if there’s another life, I’ll do my best to find you again and be together until the end of time.”

You looked at him with adoration in your eyes, and then you felt a tug in your hands. Jinyoung made you move closer to him to hug you before placing a kiss on your forehead, “I’m going to protect you for the rest of my life,” he swore to you in a whisper. 

Your Maid of Honor and his Best Man came next to you to give you the rings, which you helped the other put on. 

“To the bride,” started the minister, “do you swear yourself to this man to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until parted by death?”, you nodded, sliding your marriage ring on Jinyoung’s finger.

“Yes!” you looked at your lover with the biggest smile on your face, “yes, I do.”

The minister repeated the process with Jinyoung, and then Jinyoung slided your marriage ring, “I may pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss now.”

And no more had to be said, you hugged each other tightly before sharing the kiss that would seal this new chapter in your life. Jinyoung lifted you from the floor and made you spin, forgetting the size of the tail and almost making you both fall.

Your kiss tasted like a promise, like a beginning, like the purest form of joy.

The guests clapped at you and started congratulating you. Jinyoung grabbed your hand and traced your wedding ring with his thumb before pressing some more kisses on your lips.

Looking at him you knew this was the best decision you could ever make, and the one you would never regret.

[sgwrscrsh]

winter days: underneath the tree

☁️a/n☁️ this made my heart very warm to write even though i pulled an all-nighter to get it done because my time-management has gone to shit after finals. requested by @sachirou-senpai​. thank you, ellie, for giving me a reason to bring back my boys. i’ve missed ‘summer on you’ so much. this can be read as a stand-alone or as a spin off of ending b, my fave. either way, merry christmas to my babes who celebrate! i have one more christmas fic for tmr and then i’m hiding away to plan + write an smau.

includes: female!reader, poly!seijoh four, post-timeskip (very minor manga spoilers), lots of domesticity, a little suggestive bit, a lot of eating and sleeping now that i realize, a christmas tree, matching pajamas, a very special christmas gift, makki slapping your ass once, a lil teary moment w tooru, homemade curry + pancakes (but not together), lots of cuddling, lots of love, happy holidays, 4.35k words

☁️masterlist☁️

shivering slightly, you unlock the door to the rather spacious apartment you shared with your four boyfriends later into the evening than you would’ve liked. 

yes, four boyfriends. whom you love very much and are loved by in return.

living with four towering hunks has it’s ups and downs, but you wouldn’t trade tooru’s extensive skin care regiment sprawled across the bathroom counter; hajime’s bag of protein powder that he always forgets to put away; issei’s boots that you always tripped over when you came through the front door; or takahiro’s costco-sized box of cream puffs in the freezer that he insisted he would finish by the end of the month, almost half a year ago, for the world.

you made sure to stomp off the snow stuck on your boots before entering the building, but you couldn’t help but sigh at the warmth that greets you once you toe them off.

“ahhh,” you think. “thank goodness tooru convinced us to invest in heated floors.” another perk of having four boyfriends was that two of them brought in enough bank for you to seriously consider becoming their cute little housewife. snorting, you shake your head, though the idea of prancing around in a maid outfit to tease them seemed very appealing. “maybe we should make hiro dress up and clean the house since he still hasn’t found a new job yet.” 

“what’s so funny, sweets?” speak of the devil. makki’s head pops out from the bathroom nearest to the front door, steam rolling out and droplets falling from his hair, signifying that he had just taken a hot shower. wordlessly, you stare at him, lost in thought imagining the water caressing his toned body, but a second later, he gets a better look at you and laughs. “you look like a wet dog!” your glare loses some of its edge when he takes in your own damp strands. 

“did someone say something about a dog?” tooru comes bounding round the corner, and you could’ve sworn he drooped a little when he realized it was just you in the hallway sans dog. turning your icy glance on the setter, you open your mouth to complain about how mean the two of them were being to you when your prince charming comes in to save the day.

“you two, stop bullying the poor girl and let her take a warm bath before she gets sick!” iwa chides as he helps you unbundle the layers that protected you from the snow and sharp winds of the winter. pressing a sweet kiss to your forehead and promising to pick out comfy clothes for you, he ushers you into your spacious en suite where a steaming tub full of rose petals awaits you. hajime chuckles at the starry eyes you give him, heart warming at the love and appreciation shining clear as day on your face, before he leaves to grab a clean pair of underwear, one of issei’s t-shirts, and a pair of his own sweats, knowing you much prefer to wear their clothes at home.

submerged in the bath, you exhale contentedly, eyelids fluttering shut as you enjoy the product of iwa’s consideration and foresight. letting the stress of work and the chill of the outdoors melt from you, you stay in the water until it cools and your fingers prune. a lone thought of how much more you would’ve enjoyed the bath if the boys had joined you flits through your mind, but you jolt when you open your eyes and find issei sitting on the counter with a towel and your robe in his lap, some of the water sloshing over the side of the tub. 

“oh thank god, i was scared you fell asleep and would drown or choke on a rose petal.” you giggle while he wraps you up in your robe before gently toweling your hair dry. “you can’t leave me to deal with the three of them alone.” 

rolling your eyes, you retort easily, “if anything, i’d feel bad about leaving hajime to deal with the three of you alone. the poor man puts up with enough from his team, he doesn’t need you guys ganging up on him, too.”

“well i’ll have you know, sometimes he really enjoys us ganging up on him.” his cheeky quip paired with his wiggling eyebrows earns him a smack on the chest but regardless, you let him sweep you up into his arms and drop you on the massive bed the five of you shared. “get dressed, babygirl. as much as i’d love to spend more time with you naked, i gotta help haji finish dinner.” with a quick peck on your lips, issei leaves you to do just as he said. 

emerging revitalized and relaxed, your mouth waters at the smell of homemade curry, distracted enough to not notice tooru’s arms wrapping around your shoulders and waist. 

“hey, cutie, i’ve missed you,” he sings, face snuggled into the junction of your shoulder and neck. you spin around in his hold to slip your arms around his slim torso, relishing his firm lines against your soft curves. 

“‘ve missed you too, tooru.” and you really did, grateful that all of you were able to take time off work and he was able to come home a week before the holidays, giving the five of you a whole month to spend together before he had to jet back to argentina for his next bout of training and practice games.

“hell yea! group hug!” makki comes running towards you guys, only for you to twist out of his reach at the last second, sending him straight into the sofa behind you. “oof, that was cold, y/n.”

you stick your tongue out at the strawberry boy. “yea, well that’s what you get for laughing at me when i got home. sucker.” still entangled in tooru’s embrace, you feel his body shake with mirth and bite the inside of your cheek to prevent yourself from dissolving into giggles when you see a pout take over hiro’s pretty face.

“dinner’s ready,” comes iwa’s call, beckoning the three of you into the kitchen before you could antagonize each other some more. once you all got your servings of curry, you settle into your proclaimed seats on the large sofa, your body comically small compared to their tall frames dwarfing the cushions. noting the way tooru threw his long legs over iwa’s and how mattsun and makki leaned against each other as they ate, you fold your legs to tuck your feet under takahiro’s thigh and dig in to your meal with some trashy reality show lighting up the tv screen, completely certain that the warmth in your chest was from the company of your loved ones more so than the piping hot potatoes in your stomach.

during breakfast the next day, you blearily rub the sleep out of your eyes before taking a sip of your coffee, a satisfied “ahhh” escaping your parted lips as you lean against the kitchen counter. slowly peeling your eyelids open, you notice all of their gazes were focused on you. “yes? can i help you?” you ask amusedly, awake now that caffeine had be introduced to your tired body.

“how are you still so gorgeous in the morning?” you blink at the dreamy look on iwa’s face propped up in his hands with his elbows on the surface of the island. looking around, you see the other three matching the athletic trainer’s pose and expression next to him. thinking over your messy bedhead, mysteriously stained pajamas, and almost impressively dark eyebags, you want to scoff, but the unfairly handsome men giving you their undivided attention despite all of that (“because of all of that, y/n-chan,” tooru would argue) make you blush instead.

“you’re one to talk, haji,” you opt to remark, hoping to divert their focus from you and your rosy cheeks. “and don’t look at me like that,” your pointed finger swinging wildly between the four of them like the needle of a compass. “you already know you guys are way outta my league, you don’t need me to tell you that.” with one last flourish, you wave your hand dismissively before grabbing your mug with both hands, palms warming against the ceramic.

“as wrong as you are, you can’t blame us for wanting to hear the love of our lives compliment us first thing in the morning as we admire her natural beauty,” mattsun grins once he sees the success his words have at deepening the flush on your face. tooru nods gravely in agreement, but it’s makki’s one-two combo of a wink and an air kiss that breaks you. you roll your bottom lip between your teeth to stifle a laugh but release it immediately when the playful atmosphere takes a heady turn. clearing your throat, you pay no heed to their hungry expressions, knowing full well that they all noticed your little action and how they would react to it.

“a-anyways,” you stutter, “i’m gonna go get ready ‘cause i have things to do today so-” you try to slip by, leaving your empty cup in the sink, only to get caught in your tracks by hiro’s long arms. 

“ah, ah, ah, princess. and where do you think you’re going?” soon enough, you find yourself surrounded by your smoking hot boyfriends and heat up in anticipation of their next moves. 

“this so isn’t fair,” you complain aloud, though you were just as eager as they were to get you out of your worn sleep clothes. 

“tough shit, babygirl. guess you’re just gonna have to add four more things to your to-do list, huh?” 

naturally, you leave your errands for some day later in the week when you’re able to walk properly again.

the opportunity comes when you rise earlier than the rest of them, a rare occasion where you found yourself graced with the freedom of sleeping on the outside instead of being sandwiched in the middle of the bed. tiptoeing about, you brush your teeth and get dressed, somehow managing to not wake any of the sleeping beauties. you scribble little love-filled messages on post-it notes and stick them around your apartment on your way out, but not without one last soft smile in the direction of the bedroom, the sight of the four of them cuddled together through the door left ajar renewing your motivation to accomplish your tasks and come home sooner. 

with your laptop bag in tow, you set out for your first destination, settling into a corner booth at the coffee shop with a full cup and a pastry. once you finish your breakfast, you pull out your laptop and get to work, scouring the internet for the perfect gifts for your lovably imperfect partners. you rack your brain for any recollection of any moment where they would’ve let a potential present slip into conversation and light up when you come across volleyball print pajama pants. you check the availability of the sizes you needed and upon realizing that they were all in stock and would be delivered before christmas, you place your order without a moment’s hesitation. satisfied with your progress, you pull up the animal shelter’s hours before heading out of the cafe, the barista’s greetings and the jingling bells echoing behind you. 

by the time you return home, it’s late in the afternoon and you’re greeted by a wall of warm bodies as soon as you step through the front door. 

“where’ve you been, babe?” once again, takahiro is the first to meet your return, but this time he plants a sweet kiss on your lips with his long fingers encircling your waist after his inquiry. 

“oh, you know,” you sigh, dazed from the saccharine embrace. “out and about.”

“busy day? hope it was productive.” you nuzzle into tooru’s chest, feeling the timbre of his voice through your skin, and nod.

“as a matter of fact, it was.” their eyes soften at the proud grin stretched across your face. but your grumbling stomach just had to ruin the moment, making the three of you stare at each other before bursting out in chuckles.

“you skipped lunch?” oiks asks, wrapping each arm around yours and hiro’s waists and guiding you into the kitchen. you rub the back of your neck sheepishly.

“i guess so? i didn’t really notice i was hungry until now.”

“good thing we saved your favorite from that chinese place down the street for you,” mattsun comes up behind you and lands a kiss on the crown of your head. you beam gratefully up at him and skip over to the fridge to retrieve the takeout.

“welcome home, love,” iwaizumi emerges from the bathroom to complete the set and gives you a once over. “you look tired.”

“gee thanks, hajime.” he rolls his eyes playfully at you while you wait for your food to heat up in the microwave.

“what time did you get up this morning?” 

“uhhh,” you start, mouth full. at iwa’s stern glare, you swallow before answering, “seven-ish? earlier than i would’ve like for a vacation day but it was worth it.”

“hm, well i’m glad you had a good day at least.” you shuffle over to kiss his cheek before dropping yourself on top of where tooru and hiro were cuddling on the sofa, eyes drifting around the room to take in the holiday decorations adorning the space.

“thanks, haji. but you’re right, i am sleepy.” suppressing a yawn, you lean back against the broad chests behind you and tuck back into the paper container. “can we take a nap once i’m done?”

“sure thing, babygirl.” the innocent smile mattsun sends your way turns mischievous with his added comment. “we really tuckered ourselves out while you were gone.” you nearly choke but makki’s hand thumping your back helps you dislodge whatever food got caught in your throat. iwa shakes his head and looks to the side in an attempt to hide his face, but the reddening tips of his ears give him away. meanwhile, oikawa catches your eye and winks.

“how else did you suppose we keep ourselves occupied when our baby wasn’t home?” you get up to toss your now empty container, shaking your head as you go. 

“i’m glad to see you at least got the christmas tree up before going at it. god, you’re all insatiable.”

“i mean, it’s hard not to be in this relationship,” hajime grumbles.

“aww, iwa,” makki pushes his lips into an overexaggerated pout. “you make me hard, too.” full-bellied chortles escape the four of you, ignoring iwaizumi’s indignant huffs.

“whatever,” comes his miffed reply, but you know he takes all your antics in stride. soon enough, he returns to the living room with a stack of blankets and finds you and issei added to the pile of limbs tooru and hiro founded. somehow, hajime situates himself to fit perfectly in your cuddle fest, blankets sprawled about to keep you warm.

one last yawn leaves your mouth before you mutter a sleepy, “night, guys. love you,” barely registering the quiet “love you”s you get in return as you drift off, the lights adorning your christmas tree twinkling above you.

christmas day, you wake up before the others again, this time more than willing to feign sleep and revel in the warmth of your shared bed. luckily, you don’t have to wait long for your boys to stir. sitting up, you stretch your arms above you head and begin to climb out of bed only to be caught by the wrist and dragged back down.

“haji, please,” you draw out. “we can finally open the presents under the tree!”

“i don’t care, it’s too early for you to leave me, princess.” you hum as he pulls you closer to him, revisiting your mental note that iwa is much more openly (and selfishly) affectionate in the mornings. 

“oi, the rest of us are still here you know.” face buried against tooru’s back, mattsun’s muffled complaint gets hajime to loosen his hold on you. 

“yea, yea,” he props himself up on his elbow to lean over you and kisses the former middle blocker’s temple. “unfortunately.”

“so mean, iwa-chan,” oikawa pipes up, stretching his arm across you to caress your boyfriend’s toned arm before lacing his fingers with makki’s. the pink haired man himself, still half-asleep, squeezes tooru’s hand before sitting up.

“hey, wait. it’s christmas, isn’t it?” takahiro’s question reminds you of the package you received a couple days prior, prompting you to spring out of bed before one of them could reel you back in. the four watch you rifle through the closet and resurface with the pajama pants you ordered.

“merry christmas!” you cry excitedly, tossing each boy their respective pair and eagerly awaiting their reactions. “they’re matching pj’s! look, i got one for myself, too.” thankful that you chose to go to bed in just one of iwa’s godzilla t-shirts and underwear last night, you rush to slip on your volleyball print pants. the boys take in your childlike joy, chests tightening at how precious you are. “hurry up, i want you to try them on so we can match!” at your insistence, they roll out of bed and dutifully don your gifts. 

“oh these are actually really soft,” tooru murmurs thoughtfully, fingering the fabric on his thigh.

“right?” you pipe up, nearly bouncing off the walls. “i wanted to do something to commemorate our first christmas together in this apartment and i thought these were really cute since volleyball is what brought us together in the first place.” eyes meet each other as you all reminisce that special summer, grateful that you stayed close despite your individual journeys after graduation.

suddenly, the doorbell ringing catches your attention. a brief glance at the clock on the bedside table tells you it’s much later in the morning than you though, but you’re quick to answer the door.

“who could that be?” the boys are left wondering, wandering out into the living room in time to see you wave goodbye to whoever it was with a large gift-wrapped box sitting on the floor next to you. 

“babe? who was it?” tooru is the first to ask the question on all of their minds. 

“oh, just my best friend. they wanted to drop this off on their way to their parents’ house.” you gingerly pick up the box and bring it to where your boys were waiting for you. “go ahead!”

“go ahead?” hajime parrots. 

“yea! open it!”

“it’s not for you?” takahiro ponders.

“well yes and no. c’mon just open it already!” you’re bouncing on the balls of your feet at this point. tooru finally takes the initiative to remove the lid of the box, eyes widening when he sees what it hid.

“oh my gosh,” he breathes. the other three nearly knock heads with how quickly they lean over the opening.

“is that-?” a furry little head pops up over the edge of the box, round eyes peering up at the four of them.

“a dog! yes!” you squeal. “he’s a shelter dog!”

“he is?” hiro is in awe, slowly reaching out to cradle the little guy in his arms.

“i met him the other day when i woke up early and ran errands without you guys. isn’t he just the cutest?” big hands dwarf the small pooch as they gently pet his head and stroke his fur.

“does he have a name?” tooru has the good sense to ask. 

“mhm, the lady at the shelter said his previous owner named him ponyo.”

“ponyo…” issei whispered, eyes shining. 

“i know we’re nowhere near ready to start thinking about kids,” you start, the topic of the conversation instantly drawing their attention. tooru even ignored ponyo’s little tongue lapping at his fingers. “but i thought we could use an addition to our family.” 

“y/n, princess, we obviously all love him already, but we’re busy with work- well, most of us are. who’s gonna take care of him?” hajime questions, almost reluctantly.

“i mean, hiro is home all the time since he’s still unemployed (“i said i was looking, damn!”), but i actually got promoted so my schedule is way more flexible and i can work from home most of the time.” your voice trails off bashfully, but they give you no time to be embarrassed, swallowing you up in a huge hug. 

“why didn’t you say anything sooner, baby? we’re so proud of you!” now you know how the dog felt being smothered by their affection, not that it was anything new for you.

“uhh, surprise?”

“fuck yea, surprise! god, you’re incredible. lemme make a list of things we’ll need to get for ponyo once the stores reopen tomorrow.”

“actually…”

“you didn’t.”

“i did, with help from my best friend.” going into the lowest cupboards in the kitchen, you show off the bag of dog food and water and food bowls you bought soon after visiting the shelter. “his bed and crate are in the other closet by the washroom.”

“how did we get so lucky?” takahiro asks aloud, making you blush as the others nod in sync, all of them blown away by your thoughtfulness.

“this is nothing. i just wanted to show you guys how much i love you.” you play with your fingers, a little overwhelmed now that the initial excitement has worn off. “oh wait!”

“there’s more?” tooru asks, shocked.

“but wait, there’s more!” mattsun and makki chime in simultaneously, making you laugh as you retrieve the last present. you hop over to where tooru was sitting on the sofa with ponyo on his lap, scooping the dog up and locking the two of you in the bathroom. a couple minutes later, you open the door to let ponyo scurry over to his dads, who coo softly once they see him come around the sofa.

“when did you have time to do this?”

“my pants were a little long, so i hemmed them one night after you guys passed out on the sofa watching your old volleyball matches. i kinda guessed ponyo’s measurements based on standard info i found on the internet, but it fits perfectly so i’m glad!” looking at the little sweater you made for your new family member out of the extra fabric from your pj pants, you couldn’t stop the pleased grin that broke out on your face. “now even ponyo matches with us!”

while your gaze was trained on the tiny dog that was exploring his new home, theirs were stuck on you, your resemblance with a proud mother struck something in them, giving them thoughts of you with their children. yes, children. but for now they shoved those images to the backs of their minds, meeting each other’s stares to confirm they were all in silent agreement.

“we’re gonna make breakfast, you just sit there ‘n look pretty while you watch ponyo, yea?” issei announces before pulling you into a searing kiss as he walks by. 

“not that that’s hard for you,” iwa tags on, kissing your cheek and ruffling your hair following mattsun into the kitchen.

“but i’m always hard for you.” you yelp when hiro playfully slaps your ass, flipping him off as he trails after the other two with a loud hoot. tooru comes up behind you and rubs your sore cheek, spinning you around so that you were face to face.

“why’d you do this to me, y/n-chan?” you meet his frown with a confused look of your own. “now it’s gonna be even harder for me to go back to argentina.”

“oh, tooru,” you wrap your arms around his neck, standing on your tiptoes to bring him close. “you have the next few weeks to spend with us and our new baby.” as if he knew you were talking about him, ponyo pads over to sit by your feet, tail wagging. oikawa sighs melodramatically.

“a few weeks is nothing compared to the months i’ll be gone!” 

“oi, shittykawa, you better not be complaining after everything this morning,” hajime hollers from the kitchen.

“love you, too, iwa-chan!” tooru calls back instinctively then he looks back down at you, his eyes giving away how much leaving will hurt him and it nearly makes you tear up with him.

“tooru, baby, it sucks every time you leave us, but you’re following your dreams and doing what you love. and we want to support you all the way, even if it means doing so from across the world. but with my new work schedule, i’ll be able to call or text you pretty much whenever. and just think how much sweeter it’ll be the next time you do come home to us. so don’t be too sad, okay, my love? we’ll all be here waiting for you.” 

as the last words leave your lips, tooru has you pulled flush against him, arms wrapped tight around your body. his face was hidden, but you could feel the sobs in hot breaths against your shoulder. you guided him over to the sofa and let him cry, petting his hair and peppering kisses on his tear-streaked face until he tired himself out. 

issei, hajime, and takahiro come out of the kitchen with stacks of pancakes and all the fixings, setting them down on the coffee table in front of you once they see tooru snoozing in your lap. iwa picks ponyo up before he could get a bite of your breakfast while you gently shake your boyfriend awake. mattsun and makki set up ponyo’s crate and bedding, leaving him with a toy to keep him occupied while the five of you filled up your plates.

sitting in the living room of the apartment you shared with your four boyfriends on christmas day, stuffing your face with fruit and whipped cream topped pancakes that they made, in matching pajamas with your new rescue dog scampering about, you couldn’t ask for a better gift underneath the tree.

taglist: @lovemeafterhrs​ @sachirou-senpai​ @honey-makki​ @kenmaki​

[purplekiwis]

“From the Dining Table” - Chapter II

Hey guys! I can’t thank you enough for the support my fic has gotten, I still can’t believe so many of you guys have been enjoying it so far. I really hope you like this next chapter and the next one is coming out very soon! (Also, I’m still wondering if I’m going to add another chapter, just ‘cause I’ve been writing a lot more than I was planning on). Anyway, I hope you like it! ❤️ Word Count: 8K  Warnings: Angst, Cursing, Sexual References Summary: Friends to Lovers; Y/N is a graphic designer working at a small studio in London. She lives a pretty ordinary life, considering she also happens to be friends with an internationally known musician. Which is fine... Until she finds herself having to face the feelings she developed for her friend, who's the last person she expected to fall in love with. You can read Chapter I here You can read Chapter III here

Chapter II - The Hickey

The last thing you wanted to do was go to Harry’s house, but there was no way around it because you needed your car to go to work the next day.  

You ended up hanging out with Alexa for the rest of the morning, cleaning around the house while she contested, stating that she had hired a company to clean and that if you kept going, by the time they got there, there would be nothing left to do. But you couldn’t help yourself because you were too anxious to just sit and stay quiet.          

When the cleaning team arrived, you decided there was no point in posponing the inevitable so you finally called a cab, said goodbye to Alexa and went to Harry’s.              

When you got there you rang the bell, hoping that he was already up, which he was, but most importantly, you hoped he didn’t have company over.  

It took you about five minutes to walk from the gate to his building because you were practically dragging yourself, trying to figure out how you were going to act normal in front of him. As you got inside the elevator, you were still mumbling to yourself but when you hit the third floor you decided it was time to get it together.            

He was waiting for you by the door, wearing a fluffy bath robe and it looked like he had just gotten out of bed. If you weren’t so nervous, your body would be aching with desire to jump his bones, since he looked rather appetizing… You wondered if he was wearing anything else under that robe, but judging by the tightness of the knot around his waist you figured he probably wasn’t. “Where did you sleep last night?” He looked you up and down as he realized you were still wearing the same clothes from the night before.  

You couldn’t believe that you had completely forgotten that maybe it would’ve been a good idea to go home, take a shower and change before coming over if you were trying to keep up the whole I went home early alibi. “What do you mean?” You replied as rushed inside his apartment, quickly walking past him and making your way through the familiar hallway before he could analyze you any further.“Can I use your restroom? Thanks.” You asked, walking in and pressing the door shut before he could even get a chance of answering the question.    

Your makeup was all smudged, your hair looked too good for it to be believable that you had slept and your eyebags were definitely making an appearance. “God, I’m such a dumb cunt!” You spoke to yourself as you tried to wash last night’s residues from your face.              When you were done, you walked around the house looking for Harry. He was standing in the kitchen, leaning against the balcony. As you walked into view, his eyes immediately shifted from the orange he was eating and examined you again. “What?” You asked, rolling your eyes when met with his inquiring, yet silent demeanor.

“Oh, nothing...” He shook his head, smiling to himself. “If you don’t want to tell what you were up to last night I’m not going to insist...” “I have nothing to tell.” You replied easily. “Fine…” He shoved the rest of the orange in his mouth and made his way out of the kitchen into his large living room. Laying over his back on the couch You followed after him, sitting down on one of the edges. “What about you?” You elbowed his leg, trying to seem interested. “I saw you with your guy friend...” You pried, secretly wishing he wouldn’t spare you many details.

“We just made out for a while and then I left.”

“You didn’t have sex with him?” Your eyes widened in disbelief when he shook his head no. “Not even a cheeky blowie?”

“No.” Harry asserted, laying his head on your lap. “My head is killing me...” 

You read in between the lines and began to trace your fingers around his forehead and temples. He closed his eyes, focusing on your hand motions. “Should’ve held it back a little with the Tequila, right?” He replied with a grumble, turning around and burying his face on your lap, what surprisingly was getting you a little aroused. 

“Are you cold or something?” Harry asked, sensing the trembling of your body once a shiver ran through it.

“No, I’m fine!” You pressed as you buried your hands in his hairline and scratched lightly.“I’m still finding it hard to believe that you didn’t have sex last night…” You persisted, just trying to pull his attention away from your shaky legs.

“I couldn’t get it up even if I wanted to. I was so hammered that I could barely feel my legs, let alone my dick.”

“Oh! That makes a lot more sense.” “What do you mean it makes a lot more sense?” He rolled around, lifting up his head to look at you for a moment.

“I mean that it’s a plausible justification... Otherwise, why wouldn’t you?”

“Well, I wasn’t looking for anything to happen in the first place, it just kinda did.” “Are you looking forward to seeing him again?” “Hum… No, I don’t think so...” “Why not?” “You sure do ask a lot of questions for someone who isn’t even willing to tell where she spent the night at.” He remarked, opening his eyes again and looking right into yours with a smirk.

“I have nothing exciting to tell, I promise.” “So, what you’re saying is that you spent the night with someone and they did an awful job, is that it?” “What I’m trying to say that I didn’t get with anyone last night.” “You’re full of shit, I don’t believe you.” Harry made sure to remark, squinting his eyes and smirking devilishly. “Was it someone I know?”

“No! I told you already, nothing happened last night.” “But you didn’t spend the night alone though?” “Well, technically no…” “So it was just a bit of snogging, was it?” “If you really must know, I spent the whole night just talking to someone.” “Come on... quit the bullshit and just tell me who you fucked already, you know I’ll end up figuring it out anyway...” “Fine! Good luck figuring out something that never happened...”

“What was all that talking about then?” “You know… just girl stuff.” Technically it wasn’t a lie.

“Girl on girl stuff?” “Don’t be nasty!” You chastised, slapping his torso.

“You’re nasty!” The boy uttered, rubbing his ribs where you’d hit him.

While playing with his hair, you couldn’t help but to go back to the memory of the boy gripping it while he kissed him, and even though it made you feel better to know it was just a casual hookup, you knew it was only a matter of time until he found someone that really peaked his interest. If you really want something, you gotta go and get it. Otherwise someone else is gonna get it for you. Those exact words had been spoken by Alexa the night prior, and were still echoing around your mind.   You knew she was right. Ever since you and Harry met you had been building your life around him... Only bothering to look for a partner when he was taken, always waiting for him to notice your feelings... But somehow he never did. And you were unable to find a way to just tell him. Deep in you heart you knew that you had to come clean, but it was just so hard to find a good opportunity to do so, and now that the conversation faded and there was nothing to distract you from your own thoughts, it was becoming harder to hold them in.

“Are you okay?” Your friend asked, noticing your sullen expression.

“Yeah, yeah... I’m just a bit tired, that’s all. I should probably go home and get some rest.” Harry looked a bit disappointed that you were leaving, but he knew you should be tired so he didn’t insist for you to stay longer. “Are you busy tomorrow?” He asked, as you shuffled in the couch, preparing to get up.

“I’m working until 5PM.” “I have a radio thing in the morning and a couple of interviews in the afternoon but we could hang out after work, yeah?” “I can’t promise anything yet, but if I’m free I’ll let you know.” You suddenly playing hard to get seemed to have caught him by surprise and he frowned. “Sure! You’re probably really busy with work, right?”

“Hm, not really, no...” You got up from the couch, letting his head fall back into the pillow. You were enjoying his eagerness for your company, so you kept up with the little game.

“You know it’s okay if you don’t want to… you can just tell me.” “Don’t be silly Harry.” You waved off his worries. “Have you seen my blouse? I don’t remember where I left it.” “On the chair, by the closet.” “I’m taking your shirt so I can wash and iron it, but I promise I’ll give it back.” “Oh, yeah, about that... you can keep it. Take it as a late birthday gift.” “What?” “It looks great on you. And just this time, I’ll admit that you’ll probably wear it more than I ever will.” “You know I can’t say “yes” to that,” “Then just say “thank you”. That works just fine…” “Are you actually serious?” “Dead serious.” He said, smiling widely once you excitedly jumped over the couch and held his body in a tight hug to thank him for his random gift before leaving. Once you were already on your way out, Harry insisted on accompaning you to the garage... giving you one last hug goodbye before you got inside your car. As you made your way home, you rolled the windows down and reveled on the way the air flew around the sleeves of your new shirt, you could still smell traces of him in it. That had just become your favorite shirt. Not only because it was a great shirt, but because it was his. **

As the next day came, your boring weekly routine started again. However, in this specific day you were particularly commited in making sure not to stay afterhours... Giving up your lunch break and choosing to eat by your computer instead, so you could finish work earlier. When you finished your rushed lunch, you decided it would be a good time to text Harry, letting him know you were free to hang out after all (as if you hadn’t been planning your day around it all along).

The hours passed and still he hadn’t texted back, so when you finally left work you decided it was best to just call him. And so you did, but he never picked up, not then and not for the next four hours you tried to reach him.

You couldn’t help but to feel overwhelmingly sad with the fact that he had made plans with you and left you hanging for no apparent reason... You were also somewhat worried that something bad might have happened, but mostly, you felt angry at yourself for making the same mistake you always made when it came to Harry. Building your hopes up, only to be left disappointed and hurt in the aftermath.

You finally broke down when you got home that day. And it was bad. It was as if all the emotions you had been bottling up for the past years and, mostly the last two days had finally let loose. It was like a storm had settled inside you, and you were drowning in it. The walls of your heart had caved in to make room for the feelings that came down in buckets like rain, that leaked down your face in the shape of tears, snot and slobber. When you woke up the next day, you still felt awful... Yet somehow, it seemed that something inside of your head had finally clicked in place… It was the Harry switch. You had just decided to turn it off for undetermined time. As you went about your day, the stubborn little switch still insisted on turning itself on sometimes, but you were deep-seated and refusing to give in. That’s why you had purposely been avoiding checking your phone during morning, but as lunch time was getting closer and you didn’t have much work left to entertain yourself with, you decided to check it out of boredom and as expected, there it was… a text from the traitor himself.

Y/N battled with herself over if she should open it or not. Having picked up and dropped her phone nearly ten times trying to ignore the notification sign... but she knew she couldn’t just leave it there forever, so she (alongside her soft, silly heart) decided it would be best to just get the deal over with.

H.S: I’m really sorry about yesterday. Something unexpected came up and I couldn’t make it. Can I compensate by offering lunch today?”

You smiled at that. No matter how hard you tried to hide it, your heart was too soft for your own good. You couldn’t stay mad at people for too long, you hated arguments and you were absolutely terrified of confrontation. In fact, that was probably the main reason why you hadn’t confessed your feelings to Harry yet.

And still, you managed to go the rest of the day successfully ignoring his text... What made you feel quite proud of yourself, but as you got in bed that night and checked your phone one last time before sleeping, you couldn’t help but to feel disappointed he hadn’t tried harder...

“He must not feel so sorry after all since he gave up on it so fast…” You talked out loud beyond your knowledge. “Pfft... And he says something came up. I wonder what it was… Probably another one of his little hookups, and I bet they weren’t even that nice or interesting… God, what am I doing?” You grumbled, caughing up to the fact you had been talking to yourself out loud again with your cat watching from the edge of the bed. Probably wishing that their owner would just shut up and go to sleep already so that they could cuddle your belly. “Help me Tilly...” You called for the creature. “What do you think I should do?” It blankly stared at you for a second, before starting to lick at her private bits. “Thanks a lot... I know you’re just a cat but at least you could try…! ...Or seem a little more interested, or at least consider me as an option… After all, why not me? What’s so wrong with me? What did I ever do to give him the impression that I just wanted to be friends? Is it the fact that I try not to beg for his attention all the time? Is it because I don’t flirt much? ...And yet, perhaps it’s just that he really doesn’t see me that way…”

The next day came and you kept up the silence treatment. At this point, you had no idea of how long you were going to keep with it, but you were far too commited to just give in now, and since he didn’t seem too bothered by your absence, you thought that you might as well just ignore him for a couple more days...

To your surprise, he texted you again.

H.S: Hello, it’s me again. I realized that you are probably upset so I thought I should invite you for lunch again (I know, genius!!!) But this time I won’t take silence for an answer so please just text me back already. What are you going to if I don’t text you anyway? You thought to yourself, deciding you would reply to his text... but only after lunch just so you could keep him suffering for a little longer.

As lunch time finally arrived, the usual fuss began as people started to get up from their desks for a well deserved food break. Albeit that day, that time, there seemed to be a particularly bigger fuss coming all the way from the studio’s front. Where clients usually came in and costumer service was provided. Y/N opted to think nothing of it, figuring it would probably just be some heated, sports related discussion between coworkers…

Until she heard a familiar laugh over the music playing in her earphones.

The sound grabbed her attention, making her pause Spotify and pull off one of the spongey plugs covering her ears to have a better listen. It happened again, and this time the laugh really left no room for doubt... 

Being the brave little spirit she was, Y/N decided she was just not going deal with the situation making her far more uncomfortable than she could ever imagine.You figured your only chance to escape would be to hide in the storage room for a while, so that maybe people would assume you had already left. Unfortunately, as you sneakely attempted to get up from your desk, a head popped inside the work room. “Y/N... Harry guy from One Direction is at our service desk. Says he’s looking for you.” Your co-worker Jonas spoke in an amazed tone, as if he couldn’t believe his own words. He disappeared behind the door the next second, and knowing him, you were already assuming he was off to tell the rest of the building.

“Why me?” You groaned internally, picked up your belongings and dragged your feet on your way to the studio’s front, absentmindedly hiding your face from the pairs of curious eyes staring from the different rooms.

At least his outfit was discreet. Consisting of a black printed sweatshirt, black jeans and sneakers. He was wearing his hood up and underneath it, resting over his forehead, was a pair of white sunglasses. You were glad that he was trying to lay low, because the last thing you wanted was to show up in the background of his magazine pictures with your face stuffed with food, like it happened once before. Luckily, that time you managed to pass out as just an occasional passenger, since you weren’t that close to him when the wave of blinding flashes came, and left the second after.  Harry had gotten a little pissed at the time though, mostly because it was completely unexpected and it lead to everyone making fun of his overly casual attire. Is a crime for a man to walk down the street in ugg boots at midnight to pick up a snack from the convenience store? Harry had asked when he saw the tweets. Y/N had decided to keep to herself that she thought it to be legitimate that the topic of whether a crime against fashion had been committed or not that night would be up for discussion She cringed the memory away, focusing on present Harry and the way he was shaking hands with all of her co-workers and introducing himself with a smile. “Hi, I’m Harry! I believe we’ve already met.” He addressed your boss.

“I’m sorry, I’m finding it a bit hard to remember…” The artsy looking man looked mildly confused by Harry’s statement, but decided to shake his hand nonetheless.

“I believe we met at BBC a couple of years ago... I was there with my band at the time, and you and Y/N were putting up this big mural on one of the walls...”

“Oh, right! You’re the hickey guy!”

Harry buried his face in his palm at the man’s bluntness, displaying a shameful smile underneath it. “Yeah, I’m... that guy.” 

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you...” Your boss apologized a little sheepishly. “I guess I was still picturing you with the long hair.” “No it’s okay, I get that a lot…” Everyone in the room seemed a little curious to find what the story behind the embarrassing hickey was… And you couldn't help but to reminisce that almost forgotten memory as well.

**

Y/N had just began working at the design studio as an intern. And due to her lack of experience, her superiors had clearly been avoiding giving her creative work. Awarding her with the boring tasks instead, like heat printing endless boxes of merchandise, cutting and applying vinyl on practically every type of surface there was, watching over the company’s e-mail and social media, and her personal favorite: Putting up amazing panel installations that she so desperately wished she’d helped design.

That day happened to be panel installation day.

Therefore you were already feeling quite sulky... and then, to make it even worse, you had been assigned the task of carrying around the printed plaques from the van to the TV Center all morning by yourself... And you were starting to feel like you were also going to be putting them up without any help...

That morning your boss had volunteered to accompany you in your quest, what was rather odd, given the fact that he never wanted to leave his office chair, unless he was bound to by extreme higher forces. He had also insisted that two people were enough to put up the panel. However, he was too busy catching up with his mate, that happened to work there, to realize that you could actually use his help.

That explains why he wanted to come in the first place, You figured, side-eyeing the chatty pair with one of your hands rested on your hip. Which means I should probably get started if I don’t plan on spending all day at this goddamn place. You concluded as you observed the gigantic empty wall in front of you for a moment, before finally settling on climbing the unsteady ladder with fearful legs, to start hammering the plaques to the wall.

You had already finished the first row and were about to start hammering the first plaque on the second row when a group of people came running inside the room, laughing and jumping at each other’s backs. Accidentaly, one of them kicked the ladder on his way in, making you lose your balance and drop the hammer over your toes. It hurt like a bitch, and for the first time in a long time, you just lost it. Turning around and shouted at them without any hesitation: “How about paying attention to where you’re going next time?” Your body froze when you recognized 4 faces out of the 7 that perplexedly stared back at your complaint. You felt a rush of shame consuming your entire body and for a split second you thought you were about to die out of embarassment. “I’m so sorry, I- I don’t know what came over me.” You stuttered a bit, hoping that they still weren't enoughly used to star-treatment to believe that pressing aggression charges on a moody internee was something suitable to do.

“No, we should be apologizing. We shouldn’t have ran in like that... It could’ve seriously hurt you.” The long haired guy awkwardly approached you, as the others stood watching the scene unfold, looking a bit cautious of what your reaction would be. “I’m Harry, by the way.” He held out his hand and you shook it, still in shock that you had just accidentally yelled at one of the most famous boybands in the world.

He bent down and grabbed your hammer from the floor, playing around with it in his hands for a moment. “That’s a strong hammer you got there...” He handed it back with a grin. “Better watch out for you while we’re here.” You took it from his hand, attempting to thank him but ending up just mouthing something incomprehensible instead.

Once they left and closed the door behind them, you couldn’t help but to cover your face with your hands, still in disbelief over your inopportuneness. Instead of offering a word of kindness, your boss just shook his head at you and continued his conversation. Thirty minutes later the door opened again and the group re-entered the room, you kept your eyes stuck to the wall, still feeling shameful of your previous actions. One of the BBC employees announced that they were going to take a break before filming, inviting everyone to join them for coffee and tea. Your boss hopped right along, but you politely declined... Not wanting to embarrass yourself any further. And so they left, leaving you in alone the room.

Not long after, you felt someone’s presence and peeking behind you, you saw Harry standing there, observing the panel that was already starting to take form. He was acting a bit strange, lurking around the room as if he was up to something, but you figured it was best to just keep pretending you didn’t see him.

After a few minutes, you glanced behind you again and noticed he had left. You briefely shrugged at the oddity of his behavior, turning you attention back to the panel, suddently noticing a tall figure standing right beside you.

“Jesus Christ! Are you trying to kill me?” You gasped, taking a hand to your chest to calm your startled heart.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you. I just… need help with something.” He was looking up at you in the ladder, hands behind his back and eyes full of wist. His body language screamed that he was about to invite you to prom, what weirded you out a little bit.

“Oh, I don’t actually work here.”  You promptly answered. “You should probably ask someone else.” 

“Can you do makeup?” He questioned.

“Huh… I mean, I’m not an expert or anything.” You were confused by his question, but still got down from the ladder and wiped your sweaty palms in your jeans, predisposed to try to help anyway. “Don’t they usually have makeup artists on TV stations?”

"Yeah, but apparently the make-up artist got in labor today and since we’re all guys, they figured it wouldn’t be much of a problem to not have one around."  You frowned at his observation, reckoning how insecure he must be to care about something that minor when clearly there was nothing wrong with his face, quite the opposite, actually. “I’m sorry but I don’t have anything with me... and even if I did, I doubt it wouldn’t match you anyway.”

“They have a makeup room, we could just go there and borrow some.” “I don’t know if that’s a good idea… I mean, you don’t need the makeup, trust me! You’re fine.”

“The problem isn’t my face, I know it looks great.” You wheezed at his self-compliment, now guessing that he must be quite conceited. “The problem is this.” He pointed out, moving his locks to the side, revealing one of the largest, darkest, sloppiest hickeys you had ever seen.

“Oh.” You exclaimed at the sight of it. “Now that’s a little…different.”

You knew helping him wasn’t wise. He was essentially asking you to stop what you were doing and help him steal makeup from the company you were working for... What was obviously highly unprofessional. Unethical even. And since your boss could be back any time soon, it would be pretty reckless to just randomnly vanish without an explanation... Plus, you didn’t exactly pity him for having the interesting sex life you could only dream with. And yet, the way he was looking at you with those puppy eyes made it impossible for you to deny his request. Besides, you had to admit that this would make quite a story to tell your grandchildren one day.

Apparently Harry had already figured out where the makeup room was... What significantly helped your situation, since you might be searching the building for hours, had that not been the case.  He opened the door and got inside, keeping the lights off to avoid drawing any attention. “Maybe it’s best if one of us stays behind and watches the door.” You suggested, stopping near the doorway.

“Alright then.” He turned and began walking back towards the door, but you crossed your arms and stared at him, waiting for him to get the clue. He did. Stopping in his tracks with a “Oh.” Followed by: “You want me to go get the stuff, don’t you?”

“Well, it was your idea wasn’t it?” You inquired, prompting him into turning back around with a snort. He walked towards one of the vanities, hastily opening the drawers and grabbing random items, inspecting them in his hands and trying to read the labels under the dim light that came solely from the hallway where you stood.

“Do you even know what you’re looking for?” You asked, noticing his struggle.

“Do I strike you as a makeup knowing person?”

His honesty had you giving up on watching the door, guessing that you had a far better chance of not getting caught if you saved both of you some time and helped him search. You quickly found what you were looking for, some concealer, foundation and a brush. “Give me your hand.” You commanded, struggling to match his color from distance.

“Jeez… trying to hold hands with me already…”

You felt glad for the room’s poor ilumination, preventing him to see how  flustered you got at his cheeky comment as you grabbed his hand and squeezed a tiny drop of product in it, blending around with your finger. After a few tries and using your phone’s flashlight as a light source, you were almost certain you had a decent match. “Okay, I think I’ve got it! But we should probably go somewhere else to apply it if we don’t want to get caught red handed.”

“I think there’s a toilet down the hallway… I know it’s not the best, but given the circunstances…”

“That’ll do just fine!” You said, hurrying him down the hallway and inside said toilet, It smelled a bit funky, but it definitely wasn’t the worst you’d seen.

“I have a problem.” The boy started once you closed the door behind you. “I kind of really need to wee. I didn’t want to before, but the ambience... it’s getting to me.” He hissed, getting a little impatient.

“Can’t you hold it for like, three minutes?” “I’ll try... but if I piss my pants, you’ll have to loan me yours.” He whined, resting his bottom against on the sink. His eyes were fixed on the ceiling to keep his neck extended while you tried to cover the giant purple mark on his neck. You were practically grinding on him, due to the lack of space in the toilet, but for some reason it didn’t feel awkward at all, until you started to think about it. You gave a step back, attempting to increase the distance between the both of you. “Getting shy?”

“A little, yeah” Your honesty caught him by surprise. “Don’t. It’s fine, we’re just two makeup pals doing their thing.”

“I’m sure your girlfriend wouldn’t be very pleased with it either way…”

“What girlfriend?” “Oh, sorry. I just assumed due to the...” You pointed out the hickey with the brush in your hand. “...you know.”

He coughed at laugh at that. “Well... Single life can get quite lonely and a man has his needs…” He explained himself, although he knew he didn’t have to. “What about you hammer girl? Is there an hammer boy that would care that you’re grinding on a stranger inside a toilet?”

“Hammer boy is a girl, actually.” “Oh, that’s cool. I mean… It’s normal, right?” “I would hope so, since it’s 2015. Can you turn this way a little bit so I c-”

Your question got cut off by the toilet door bursting open. A group of people, included Harry’s managers, your boss, his friend, and a bunch of BBC employees, were standing in the hallway, incredually staring at the two of you. “God damn it Styles! Can’t you keep it in your pants for two fucking minutes?”

“I swear this is not what it seems!” You and Harry said in unison.

“What in the bloody hell do you think you’re doing? Everyone has been looking around for the two of you for the past 20 minutes. You better have a good explanation to give or I swear to god Styles, I’ll make you explain it on camera so that everyone  gets to see how much of a pain in my ass the lot of you are.”

Both of you explained the situation the best you could, what naturally didn’t go very well. But even though Harry’s managers were angry, they seemed quite glad that he had kept his pants on this time... It made you wonder how often they actually found him mid-shag with strangers inside toilets, but you opted not to the debate much on the topic. Your boss on the other hand, wasn’t so glad that you kept your pants on, matter of fact, he probably would’ve preferred the shagging over the make-up stealing, since he scolded you in front of everyone, calling you out on your lack of professionalism and personal values. Leaving you bawling your eyes out for the rest of the time you were there.

Your crying made Harry feel really bad, since it had been his idea, so he tried to offer you VIP tickets for a One Direction concert, but his manager denied his request out of spite. You didn’t really mind it, since you had never been much of a 1D fan and you assured him that you were fine, but he insisted that you gave him your number so that you could meet after the concert for a drink. Somewhere along the years that followed your first encounter, he admitted that he only invited you to be kind and that he was planning on making an excuse and leave you hanging, but then he ended up having an ugly argument with someone on the concert day and could use a distraction and a couple of drinks, so he texted you.

Long story short, you ended up getting smashed on a shitty London pub, puking in a gutter together and spending the whole night having drunken conversations on a street bench. It’s safe to say that that night was a pretty good introduction for the friendship that followed.

**

Part of you wanted to kill Harry for showing up at your work knowing how important it was for you to keep your work life and your personal life separate. But you had to admit that you were happy that he was putting in the effort. “Ah, there you are!” He smiled as he spotted your familiar face. “Are you ready to go?”

“I suppose.” “Oh, by the way...” He adressed your boss directly. “Is it too much of an inconvinience if Y/N arrives a little late to work today? The place we’re going can get quite busy sometimes...”

You widened your eyes at Harry’s outrage and opened your mouth to apologize in his behalf and assure your boss that you would be there in time, but he had a unexpected reaction. “Oh, it’s fine! You can keep her for the rest of the day. I always tell her that she works too much and that she should take more days off. Excuse my curiosity, is this some sort of anniversary situation?”

“Oh no! We’re not… We’re just friends!” You quickly informed.

“Are we? I was under the impression that we were marrying next spring.” Harry’s comment inevitably made the heat rush to your cheeks.

“Can we just go already?” “Always so moody… Well then, goodbye everyone, it was nice meeting all of y-” He started, but you pushed him out of the door before he could speak another word. “Have you completely lost it? What were you thinking in showing up at my work like that?” You asked when you felt you were finally out of sight from any prying eyes.

“Well, you wouldn’t text me back so I decided I should come by. Besides, what’s the big deal? You work for musicians all the time, you’re the one making it sound weird.” “Yeah but they don’t usually just walk through the door, do they? Let alone ask for their friends…” “God woman, you’re a nightmare!” “Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?” “A nice young fella trying to take you out for lunch and all you do is complain…” “Well…If he’s so nice then why did he leave me hanging and didn’t even bother to explain himself properly?”

Harry went on explaining the terrible day he had. From waking up late for his appointment, to having spent the whole afternoon on a super important meeting that he had completely forgotten about. Since he didn’t prepare for it, it didn’t go very well, what triggered a nervous breakdown and so, to help him relax, Mitch shared some weed with him, but it didn’t hit him well and he ended up throwing up all over the studio’s rooftop.  

You obviously forgave him right away... Feeling rather sorry about the way you had handled the situation in the first place. You ended up having a lovely lunch at a cute little cafe that Harry liked for it’s discreetness and delicious “somewhat healthy” as he called it, food. He made sure to tell you he had a meeting at the studio with the band to work on some stuff for his upcoming album, what was originally meant to be a justification why he couldn’t hang out with you for the rest of the day, but ended up turning into a invitation to come along. Since he knew you always enjoyed to watch him play, even if it meant you didn’t get much of his attention while he was there. “Oh, I almost forgot!” He exclaimed mid conversation. “On the day of my meeting I ran into Alexa and she asked for your number… Apparently she’s throwing another party and wanted to personally invite you. She was acting weird, like the two of you were bezzies. I dunno, she has always been a little cuckoo, but I have a feeling that it’s all finally starting to take a toll on her.” He rambled as you made your way past the music studio’s reception. His words made your heart race, you knew how inconvenient Alexa could be and you worried that she might have spilt the beans on your conversation. “Did you give it to her?”

“Of course not, I told her I needed to ask you first... And then she flipped me off and went about her day.”

“Was that it? Did she say anything else?” “No, chill out. Why are you suddenly so concerned about what she says?” “I’m not. Oh, and you can give her my number by the way.” “Huh, excuse me, what?” “I guess you were right. She’s not so bad after all.” Harry physically paused, still trying to proccess the words you’d spoken as you practically danced around the hallway, observing the art that decorated the walls. He shook off his head, massaged his eyelids. “I’m starting to think that maybe I’m the one who’s going cuckoo after all...” He mumbled.

The studio session ended up taking a lot longer than expected. It was already nighttime and you were almost sure you were the only ones left there, but everyone was having fun, so you didn’t mind it at all. However, you were starting to feel a little sleepy, so you curled up on the sofa and closed your eyes. The music sounded so peaceful in your ears, that you could almost feel like you were already dreaming to the sound of it... Until, completely out of the blue came a loud noise. Followed by screaming. You sat up in a jump, and so did everyone else. You all confusedly stared at each other and then, towards the door. Two different voices could be heard. One of them was rather pitchy, sounding almost scared. The other in comparison, felt angrier, and demanding. You could also still hear objects being thrown around, some of them clearly getting smashed on the floor.

Being the curious cats you were, you ran towards the door and put your ears against it, in hopes to figure out what was going on in the hallway. “Is that Alexa? It sounds a lot like her…” Sarah commented, cupping her mouth in shock.

Harry stretched his neck, trying to peek out the window. “I think you’re right… but who the fuck’s that guy?” You pulled him down by his belt before he could see, noticing his head was fully on display.

“Should we do something? I know she’s crazy but I have a bad feeling…” Sarah questioned, seeming genuinly worried.

“I think that if we don’t they might kill each-other out there.” Mitch joked, noticeably being the calmest in the group.  

“Alright, I’m gonna go see what’s going on…” Harry puffed his cheeks, already rolling up his sleeves

“No, you’re staying right where you are.” You grabbed his wrist and pulled him down again. “I just know you’ll end up getting yourself hurt.” 

“So? You think I can’t take a punch?” “That’s not the point, Harry! I was hoping we could intervine without having to resort to... more violence.” “Do you have any genius ideas?” “Actually, I was thinking I could try to talk them down.” “Absolutely not!” He scoffed.

“Let me give it a try and then if it doesn’t work, we phone the authorities. How does that sound?” You rationalized.

“Step away.” He insisted, ignoring your argument.

“You know what mate... To be fair, I don’t think it’s very good marketing for you to be associated with the trashing of a studio.”  Mitch intervened in your favor. “Especially in the middle your solo transgression. Even though your intentions are good, I think you... especially, would be best staying out of it.”

You could almost make up the engines working in Harry’s head before he spoke again. “If I’m staying out of it, we’re all staying out of it…” He grunted.

“Why don’t we just call the police and sit here quietly until they show up?” Claire suggested.

“What about Alexa? I don’t want her to get in trouble…” As you finished your sentence, a set of expensive looking headphones came flying against one of the room’s windows, luckily not breaking the glass. “I think it might be a little late for that…” At the sound of Mitch’s words you got up and jumped out the door. Your friends still tried to drag you back inside by your ankles, what ended up only making you stumble a bit on your way out, before you quicked their hands off and closed the door on them.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” You challenged the fighting duo, crossing your arms in a silly attempt to look somewhat threatning.

“Y/N! What are you doing here?” Alexa asked, clearly distressed. Her makeup was all smuged and you could see fight marks all over her chest and arms.

“I came looking for my friends, but they’re not back from dinner yet. Next thing I know there’s screaming and equipment flying everywhere…” “How long have you been in there?” “Long enough…” “You should probably go, this is none of your business.” The guy finally adressed your presence. You figured him to be Alexa’s ex, you also figured him not to be sober by the way he dragged out his words.

“I’m not going anywhere and if anyone here is going home it’s you, you woman beater piece of shit.” You were shocked by your own boldness. The guy was huge and frankly quite intimidating.

“Listen here you snippy little bitch, who the fuck do you think you are? I said it’s time to go home and you’re gonna do as I say before I slap the shit out of you as well, do you hear me?” He didn’t make a move towards you, what helped fuel your conviction that he was just trying to scare you away.

“Y/N please... just do as he says. I’ll be fine, I promise.” Alexa begged you, practically sobbing at that point.

“I’m sorry but I’m not going to do that. It’s just a matter of time until our friends get here and find us… They’ll call the police then, and it’s all going be fine for us… I mean, two girls versus a big bad guy… you know who’s side they’re going to believe in.” Alexa’s face went white, you could tell she was mortified by the claims you were making. “Are you threatning me? You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into you stupid little” You stood by your stance, disregarding his threat. “And yet, perhaps we can all just go home and forget this situation ever happened! Wouldn’t that be good? I’m sure we could tell eveyone that it was just a robbery… All it would take would be for you to just piss off and leave Alexa alone for good… I mean, If you ask me I think it’s a pretty easy choice to make…”

The guy stared at you for what seemed like an eternity, but when he spoke, he said exactly what you hoped he would. “Whatever, that whore isn’t even worth my time anyway.” 

He turned around and made his way to the exit, making sure to punch through the canvas that decorated the wall to your left as he walked past you, in a pathetic attempt to assert his dominance. When you heard the door shutting, Alexa ran into your arms and you hugged her tightly, she was a complete mess.

In the middle of her crying, you heard a door knob rotating and Harry, Mitch, Sarah and Claire rushed out of the door, falling all over eachother in the proccess. “Wait, what are you guys doing here?” Alexa stared at them with confusion all over her face. “You said they were out having dinner, I-”

“I figured that if I told him that we had people on the way he would get scared and just leave, you know... since I’m not much of a threat.” “I suppose it worked.” Mitch congratulated, high-fiving you. “Great move.”

“Who the hell was that guy anyway?” Sarah asked, making everyone shift their attention to Alexa again, waiting for an answer.

“He’s my stupid ex-boyfriend.” She granted, not giving it nearly as much importance as she should. “Look, I really appreciate the help but I don’t want you guys to worry, I can deal with him myself.” “Alexa, I know you feel like you don’t need anyone, and trust me, I’ve been there too and all I can say is that, even if you don’t realize it at first, it’s always important to have a friend there. Someone who listens, who cares, who talks you down from doing stupid shit... That lifts you up when you need them most, and forces you to be kind to yourself, that stays and doesn’t leave even if when you push them away... Everyone needs people like that. We can be that for you, because we’re your friends...” Her frown lit up into a delicate smile before she pulled you in for a hug. “You girls are going to make me cry!” Sarah chuckled, wiping away a forming tear.

“That was real cute but I’m still trying to process that that just happened.” Mitch added, clearly baffled by the events.

“Me too… that was crazy.” You admited.

“To be fair I don’t know who got it worst… You should’ve seen what we went through to keep Harry from storming out of the room and go after you.”

Due to Harry’s silence, you’d almost forgotten he was there. You turned around to check on him, only to find him still sitting on the floor, looking rather weary. You kneeled by him and brushed the hair off his face, handing him a hand to help him get up as everyone silently took the time to fully examine the damage that had been done.

“We’re so fucked… What are we going to do now?” Mitch wondered.

Chapter III here

[an-ambivalent]

Hi, can i request a scenario? It's okay if you don't do it :) Can you make depressed and lonely yandere! Artist! Tae falling in love with his s/o? Thank you :")

Hello! Sorry this took ages, and this turned out to be quite different to what I thought of writing it as, or you requested. Sorry about that :’D I hope you still like this though! 

This is very slightly loosely based off Barbie as Rapunzel 

Warning: As this  contains yandere themes, the characters display behaviors that can be triggering or uncomfortable to read. Read at your own risk. This work is purely fiction. I do not believe any of the mentioned members would display any sort of this behaviour irl, nor do I condone this sort of behaviour.

Pairings: Yandere! Taehyung x Reader | Yoonji x Reader

Word Count: 4.9K

Xanadu Of Strokes

Art was a peculiar thing – it was such a broad term that held significant meaning and value to many. But at the same time, it was also perceived as an insignificant subject with no worth, and seen as a complete waste of time. One person may believe that art is mere sketching, while most tend to have a general understanding that it included painting, music, writing, dancing and more – it was a vast definition that was limited only by one’s imagination; art was a self expression that allowed one to explore the darkest version of themselves, and express that secretive dark self of them through symbols, words, and actions without fearing judgement. 

Taehyung  was someone who held art dearly to his heart. To him, art was as essential as breathing – it meant everything to him. Art was his only means of expressing himself in the life where he was allowed to show no emotion. Similarly, in the life where he had little to no freedom, and no means of leaving the four walls that constantly confined him, a single paint brush was his only means of escape. 

It was exhilarating – to be able to escape into the world of his own creation and be the most respected and powerful person. It was a facade fictional ideal he used to cope with the powerlessness he could likely never overcome in this current reality. He was all but a simple man who had been kept captive for as long as he could remember. In a gigantic and tall tower that loomed over everything in the middle of nowhere, where he had been cut off from the outside his entire life, his capturer Min Yoonji,  had kept his freedom limited to one room. Miss. Yoonji had claimed that it was too dangerous for someone like Taehyung to be outside, that his being and what he had to offer, was too good for anyone except for her to see. 

For some strange reason, she had a weird obsession with his hair. While he did not mind, Taehyung found it strange how she always forced him to keep his hair one specific length – never shorter or longer than its current length. Each day, morning and night, she would run her fingers through his soft locks, wash it in a specific way, talk about how beautiful it was, and how it was going to be the big break she needed to finally make her mark in the world. She treated his hair as if it was cultivating some sort of magic. 

Unbeknownst to Taehyung, his hair was magical. Yoonji was an obsessive aspiring fashion designer. Each time she crafted an outfit and integrated a lock of Taehyung’s hair in her designed outfits, they would become engulfed in white light before quickly transforming and taking a life of their own. She eagerly looked forward to the day when she would complete her fashion line, and release her unique clothes into the world. 

Presently, Taehyung had finished another painting with his one and only brush. Just like what painting and his own art to mean, the brush he used felt like it was his life line. Ever since he found it, Taehyung made sure to keep this brush his own secret and hidden away from Yoonji at all costs – it was his only ticket to getaway in order to keep himself sane. Not to mention, the brush painted whatever Taehyung  imagined as an actual artwork, and it was artwork that lived and breathed. 

Taehyung made it a habit to paint only cities or certain places with intricate details. That way, he could visit the cities he had created, and its’ people in it. He was able to experience the world of his creations taking on their life, and relish in the world where he was not a powerless isolated human, but where he had all the power. 

One thing that Taehyung failed to realize was that his “hobby” of going into his paintings that he created was something that was beginning to develop into an obsession. Especially since the more time he spent in his paintings, which increased with each visit, a part of his soul was left behind in the world of his artwork. This would continue to be so until his whole soul would solely exist in that fantasy realm, and he could no longer return to his reality. 

Out of all the world’s he had painted, and by extension, visited, Xanadu was his favourite. It was where people were at their loviest, art was at its finest, etiquette was its richest, and him, Kim Taehyung, was the strongest. 

People bowed at his feet, and worshiped him for he was their God, their ruler; it was only in this world that his talent as an artist was acknowledged. Everyone appreciated his artworks as blessings the way they should, and would kill to have him paint for them. 

But most importantly, it was the world where his most beloved, who he treasured more than his brush, lived. The world where his most beautiful, and his favourite piece he had ever created breathed.

You were the main reason Taehyung spent hours upon hours locked in Xanadu, and spent enough time that he was beginning to lose his soul. 

Like he always did during this time of the day, Taehyung walked towards one of the walls in his room. A big, loose, rusty red and gold cloth was draped on the wall to hide the world that laid behind; Xanadu. 

With the back of his hand, Taehyung moved the cloth aside. His eyes that were usually lacking of interest and life, glowed with a lustrous wonder and excitement. His heart-shaped lips stretched into a wide grin. With much practice now by his side, he had become accustomed to travelling between fantasy and reality. 

Eyebags that had appeared underneath his eyes were much more prominent than they had been ever before. It was a sign that indicated how he was close to losing the last few fragments of his soul. For a mere second, his eyes glistened a dangerous and chilling blue. It disappeared as soon as it had appeared, and Taehyung allowed his hand to be absorbed into the painting, before his whole body slipped into it. 

The moment Taehyung entered Xanadu, a bright light glowed throughout his entire body. His shabby appearance which consisted of being dressed in a huge, baggy, and poor-quality robe that reached his ankles, and a white loose and baggy pants underneath it, morphed into a gold tux that radiated extravagance. There were white cuffs near the end of the sleeves towards the hands, and they folded inwards. His appearance, apart from his hair, which was usually unkempt, glistened with life and glowed. Lastly, unlike how his hair was more on the longer side in reality, in Xanadu, it was shorter, and hence easier to deal with. 

Whenever Taehyung entered Xanadu, he always landed in the same area: a small clearing field off of an alley, which was off the main street of Xanadu. As he was the only person who left and entered this world, he was the only one who knew of this. Taehyung’s mahogany eyes ran over his attire of today, and he soothed down his tux. He patted the inner breast pocket of his tux, and when he felt his treasured brush, the corner of his lips twitched upward in a satisfied smirk. 

Walking out of the grass, and the alley leading from the clearing to the main streets, Taehyung kept himself hidden in the overcasting shadows of the alley. Once he saw the opportunity, Taehyung entered amongst the strolling civilians of Xanadu, who roamed the streets for various purposes. 

The common attire worn in Xanadu consisted of clothes that one would categorize as formal in his reality. For this reason, Taehyung did not stand out with the way he chose to dress. It was not until he walked on the familiar path that led to his abode in this world, passing by people who he was acquainted with, did the word float around that their master had arrived to bestow them. 

As Taehyung walked past Miss Camila’s fruit store, the petite older female waved at him with a wide smile, and he returned her gesture with just as much friendliness.  This sudden exchange between the two caused the customers in her immensely busy store to turn towards the direction of her wave. 

They gasped when they noticed it was the notorious artist. Not wanting to be in their line of sight more than necessary, Taehyung continued on his way. As he passed more locals, and spared a few seconds of his precious time to greet them, onlookers ended up halting in the midst of what they were doing simply to gawk at his brilliance. 

When he had first started to visit Xanadu, and then later, begin travelling down this road to this actual home, Taehyung was more than happy to stop and entertain NPC’s and invest his entire time with them. However, now, he did not want to spare even a single more second than necessary – if any. This was because the more time he would give to them, meant the less time he had with you. Especially with Yoonji breathing down his neck on the other side. He could not even begin to imagine what she would do if she found him missing, and learned about the fat that Taehyung was able to escape, or what his brush could do. 

It was not long until after a few turns to the left and right, away from the main crowds and towards the secluded area where there was almost no one, that Taehyung reached his desired destination. 

His home he stood before was small, composed of mahogany brown wood. The windows were visible at the exterior of the house and the entrance door was painted white. The roof was dirty green, and next to the steps that led to the entrance, were vast types of flowers and plants. The darker hue of brown, and dirty green contrasted well against the darker leaves, lighter brown branches of trees that surrounded his home; it appeared to be quite cozy. 

Taehyung walked up the steps of his abode, unlocked the front door, and stepped in. Then, he gave the premises around his home one last glance to make sure no one had seen him enter it, before he closed the door. He shrugged off the coat of his tux and hung it on the coat holder. Then, he proceeded to walk through the living room, up a flight of stairs, before he unlocked a room and entered it. In that room, on the large king-sized bed that was in the middle of the lavish room, laid a woman, whom’s arms and legs were tied to the bed with soft crimson silk. 

As Taehyung moved closer to the bed, his lips were beginning to stretch into a fond smile. He was finally here. After so long, he could finally see, touch, and be happy with his beloved once again. 

Whether it was something he had not realized, or knew but chose to ignore for the sake of it, but what Taehyung did to you, was exactly what Yoonji did to him which he despised her for immensely. He stripped you off your freedom and caged you as his captive. That was all good though because unlike Taehyung, you were not real. You existed as his creation and therefore, for him. There was no need for you to be your own person, or have your own life when you could just exist for Taehyung, and to keep him satisfied. 

Your eyes, tired and filled with desperate need, fluttered open as Taehyung sat by you, and gently brushed his fingers against the soft skin of your skin, to inform you of his arrival. 

“Time to wake up sweetheart, I’m finally here. I’m sorry I took longer than last time. I tried to be as fast as I could, I’m sorry that I barely only made it when you’re on the verge of dying from starvation and dehydration. I promise I’ll be faster next time. Here have some water first,” Taehyung murmured, as he held out a glass to you. Conditioned to be obedient to his every word, you obliged and started to slowly slip the water instantly. Then, after another glass of water, he started to feed you some bread. You ate it without any complaints, or putting up a struggle. 

See, since long time ago, you learned your lesson the hard way and now knew that it was best to let Taehyung do whatever he wanted, and allow him to have his way. The consequences of struggling against him, when he would always be granted to be the victor, was not worth it. Besides, like he had mentioned, you were literally on the brink of death. And so, the only thing that mattered to you right now was having access to water so it would not feel like you were living in a dry desert in your own body, and to have food in your stomach so you would not feel so utterly weak and sick. 

Frankly speaking, your situation was horrendous. But to Taehyung, it was delusionally perfect and something that was the best for you both. You did not know why he did this, or why he felt the way he did, but Taehyung wanted to do everything for you. Feeding you, changing you, washing you, and everything else – nothing was an exception to this rule. With his smothering presence that breathed down your neck every second of the day, you had absolutely no privacy. He treated you as if you were an incompetent baby, and he was the overbearing parent who could not help but spoil you to the point where he literally did do everything for you. 

Initially, such loss of your own autonomy was downright humiliating for you. You had never been forced into such confinement from someone as controlling as Taehyung before, who left you feeling completely helpless and powerless. You desperately wished there would be way you could rescue yourself, or have someone rescue from the devil’s clutches that belonged to Kim Taehyung. 

It was ironic really – Taehyung believed that the people of Xanadu respected him and worshiped him because he claimed to be the creator of some sort and it was out of their love for him. However, that was not the case. Everyone seemingly kissed the ground he walked on out of fear, and because they had to. Your ruler had heard from other cities that no longer existed about what happened to them when they refused to bow before the outsider in gold who claimed to be their creator. In anger, with the aid of the brush of creation by his side, he had annihilated their entire civilizations. Now, Xanadu, had no choice but to entertain his delusional ideas,  and for your own sake, and your people’s, you were the one who had it the worst and had to go along with all of his schemes, and at the cost of your entire life, entertain his sick ideas of love. 

It disgusted you to your core. Especially the thought of how an outsider from the other side could have gotten their hands on the brush of creation, travel to your world, claim it to be their creation, and continue to travel to this side and be willing to lose their soul in order to do so – it was all too much to think about, and even revolting at some point. 

You just wished Taehyung could disappear so you and other inhabitants of Xanadu could live in peace and with your freedom once again. 

“You’re such a good girl for me,” Taehyung murmured, his eyes eerily wide, as he petted your head in approval. Then, abruptly, he leaned down and licked some of the crumbs that were on the corner of your lips. It took your entire will-power to not grimace as he did this. 

Shortly after, Taehyung moved away from you, and gave you a sweet smile. If it was not for everything he had done to you, you would have actually found it sweet, and maybe cute. But after being forced to dance with this devil and getting burned, you knew it was anything but sweet or cute. 

“You’ve been really strong and good by patiently waiting for me the entire last few days and doing exactly what I say. You definitely deserve a reward for your current behaviour. Now, before I do this, I’m going to explain a few things, and if you fail to listen to me you will pay the price. Do I make myself clear?” He enquired, and you mindlessly nodded. Although, in the pit of your stomach, butterflies churned in an uncomfortable way that filled you with anxiety, and made you want to puke.  After all, who knows what sort of revolting things Taehyung considered a ‘reward.’ 

“I’m going to untie your bindings and let you roam around in the house,” He started, and your eyes widened in surprise. Almost instantly, a grin started to form on your lips. You were unable to control your reaction, and as this happened, Taehyung narrowed his eyes at you because you had never smiled like that for him. 

“And I’ll be leaving you to your own devices for a bit while I go and buy something for a special time together since it’s been a while since we’ve done anything together. While I’m gone, and I leave you alone, do you promise to stay within your limits? No attempting to runaway, hurt yourself, or make a plan to hurt me. Can I trust you to do that?” Taehyung asked, his voice etched with caution. 

You were having a difficult time grasping the fact that he was going to allow you to have freedom. Not wanting to let such a rare opportunity slip from your hands, you nodded. 

He was hesitant for a few seconds, before he sighed, and eventually reached out to untie the harshly binding silk cloth. As his fingers brushed against your bruised wrists, you held your breath in anticipation. He intertwined his finger in the cloth, before his movements halted, and his eyes averted to yours. He gazed into your eyes with an intense gaze, and promises of danger swam in his mahogany coloured irises. 

“I’ll remind you in case you forget. Remember, the fate of your entire country rests in your hands. You make one wrong move, you do one thing that aggravates me, and I’ll make sure no one else exists in this country anymore. No one else but us. As much as it hurts me to say this,  you don’t want that do you?” He said posing a looming threat over you with his words. 

You inwardly winced. 

“N-No,” You responded, and looked down towards your body in order to avoid Taehyung’s gaze. 

Taehyung nodded in approval. 

“Good, then make sure to keep up your good behaviour,” He said, before he untied all of your bindings. Afterwards, he leaned closer to you, and kissed you forcefully, and for longer than you would have liked him to. However, with freedom finally being just at the tip of your fingertips, you knew better than to mess up now. 

Once Taehyung pulled away, his cheeks feeling hot, he gave you one last grin, before getting up, and making his way out of your room, and out of the house. 

“I’ll see you soon my love,” He said, and walked out. 

Even after the sound of the front door being shut and locked resonated throughout the household, signalling that Taehyung had left, you remained seated on the bed. You were lost in your thoughts due to still being unable to grasp the fact that you were not tied up like a caged dog anymore. It wasn’t until the noise of your bedroom’s door knob being fiddled with in an attempt to open it reached your ears were you forced out of your train of thoughts. 

Your eyes widened because what? You lived alone the majority of the time, and had been for who knows how long due to your captivity. The only person who visited you was Taehyung, and always in utter desperation to see you, he would just walk in straight away. Fiddling with the door knob was NOT his style which only meant one thing… Someone was breaking in. 

Did that… did that mean they were going to hurt you? 

You did not get a chance to ponder on this because the door was kicked open harshly, and someone who looked oddly familiar, but you could never recall ever meeting her, strolled in. 

She had straight hair that ended at her neck and looked to be quite soft and silky. Her bangs ended just past her eyebrows. She wore a full sleeve white ruffle top, and on top of her top, a brown leather waist cincher hugged her waist. You noticed how unlike waist cincher that inhabitants often wore, her’s had locks of hair woven into it. She wore baggy dark brown pants, and long brown leather boots that reached just beneath her knees. Lastly, she wore fingerless gloves, and there were a variety of weapons attached to her hip: two daggers, a gun, and a sword. It was as if she was on a mission to haunt somebody. 

All to soon, her eyes shifted to your quivering form. There was a dangerous aura of a predator radiating off her. Cautiously, her eyes scanned your figure up and down to examine if you posed as a threat in anyway. Momentarily, unbeknownst to you, her gaze focused on your wrists that were heavily bruised since you had been tied up for so long. Her eyes narrowed into a glare at that observation, before they shifted to your face. 

She felt sorry for you. 

“Out of everything, Xanadu was the last place I expected Taehyung to be hiding in. And you to be last reason I could ever imagine being his reason for escaping. I’m surprised; didn’t expect someone as sheltered as him to have such good taste,” She said, while the last sentence was muttered more to herself. At the unexpected compliment, your cheeks reddened. You didn’t give it too much thought though because at the moment, there was a bigger fish to fry. You didn’t miss out on the fact that she had said Taehyung’s name. 

Having the courage you did not know you had to voice the questions you wondered about, you spoke. 

“W-Who are you? And how do you know him? Are you here to keep an eye on me to make sure I don’t do anything while he’s gone?!“ 

Seeing the unease and worry on your face, in addition with the questions you asked, caused her to raise an eyebrow. 

“What? Me, a spy for Taehyung? Don’t make me laugh. I want him gone, permanently. I’m Min Yoonji. I would tell you about my relationship with Taehyung but you might be a spy for him,” She retorted. 

Immediately, you scoffed. 

“The last thing he would have me as would be a spy. I’m nothing but fancy decor for him – he has had me locked up for ages and has taken my entire dignity from me. I would never associate myself with a monster like him if Xanadu’s safety didn’t depend on the fact that I have to play pretend as his submissive,” You uttered bitterly, looking down at your lap. 

Yoonji’s eyes widened, and her eyes roamed to your back that was slightly exposed due to your bent position. The numerous cuts and bruises that covered it caused anger to rise in her, and she clenched her fist. 

You looked so broken, so lost, so hurt. Seeing such an expression on your face, the fact that one of her people she had failed to protect, suffered at the hands of an outsider, made her chest feel heavy in sorrow. 

She walked towards you, and went down on one knee so she would be at your eye level. Then, her hand grabbed yours, and her fingers intertwined with yours; she squeezed your hands gently yet firmly in reassurance. 

“What’s your name?” She asked, and you looked up and found yourself staring into her eyes. Unlike before, when her eyes were narrowed at you into a cold stone and apathetic stare, they were now etched with warmth. A bright shine that made you feel as if that now, you weren’t alone anymore, and that now, she would make sure everything was going to be okay, illuminated her eyes. 

“[Surname] [Name],” You answered, and noticed that there was a slight crack in your voice, and you felt like you were on the verge of crying. 

Yoonji smiled sweetly at you. 

“That’s a beautiful name. Say [Name], do you know about the prophecy?” She wondered, and your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 

“What prophecy?” 

“The prophecy of the outsider who would come to possess the brush of creation and pose a threat to the inside realm and to people like us. Just like you, I’m from Xanadu. I’m the next heir for our country, but the information about my existence was never made public. You see, I’ve been raised as a fighter, because according to the prophecy, only a royal blood who has been outside can stop the painter that seeks the destruction – who is Taehyung. Before returning home, I did my best to keep him locked up and weak in the outside world so he couldn’t come here. 

“But evidently, my plan has failed since he still somehow managed to get his hands on our brush and not only destroy other countries, but hurt you, one of my people I am meant to protect. I am deeply ashamed of my failures and for allowing you to get hurt. I don’t know if this will allow me to gain your forgiveness, but as a personal victim of Taehyung, I at least should tell you of all people. 

“I have cultivated Taehyung’s hair and woven them into many clothes which will protect us from the magic of brush. Not only that, but Taehyung’s lost his soul. So with no more spiritual energy to offer, his bond has weakened and it won’t be long before he is unable to wield the brush. He’s weakening so no matter what he tries, I will easily take him down. Then, everyone of us can be free and live our own lives without fearing Taehyung again,” Yoonji reassured smiling. You would have gasped loudly still trying to get your head around all the information Yoonji told you had it not been that you two got interrupted by the very person you both despised. 

“You must be delusional if you think I’ll just let you hurt me Yoonji,” Taehyung greeted in a hiss, and both Yoonji’s and your eyes snapped towards him. 

Your eyes widened in fear, while Yoonji stood up to her full height, and faced him standing in front of you, with her back turned towards you in order to hide you from him. Confidence oozed out of her, and although you could not see her expression, she smirked. 

“I don’t have to hurt you. The brush will hurt you for me. Your eyes are glowing blue Taehyung, you use it one more time and you’ll be gone. It would be in your best interest to give up and hand over Xanadu back to me,” Yoonji warned, as she unsheathed her sword, and prepared to duel. 

Taehyung smirked. 

“If I’m a goner, then I’m taking all of you with me, especially you [Name]. You’re mine! I won’t let anyone else have you or Xanadu. I created you so I get to decide what I do with you,” Taehyung stated, as he prepared to paint the end with the brush of creation he had in his hand. 

You whimpered, and out of fear, went to hold onto Yoonji. However, as you tried to grab onto what you would have assumed to be Yoonji’s clothes, you found yourself trying to grab onto thin air. 

You gasped when you saw Yoonji running towards Taehyung in a blinding speed, and before you even had the chance to blink, she had kicked at the back of his knees causing him to drop onto the floor. Then, she with the hilt of the sword, she hit brush of creation out of his hands, before grabbing both of his hands and twisting it behind his arm. Taehyung yelled in pain as Yoonji pushed him onto the ground. Then, she held her sword to his neck. 

“One wrong move, and I’ll kill you right here and right now,” She started in a warning. Simultaneously, she pricked his skin with the tip of her sword, causing him to hiss in pain, as miniscule amount of blood leaked out from the minor cut. 

“Kim Taehyung, you are under arrest for destroying countries and threatening the safety and peace of Xanadu,” She declared, before pausing to turn her eyes to you. 

Then finally, she said the words you would have killed to hear. 

“You’re safe and free now. I swear on my life to protect Xanadu and its’ people to make sure it stays that way.” 

________

Please share your thoughts :)

[btsfanficss]

Lust & Limerence | Pt. 1 (M)

Series: Slytherin!JJK x Reader x Gryffindor!KTH 

Word count: 10k

Genre: Angst, Fluff and Smut // Harry Potter AU!  

Summary: Your best friend, Taehyung, always warned you about meddling with the wrong type of people. So when Taehyung found out about your little crush on Slytherin’s hottest Quidditch player, he was far from thrilled. Since he was classified as ‘the one you should keep your distance from’ for his nasty fuckboy way of life-- Jeon Jungkook to you, seemed too sweet to be true. Blinded by Lust, you venture for evidence that proves his innocence, not just to soothe Taehyung’s worries but for your troubled mind to follow your heart’s steps. 

@btsfanficss masterlist here 💕

A/N: Thanks to @btsbangtansarmyv for helping me with this! Sharing the love with @bangtan-mya & @jeonjungrude

The thundering bass drowned out all the chatter between the drunk teens, each corner of the house occupied with the stoned and tipsy youth. You jabbed your elbow into Taehyung’s side and he flinched at the sharp sting of your bone on his rib, a grunt of pain passed his lips. 

“You said this was a small get-together, you fucker,” you fake-smiled at him and Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck, a dumb boxy smile on his handsome face.

“Oh come on, (Y/N). You should’ve expected this from me. How long have you known me for?” Taehyung giggled and bro-hugged the several drunk males that greeted him.

“Too long,” you gritted your teeth together in annoyance. “I wish my elbow was a knife.” 

“Hey,” Taehyung pouted and you glared at him with anger. “You can get pissed at me later, okay? For now, just enjoy yourself. You barely come to these parties. Let loose before we have to go back to Hogwarts.” 

“I barely come to these parties because I fucking hate them,” you brushed off a random guy’s arm off your shoulder in pure disgust. 

“As a best friend, I’m responsible for your health and safety so don’t get too drunk, okay? Don’t go home with a random guy, too,” Taehyung lectured knowingly. 

“You wouldn’t have to worry about those things if you hadn’t brought me here in the first place,” you remarked with your hands on your hips. 

“I’ll see you around, (Y/N)!” Taehyung exclaimed and disappeared into the crowd of dancing teenage idiots, leaving you vulnerable within the party compound. 

Luckily, you managed to find a corner to reside at for the rest of the night. You were feeling slightly better as your dark coloured clothing camouflaged you in your safe little corner until a mystery man stood himself next to you. At least he wasn’t intruding too much into your personal space, unlike the rest that’d approached you so far to which you rejected by saying, “get lost, I’m not interested.” 

The tall figure leaned on the dusty wall, a phone in one of his hands as the other was carelessly shoved into his black Stussy hoodie. Interested in the quiet stranger, you glanced down at his shoes that were in your peripheral vision. He was wearing a pair of worn out black Martens boots with tattered black skinnies that highlighted his thick thighs despite the dim lighting. 

“(Y/N)?” the stranger called and your gaze transferred to his handsome facial features that were visible from the luminous screen of his phone. 

“Um yes, that’s me,” you said with a small chuckle, completely unaware of who this eye-catching bloke was. 

He pulled off the hood on his head and fixed his hair, ruffling the noir bangs with his long fingers before smiling gently at you. “I’m Jungkook,” he reached out for your hand and you shook it. 

Jungkook’s hand was much smoother than you’d expected. “Oh yes,” you finally recalled and it brought a smile to your lips. 

“You’re Taehyung’s friend right? I never thought I’d bump into you at a place like this. I heard from him this kind of event wasn’t your cup of tea,” Jungkook spoke in a soothing voice and you nodded at his question. 

“You got that right,” you rolled your eyes. “That cheeky fucker lied to me and told me this was a small get-together.” 

Jungkook chuckled at your sassy attitude and your frown softened to match his delicate smile. 

“It’s a little strange to meet you for the first time here and not school,” you admitted. “I’ve heard so many things about you before. Now I can finally peg a face to the talks.” 

“You’ve heard things about me, huh?” Jungkook’s smile integrated into a small smirk to reveal the charming dimple on the left cheek. “What kind of things?”

“Oh, you know just the usual Slytherin fuckboy stories,” you said honestly and he pretended to look hurt, placing his hand on his chest. His surprising dorky sense of humour made you giggle. 

“Well yeah, I guess they’re right to an extent,” he quickly recovered. “Do you believe in those rumours?” Jungkook asked with a curious glint coated in his intrusive stare. 

“Honestly, Jungkook, I don’t care,” you shrugged your shoulders and Jungkook wasn’t expecting that reply. It made his eyebrow rise as he took interest in your light-hearted yet honest personality.

“I’m glad you don’t. I’m actually not that much of an asshole as everyone describes me to be,” Jungkook shuffled closer to you but you didn’t mind. You were getting bored of candy crush anyways. 

“No, they don’t think you’re an asshole. I think it’s the opposite. Even though everyone knows of your fuckboy lifestyle, they’re still obsessed with you. Must be because you’re smart that they give you lenience to fuck around a bit.” 

“So you think I’m smart?” Jungkook asked with a cocky smile. 

“Grades aren’t the only defining factor of intelligence. You can have perfect grades but still do stupid things,” you laughed and expected Jungkook to too but he didn’t. 

Jungkook looked taken aback, as though you’d hit a sensitive topic for him. He snapped out of it and a pained smile crept up his lips. “I suppose you’re right,” he rubbed the back of his head and you nodded slowly. 

“Jungkook I was kidding, I just said it for quality banter you know,” you looked up him and he smiled naturally again. 

The two of you really hit it off. You talked to him about the most boring topics but his witty comebacks alone were enough to spice up the conversation. You shared uncontrollable laughter in your safe corner. He was so easy to talk to, it was no wonder that all the girls in your cohort were head over heels for him. 

Not only was he unfairly handsome, his witty sense of humour was bound to charm without him needing to lift his wand. He shuffled even closer to you, his shoulder now touching yours as you reciprocated his flirtatious yet subtle moves with a welcoming smile that he thought looked so cute. 

It was very rare for Jungkook to build an interest in anyone. He was normally so up-front about what he wanted, normally to other girls at frat parties, he’d state from the beginning that he only wanted to fuck. But with you, much to his surprise, he didn’t even plan to say it. He knew that if he said it, you’d be disgusted and that held him back from doing whatever he wanted. He was genuinely interested in you.

Your conversation with Jungkook was interrupted by a small vibration in your pocket. You took out your phone and read the message from Taehyung. 

I’m a considerate best friend so we can leave early. I’m waiting in the car outside. Sent: 12:32 AM

Your smile smoothed into a thin line subconsciously. “I have to go, Jungkook. It was great talking to you,” you shoved the phone back into your pocket and shook his hand again.

“Leaving so soon?” 

“Yeah, Taehyung’s already waiting outside for me,” you explained and Jungkook nodded. 

You walked away from the little corner to push through the raving group of drunkards. “(Y/N)!” a voice called out from behind and your head turned to the direction of the yell. 

“I’ll see you around?” Jungkook waved, a sincere looking smile on his attractive face and you decided to play cheeky. 

“Who knows?” you shrugged your shoulders and disappeared into the crowd to leave Jungkook thirsty for your interesting charm. 

“Taehyung! Why didn’t you tell me Jungkook was so sweet?” you said as soon as you closed the car door. 

Taehyung’s eyebrow became immediately raised. “Because that’s not the truth?” 

“What are you talking about? I was talking to him the whole time and he’s so genuine,” you giggled, interested in the handsome boy. 

“That’s what he wants you to think. Trust me, (Y/N), I’m his friend and I know what he’s actually like.” 

“If you’re his friend then why are you shit talking him?” you couldn’t help but sound annoyed. You were looking forward to telling Taehyung about your new interest only to find out about his disapproval.

“He’s my friend but that doesn’t mean I agree with the way he does things. He’s only charming you to sleep with you, nothing more,” Taehyung remarked. 

“I thought that too but I’m serious Tae, he was so sweet to me.” 

“And I’m serious too, (Y/N). Don’t pick up any feelings for him. He’s dangerous and you’re far too good for him,” Taehyung said in a serious tone. 

“You asked me to have fun and now that I’m having some fun, you’re ruining it,” you sighed. 

“I’m protecting you from a troublemaker,” Taehyung’s grip on the steering wheel tightened and the rest of the ride home was silent. 

A few months after...

6th Year // September // 1st Term

The school year began with a bang, literally. You’d walked straight into the door frame in front of your whole Potions class, your hair messy in a bun with eyebags that displayed your lack of sleep. You’d missed the first banquet of the year at the dining hall. Whoever thought it was a good idea for breakfast to begin at 7:30 was completely crazy. 

Your classmates giggled at your clumsiness and you just smiled through it. You pat down the stray hairs and massaged the pained area whilst smoothening out your cloak. Luckily, your house crest sat perfectly on the top right of your robe.

“Sorry, I’m late Professor. I kind of overslept,” you admitted and she let you off the hook but not without a lecture. 

“I suppose it must be hard to get back into a correct sleep pattern, Miss (Y/N) but please don’t be late next time. Afterall, this is your 6th year at Hogwarts now, you must prepare to sit the N.E.W.T exams next year. Being on time to classes would be an excellent start,” she signaled for you to join a group for the lesson. 

“Why didn’t you wake me up Tae?” you whispered under your breath, annoyed at your best friend. 

“Did you forget the girls’ dormitories are off limits for people that have dicks?” Taehyung remarked. 

“Did you even iron your robe? It looked like you slept in it,” you chuckled and Taehyung self-cautiously attempted to smooth out the wrinkles. The only thing not crinkled was the Gryffindor crest on his red-accented robe. 

“Well you look like a zombie so touché,” Taehyung chuckled and you rolled your eyes at him. 

“Mornin’ (Y/N),” a velvety voice called out and you turned around to face Jungkook. He was wearing a vibrant and contagious smile on his lips so naturally, your lips mimicked his.

“Jungkook?” you couldn’t help but sound a little excited. 

On the contrary to you, Jungkook looked perfectly awake. His eyes were bright and bursting with liveliness not to mention the smooth and perfectly ironed Slytherin robes unlike Taehyung’s.

“I guess I will be seeing you around after all. Are you ready for another painful year of potions with me?” Jungkook chuckled. 

“Another year? We had Potions together before?” you asked in a whisper and Taehyung snorted loudly, the rest of the class turned to stare at the three of you. “Sorry,” Taehyung said.

“We were in the same Potions class for our 2nd and 4th year at Hogwarts,” Jungkook’s smile turned a little stiff. 

“Oh shit,” you laughed. “I guess I just didn’t notice.” 

The three of you finally stopped talking when your Professor exclaimed the lesson’s aim. She stood proudly in front of the class with all the strange and rare ingredients laid out. 

“Let’s start off your 6th year here at Hogwarts with a competition, shall we? Today, class, you will be brewing Felix Felicis in your groups. Although this potion is more on the intricate and complex side, I believe with enough teamwork and perseverance, you will be able to brew it correctly.” 

“Fuck, I don’t even know how to brew potions from 1st year.” Jungkook blurted out a little too loudly and the class was filled with laughter. Your Professor brushed off his funny comment to propose an interesting deal. 

“The members of the first group to successfully brew this potion will each be rewarded 25 points for their House.” 

The classroom fell quiet with laughter but grew with murmurs of interest which displayed the truly competitive nature of Hogwarts. 

“I will keep restocking the ingredients until one team can brew it. You may come back to the lab during your free time but normal rules still apply. You must be in your common rooms before curfew. For 6th year students, I believe that is 10PM.”

“Before we start,” your professor continued. “Can anyone tell me the effects of this potion?” 

“Felix Felicis, also called Liquid Luck, is a magical potion that makes the drinker lucky for a period of time, during which everything they attempt will be successful. It turns an ordinary day into an extraordinary one,” Taehyung’s deep voice enchanted the fellow girls in the class. 

“Perfect answer! 2 points to Gryffindor!” The professor exclaimed in joy and Taehyung sat back down. 

“Try hard,” you muttered underneath your breath and his boxy smile grew even wider at your jealousy. 

Even though some things Taehyung did was dumb beyond comprehension (like the time he asked if trees were broccoli but on steroids), you had to admit that he was actually so brilliantly smart-- especially at Potions, the subject you hated most and sucked at most. 

“You may start your tasks. As this is a challenge, I will not be helping out with this unless you all can’t do it. A similar task will be asked to be completed in your mock exams and of course, your N.E.W.T exams.”

The classroom erupted into content heavy discussions as each team decided the roles of each team member. The three of you sat a little quieter than you’re expected before Jungkook burst the bubble. 

“I’m going to apologise in advance and say that I’m shit at Potions. I barely passed the last exam so I’m sorry if I’m not so helpful,” Jungkook admitted and you high fived him. 

“Same! I passed by 4%” you giggled and neither of you pulled your hands away, his touch lingering on your fingers. The eye contact between the two of you was intense and Taehyung coughed to break it. 

He pulled your hand back and placed it on the heat-resistant mat. “That’s not something to high five about you dumbasses.” 

“But Jungkook,” you peered close to him. “Don’t worry, Taehyung was dux for the last Potions exam so we’ll be fine,” you reassured him and his smile grew with relief. 

6th Year // Late September // 1st Term

A couple of weeks pass and no group has brewed the goddamn potion. Each group was starting to get frustrated as each lesson passed but your frustration was almost non-existent as you were paired up with Taehyung, who was diligently making excellent progress and Jungkook, the ultimate dreamy distraction. 

You’d gotten to know Jungkook a lot more as he joined you and Taehyung for some lunch breaks. Taehyung was always protective of you, since the beginning so instinctively, when Jungkook attempted to pull some moves on you, he would always interfere at the right time. As frustrating as it was for you, Taehyung said it was, “for the greater good.”

But that night, Taehyung couldn’t interfere. You were cooped up in your dormitory, cozy under your comforter with a book in your hand as you diligently did some reading homework. Much to your surprise, you were interrupted by a small knock on your window. You put the book down and peered up to press your ear near the window. 

Were you just hearing things? 

Another knock and you boldly spread your curtains open to reveal a handsome boy perfectly balanced on his broomstick. You quickly opened the window in surprise, yet your gaze sparkled with interest as you feasted your eyes on the one and only, Jeon Jungkook. 

His noir locks were touselled from the wind and he reached out for your hand. Instinctively, you took it and pulled him into your bedroom through the window. Jungkook shut the window and signaled for you to close your bedroom door to which you obeyed quickly. 

“What are you doing here?” you whispered harshly, a tone of excitement prevalent in your voice. 

“I’m... uhh...” Jungkook hesitated. “I’m here to ask a question about the project?” he lied and you laughed immediately at his weak manipulative skills. 

“Jungkook, you’re a Slytherin and you can’t lie for shit. Really, just tell me the proper reason.” 

“Hey don’t stereotype us Slytherins,” he retorted in defence and you just giggled. “I have something cool to show you,” he said with a spark of excitement in his dark cocoa eyes

“Jungkook it’s well past curfew. You realise that if anyone finds out we’re both going to get suspended right?” 

“Oh come on, (Y/N). Don’t be a pussy. I sneak out all the time and I’ve never been caught,” Jungkook persuaded with his soothing voice and you seriously contemplated it. 

“No no. I can’t come with you right now. Can’t you show me later? I’m free this weekend if you’re willing to do this again-- without risking our academic records?” 

“But tonight’s the only night. I promise you it’s amazing,” Jungkook casually brushed his hand over yours and it was as though he’d charmed you his touch.

His touch was magnetic and you felt the surge of blood shoot up to your cheeks at his caressing action. You knew deep down that you shouldn’t follow him. You were a good girl- to an extent. You’d never sneaked out of the dorms or gotten suspended before. To be fair, Jungkook had never gotten suspended before too but he was an expert in escaping trouble so he doesn’t count. 

“You’ll love it,” Jungkook sweet talked and you finally gave in, watching in defeat as Jungkook fist pumped the air at your small nod. 

“Okay,” Jungkook grinned and opened your window to welcome the sound of howling wind. “Hop on the back of my broom,” Jungkook proposed as he stood near the edge of the window. 

“What?!” you whispered harshly, paranoid that someone would hear you. “Are you crazy? What if you can’t control it!” 

“I’m Slytherin’s Ace Quidditch player. Just trust me baby girl,” Jungkook’s nickname for you had you weak to your knees. 

You knew that he probably called all the other girls that too but the sound of it was so magnificent you listened, even though your hands were shaking in nerves and fright at the idea of two people flying on one broomstick. 

“Slytherin’s Ace better get me back here in one piece or else,” you threatened when you sat down on the broomstick. Jungkook’s back felt warm against your chest as he pulled you closer to his body, yelling something along the lines of “hold on tight!” before dropping out of the window. 

Your eyes were wired shut and all you could hear was the sound of Jungkook’s laughter as he teased you with his speed of travel, you cursed as you begged him to slow down. Instead of the terrifying broom ride, you tried to focus on the cloying scent of Jungkook. His dark hoodie smelt of an exotic crush between sandalwood and thanaka which eased your mind temporarily. 

Jungkook landed at the destination and you let go of your tight hug on his back. He placed the broomstick down and sat down on the floor. He pat a spot next to him and you sat down, still out of breath. You looked around your surroundings and found yourself on the Astronomy Tower. 

“Okay, I must admit. That was impressive,” you complimented and Jungkook just beamed at you. 

“You know what’s even more impressive?” Jungkook said playfully and before you could answer, he gently tilted your chin so you were met with the million twinkling stars of the galaxy. Your response was caught in your throat as the celestial beauty took your breath away. 

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Jungkook spoke in a soft voice as he kept his gaze trained on not the night sky but instead, on your amazed face. Jungkook had never felt that much desire for anyone in his life. Your inviting soft and pink lips had Jungkok’s mind spinning with lust and thirst for the sweet taste. 

“This is definitely worth it,” you admitted and you noticed Jungkook’s gaze on you, obviously taken aback that someone as handsome as Jungkook was eye-fucking you. 

“Thanks for taking me here,” you said and a cold wind blew by, causing you to shiver noticeably. He unzipped his dark navy bomber and wrapped your small body in it. 

You didn’t know what was more beautiful, the extravagant night sky? Or the sight of Jungkook’s lustful gaze on you. 

He noticed a strand of your hair caught in between your lips so he moved the hair away using the soft pad of his thumb. You had no idea he was such a romantic. 

“No wonder all the girls are obsessed with you.” you chuckled to lighten the heavy atmosphere and crimson blush across your cheeks. 

Jungkook frowned at your comment. “Do you really think I’m like this to all the girls?” 

“You’re not?” you couldn’t help but sound shocked from the realisation that Jungkook might feel something extra for you.

“I’m normally really straightforward with what I want. The reason why my reputation isn’t that horrendous is because I’m at least honest with the girls I fuck,” Jungkook explained and you looked lost at his words.

“All the girls knew that I was only looking for a good fuck and nothing more,” Jungkook muttered. 

“Is that why you brought me here? Just because I showed a little interest you assumed it was a green light for you to fuck me?” your tone was cold an defensive. 

“God no,” Jungkook interjected much to your surprise. “That’s not the reason at all, baby girl let me finish.” 

“I’m not really good with words and shit but... I feel different about you. I was originally just going to straight up ask at the party if I could fuck you but when we started talking I realised I can’t possibly do that. Not to you at least.”

“I don’t know how you want me to react to all this, Jungkook,” you admitted. “And for your information, confident guys are sexy but if you haven’t noticed, you sound like a total asshole right now.” 

“No, you’re missing the point. The point I’m trying to make here is that-- you... you make me nervous, alright?” Jungkook sighed in defeat and your ears perked up at the sound of it.  

“I’m normally so confident around girls I thought I’d be the same around you but when we talk I filter so much more. I don’t want you to think I’m a jerk or whatever, you know? Heck-- do you really think I’m the type of guy to do this cheesy shit?” Jungkook let out a dry chuckle and you shrugged your shoulders. 

“To be fair we started talking just recently. And I told you before that I don’t care about those rumours but the fact that they exist is an influencing factor on your image.” 

“But I’m not half that bad,” Jungkook defended himself. “Besides the point, I just wanted to tell you that... I want to get to know you,” the words finally came out his mouth and you felt the pit of your stomach ablaze with new set nerves and butterflies. 

“What do you want to know about me?” you asked as you stared into his lustful gaze, your head rested on your knees. Your tone was gentle with no aggression intended. 

Jungkook looked a little blank at your question- almost as though he hadn’t thought this far. He tilted his head to the side and hoped that somehow the stars would rearrange to form the perfect answer. He couldn’t possibly admit that he wanted to fuck you- at least not then. You’d definitely think that you were no different to all the others except you were. 

The dry silence wasn’t helping your insecurities. “Do you want to get to know me or my body?”  

“Can I say both?” Jungkook answered shamelessly as you felt his stare trace the outlines of your lips for what felt like the millionth time that night. Your inside voice was yelling at you to tell him off for his cocky attitude but instead, your head moved down by itself- a small nod. 

Before you could correct your ‘mistake’, Jungkook was already leaning closer to your face and it made you forget everything momentarily. “May I?” he asked, the sound of his voice mellow and laced with thirst. 

You answered his question by boldly fulfilling his request. You pressed your lips against his own, starting off the kiss with a harmless set of pecks and Jungkook instantly melted at the sensation. He’d been wanting to do that for so long. The truth was, he’d had his eye on you ever since Taehyung brought you to that one party years ago. 

The only reason he hadn’t pulled any moves on you was that he never got the chance to talk to you again. But then that night you showed up to the party years after, Jungkook shook off all the girls that surrounded him in their desperate attempts at throwing themselves onto him to spend his time with you--  the good girl, that cutie in his Potions class, Taehyung’s charming best friend. 

“I like honest guys,” you broke the innocent kiss to stare deeply into Jungkook’s eyes. His lips were immensely soft and you immediately regretted your decision of breaking the kiss.

“Does that mean you like me?” Jungkook grinned playfully and you watched his nose scrunch to reveal his bunny-like smile. You’d never seen such an innocent expression on his face before. 

“It was a general statement. I never mentioned you specifically,” you teased. 

A comforting silence passed as the two of you enjoyed star gazing in each other’s presence. Jungkook pointed out the important stars in the starry night and you were impressed at his knowledge. Evidently, Astronomy was his bravado. 

“Shit,” you interrupted his crash course on the subject. “Taehyung’s going to fucking kill me.” 

You both sat up after processing your statement. “I’ve been meaning to ask, are you sure he doesn’t have any feelings for you?” 

“Jungkook, he’s my best friend. We’ve been inseparable since we were children. I’m sure he only sees me as that.” 

Jungkook nodded and you felt a smile creep up your lips. “Why? Jealous already? I didn’t peg you to be the possessive type,” you chucked. 

“I know I can be dodgy but I can have real feelings too, you know.” 

“I think it’s because you’re dodgy that Tae’s worried. He’s always been protective of me because...” 

“Because he thinks I’m a bad influence on you,” Jungkook finished your sentence.

“He’s not wrong, you know” you joked. “After all, this is my first time sneaking out past curfew let alone with a boy.”

“But you said yourself that it was worth it.” 

“Yeah yeah, whatever Kookie,” you chuckled and the nickname sounded so natural from your lips. You expected him to share the laugh with you but he didn’t he was completely silent. 

“Say that again,” Jungkook said, his voice soft yet a little primitive. 

“Kookie?” 

“Fuck,” Jungkook peered closer at your face. “That sounds sexy as hell coming from you.” 

You closed your eyes slowly, allowing Jungkook to kiss you for the second time that night, this time much more passionate than before. The kiss started off slow but eventually turned steamy-- your fingers in his noir locks as he trapped you in between his arms. You molded your soft lips to his liking, following his intense rhythm as you allowed him more access. Jungkook was losing himself in your sweet taste yet, self-control kicked in. Ironically, it was a quality he normally did not possess with other girls. 

“Jesus, where did you learn to kiss like that?” Jungkook’s voice was gruff in your ear as he began to trail teasing pecks down your neck. 

“I’m not as innocent as you think I am,” you said to his surprise and Jungkook peeled himself off you. 

“You’re right. Taehyung is going to kill you and me,” Jungkook said and sat back up. 

“Way to ruin the mood.”

6th Year // October // 1st Term

“Congratulations Taehyung’s group! You are the first group to successfully brew Felix Felicis. As promised, each member of your team will be rewarded 25 points towards their House,” your professor yelled enthusiastically. She must’ve been happy that someone finally managed to brew it after weeks since the start. 

“Professor,” Jungkook raised his hand to project his voice. “Can we alter the rewards a bit? I believe it’s unfair for Slytherin to be rewarded considering that I pretty much contributed nothing to this task. Can you instead give Taehyung 25 extra points?” Jungkook asked and all the girls discussed his generosity among themselves. 

“Understood,” the Professor nodded and Taehyung wasn’t as happy as you’d expect him to be. 

“Tae,” you whispered. “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy?” 

“We’re talking after this, (Y/N),” Taehyung sounded monotone and too serious for your liking. 

“You’re scaring me,” you chuckled.

What was that supposed to mean? Taehyung was normally never like this. What was there to talk about? Throughout your entire friendship he’d only asked to talk once and when that happened, he yelled at you because you accidentally broke of his favourite One Piece figurines back in 5th grade.

“I can’t believe you,” Taehyung scolded. He folded his arms across his chest and you had a confused smile on your face. 

“What are you on about?” 

“You know exactly what I’m on about, (Y/N). Why did I have to find out through someone else that my best friend kissed the only guy I told her to stay away from?” Taehyung sounded so angry. He was practically holding back from throwing a punch at your wall. 

“Are you for real?” you extracted the seriousness from his question. “Tae, come on. You don’t have to get so upset about this. It’s not a big deal, I was going to tell you eventually,” you chuckled and Taehyung’s beady eyes only grew wider at your words. 

“(Y/N), I’m not mad about the fact that you didn’t tell me-- I’m pissed about the fact that you didn’t listen to me,” Taehyung frowned. 

“Since when did I have to listen to you? You’re my best friend, not my brother,” your smile faded into a frown to match the scowl on Tae’s face. 

“Well then let me be your brother for this case, (Y/N). I’m telling you to stay away from him. I know you better than you know yourself and even you admitted that so please,” he pleaded, the roughness in his voice dispersing into a desperate beg. “Don’t get close to him.” 

“Oh my god,” you groaned, throwing your hands up in the air. “Maybe I didn’t tell you because I knew you were going to be a little bitch about it.” 

“Oh, I’ll voluntarily be a massive bitch about it if it stops you from falling for the likes of him.” 

“The likes of him? Taehyung I bet you don’t even know Jungkook nearly as well as I do by now,” you defended instinctively. “I already know he sleeps around and his reputation isn’t top-notch but he’s actually a genuine guy if you give him a chance.” 

“That’s what all the girls say before their hearts get shattered, (Y/N). I can’t risk you being one of his fucking side chicks, okay?” Taehyung dropped his yelling because he knew it was only riling you up. 

“I can take care of myself, Taehyung. If you really are my best friend then shouldn’t you at least be considerate of my feelings towards him?” 

“Your feelings? Fuck me,” Taehyung cursed and smothered his face in his sweaty palms. “Please tell me you didn’t just say you had feelings for this guy.”

“I never said romantic feelings but even if I did, why does it matter to yo--”

“--Of course it matters to me! You’re my best friend and I can’t just sit here and watch you fall for this fuckwit when you can do so much better!” Taehyung yelled, much louder than he intended. He couldn’t control himself at that point and you flinched at his yelling. 

He noticed your trembling hands and softened his angry glare. “I’m only telling you because I’m worried about you. You get attached and fall for people easily so I don’t that happening with him.”

“You can tell me without fucking yelling in my face, asshole,” you retorted and he finally noticed the glaze of tears over your eyes. Taehyung chewed on his bottom lip.

“I did in the car but you didn’t listen to me.” 

A couple of days after...

After that happened, you found it impossible to approach Taehyung. Normally, when the two of you fought, it’d be quickly resolved with Taehyung’s begging soon after but this time was different. He didn’t pester you with apologies like he did in the past. Probably because he wasn’t in the wrong. 

He didn’t even come down to eat dinner some nights. He must’ve felt really shit. Deep down, you knew that Tae was only looking out for you. You just quickly wanted to make up with him and explain to him that you could take care of yourself. 

“Tae isn’t here again?” a familiar voice soothed your aching thoughts. 

You looked up from your dinner plate to find Jungkook sat across you. You merely shrugged your shoulders and he noticed your pained expression. 

“Hey, are you okay?” Jungkook asked, his voice soft and laced with concern. 

How could Taehyung be so unaccepting of this sweet boy across you? 

“Yeah, we’re still ignoring each other,” you stabbed your fork into the potato on your plate. “I’m sure we’ll get over it eventually,” you said in an emotionless tone but Jungkook knew you were feeling much worse on the inside. 

“He’s not talking to me either,” Jungkook sighed. “He told me from the beginning that you were off limits. I understand why though, I’ve done some pretty messed up things in the past.” 

“If he told you to stay away from me why did you bother, Jungkook.”

“Because I told you already. I’m interested in you,” he rubbed the back of his head, a cute habit of his whenever he got nervous. 

“Anyways, I’m going to go talk to Taehyung after dinner. You should try sort things out too. It’s been like 4 days since the last time you two talked-- I’m guessing that’s a new record.” 

“What do you want?” Taehyung was evidently annoyed. Jungkook could tell from the way his intimidating tone of voice. 

“I’m just here to talk,” he said. 

“You’re the last person I want to talk to,” Taehyng admitted. 

“Just deal with me for the next 15 minutes please,” Jungkook asked nicely and Taehyung grumbled, sitting himself down on a chair. 

“I know you don’t like me hanging around (Y/N),” Jungkook started and Tae immediately interjected with, “No shit.” 

“That’s why I’m here to ask why.” 

“Ask why?” Taehyung snorted. “I told you from the beginning. You already have the answer to that, Jungkook. People like you don’t deserve people like her. You’re corrupt and you’re the type of guy who sleeps with 20 girls on rotation. I don’t want her to be affiliated with someone like you because she’s pure and genuine and you’re nothing but a bad influence.”

“That’s exaggerated as fuck but yeah, I had a gut feeling you’d say that,” Jungkook shrugged his shoulders. 

“She’s innocent and she trusts people easily. I don’t want her to be falling for the wrong type of guy,” Taehyung said, a frown on his face. 

“What if I told you that I’m interested in more than fucking?” 

“That’s even worse because you’re the type of person to change within seconds. You’ll make her fall for you and then you’ll leave when you get bored. It’s no different to what you’re doing with others right now, just for a longer period of time. You can’t possibly be serious about wanting to... date her?” 

“Taehyung she’s really...” Jungkook sighed. “I know you think I’m lacking and that’s why you’re extra perhaps too protective of her but you have to believe me when I say I mean no harm.” 

“Look, your words mean nothing to me,” Taehyung growled as he stood up from his seat and stepped into Jungkook’s personal space. “But I know both you and (Y/N) well enough to say there’s no point in me trying to stop whatever shit goes on between you two. Talking to a fucking rock will make more sense than trying to interfere so I’m telling you right now, Jeon Jungkook.” 

“If you do anything to hurt her in any way, I’m going to fucking lose it.” Taehyung loosened the tight grip on Jungkook’s robe. 

Taehyung we really need to talk. Can you meet me outside the library after dinner? Sent: 6:42 PM

You waited nervously for his arrival, your clammy hands on your lap as you attempted to distract yourself by reading a book. People looked at you strangely. Why were you reading outside the library rather than inside? Because they didn’t know you were mentally preparing for a confrontation you were dreading with your closest and most treasured friend. 

You recognised the large shoes in front of you and you immediately looked up from the book to face Taehyung, a regretful smile painted on his lips. 

“Hey,” he said simply in his deep and soft voice. 

You were suddenly overwhelmed by his presence. You had this plan on telling him about your growing interest in Jungkook and how he should support you as a good best friend but at the sight of his vulnerable smile, you grew weak. Not knowing what to do-- you threw yourself onto him, standing up to tightly wrap your arms around him. You buried your face in his broad chest and he was definitely taken aback by the rather random embrace. 

It didn’t take long for Taehyung to return the reuniting hug. He squeezed his arms around your small frame to whisper a wispy, “I’m sorry” into your ear. The two of you hugged each other and finally let go to talk properly. 

“I’m sorry, Tae,” you said. 

“For what?” he chuckled. You were still holding onto his sleeve with your fingers. 

“Sorry for ignoring you and disregarding your concern,” your voice was a little hoarse. 

“And I’m sorry for yelling at you,” Taehyung pat your head lovingly and brushed your baby hairs in place with his long fingers. “You’re my best friend. You know how much I love you right, (Y/N)? I just don’t want you to get hurt.” 

You felt the exhale of his sigh on your cheek and you nodded understandingly. “I know Tae. Sorry for not realising sooner. I love you too.” 

6th Year // Halloween // 1st Term

“Where are you going? Aren’t you coming to the Great Hall for the Halloween feast?” Taehyung bumped into you as he came out of the Gryffindor common room. What perfect timing.

“I’m going to Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. I figured I should use the secret passage on floor 3 of the castle because I’m running late,” you glanced at the small watch strapped to your wrist and cursed at the time. He’d been waiting 15 minutes.

“I’m assuming you’re going to see Jungkook since you’re dressed so nicely,” Taehyung chuckled and you were surprised at his relaxed behaviour. “I wasn’t born yesterday, (Y/N). I know you’ve been seeing him the past month.” 

“We’re not dating or anything!” you clarified out of instinct. 

“Whatever,” Taehyung rolled his eyes. “He’s been surprisingly tame since you two became close so I’m letting things slide for now.” 

You hugged Taehyung quickly out of pure joy. “Thanks for giving him a chance for me, Tae.” 

“Be back before curfew,” he waved you off as you hopped onto the ever-changing staircases of the Hogwarts castle. 

“There she is,” Jungkook said, taking his hand out of his robe pocket to wave and you rushed over to him slightly out of breath. 

“I’m sorry I made you wait, Kook,” you apologised and Jungkook just smiled at your dolled-up appearance. 

“It’s all good, I didn’t have to wait long. Quidditch season starts soon so our team had an abrupt meeting. Sorry I didn’t have time to change out of my robes.”

“So what did you have planned?” you asked as you walked together towards Honeydukes, almost hand in hand as the distance that separated you and him was so minimal. 

Your relationship with Jungkook was still unknown, but everyone was starting to become suspicious of it. It wasn’t common for Jungkook to stick around a girl for any longer than a week so naturally, the girls started to treat you as their enemy as they were fuelled with jealousy. Much to everyone’s surprise, especially Taehyung’s, Jungkook had been ‘tame’ the past couple of months. 

He’d shown up to classes regularly and his grades were better than ever but what was most surprising was- he wasn’t sleeping around. No one could believe that you were the solution to ending Jungkook’s dirty methods. Even yourself. 

He was too good to be true. The rumours you heard previously from Taehyung were no more as he managed stayed loyal to you. You couldn’t believe how quickly he adverted his methods. You convinced yourself that surely it wasn’t just you that explained Jungkook’s change. Perhaps it was because he was in 6th year now he decided to get serious about his studies. Because if you were the only reason for his change, then he would’ve progressed your relationship by now. Or at least hinted to you of how much you meant to him. 

The thing was, Jungkook was terrified of the whole ‘relationship’ thing. It was a completely new ground for him because all he’s had was flings or sexually benefitting relationships in the past. Not one relationship he’d been in was revolved around mutual trust and connection like the two of you shared. So naturally, he was even more scared of messing up because he actually cared this time around. 

But he decided that it was time to show some form of commitment. He didn’t want to risk being completely bro-zoned like Taehyung. Plus, there’s no way you’d reject him, right? You wouldn’t come to these little exclusive ‘hang-outs’ if you weren’t interested in him, right? 

“Kook are you alright?” your hand felt warm on his smooth cheek and he flinched in surprise. 

“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” he lied. “Let’s buy some candy,” Jungkook suggested. 

He opened the door for you and you went in first, taking off your noir trench to reveal the little black dress underneath. 

“Did you wear this for me?” Jungkook spoke softly in your ear before planting a chaste kiss on your exposed collarbone. The loving action made you blush. 

Jungkook took a whiff of your new cologne your parents had sent over from home. The irresistible scent was a combination of soothing Jasmine and Ashe wood. He felt his insides go weak from your cloying scent-- that was his weakness, after all.  

“I like to think I dress for myself,” you joked and Jungkook chuckled.

The two of you scanned the towers of confectionary, stood side by side, your shoulder touching the side of his arm. You felt Jungkook’s warm hand shift from inside his pocket to his side, the tip of his finger grazed yours. His hand brushed against yours before he went for it, intertwining his long ‘piano’ fingers with your own. 

You glanced down to look at another one of his affectionate gestures and it raised your eyebrow in confusion. “Jungkook,” you whispered inaudibly. 

“Mmm?” His gaze was trained on the strange coloured gobstoppers in-front of him, pretending to look immersed in the candy when in reality he was shitting himself. 

“I’ve been meaning to ask...” you felt Jungkook’s thumb rub your index finger. It was a small yet comforting sensation. “What exactly are we?” 

The words finally came out-- after countless nights of debating whether or not you should say it. You didn’t want to sound desperate because your ego was on the line. 

“I don’t know,” he answered absentmindedly and you frowned at his answer. “What do you want us to be?” he cleverly reverted the question back to you. 

“I asked first so you should answer first,” you remarked in a witty tone. 

“Well...” Jungkook sighed. You felt your palm go sweaty from his lack of response. “Since I’m not good with words, maybe I’ll show you,” Jungkook stated before gently pulling you into his chest. 

Her interlocked your lips with his, your eyes wide at yet another sudden symbol of his desire. He’d never kissed you in public before-- but you didn’t mind. You melted into his touch, resting your arms on his broad shoulders to indulge in his sweet kiss. You played with his noir locks and you could feel peoples’ stare on you two. He broke the kiss to stare deeply into your eyes and muttered a statement you’d been dreaming to hear. 

“I like you,” he confessed and all you could do was stare blankly at his lips in response. 

Then, Jungkook grew weak at your shy smile. It was so demure and sincere, it made his chest fuzzy with warmth. 

You didn’t really know what to do. You weren’t expecting him to say it that day. “Aren’t you going to say it back?” 

“I like you too,” you whispered, barely audible and Jungkook happily peered his ear closer to your lips. 

“What was that, baby girl? I couldn’t hear you,” Jungkook said in a teasing tone. His signature bunny smile and nose scrunch were suddenly so overwhelming up close. 

“I said I’m hungry,” you lied and Jungkook laughed at your timid comeback.

“Thanks for walking me back here. You should go before anyone sees you here,” you smoothened the cotton fabric on his green accented robes, your palms smooth on his chest and his hands on your hips to pull you closer to his body. 

“Mmm,” Jungkook hummed, completely intoxicated by your fragrance. “Have I complimented your new perfume? It’s absolutely divine,” he sighed and rested his head upon your shoulder to inhale more of the charming scent. 

“Kook you’ve told me at least 3 times tonight. I’m starting to think you like it more than I do,” you smiled. 

 The two of you stayed like that for a while, muttering sweet nothings into each other’s ears. It was a dangerous spot for Jungkook to be in, you were aware. 

“Jungkook, you should really go. I don’t want you to get in trouble,” you convinced, your fingers combing through his soft hair. 

“You don’t want me around you anymore?” he joked. “Heartless, (Y/N). I knew you’d leave me after I confessed to you. What a heartbreaker,” he chuckled into your ear, a rich and husky sound and you giggled at his playfulness. 

“Yes, this was my plan all along,” you played along. 

“Can I at least spend the night with you before you leave me forever?” Jungkook flirted smoothly and you laughed again. 

“No, you may not spend the night with her,” A voice suddenly answered his request. The two of you immediately distanced yourselves and whipped your heads to the direction of the sound, panic on your features.

Taehyung stood there, a raised eyebrow to showcase how unimpressed he was. But you were just relieved it was him and not a teacher. 

“Jesus Tae! You scared me!” you exclaimed with a sigh of relief. “Thank God it’s just you.” 

“Thank God I didn’t walk into you two fucking,” Taehyung rolled his eyes. “You guys are lucky it’s me and not anyone else. Be more careful about these things. Now Jungkook and I should really get out of here before anyone else walks in. I was just here to check up on (Y/N).” 

“Seriously starting to think you’re my dad and not my best friend.” 

“Whatever, loser. Your parents actually paid me to be your friend since the beginning so no surprise,” Taehyung laughed and dragged Jungkook out of the girls' dormitory. 

“Sweet dreams!” Jungkook called out and you heard the door shut behind the two. 

6th Year // Mid November // 1st Term

“Don’t you want to see me train in the mornings?” Jungkook asked. 

“No, Jungkook. There’s already your fan club at every practice and it’s so brutally cold in the mornings,” you said for the thousandth time. You brushed off the subtle hand on your shoulder because you knew you’d soon fall easily to his persuasion. 

“But they’re not you. I’ll let you wear my jacket,” he suggested with a glint of hope in his eyes. 

“Yeah and then those girls can hate me even more. It’s like I’m rubbing it in their faces that I’m wearing your jacket and not them.” 

“Okay then let’s make a deal,” he attempted. “You come to practice for the next week and I’ll help with your Astronomy studies?”

“You have to help me regardless,” you chuckled. 

“No I don’t,” he smirked cheekily. “I was just being nice the previous times.” 

Your mouth dropped open at his words. “Hey, that’s dirty play!” Jungkook quickly kissed your cheek before rushing off to his next class. 

“See you tomorrow morning, 6AM!” he yelled as ran away from you. He wasn’t even your boyfriend, why was he being so affectionate. But you weren’t complaining. Who in their right mind would complain, he’s Jeon Jungkook. 

But no matter how likable Jungkook was, the fact that you absolutely weren’t a morning person wasn’t going to change anytime soon. 

“I hate you,” you grumbled, balled up in his gigantic hoodie. 

“Oh come on, (Y/N). It’s not that cold,” he lied. He took off his green scarf to wrap around your neck, his hands trembling from the freezing cold. You looked so small and cozy with his massive hoodie and now his Slytherin scarf that covered your lips. 

You could see his breath practically freeze in the air whenever he exhaled. Fall mornings were always chilly and despite knowing, you still showed up. Jungkook was wearing his Quidditch uniform which consisted of a green sweater, white shorts and a navy-green robe over the top.

“You’re shivering,” you couldn’t help but chuckle as his hand continued to tremble from the gust of freezing wind. 

"Jungkook!” his team captain called out and he put his thumbs up. He planted a quick kiss on your forehead before running off to the rest of his team. 

You felt the multiple piercing stares on your back from Jungkook’s supposed ‘fangirls’. But as soon as they hopped on their brooms, their glares disappeared into loud cheers for the Slytherin team. 

It was no surprise that Jungkook was good at the sport-- he was one of the fastest flyers in all of Hogwarts, possibly rivaling the 7th year players. He looked truly in the zone when he played, his gaze concentrated on the Quaffle. A subconscious smile stretched your cheeks everytime he did something. 

An hour into the training, you were completely immersed in their eye-catching drill, your cheering now in-sync with the girls behind you at their flashy flying techniques and commendable skills. Jungkook looked down from high above and waved at you. You waved back and so did the girls at the back. 

Before you knew it, training finished and it was time to head to breakfast. He was out of breath and tired, the cold air helped in soothing his exercised muscles. You passed him the water bottle and he muttered a small ‘thanks’ under his breath. 

“Wow I didn’t know I was this rusty,” he chuckled and you looked so confused at his statement. 

“What do you mean? You were brilliant,” you complimented. 

“I haven’t been this unfit in awhile. I should’ve trained during summer break instead of getting wasted every day,” he gulped all of the water down. 

He noticed your smile fade at the mention of his reckless lifestyle. “I mean I don’t go to them anymore,” he reassured, patting your head. “Come on, let’s go get breakfast,” Jungkook changed the topic and the two of you walked hand-in-hand towards the Hall. 

6th Year // Late November // 1st Term

The two of you had been getting weird stares. Weirder than normal. Everything had been sunshine and rainbows for you two-- Jungkook now very tame and loyal towards you so naturally, you were ecstatic beyond reason. But everyone’s stares or dare to say... glares had been terrorising Jungkook as he walked down the busy corridor with you beside him. 

You caught the students whispering to each other, muttering small phrases under their breath as they gave Jungkook such belittling gazes. 

What had happened? 

Jungkook was practically the idol of your cohort and now suddenly everyone was distancing themselves from him. 

“Jungkook,” you whispered. “Why are they all looking at you like that?” 

You noticed him swallow hard, his Adam’s Apple bobbled in anxiety. “I don’t know,” he said simply but you noticed some sweat roll down on his forehead. 

“Don’t worry about it. Maybe they suddenly remembered about your reckless summer?” you suggested to comfort him to an extent. 

“Maybe,” Jungkook said quietly. 

Throughout the week, the glares only started to become worse. Their disgusted expressions gradually lead to everyone stopping their paths just to stare him down. It was something you weren’t willing to take any more. Jungkook had been terribly quiet about the situation, almost as if guilt or fear had consumed all his confidence he once possessed. 

“Jungkook,” you moved a strand of hair out of his eye. “Is there something you’re not telling me?” you asked in a gentle voice and he immediately averted his gaze to your feet. 

“I’ll tell you when the time is right,” he said and brushed off your hand before walking away to his dorm. A strand of whispers followed behind him as Jungkook’s paranoia grew to devour him. 

You heard a knock on your door and you attended to it immediately, praying that it was Jungkook to explain how everything was a late Halloween prank. Instead, Taehyung showed up much to your surprise. He didn’t sneak out unless it was important. And judging from his serious face, you were sure Taehyung had gotten down to the bottom of the problem already. 

You quickly shut the door behind him and expected him to start rambling straight away but he didn’t. It made you even more scared than you already were. 

“Tae?” you said, an uncomfortable smile on your lips. “Did something happen?” 

“How much do you like Jungkook?” he interjected instead of answering your question. 

You looked taken aback at his sudden question. “I mean... a lot I guess. He’s so sweet and we get along unbelievably well.”

“What if I told you he’s a criminal? Would you still think he’s sweet?” Taehyung asked, a dark glare trained on your eyes. 

“What are you talking about?” you laughed in disbelief, eyebrows furrowed like a V at his unhealthy joke. “I know you don’t exactly trust him but you trust me, right? So when I tell you that he’s sincere you believe me, don’t you? Don’t you think to call him a criminal is too exaggerative?”

“He seemed so whipped about you I presumed that he wasn’t as bad as I initially thought. He hadn’t been causing any problems or mischief and that’s why I’ve been so lenient about this whole thing,” Taehyung paced around your room, his footsteps heavy on the wooden flooring. 

“But I have to interfere. I know how much you like him, I’ve seen the way you look at him but I’m sorry, (Y/N). You can’t fall anymore for him,” Taehyung pleaded. 

“Taehyung,” you said in a gruff voice. “You’re not telling me why. I swear to God if this is the same fight we had last time I’m going to find it much harder to forgive you this time around.”

“It’s not. I can assure you that because he really fucked up. Why do you think everyone else is staring at him like that? I shouldn’t have brought you to that party.” 

“Can you please just tell me what the issue is for fuck's sake,” you massaged your throbbing head with your fingertips. Taehyung inhaled a large breath before he told you. 

“He erased his family’s memories,” Taehyung finally said, barely audible. 

“What?”

“He erased their memories just so he could fuck around. That’s why he was at every dodgy party during the break because there was no one stopping him from doing whatever he wanted.”

“No,” you shook your head in disbelief. “This is just another one of those sick rumours everyone makes up because they’re bored. Even still, this one’s taking it too far.” 

“I know it’s hard to believe but it’s the truth.” 

“Jungkook would-- he would never do that!” you raised your voice. “He’s not like the rumours at all. Sure he slept around but he didn’t purposefully break the girls’ hearts for his personal satisfaction. He told me it was them that got attached. He never did, so naturally, people are going to bitch about him because they got rejected.” 

“Clarifying his behaviour doesn’t prove anything at this point, (Y/N).” 

“Yes it does! I’m saying that these rumours are all one-sided. You guys don’t know what actually happened but you all assume the worst of him regardless!” 

“If you’re so sure he’s innocent why don’t you go ask him yourself!” Taehyung yelled at you and his deep voice bounced off your walls. 

“Fine! I will!”

You managed to sneak into the Slytherin boys dormitory, not a single care in the world about getting into trouble then. There were bigger problems on the line. You slammed his door open before locking it behind you, chest burning with the need for air as you ran as fast as you could to reach him. 

“(Y/N)?” Jungkook was evidently surprised at your rash presence. “What are you doing here?” He got up from his bed and quickly walked over to your exhausted state. 

“Is it true?” you huffed. “Are the rumours true?” you panted and he smoothed his palm on your back to steady your breathing. “It’s a joke right? You didn’t actually erase their memories right? I know you’re smart but that spell is extremely advanced.” 

“Breathe first,” Jungkook said and your vision was going blurry from your lack of breath. 

“You couldn’t have done it. They haven’t even taught us how to use that charm.” 

“(Y/N),” his voice sounded soft as he sat you down on the chair. “Please stop panicking.” 

“How can you expect me not panic? You didn’t really erase their memories did you, Jungkook?” you glanced up at him, a desperate smile of disbelief on your face. 

He had a thin line across his lips. He wasn’t denying any of it and you fell silent from reading his sorrowful expression. 

“You can’t be serious,” you muttered under your breath, your hand over your lips in complete denial. “Please tell me you’re joking.” 

“It’s the truth,” he admitted. You rested your head in your palms in an attempt to absorb the words that fell from his lips. “I erased their memories.”