#i can’t believe i used to think that one catering guy i saw around all the time was cute. he’s now my nemesis

[latinokaeya-moving]

im sticking my head in the sand to ignore All Of The Infighting Discourse i’ve seen on this app the last couple days to bring you news of the Real infighting that actually matters: my personal vendetta i have now developed against the catering staff where i work. next time i see one of those guys im gonna maul them

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Hello Miss Raven!! So it’s unfortunately a pretty well known fact that the TWST English translation has a bad habit of botching important dialogue and lore, and even removing lines altogether, and I saw a reblog a day ago regarding that.

The original post was a fact sheet on Leona & how he interacts with women (alongside other stuff but that’s besides the point). And the reblog I was looking at was saying that the English translation just makes it sound like he’s a feminist, when it’s implied in the original JP game that the beastwomen tend to be more aggressive, giving Leona a reason to be afraid of them. And that reminded me that on the TWST fandom wiki under Leona’s trivia he said he’s intimidated by them, and every time I see that I remember that just can’t seem to find that detail at all anywhere in the English game.

So I wanted to ask you what did the original JP game say about how male and female beastmen interact with each other and why Leona would be cautious around them? Because this is a piece of info that I really would have liked to see in ENG, and I’m kind of annoyed I didn’t know about this before.

I believe this is the Leona lore post you’re referring to? Both TWST wikis (the fandom one and the .gg one) state the same trivia point about Leona being “intimidated” by beastwoman. I’m assuming this is where the reblogger picked up the idea of beastwomen being more “aggressive”, and this being Leona’s reasoning for being “intimidated” by them.

In a nutshell, the claims of Leona being a feminist only in EN + beastwomen aggression and Leona being intimidated by that is not true. The “Leona is a feminist” take was around long before the official English localization, and that’s because the Japanese text also has Ruggie (Leona Ceremonial Robes vignettes) and Cater (Cater’s School Uniform vignette) commenting that Leona is “nice” and “respectful” to women. To claim that they made Leona feminist in the localization is false. They never use the word “feminist” in JP or EN though; the label came from the fandom interpreting this bit of lore as Leona being more considerate of women.

As for the reasoning! Leona states in his Ceremonial Robes vignettes that “[Beastwomen are] already way stronger than us. Goin’ against them only brings more trouble.” I believe that someone probably misunderstood that second line of dialogue as Leona fearing the strength/aggression of beastwomen. He never actually indicates or implies that he feels that way. However, these vignettes being cited for the trivia on the wiki likely led to some confusion.

So if Leona isn’t afraid of beastwomen and their physical fitness, how is that second line supposed to be interpreted? Well, let’s think about his character. Leona is a smart guy. He dislikes having to put forth effort into pointless things, especially if he can plan ahead and avoid it. As I tend to say whenever I talk about his Big Brain Cells, Leona likes to work smarter, not harder. Again, look at this line:

“Goin’ against them only brings more trouble.”

It’s likely Leona just wanting to appease his sister-in-law to avoid having to deal with the fallout of not fulfilling her request. It would otherwise be a pain to deal with—and we’ve seen Leona act in various ways to avoid such pains. For example, he goes to Playful Land with Jack to make sure his dorm member comes back alright (or else Leona is responsible for the consequences), purposefully not choosing a vice dorm leader so he doesn’t have someone to challenge his authority, and generally has convenient excuses prepared to get out of things he doesn’t want to do.

If we want to think of it from another angle, this better fits what we already know of Leona’s cunning. He knows when to call it quits and make a strategic surrender. The most notable example of this occurs early in book 6, when he stops fighting Styx agents and willingly gives himself up to them. He also throws in the towel in book 2 and refuses to play because he already knows that his team is destined to lose to Malleus since they didn’t succeed in eliminating him beforehand. In the situation with Leona’s sister-in-law asking for a picture of him in his robes, Leona is acquiescing because that’s just the smart thing to do. Why even argue if he knows it won’t be fruitful? It’s wasted effort.

I would like to add that physical strength isn’t even the only factor here. Ruggie points out in one of his Chats that “Girls have both the grit and the camaraderie to triumph when the goin’ gets tough.” Grit refers to courage or resolve. The latter, resolve, lends credence to the idea that beastwomen are also determined or strong-willed. In which case… yeah, I don’t think they’d back down from an argument/verbal fight or a physical one.

If we circle back to the previous paragraph, it supports the interpretation that Leona giving in to what his sister-in-law wants is the result of him wanting to avoid a pointless and prolonged fight if he refuses. Cuz like… why waste that time and energy to come out of it with nothing, right?

If it was true that Leona listens to what women day only because he’s actually scared of beastwomen, then that doesn’t explain his interactions with non-beastwomen. Why would he agree to attend a party for an enchanted portrait (Rosaria), which has no means of harming him? He agreed to the proposition as soon as he heard Rosaria is a lady; there didn’t need to be a threat or significant verbal pushback for him to go. As Leona states in Cater’s School Uniform vignette, “Portrait or not, I respect ladies and Rosaria is a lady.” (I think the reblogger may have been confused and was actually referring to THIS line being made “more feminist” in EN. In JP, Leona says something closer to, “Even if it’s a portrait, a woman is a woman.” JP does not have the “I respect ladies” portion.)

Sooo, in conclusion… Leona agreeing to do as his sister-in-law says does not necessarily mean he is intimidated by beastwomen; as I’ve explained, there is an alternate explanation with evidence in canon: he wants to avoid pointless hassle.

I hope this helps to clear things up ^^ I know the localization isn’t exactly perfect, but let’s take care to not assume changes or mistranslations!

[youaremysunshiness]

entry #5

i am anxious and stressed because a film i’m working on for school is shooting a short scene tomorrow and my cinematographer is flaking on me. when i said that i would ask another friend to do it because he already agreed to do so many other projects, he insisted to do my film. i’m producing and directing and editing this film and it’s stressing me out so much because everyone’s films are filming at the same time and it’s hard to get a solid crew or cast because my school doesn’t give us a schedule for Intermediate Directing and just shoves us into filming like “good luck! figure it out!” when we all have to rely on each other.

anyway, i set the call time tomorrow (for crew) at 12:30 pm and my cinematographer tells me that he’s going to be late because he’s going to the gym with another friend. that’s it. that’s the reason. he can’t bother to cancel his plans to be responsible and follow through with what he signed up for. i’m so upset. i’m so pissed at him. like, are you that self-centered that you can’t cancel plans to go to the gym for a school obligation? are you serious right now?

he also lives with me and i can’t stand him anymore. he is the most self-centered, spoiled, inconsiderate man i’ve ever met in my life. like, i’m sorry your parents cater to everything that you do, pay for your expensive splurges on taylor swift merch and your whole life. get a job. i don’t trust people who don’t have jobs. they are always so spoiled and inconsiderate and irresponsible. you’re 20 years old and you’ve never had a job? you’re a privileged little dickhead.

ugh why did i agree to let him be my cinematographer? i knew he would do this. i knew he would be selfish and flake on me. his dad also owns a gymnasium at this church and i asked to use it this sunday and his dad said that his son (my cinematographer) needed to be there the entire time. then he has the nerve to say, “i can’t guarantee i will be there.” why? because you have something better to do? he always ditches me and my other friends because he’s obsessed with a guy friend of his, D, and follows him around like a dog. he 100% would flake on me to hang out with D because he’s a little shit. i’m so mad. i can’t believe some people. they literally think the world revolves around them.

i’m going to fire this man. i want to tell him off so bad because of how selfish he is and how much he doesn’t deserve to work with me or any other female director he praises and know will make him look good because they are talented. it’s not all about you. also, i saw how he treated a female director and he was so awful. he kept overstepping and tried to direct for her to the point when he was confusing the actress because the director was telling her to do one thing (allowing her to actually act) and he kept giving her conflicting directions. you’re not the director. stay in your place. ugh, men in the cinema department always do that shit with female directors and there are so many talented women in my class that want to be directors and so many men in the department overstep and take away opportunities from women because they’re so used to the world revolving around them.

i’m just gonna ask my female friend to be my cinematographer because she wouldn’t fuck me over like that and women are easier to work with (just saying as someone who wants to be a director and happens to be a woman). women can be a breeze to work with because they listen and don’t look down on you. don’t get me wrong, i’ve also worked with some good men who aren’t misogynistic and really helped me bring my vision to life without overstepping or mansplaining. my guy friend who was my cinematographer for my last film was awesome and i’m forever grateful to him for putting so much effort into each and every shot.

anyway, i feel better after ranting and thinking about good male friends who were awesome to work with. some men really do suck though, and they never realize it because they’re too self-centered. hopefully i figure something out for tomorrow.

[justmypartner]

Theory for Jay’s Exit

Between dodging Hailey’s calls, kicking in doors without cause, roughing up suspects, raising his voice at Hailey, holding things back, and choosing to go to a bar with Voight instead of home to his wife, Jay Halstead was hardly recognizable in 10x02. This is me making sense of all of these things that hardly make sense at all.

I, like most after last night, was left completely baffled by what they’re trying to do with Jay’s exit. I sat there during and afterward replaying Gwen’s words that, “[They] tried to stay really true to his character and to what he stands for and what he means for the show and for the unit.” Watching last night’s episode felt like the complete opposite of that. It felt like there was supposed to be a “Sike!” card waiting for us at the end, and it would all be revealed that this whole thing has just been a big joke.

I was angry, confused, and really upset about what we saw last night and how it could possibly lead into an exit that does the character and the actor justice after 10 years of tremendous growth. I kept coming up short, until @girlinlotsoffandoms threw out this theory that flipped everything around for me.

Last season, we saw Jay make a deal with Voight. It was a deal intended to reign his boss in, to protect him from himself so that they wouldn’t find their careers—their lives—at risk again the same way they were early on in the season. As the season progressed, we saw the way this deal began to falter. For the first few episodes, it was working. Voight turned to Jay as per the conditions of their deal, and Jay was able to find some kosher ways out of difficult situations. This all flipped with Anna. She became a blind spot for Voight, one he hasn’t had since his son or even Lindsay, and the structure of his deal with Jay began to fracture. We saw this all fall apart in the finale. Jay scrambled to fix things, and we saw Hailey have to knock some sense into him. I keep coming back to this conversation:

“You can’t save him from himself, Jay. You can’t find a way out for him.”

“Maybe I can.”

“No, you can’t.”

“We did for you.”

“And look at what that cost us.”

I believe this was the conversation that got in Jay’s head. He was stewing on it, then she got in the car and backed him in a way he wasn’t quite expecting, and it made him recognize through the fogginess of trying to fix the thing with Voight where his priorities lie: with her. With them.

Anna dying only solidified the realization Hailey put into his head. He realized just how much he can’t save Voight from himself, and how things can end when he’s left unregulated. These realizations instilled in him a new need, not to save Voight from himself, but to save himself, his wife, his team, the people he cares about, from Voight.

Enter @girlinlotsoffandoms’s theory.

A new chief presents the perfect opportunity for this. Voight’s out, spiraling over losing Anna, giving Jay the perfect opportunity to partner up with this new guy and come up with a plan to get Voight out. He still cares about Voight (for whatever reason) so he wouldn’t just straight up turn him in. I think he’s planning something bigger, something that’ll push Voight either into a position out of the field, away from making dangerous decisons, or out of cpd as a whole.

Clues that make a deal like this make sense

As Hailey pointed out, the chief knew Jay lied when he came up with an excuse for why Voight wasn’t at the ceremony. Yet, he didn’t question it. He didn’t call anyone out for it. Instead, he ends up giving Voight a longer leash… possibly to let him dig himself into a deeper hole? Jay is acting in a way so against who we know him to be as a person and as a cop so that he can get closer to Voight. We know how much the man pulls in those who instantly march at his orders and pushes away those who don’t. Jay’s behavior is catering to this, trying to get as close as he can and stay that way so that whatever plan he’s worked out with the Chief can come to fruition.

There’s also the conversation from last night. As someone pointed out, there was something incredibly off about Jay’s response/Jesse’s delivery to Hailey asking why he didn’t tell her about Voight/Will at Med. Almost as if he’s holding something else back.

I don’t know how this all unfolds next week in what we’ve all come to assume is Jesse’s last episode, but this is the one theory that helps me make sense of everything we’ve seen so far. It’s the one thing that makes everything Gwen has been spewing about Jay’s exit actually carry some merit. I can’t say I feel certain that this is what’s going on, but I have to hold onto this if I want to feel okay with how this is all wrapping up. I’m preparing myself for disappointment as well, but I’m also holding onto the hope of this theory or something (anything) alike that makes all of this senselessness make sense.

[sugaurora]

The Wedding Arrangement

You are in love with your best friend, the only man who matters, Kim Seokjin.

Unfortunately, he's just gotten engaged to someone who isn’t you. Even more unfortunately, he expects you to help plan the wedding alongside Kim Namjoon, his other best friend and, based on your first meeting, just another judgmental jerk.

Putting aside your distaste for the sake of your friend’s happiness, you both set about giving Seokjin the wedding of his dreams. Following a rough and satisfying affair at the caterer’s, you strike an unusual deal: you and Namjoon will be enemies with benefits until the wedding is over. And after six months of wedding planning, you both just might learn that weddings aren’t usually the end, but a brand new beginning.

Pairing: Construction Contractor Namjoon x Physician’s Associate Female Reader

Genre: Romance; Enemies(?) with Benefits; Enemies(?) to Friends to Lovers; Smut

Word Count: 44,200+

Warnings: Profanity; Alcohol; Depiction of giving birth; Psychological distress caused by a strained parental relationship; They literally aren’t even enemies ya’ll, just kinda pissy for a minute; Explicit sexual content; soft dom Joon if you squint, biting, scratching, fingering, oral (male and female), protected sex, stupid amounts of kissing cause ya’ll know my brand

Note: This story features a black reader-character

Commissioned by namaslaylife on Twitter. You watched the entire insanity of my writing process and I can’t thank you enough for your patience and trusting me to tell your story 💜

Music: Zayn - TiO, Giveon - For Tonight, James Arthur - Can I Be Him, Ella Mai - Naked, Why Don't We - 8 Letters, Kiana Lede - I Choose You

If you enjoy my writing, please consider buying me a ko-fi or purchasing a fic commission.

Crossposted on AO3

Writing Masterlist

April — Y/N

Spring barely kissed the trees lining the sidewalk, budding hints of green as soft as sage or vibrant as lime spreading across recently bare branches. The blossoming greenery wreathed the restaurant you approached in the prettiest hint of early April. Inside, the waiting area buzzed with activity, voices carrying as you waited for the hostess to finish with the guests in front of you.

“Oh my god, did you see that guy they just seated?”

“He’s definitely famous. I think they took him to VIP.”

“Can you imagine holding onto those shoulders in the middle of the night? I would kill for a chance.”

“Miss?” You pulled your attention away from the muffled conversations around you and back to the smiling hostess as the other guests walked away.

“Yes, I’m meeting someone. I believe he’s already here. Dr. Kim Seokjin.”

Checking her seating charts, you watched her eyes flick back to you, suddenly slightly more scrutinizing. Internally, you rolled your eyes. You were used to it by now, the jealous curiosity of strangers as they realized you were the one he was waiting for. It wasn’t as though you didn’t look good, especially tonight, dolled up for this posh restaurant in your black cocktail dress, styled courtesy of your fashion-forward roommate. She had made sure it hit you at all the best angles and none of the bad.

No, it had nothing to do with you. It was simply that Seokjin looked more god than man and people always took notice.

“Yes, miss. Right this way.”

You weaved through the restaurant, trailing behind the speedy hostess as she guided you back into the sparsely populated VIP section.

“Hey, short stuff!”

Seokjin hurriedly stood from his seat when he saw you approaching, wrapping welcoming arms around you as soon as you were within reach. You melted into his chest. He had always given the best hugs.

Somewhere in your dreams, this was the part where he would lean you back and kiss your lips with a passion just bordering on inappropriate for the public. He would look you over and tell you how beautiful you were, how much he loved you, that he couldn’t wait to spend all night with you.

But disappointingly, this wasn’t your dreams. This was reality. And in reality, Seokjin was your friend. One of the best. But nothing more.

“Why are you hugging me like you didn’t just see me at the hospital two days ago?” you mumbled into his shirt. He finally let you go, tall enough to smirk down at you even though you were wearing heels.

“The last time I saw you, there were three coffee stains on your scrubs and your right eye was missing most of its mascara. I’m just so proud of you for taking a shower.”

You pushed lightly against his chest in mock irritation at the insult, no matter how accurate it had been. The last night you’d worked had been hell. "I’ll take that as confirmation that you're ordering at least two of the most expensive bottles of wine this place has."

He chuckled and you took your seats. Strangely, the restaurant had seated you at a table with four chairs, but you supposed they moved things around in this section to keep people comfortably separated.

“Maybe only one bottle tonight,” Seokjin said with an easy smile. “I don’t need anyone in trauma complaining that I left their most capable PA with a nasty hangover.”

You knew Seokjin well enough to know he wasn’t joking, both about your poor tolerance for too much alcohol and about his respect for your job that you did best when not recovering from said abysmal alcohol tolerance.

You’d learned quite a lot about him, in fact, over the past two years. You worked as an emergency medicine physician’s associate in one of the busiest emergency and trauma units in the country. And in the same prestigious hospital, Seokjin worked as a cardiothoracic surgeon, operating on countless hearts and stealing the hearts of plenty more each day. Since you’d met during a company-sponsored luncheon, he had tried to lure you away from the trauma unit more than once to work with him instead. But you loved the chaos that was the emergency unit too much to leave it.

The friendship between you had taken off quickly, the compatibility irrefutable. Between your love of his questionable humor, his appreciation for your love of a good meal, and the passion you shared in athletics, you and Seokjin felt immediately in sync, inside the workplace and outside as you spent more of your free time with him. You probably spent too much time together, some days overbaking under the sun on tennis courts, other people watching at coffee shops or stopping in theaters to watch and complain about terrible indie movies. You always found each other during long nights at the hospital or spent evenings together at dinner, talking about everything under the glow of the moon, baring your soul with someone who made it feel kindred. Guarded as you were after years of relationships gone sour, Seokjin gave you a safe, comforting space to just be yourself.

About a year in, you thought things between you might move beyond friendship. Leaned together on your couch, you’d both been active participants in a spontaneous kiss that should’ve changed your relationship.

It hadn’t been the best kiss of your life, it was true. You were willing to let that evolve naturally as you kissed more. But Seokjin had only responded with a shy laugh, chuckling something about kissing his sister. You laughed along to hide your disappointment. After that night, you both agreed to forget about it and settled firmly into only friendship. You dated. He dated. And life had gone on happily with the best friend you could’ve asked for in it. Sadly, it hadn’t stopped your pining for him, your desire for one more chance at something more. But you endeavored to move past that every day.

A waitress finally came by for your drink order.

“I’m starving actually,” you said, eyes raking over the tiny menu. “Do you want to get an appetizer or something?

He winked at you. “I knew you’d be hungry, don’t worry. I already ordered something. I just hope I got enough for-” His eyes went over your shoulder, arm extending up. “There he is. My bro!”

Seokjin was up out of his seat and your eyes followed him as he embraced one of the most attractive men you had ever seen, which was quite a compliment about someone when they stood next to Seokjin.

He had to be at least six feet tall, making even Seokjin look small in comparison. Or maybe that had to do with the massive biceps and broad, muscular chest that were surely straining against the seams of his t-shirt.

You blinked.

He was wearing a thin white t-shirt with a black blazer on top in an attempt to dress up the look. But the effort seemed to stop there as you took in his oil-stained jeans and dusty black boots that had definitely never been polished a day in their existence.

Though he looked a little out of place against the glittering backdrop of this five-star restaurant, you didn't consider yourself one to judge a book by its cover. And any friend of Seokjin's was sure to be one of yours. You slid on your warmest polite smile as Seokjin turned to you to make introductions.

"Y/N, this is Namjoon. He’s been one of my best friends since childhood. We practically grew up together," Seokjin explained, waving the man in your direction. You stood from your chair to greet him properly, holding out your hand for him to shake.

“Hi, nice to meet you,” you said, your smile turning a little more genuine. The name was familiar. Seokjin had definitely mentioned him a few times while telling you humorous snippets of his childhood. The way Seokjin had always spoken about him gave you good vibes. And seeing him a little closer, as his rich brown eyes lidded with a sharp curve that made his gaze magnetic flashed your way, you felt your face warm just a little. Shit, he was handsome. He gripped your hand back firmly, engulfing yours with broad palm and long fingers. The skin of his hand felt warm and roughly textured against yours. A wave surged through your body at his touch, an indescribable tingle sent coursing through your skin. Namjoon’s eyes widened a little as though he could feel it too, his movements pausing for just a second before he slowly let go of your hand.

"Joon, this is Y/N,” Seokjin continued as you all took your seats, both men sliding into the ones across from you. “She works at the hospital."

Namjoon gave you a shy smile so charming your heart made a strange thud that vibrated in your throat. His dark brown hair shifted a little as he dipped his chin in your direction. It looked thick, soft, and quite pleasant for running your fingers through.

A thought crossed your mind then. Was...was Seokjin trying to set you up? Now that you thought about it, he hadn't exactly given you a reason why you were meeting at a place like this. He was no snob when it came to food. He would eat at any hole in the wall as long as things tasted good. Had he brought you both here to set up some kind of blind date?

"The hospital?" Namjoon asked, quietly echoing Seokjin’s words, gaze never breaking from yours.

"Yes, I'm an emergency PA,” you said, trying to ignore the sudden nerves rattling your voice. “Uh, physician's associate."

"Oh," he said. His lids lowered slightly over the soft, coffee brown of his eyes in that disappointed look of judgment you were sick to death of seeing on people's faces. “Like a nurse, right?”

Your jaw clenched. Typical. The average person had such a difficult time grasping that PA’s existed, let alone how vital they were. Did they all think doctors were miracle workers in a room by themselves? How many lives wouldn't have been saved if you hadn't been there?

On top of that, this grease-stained neanderthal had the nerve to look disappointed that you weren’t a surgeon, as if nurses weren’t some of the most vital members on every hospital’s staff. You took back your heart-thudding from a moment before, chalking it up to a second sense for sniffing out assholes instead.

You rubbed a hand over your arm to soothe your irritation, trying to hold yourself back from saying any number of hot-tempered thoughts aloud in an attempt to correct him. Thankfully, Seokjin came to the rescue before you went on an explosive tirade over how important your position truly was.

"Thanks for coming, you guys. I have some big news and you're the only two I wanted here for it."

Seokjin was smiling wider than you thought you’d ever seen. News?

“I’m engaged,” he said, lifting his arms with a dramatic flourish and bouncing his excited gaze back and forth between you and Namjoon.

A car could have come crashing through the restaurant then, tires skidding across the table between you all. You wouldn’t have moved. The world had frozen in place.

“Wow, man. Congrats.” Namjoon’s eyes flicked in your direction for a second as if he thought Seokjin might be talking about you. “To who exactly?”

“Hani. I think you’ve both met her at least once. We’ve been dating for about eight months and...yeah, she’s the one. I proposed last night and she said yes.”

Hani. Gorgeous, sharp-faced Hani who barely seemed interested in spending five minutes with other human beings, let alone in marrying someone. Hani that worked for her family’s tech conglomerate and only perked up when asked about complicated programming or groundbreaking computing advancements. Hani that Seokjin had only mentioned a handful of times since he’d started dating her, that you thought he would’ve ended things with months ago. She had never seemed Seokjin’s type, but he was always dating someone, so you didn’t think anything of it. Certainly that nothing would come of it. Had it really been eight months already? And even if it had, he was ready to marry her? A sudden headache clawed at the back of your head, threatening to make you dizzy where you sat.

A waiter finally arrived at the table, bringing glasses of wine and setting down two platters of food that you assumed were appetizers. But any trace of hunger had dropped from your stomach. You only stared at Seokjin, unable to move, unable to respond, mouth probably hanging open.

“I brought you both here because I want the two of you to plan the wedding. Of course, you’ll work with a wedding planner. But I want all the decisions up to both of you.”

“Us?” Namjoon asked in confusion, making another of his judging glances in your direction. “Together?”

You tried not to glare back and instead focused on your friend who beamed at both of you with a level of giddy happiness you’d never seen on him before. He was serious. This was really happening.

“The wedding will be in six months, in October. Hani isn’t really big on these kinds of things. If it were up to her, we’d sign some papers at a courthouse and move on. But I want us to have the proper experience, beautiful, romantic, and perfect. She deserves that.”

Seokjin placed a hand atop yours across the table and the other on Namjoon’s shoulder. “You’re the two people who know me the best. Y/N, I know you'll keep it practical. Namjoon, I know you'll make it romantic. Please, you’re my best friends. I wouldn’t ask anyone else.”

You returned to your apartment in a daze, barely remembering the drive over. You hadn’t touched the wine, had barely eaten. While Seokjin and Namjoon had chatted about their memories as children and Namjoon mentioned something about a contracting business, you’d barely absorbed a word. Everything felt numb, gray, distant. Seokjin was engaged. Seokjin was getting married. He was getting married to some girl that wasn’t you. The information was there, floating at the edge of your mind. But it wouldn’t sink in.

Married.

When you unlocked your front door you could tell you weren’t the only one having a rough night. The delicious smell of spices and herbs hit you in a rush and suddenly your lost appetite was finding its way back.

Your roommate, Momo, was standing in the kitchen tossing ingredients back and forth between two skillets and a pot. Dressed like she was on her way to a weekly fashion event in one of her thrifted vintage finds, Momo wasn’t the type to be caught looking anything but stunning even while barefoot at home.

“Did you eat a lot? You have to have a bite, I swear it’s the best I’ve ever made,” she said, moving to turn off one of the burners.

“No,” you said, but it was only a whisper.

She looked up, pausing with a spoon poised over a skillet. “You ok?”

You stared out over the rest of your apartment, at Momo’s cat Peeko curled up in his well-clawed cat bed, at the sad, half-dead parlor palm plant drooping next to the television. At the windowed wall of your balcony that reflected the purple and blue of twilight. Like a nasty bruise, you thought, as the pain of the evening finally started to sink in.

“No.”

"Me either. Had my first interview for visual designer at one of the top fashion magazines in the entire world and I blew it."

Your shoulders sagged a little more. She had been preparing for that interview for weeks. "Mo..."

"Take Yoongi and JK dinner first. I’ll make us plates.”

The end of any soul-shattering night, such as one where your best friend that you happened to be in love with tells you that he’s getting married and you now have to plan his wedding alongside his jerk of a friend, could always be improved by a bit of Momo's cooking. At her direction, and because it was easier to follow instructions than to think for yourself at the moment, you took a plate to your neighbors on either side.

Jungkook, an up-and-coming MMA fighter who had found quick success and fortune, always stared down at you with grateful, innocent eyes wide as saucers as he accepted what you assumed was a rare home-cooked meal. On the other side, Yoongi, a popular late-night radio talk show host, mumbled gentle appreciation for his dinner, or rather, breakfast each time. He’d thanked you once with a really fancy record player and another time with front row concert tickets to a band you and Momo both loved, though how he’d found out you loved them you still weren’t sure.

On your way back from Yoongi’s you watched the door across the hall from you swing open and two people hoisting a few heavy-looking boxes heading out and down toward the elevators. You made out the word “movers” on the patch of one of their sleeves. So the jerk was finally moving out.

He had scoffed at your roommate’s cooking the first time you’d offered as if accepting the kindness of a neighbor was beneath him. The apartment complex you lived in was an upscale one, especially considering the amount you paid on rent, but it wasn’t in your or Momo’s nature not to at least attempt to be friendly with the people who lived nearby. If he didn’t trust you he could’ve at least taken it to be polite and thrown it out after. But, based on the way he ignored you any time you’d seen him around the building, polite didn’t seem to be part of the asshole’s repertoire. You didn’t know a thing about him and turning his nose up at anything Momo made had earned him a spot on your shitlist from then on. He had never bothered either of you or hosted loud parties or anything, but you were happy to be seeing him go and hoped your new neighbor would be a lot friendlier and have a hearty appetite.

Back in your apartment, Momo had set up two plates at your dining room table. She waved at your seat and started to pour a healthy serving of wine into a glass for herself.

"Come on, let’s eat and talk, babe. Spill," she said before tipping a forkful into her mouth.

You parted your lips, intending to tell her to go first. But the sudden lone tear you felt slipping down your cheek changed your mind.

May — Namjoon

So you were stuck up. Namjoon could deal with that. He’d met enough of Jin’s doctoral buddies and accepted builds for enough petulant trust fund kids to know how to hold his own against anyone who thought a certain bank account balance or career made them better than anyone else.

But did you have to be so fucking hot?

His dick had wanted to jump out of his pants and propose at the first sight of you back in that restaurant, poured into your black dress, all curves and legs, the prettiest brown skin, and a smile that he was sure had brought many a man to his knees.

Jin had already warned him that he wouldn’t stand a chance with you, considering luxury vehicles were one of your requirements of people you dated and Namjoon hadn’t bought a new pickup in eight years. You might have been attractive enough to give him a fleeting thought of turning up at a dealership, but in the part of his brain not driven by his libido, he could accept having no chance with you.

Except now he’d be spending the next six months making decisions for his friend’s wedding with someone who hardly saw fit to make conversation with him. You’d closed up, that radiant smile faltering even more once he mentioned his construction business. You’d seemed less and less interested as the night wore on, presumably disappointed after discovering that you’d have to work with someone like him, someone whose money came from long days of working-class labor instead of countless years of schooling.

After a long day made even longer by a contractor he’d had to fire at the last minute, he finally pulled up to the first wedding venue of the evening and hissed a quiet curse as soon as he spotted you on the walkway.

A goddess in every sense, you looked as good as you always had since the night he’d met you. Today you wore a deep red summer dress that rippled in the warm breeze. It made your beautiful skin sing and very likely had a designer tag stitched inside. This was the third time he’d joined you viewing venues and the sight of you still punched him in the gut every time. Enough to make him give the whole car situation a little more consideration.

Meanwhile, you looked at him exactly as he had come to expect. Sometimes jobs ran late and he couldn’t help arriving at venues caked in dust and probably smelling of sweat. Maybe there were stains on his jeans or he hadn’t taken the time to knock every bit of mud off of his boots or run home for a quick shower and a change into cleaner clothes. You didn’t exactly turn up your nose at him as he joined you, but your appraising eyes told him enough. You didn’t like him. It wasn’t a fair assessment on either side. You didn’t even know him.

“Hey, sorry I’m late. Job ran behind. Wedding planner meeting us this time?”

You had such a cutting way of looking at someone with those alluring eyes, like you could suss out a person’s depths if you studied long enough. He felt your analyzing gaze linger for a few more seconds before you spoke.

"Just us, I’m afraid. I think the planner is just there to research and narrow things down. We get the final say between us, so it’ll probably just be us during all this.” You glanced at your phone. “We have four venues to view before the sun goes down and I have to be at work tomorrow before the sun is up so let's get this over with."

You turned on your heel heading toward the doors and Namjoon assumed he was meant to obediently follow after.

"Still not a fan of looking at stunning wedding locations?" he asked, legs much longer than yours helping him fall in step beside you quickly. In the beginning, he’d tried to hold back, to keep his socialization to a minimum. If you really were a snob, he didn’t exactly want to waste any effort on being friendly with you. Better to just stick with what was needed to get this wedding planned and get out of each other’s lives. But sometimes his curiosity slipped out. You seemed so unimpressed by every place you’d both been to so far, maybe even a little irritated to be involved. Namjoon found it fascinating. In spite of himself, he wanted to know more about you.

"If you'd looked at the price list the wedding planner sent for the places we’re looking at tonight you'd understand why I'm not much of a fan.” You shook your head, adding the last bit quietly though he could still hear, “All that money for one day."

His steps slowed as he gave you and your long, flowing dress another once over. "Huh."

You noticed him fall behind and turned back to look at him curiously. "What?"

"Nothing. You just didn't strike me as the frugal type, princess."

"My name is Y/N,” you said, eyes narrowing at him slightly. “And I'm not really sure what judgments you're making about what "type" I am, but you should probably assume they're wrong and stop while you’re ahead."

Namjoon hooked a thumb at the edge of his worn-in jeans. "I think that goes both ways."

"Whatever," you said with a petulant roll of your eyes and pulled open the venue’s front doors. "The tour guide’s waiting for us. Let’s go."

Alright, so you really, really didn't like him. His eyes fell to your ass as your hips swayed away through the entrance. He could work with that. It made you that much more irresistible.

Your poor judgment of him aside, you certainly didn’t miss any details as the guide showed you both around the venue. Namjoon didn’t know much about Hani’s tastes, but he knew Jin would appreciate the classic, rustic atmosphere. It was charming and with a million string lights and floral arrangements, it would make the perfect location for a low-key, romantic wedding.

"Both of those fans are caked in dust, those wood beams are rotting in the corner, and I’m pretty sure that’s mold covered by what I think is two layers of wallpaper. Plus they say it can hold seven hundred guests, but that would be an uncomfortable squeeze in here.” You rattled off the imperfections after the guide had left you both standing in the reception hall. “Not this one."

Namjoon gave the place another once over. Well, he still thought it looked charming.

“Alright, princess. Next place?”

You only scoffed at him and took off toward the exit. If only you knew he was starting to really appreciate the look of you walking away.

Unfortunately, neither of the next two locations were up to your high standards either. The first, an upscale hotel, all gloss and cold ivory and no heart. You both agreed Jin would hate it. The second, outside a wooded bed and breakfast. Though you both liked the outside space, you were worried about the unpredictable October weather and the inside of the house was too small for the absurdly large guest list the wedding planner had sent over.

Namjoon was starting to assume tonight would be another bust until you both pulled up to the last one. Jumping down from his truck, he joined you in front of your own car, mimicking your wide-eyed stare at the venue grounds.

“Wow,” you said quietly.

“Yeah,” he agreed.

Backdropped by a snow-capped mountain in the distance, the venue’s main building sat at the edge of a crystalline lake, reflecting pale blue and lilac in the dwindling evening sun.

“Weather permitting, the ceremony and reception would be held out here on the green, with flower-lined gazebos for protection from the sun. And if the weather isn’t so great, well…” The tour guide didn’t bother to finish her sentence, throwing open double doors to the site’s main building.

It was just as breathtaking inside as it was out on the grass, with pale stone walled arches, glittering chandeliers, and patchwork-tiled floors with elegant swirling designs. But the winning focus of the view was the wall of glass, the soft silvery curtains that shimmered in the sunset, pulled aside to highlight that perfect view of the lake, clouds rolling slowly between the mountains in the distance. The sight made Namjoon's breath hitch.

The guide was adamant that the two of you have the experience before making any choices, encouraging you and Namjoon to link arms and walk down the would-be aisle together. A fraction of regret flashed through him that he hadn’t been able to shower before heading over, especially when you smelled so heavenly, like flowers and vanilla and something else, something intoxicating. But you only hesitated a second before taking his arm and walking slowly up the aisle alongside him.

You didn’t drop his arm once you reached the center of the room, both of you still staring out at that incredible view. Outside or inside, this wedding would be breathtaking.

"He’s going to love this,” Namjoon said, still a little breathless. “Can't you see it? Jin and Hani here, all the guests over here. Purple and pink ribbons and lace, flower arches and strings of those little lights everywhere. This place is perfect."

“I’m not so good at visualizing things,” you said quietly. You seemed to finally notice your arm still looped around his, slowly pulling away in a move that was almost endearingly shy. You walked toward the window and stared out in what he assumed was awe. “That’s for the creative vision types like you I suppose. I have to see it to know if I like it or not.” You gave the space another once over, up toward the intricate arches of the ceiling and back down the length of the room. “But I do think you’re right. Seokjin would adore this.” Namjoon couldn’t understand where it was coming from or if he was reading you wrong, but it almost sounded like admitting that had hurt you in some way.

You pulled out your phone, swiping back and forth between the information the wedding planner had sent, analyzing more of the costs and what would be included in the venue.

"Alright. This one is the most expensive, but I think it’s worth it."

Even after seeing a place like this, you were still focused on prices and value. When Jin had all but handed you both a blank check with the only instruction to make his dream wedding come true.

"You're close to Jin, aren't you?" he asked, once again ignoring his rules when it came to you.

You looked up at him with confusion. "He's my best friend.”

"Then why are you being so miserly about this? He can afford any of these places."

"It’s because he's my friend that I'm trying to choose carefully. Don't get so excited over spilling open someone else's wallet that you let these people railroad you in the process. Their job is to take advantage of doe-eyed suckers like you. I'm here to focus on the numbers."

Namjoon crossed his arms, a little amused at being called a sucker. It wasn’t like he was a stranger to suppliers’ price gouging if they thought they could get away with it. But considering he did miss obvious flaws at the other sites that he wouldn’t have normally, maybe there was a grain of truth to your words. "He was right. Practical to your core."

"Blind romance will get you ripped off. I can see why Seokjin didn't want to do the choosing himself. I know he would've gotten carried away with all this glimmer and his wallet right along with him. And I don't know that you're faring much better, Mr. Kim."

"Just Namjoon. So I suppose you're with Hani then. Just go to the courthouse and call it a day."

"No. You keep misreading me. I know how important a beautiful wedding is to Seokjin. He deserves that."

The question escaped him before he could stop himself. "What about your own wedding someday?"

You had never worn a ring and he hoped it wasn't yet another false assumption. You sighed, gaze sliding past him, back toward the rippling magenta of the lake. A faraway look glossed over your eyes, almost sad.

"I'll worry about that if I ever find another...any potential candidate."

“You just haven’t found the right person to have you dreaming of that kind of romance.” Namjoon didn’t know why, but he wanted to offer you some kind of comfort if he could. You still didn’t look away from the view as you spoke, your voice coming out a little quieter.

“Whoever that person is, they either don’t actually exist or they’re already with someone else.”

One deep breath later and you were walking away from him again. He followed you into the tour guide’s office and stood by as you successfully haggled the price down for the October date.

“A pleasure, Mr. Kim,” you said once the deal was done and you both headed back to your vehicles.

“Just Namjoon, please. Was it a pleasure? I don’t feel like I did much besides gawk.”

“Well, we’re just here for Seokjin, right? That’s all we need to do.”

“Right. Well. Have a good night.”

He watched you and your red dress slide into your car and pull out of the parking area, staring after your car for a while until you were far out of sight. So you didn’t like him. And yet he couldn’t help wanting to know why you seemed so sad when you spoke about love, as though it was a train you missed that was never coming back.

On the drive home, he tried to remind himself over and over again that you were off-limits, but even that didn’t stop his mind from wandering, trying to think of what he could do the next time you both had to meet that might bring that pretty smile he’d seen on the first day back to your face.

“Sowon, I swear to god-”

Namjoon would’ve ripped the airpod out of his ear and thrown it across the room, but it was his third pair already and he didn’t want to shell out for another set if he could help it. Still, he might do anything to keep from having to talk to his baby sister for one more minute. Since she’d been born, everything in Namjoon’s life had to pause in the wake of whatever Sowon wanted. But the movers were going to be there any second and he still had half a room to toss into boxes before he was ready.

“Joonie, don’t you dare swear at me right now,” she whined into her phone. “If you make me cry again, Nayoung promised she would remove at least one of your testicles and I want to be an aunt one day.”

“I’m not trying to make you cry, munchkin, but you’re busting my balls enough that your wife might not find anything left when she gets here.”

The sound of a hairdryer kicked up in the background of the call and faded slowly as Sowon moved elsewhere inside her salon. “I’ll pay you back for the tile you ordered, I swear. I just saw this new design in a magazine and the baby tried to kick his way out of me in excitement. His first kick! I have to have it. Please, it’s my dream home.”

Namjoon had seen the pictures she’d sent. The brand was so popular in the design space right now that it was constantly out of stock and he had a sinking feeling in his gut that this set was going to be the same.

“If that stuff’s back ordered it’s gonna put my team behind on the build. I’ve got four other sites going already. I can’t afford to get them off schedule over this.” He tried to work as he talked, shoving as many miscellaneous items into a box as he could and ripping through a strip of tape with his teeth to attempt to seal it shut. “And this is the fourth time you’ve changed your mind on something we were just about to start. You can’t keep making last-minute changes like this.”

Namjoon’s doorbell buzzed then, signaling that the movers had arrived. He looked over his things still in unorganized piles over half the room and cursed under his breath. “I have to go, the movers are here. I’ll do my best to get it, but if I can’t we’ll have to talk about other options later. And stop looking at magazines, please? I’ll do almost anything for you, but I’m trying to run a business.”

“You’re the best! Love you, Joonie!”

Namjoon sighed and stared down at his unfinished mess, praying that the movers would be willing to help him gather his things together. Maybe if he mentioned he was at the mercy of a woman who was both five months pregnant and very used to getting her way. He was half a year into building a dream home for his sister and her equally particular wife, Nayoung. When it had started, he'd only had one other job going, with contractors who welcomed the work even if he was only doing it at cost for her. But since then, his contracting business had been doing great, several high dollar residential and commercial jobs coming his way. It was so great, in fact, he'd had to turn down a few jobs because he just didn't have the contractors to spare. And that was with him showing up and doing all kinds of work himself, electrical wiring, plumbing, and handing arrogant city inspectors back their asses on site.

Thankfully, even in the wake of his unpreparedness, the move went fairly smooth. The understanding movers helped him shove the rest of his things into boxes and get his belongings to his new place in one piece.

As he stared out over the sea of things he'd have to find a spare minute to unpack, the doorbell to his new apartment sounded. Had the movers forgotten something? He hurried to the door and tugged it open, expecting one of them to be holding a box that had gotten tucked in the back of the truck.

And yet who he found in his doorway was you, standing in the hall dressed in the most casual clothing he’d ever seen you wearing, with a paper plate of something that smelled delicious in your hands and a look of shock on your face that likely matched his own. After a few of the most awkward moments of his life, you finally broke the silence between you.

“Namjoon?”

“What are you doing here?” The question had more bite to it than he’d meant, but it was setting off alarm bells that you’d somehow found his apartment not even an hour after he’d moved and after dealing with his sister and moving all day, Namjoon’s patience was at its thinnest.

“Uh, I live here.” You pointed to the door behind you. “Across the hall. Did you...this can’t be real, but did you just move in?”

“You live here,” he repeated slowly.

You nodded, still staring up at him with disbelieving eyes.

“Uh...now I do too.”

“I cannot believe this. Of all the apartments in this city-”

“Good housing is hard to come by, this place has great ratings, and I lucked into the vacancy.” He breathed out, trying to shake off his defensiveness. As unlikely an event as this may have been, there was nothing to be done about it now and he needed to redirect his weariness away from rudeness. He tried a smile instead. “Anyway, what’s this?” he asked, eyes flicking toward the plate in your hands.

You blinked down at it like you’d forgotten you were holding it. “Oh. My roommate cooks a lot and she always makes too much. But she’s shy so it’s my job to hand it out to the neighbors. I figured whoever just moved in might be interested in a hot meal since you probably spent all day moving. But I had no idea it was you. That’s...some kind of coincidence.”

“That’s so kind of you both,” he said. “Now I’m quite happy to be your neighbor.”

“So…” you said, rolling your eyes and holding out the food in his direction. “You interested or what?”

“Hell yeah. I’m starving.” No one had cooked for him in ages. And whatever your wonder of a roommate had made already had his mouth watering. At least, he was pretty sure it was the food and not the gorgeous woman handing it to him. “Please tell her I said thanks.”

You gave him a stiff nod and with one more disbelieving glance, headed back through the door just across from his. So it was true. He really was your new neighbor.

It wasn’t until he’d shut the door and set the plate down on his counter that he remembered he hadn’t even thanked you for bringing it over.

As often as you claimed to work, you seemed to have impeccable timing when it came to Namjoon’s at-home activities now that you were neighbors. Particularly when he’d come home with a hookup date and you came down the hall just in time to watch him take the girl into his apartment. You didn’t let your eyes linger and he appreciated your discretion any time you had to meet about the wedding.

And then you saw him with the third date.

And then the fourth.

Of course, he wasn’t embarrassed about sleeping with different women. He was always busy and a quick hookup from an app kept him from having to play the dating game he didn’t have time for. He just wasn’t interested in someone knowing his habits so well. Especially you.

Truthfully, he would’ve preferred to get into a relationship with someone, to stop with the hookups and actually get to know a woman for once. But, considering the disaster that was his last relationship, right now he was happier just putting his energy into work and taking care of his needs with something casual here and there. Besides, he’d caved and accepted a new worksite for the sake of the business and at this point, he just didn’t have time to dedicate to a relationship like a partner would deserve.

Thankfully, he was alone when he returned home one night to find your roommate standing just outside his door. He’d only seen her a handful of times, walking with you in the parking garage, but it had been enough to figure out that she’d been the shy cook you’d talked about that first night.

“You’re Momo, right?”

She started at his voice and seemed a little reluctant to actually face him. A sudden blush spread across her cheeks and Namjoon stopped, leaving a considerable gap between them to give her some space. She dressed as immaculately as you usually did, but at least she wasn’t giving him that familiar judgemental gaze he often got from you for his simple, sometimes dirty, t-shirt and jeans.

“Hey, is everything alright?”

“Our...kitchen sink won’t drain. I need to get ready for work and I’m afraid it’s going to spill over and leave a mess by the time Y/N gets home. She said you fix houses or something so I thought…” She hurriedly turned away, heading back into her apartment door. “I’m so sorry. I’ll just call maintenance.”

“Hey, it’s alright. I’ve eaten better in the last few weeks than I have since I lived with my parents. I don’t mind taking a look for you.”

“Hey, Bob the Builder is fixing our sink. I’m late for my night class, bye!”

Namjoon couldn’t see you from his spot under the sink, but he didn’t hear your footsteps coming into the apartment for a few moments, even after Momo’s had disappeared down the hall. He chuckled to himself at your surprise.

Needing to change wrenches, he sat up, careful not to hit his head on the side of the sink. You were standing next to the counter, staring down at him, your expression unreadable.

“Bob the Builder?” he asked, looking up at you with a one-sided smile. He couldn’t hold back his snicker at your embarrassed glance away.

“That’s your nickname,” you mumbled.

“Oh yeah? You talk about me enough to give me a nickname?” He pushed up from the floor and up to his kit on the counter, fishing out an auger from the box. You were wearing casual clothes again, skin glowing a little as though you had been working out or playing sports. It still wasn’t fair how the sight of you could do that to him, make the strangest ache twist at the base of his chest.

“Complain. I complain about you enough. And since you’re here, you want to tell me why you haven’t returned any of my emails about the guest list? The save-the-date invites that are supposed to go out in less than a week.”

“Emails, grandma?” He leaned forward onto your counter, close enough that your intoxicating scent enveloped him, warm vanilla, a faint floral scent, and still that hint of something richer. “You could’ve just text me.”

You stomped off away from him to elsewhere in the apartment and Namjoon smiled to himself as he went back to work on the sink. He was antagonizing you, he knew it. But it was worth it to hear the pretty little hisses you made when you got frustrated with him. He was starting to grow a taste for your short-fused temper.

A few more minutes of work and he finally got the sink unplugged and safe to use. You reappeared as he was washing his hands, offering him a glass of cool water from the fridge.

“Thank you. For coming to fix this.”

He shrugged and accepted the cup from you, fingers grazing against yours as you handed it over. “Payback for all the food.”

“Still, you didn’t have to.” Your eyes softened a little as you looked up at him, warming to him in a way he hadn’t seen before. In a way, he wanted to see much more of. In a way that made him think more about what he could do to get you smiling at him again.

“It’s alright. You're good with your hands. I'm good with my hands,” he winked and placed his free hand against his stomach. “If my guts are ever falling out for some reason, I’d come straight to you, Doc McStuffins.”

“I’m not a...you know what, forget it,” you huffed in irritation, warmth immediately vanishing. You took a judging glance at his abdomen. “You’d be lucky if I gave you a bandaid.”

Namjoon chuckled to himself. Why were you so cute? More importantly, now that he was standing so close to you, why was his only instinct to lean over and kiss you? Frustratingly, your lips did look enticing. But he was pretty sure you’d be the cause of his gut injury if he tried anything like that.

Your eyes flicked down to his lips for a split second before jumping back to his eyes. Then, with one more frustrated scoff, you stomped away from the kitchen and down a hallway to what he assumed was your bedroom.

Alright, so maybe he had been reading you wrong. Maybe he wasn’t the only one feeling that overwhelming attractive pull that had been hounding him in the weeks since you’d met. Maybe, just maybe he’d be able to count on you for more than a bandaid after all.

June — Y/N

“You sure you want to do this?”

Seokjin’s fingers were laced through yours, a trusted anchor holding you steady. You squeezed your eyes shut for a long moment, steeling your resolve before giving him a quick nod.

“Yes, I want to.”

Walking with him felt like the deepest betrayal to someone who definitely didn’t deserve it. Which was why, as the two of you strode past the sign in the yard with “Open House” written in bold, black letters and walked up the steps of the elegant, contemporary home, it was with a tight knot in the base of your belly only barely outweighed by your excitement.

The house had only been listed that morning and, after falling in love with the realtor’s photos, you jumped at the chance to view it. You managed to rope Seokjin into coming along for moral support or perhaps just to keep you from signing anything in a reckless craze.

You toured the place in a whirlwind, your love of the house expanding for each room you viewed. It felt sleek and yet cozy, with beautiful lighting fixtures and flowing, open spaces that truly gave it a welcoming touch.

“Don’t say anything stupid,” Seokjin warned under his breath as the realtor approached the two of you.

“If you’re looking to buy your first home together, I can guarantee this is the perfect place for a new family.” She looked back and forth between you and Seokjin expectantly and your best friend, saint that he was, still didn’t stop holding your hand. You took a deep breath and forced yourself not to make an offer on the spot, only giving the realtor a hollow smile. She glanced at her watch and then back to the pair of you. “I have three more viewings this afternoon and, at this price, it won’t stay on the market. If you’re going to make an offer, I need to know now.”

You wanted to. Deep in your bones you wanted to buy this place and make it into the home you’d always dreamed of. The apartment you lived in now with Momo was nice, with all its amenities and pretty views of the city. But the itch to own your own place had only grown stronger over the past two years you’d lived there. With your mother’s debts finally paid in full and all the shifts you picked up at the hospital, you had more than enough saved for a down payment and a short-term mortgage. You were ready, and yet...

You sighed, giving the realtor another sympathetic smile. Or perhaps it was guilt since you knew you’d only wasted their time by showing up.

“We’ll have to think about it, I’m afraid. I’ll call you in an hour and let you know.”

You left holding Seokjin’s hand just as tight as you had entered, only having the strength to let go once you reached your car.

“You know, now that you know Namjoon, I’m sure he’d get you a really good deal on a new build customized exactly how you want.”

“First of all, your buddy doesn’t like me very much so I doubt he’d be inclined to get me a deal on anything. And second, Mo would never accept it. I barely convinced her to move in with me to begin with and I know she’s suffering because of how expensive it is. She won’t even let me help. I can’t leave her, Seokjin. She’s like my sister.”

Your roommate’s main passion was her graphic design and art business. Unfortunately, she hadn’t quite found her footing yet in the industry, so she supplemented her income teaching art history and beginner painting at a junior college part-time and being a substitute for high schools whenever she could. It was enough for her to afford half of the rent at the apartment you shared together while working on her business, but only just barely.

You wanted to pay more of the bills since you made more, but Momo’s pride would never allow it. She may have bombed her interview, but another company had bitten and she’d been on one interview so far, with a second-round scheduled in a couple of weeks.

“If I get this one, I could finally afford to buy Peeko the cat castle he deserves,” she’d said after they’d called her back to come in again.

“I always thought your priority would be buying something from the latest couture season,” you’d joked.

“Nah, I’ll always be the vintage steal queen you love.”

And whenever the stress of working so much and struggling to get her career off the ground got to her, which was often, she was in the kitchen cooking enough food to feed an army base and impress any celebrity chef. Her anxiety kept you and your neighbors very well fed.

You hadn't told her you were thinking about buying a house. You knew she would refuse to live with you and that she couldn't afford your apartment by herself. But the draw to finally move out of that place, to have something you could call your own was strong. So you fed your demon by viewing random houses for sale and fueling your dreams for the future. Property edging, Seokjin called it.

Your phone vibrated in your bag and you fished it out, but your body froze up as soon as you saw the name on the screen. Seokjin glanced down at your reaction and snorted in disapproval.

“Ignore it.”

“I can’t. My mom must have told him about the article. That’s the only reason he’d call me.” Your submission had been selected to be the primary feature in an upcoming issue of the ELRS Medical Journal. It was one of your proudest achievements to date, but you didn't dare hope that your cosmetic surgeon father would agree that you had anything to be proud of. At least, you tried not to hope.

“Yeah, maybe he’ll finally have something other than shit come out of his mouth for once.”

You sighed. “Seokjin, please. He’s still my dad.”

Seokjin reluctantly held his tongue. Your friend definitely had a few choice words for your father ever since he’d learned how odd your relationship with the man was, but thankfully the two had never met. You took a deep breath before finally answering the phone.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Your mother tells me you’ll be the guest of honor at some second-rate medical journal charity dinner.”

Straight to the painful point, like always. You gathered up what bits of courage you could find before responding.

“ELRS is one of the top five medical journals in the country-”

“Debatable.”

“A-and the research I’ve done on medical bias against racial and ethnic groups, especially black people in the trauma setting-”

“I have to question the integrity of a journal that would allow research submissions from someone who isn’t even a professional. Do you think my assistants are wasting their time researching topics too advanced for their expertise? No. They are being as nurses should and helping me.”

“It’s...associate.”

“What?”

“We’re physician’s associates. And we’re not nurses, dad, you know that.”

He gave a dismissive grunt. “Anyway, I have to go. Tell your mother to put your little show and tell on my calendar, but they’d better not expect a donation from me if they’re taking research from anyone. Love you.” The call went dead before you had a chance to say anything else.

Anger welled in your throat met by the embarrassment that seared molten hot through your ears. It was like he couldn’t hear your voice, like you spoke a different language. Except you always read his messages loud and clear: You were a disappointment.

Yet he never ended a conversation with anything other than that he loved you. You never said it back, even if he gave you the chance. You’d learned a long time ago that they were empty, meaningless words. Love? You didn't really want it when that's what it felt like.

Seokjin looked on for a few moments while you gripped your phone tight and stewed in your thoughts.

“You gonna be alright, kid?”

You blinked back hot tears and refocused on your friend in front of you, ignoring the trace of pity you found in his stare.

“Yeah. I’m gonna get home, I’m working a double tomorrow and I’ve got to meet Namjoon at the caterer’s after.”

“Shit. Listen, you don’t have time to deal with all this wedding mess on top of everything else. I’ll just have Namjoon-”

“You know nothing pisses me off more than when you coddle me like that,” you cut him off. “Let me do this for you. I can handle it.”

Seokjin sighed, laying a hand against your shoulder and giving you a light squeeze. “You sure?”

You offered him a smile, though it was difficult to make it feel genuine.

“Nothing will stop me from making sure you have the wedding day to end all wedding days, bestie."

“What’s this, princess? I’m so used to seeing you all dolled up.”

You were tired. Too tired to meet a damn caterer, too tired to climb into a truck, and too tired to ignore exactly how irresistibly sexy Namjoon was as he pulled open his passenger door for you. Stupid, thin, gray t-shirt that clung so well to his muscles you could see the definition of his pectorals and latissimus dorsi. Stupid tight, black jeans that cupped his ass so perfectly you wanted a glass of wine to pair with viewing something so fine.

You blinked, realizing you hadn’t responded or moved to get into his vehicle. Namjoon stared at you expectantly.

“I worked an overnight and stayed a little after because the ER got slammed at the end of my shift,” you explained, digging deep for energy to hoist yourself into the passenger seat. “This is the best primping I have to offer at this point. You’re lucky I’m not drenched in blood.”

He nodded and closed your door, hurrying over and sliding into his driver’s seat. “You do look tired. Is that why you needed a ride?"

You shook your head. "My car’s getting work done. I was just gonna call a ride service, but I didn't want us to be late. Thank you for coming."

"Any time, princess.”

You sighed at his insistence on that nickname. “For the hundredth time, please stop calling me that.”

He pasted that irritating smirk across his lips, the one that infuriated you for managing to make him even hotter, for making that stupid, adorable dimple appear on his cheek.

“For the record, I like seeing you like this," he said a minute later.

“What, a mess?”

“Like a regular person.”

You rolled your eyes. Of course the judgemental ass had something to say about the clothes you wore. Momo took pride in her skill of finding amazing clothing at low prices and you would never complain about all the style tips she gave you on your own wardrobe. But you didn’t dress nicely to look good for anyone but yourself, and least of all a man you had only ever seen in jeans and sweatpants. You tried to remember to keep your guard up with him, to not let your thoughts drift to the times you had seen him around your apartment building in those sweatpants, to the considerable impression his body made in them as he walked.

“Lovely. Do my non-work clothes make me seem like an alien or something?”

“That’s not what I meant,” he said, sounding a little flustered. “They’re just not so casual. Maybe you’re allergic to denim, what do I know?”

It annoyed you, how mercurial his personality seemed since you’d met. One minute he was closed off, quiet and uncomfortable, like he’d rather be anywhere with anyone else than stand within an inch of you. The next, he was almost pleasant, making conversation and jokes, or sharing his odd sense of wonder at the entire wedding process. Asking questions about you like he gave a damn.

You didn’t bother to respond, relaxing your body a little more into the seat and focusing on not falling asleep. Namjoon in denim might have been your weakness. If he didn’t have whatever chip on his shoulder with all his assumptions about you, and if you thought he found you attractive in any way, you could’ve easily seen a path to the two of you ending up in bed together. Though with him moving in just across the hall from you, that might’ve been a little too awkward.

“Y/N?”

Your shoulders jerked at the sound of Namjoon softly calling your name. The truck sat parked just outside a cream-colored building with a charming brick facade. The Sweet Spot bakery window looked enticing, lined with colorful cakes and delicious-looking baked goods.

“Sorry,” he said. “I would’ve let you sleep, but our appointment starts in a minute.”

You shook your head, forcing yourself to ignore how considerate it had been of him to let you nod off at all, and climbed out of his truck. Namjoon opened the bakery door and you both headed inside, met with wonderful smells of crisp fruits and syrupy sweets.

“We’re here about the Kim-Ahn wedding. We have an appointment,” you said to the man behind the counter, still trying to shake off your fatigue. You had to get through this for Seokjin. A few nibbles and you could go climb into your bed for a day and a half.

“It’s lovely to meet you,” the cherub-faced man said with the prettiest smile. “I’m Park Jimin, owner of The Sweet Spot. Please come back to our tasting room and I’ll get everything set up for you.”

Jimin guided you both to a modest room with a glass-topped dining table, two settings placed next to each other, plush comfortable chairs, and warm lighting.

“I’ll bring in several appetizers, entrees, and desserts in courses to allow you both to try a variety of dishes that would be available for your October date.”

Your brain moved quickly enough to correct him. “We’re here on behalf of the bride and groom.”

Jimin nodded in understanding and left, quickly returning with a tray of tiny, sample-sized appetizers. You and Namjoon ate through them, the entrees, and finally the tray of small desserts. You took notes throughout, though Namjoon didn’t really offer any commentary.

In a rare moment of agreement, however, you both looked wide-eyed at each other after tasting a pomegranate dessert filled with some kind of jelly that squeezed out inside your mouth when you bit down. It was surprisingly delicious, easily the tastiest thing on the entire tray of sweets.

“It would seem the best ones squirt when you eat them,” Namjoon said, that infuriating smirk back on his face. Some of the sweet jelly had landed at the side of his plump lips, and it wasn’t fair how much you wanted to lick the glaze from the corner of his mouth. You made yourself refocus on the task, taking a bite of a square of decadent chocolate and enjoying the pleasant surprise of caramel that melted in your mouth. You had stood from your chair once the desserts arrived, moving around the table and looking back over your notes from each of the courses. Plus, you usually thought better on your feet. Namjoon followed your lead, out of his chair while he took bites of things from the platters, but still he didn’t offer any of his thoughts.

“Why don’t you tell me your thoughts on your favorites?”

Namjoon shrugged and popped another dessert into his mouth. "Whatever you think."

You sat down your phone and worked hard to pull your temper to a calmer place, a difficult task given how tired you felt. Seokjin would’ve been quite proud.

"If you would rather I make all the decisions on my own, then why are we wasting our time together?"

"Because Seokjin asked us both to plan this wedding," Namjoon said simply.

"And yet I'm the only one making any actual decisions. Honestly, Namjoon, I'm the only one who seems to care."

"I care plenty. Just not about the food.” Namjoon casually popped another dessert into his mouth. “Jin will literally eat anything, he's not going to care about whether the cake has gold leaf or if the appetizers are covered in truffle oil. So let's just pick some things most of the guests might like and leave it at that. Seriously, you don't have to turn every decision into a case study. It's a wedding, not a med school thesis."

Right. Because you hadn't gone to medical school. And he knew that by now.

“Do you try very hard to be so unlikeable or does it just come to you naturally?” You tried to keep your tone even, but the desire to snap was there, simmering just beneath the surface. He had the strangest ability to get under your skin just right.

He licked a little leftover frosting from the tip of his finger. “Most people like me just fine. I think the problem is on your end, princess.”

“I’m not going to ask you again to stop calling me that.” You took a deep, moderating breath. “Let's just choose a nice cake for our nice friend and get the fuck out of here nicely.”

Namjoon smirked again and you felt hot rage and something else just as fiery course through you. “Tell me what the non-nice alternative is. I like to know my options.”

You glanced down at the trays of food samples. “You end up with squirting cake all over your face.”

He only arched an eyebrow.

"Uggh. Stop it. We're enjoying cake. Nicely."

"It would be nice if I could actually get you to shut the fuck up and enjoy something for once instead of dissecting everything in front of you."

This son of a bitch. And he had the nerve to keep standing next to you, casually leaning his perfect ass against one of the chairs as though you weren’t three seconds away from launching him out the prettily-curtained windows.

"Charming,” you sneered, narrowing your eyes up at him. “Is that the kind of poetry you use to sweet talk all your dates?"

You had never brought up any of the times you’d seen him take women back to his apartment. Besides the fact that it wasn’t your business, it wasn’t as though you had any kind of relationship with him that required you to talk about his dating life. But if he wanted to keep taking petty shots at you, you were fully equipped to play along.

He seemed mildly thrown by your statement for a moment, shoulders tensing a little. But his smile returned, somehow a thousand times more mischievous than ever before. "I have better methods."

You stepped closer to him, refusing to break your gaze, your hand at your hip. "Being an arrogant douchebag for example."

Namjoon’s lips crashed into yours, his heavy hand at your waist the only thing keeping you from stumbling back into platters of pastry. Any concern for a mess, however, was whisked out of your head as soon as his lips connected. It was all heat in this kiss, sparks and fireworks sizzling the connections in your brain, the explosive version of what you’d felt the first time he took your hand. Your fingers curled into the fabric of his t-shirt on their own, pulling him closer, your hip leaning into the possessive grip he held at your waist.

He fisted his other hand into the hair at the nape of your neck, drawing a moan from you as his teeth pressed into your bottom lip. His tongue met yours as your lips parted in response, a blaze spreading through you at the sweet taste of him in your mouth. Rough fingers slipped beneath your shirt and found purchase, making your bare skin tingle at the contact. You hated that you’d wanted this for so long, that it had to be his touch that made you feel this alive, setting off a sudden need for more of him, an unquenchable thirst for everything Namjoon had to offer.

You only barely held back your whimper of disappointment when your lips finally parted, blinking open your eyes to stare up into the darkened brown of his.

“That usually works,” he said in a low whisper and you could feel the rumble of it through his chest, your body still pressed against him, neither of you in a hurry to move away. You might not have been charmed. But you had certainly shut up and enjoyed.

His lips caught yours again and your eyes fluttered closed as you fell back into a kiss that had no right being as satisfying as it was. Namjoon’s fingers cradled the back of your neck, his other hand still underneath your shirt, pressing against your low back and curving your body into his even more.

He didn't stop kissing you when the caterer knocked at the door, barely parted his lips from yours when it swung open, the heat of his mouth hovering over yours. His sharp, dragon-like eyes held you in place, casting a bewitching spell, staring so deep into yours you thought he could see into your past and maybe your future.

At least him holding you this close hid the thick of him, already hot and hard even through his jeans, pressing against your belly.

"Oh dear, I'm sorry,” the caterer said. What was his name? Jimin? Why did his voice sound so distant? “I must've misunderstood, I thought you said this was for a friend's wedding. No need to be shy, you two. I see lovebirds all the time. I brought a few more dessert samples you might like. Please take your time!"

Something clinked against the table next to you, presumably another tray of food, and he was gone just as quickly. You didn’t dare look away from Namjoon. He still hadn’t moved, still hadn’t stopped staring at you like he planned to take you apart, slowly, piece by piece.

He kept staring after the door shut and you thought for a second that he might be trying to talk himself out of this. But if you were going to take this plunge, you planned to come out soaking wet on the other side.

You did as you had been dying to for so long and slid your fingers into his hair, dragging a gentle scratch along his scalp. His eyelids fluttered a little at the movement. You nudged his face forward and leaned up, rejoining your lips with his.

His finger traced slowly along the skin of your hip, gliding slowly up to cup your breast inside your bra. He ran a rough thumb across the raise of your hardened nipple through the cloth, drawing a moan out of you and into his waiting mouth.

"Is this what you need, hm?" he murmured, lips still pressed against the corner of your mouth. His thumb made firm circles against the peak of your nipple, your body responding to his touch, throbbing with the need for that and for so much more.

Gauging your response, his hand slid slowly from your breast and down your body, landing between your thighs where he cupped your heat through your pants.

"What about here?” he asked, pressing a soft kiss to your lips. “Wondering how effective I can be here?"

Your back arched into him, pressing you against his chest as he slid his fingers back and forth between your legs. His breath was on your ear now, hot and damp.

"The answer is very," his deep voice rumbled, sending a quiver down your entire body. He wanted to toy with you and, as much as part of you wanted to play along, a much stronger part ached too fiercely for what he was dangling in front of you. You gripped his wrist and slid his hand up, pushing the tips of his fingers past the band of your pants and against the searing skin inside.

"Prove it."

You watched a flame spark in his dark eyes as his fingers slid down your center, meeting the wetness that had been building since his lips landed on yours. He let out a pleased growl, leaning forward to kiss you again as his thumb grazed the sensitive bud of your sex. He circled it slowly and you devoured him while his fingers worked, feeding him moans as he found speed, swallowing the intoxicating flavor of his lips as he kissed you, as he slid one thick finger into your core, then another.

"You like this? Like how my fingers feel between your legs?"

You only responded with your body, grinding forward against his hand. You wanted him to keep going, to keep pawing at the pieces of you until he had finished what he started.

“You’re so wet for me already. How long has it been, princess?” he purred with a rough squeeze at your breast with his other hand.

Witty responses felt too far out of your reach. In truth, it hadn’t been that long since your last hookup, a couple of months at the most. But they hadn’t smelled the way Namjoon smelled, like soft soap and the richest, woody musk, making your mouth water with want. They weren’t burning underneath your skin the way he seemed to do so skillfully. And their hands definitely hadn’t gotten you this riled up this quickly.

Unwilling to be an inactive participant, your hands went to the front of his jeans, giving his long, thick length a firm stroke. As your thumb slid back and forth near the head of his cock, it seemed enough to finally crack him.

He exhaled a shaky growl, night expanding in his eyes. “I’m going to bend you over this table and fuck my name right out of your mouth.”

You closed your eyes at his words, biting back a moan as he thrust his fingers roughly into your heat again and again.

You whimpered as he slid his hand from your pants, the loss of him inside you too great. Namjoon turned you around by the hips, forcing you to splay your hands against the cool glass of the table.

He hooked his fingers into the band of your pants, sliding down your scrub bottoms and panties. You looked back to find him kneeling behind you, lips kissing down your ass cheek with a satisfied groan. With your legs spread, he lowered his face between your thighs and dipped his tongue inside your wetness, dragging it flat from your sensitive clit to your waiting entrance. Your back arched in response, hips pressing forward into the table.

“You have no right to taste this good when I don’t have time to eat you properly, princess,” he murmured, fingers making one more stroke against your ass. The urgency hadn’t escaped you either. If you were both doing this, with no clue when Jimin might return to the room, you didn’t have much time to immerse yourselves in one another. Namjoon was standing then, the drag of his zipper pulling your attention back to him.

Your eyes went wide at the sight of him unveiled, the soft, pretty pink of his enormous cock at attention, thickly veined and curved at just the right angle that would have you clawing at the walls.

"Condom?" you breathed out.

He nodded and fished one out of his jeans pocket, rolling it on in record time.

“Are you sure you want this?” His hand gripped the bare skin of your ass with a stroking squeeze. Just knowing he was standing behind you, ready to plunge his cock inside your wetness had you eagerly pressing your hips back in his direction. You nodded impatiently.

“Uh uh, princess. I need to hear you say it. Tell me you want me to fuck you.”

“I want you to fuck me you smug piece of shit. Please .”

Even with how wet you were from his fingers, even with the lube from the condom, it was a tight squeeze. Namjoon’s cock felt even more enormous than it looked, your back arching as he slid himself into you slowly, inch by satisfying inch.

"Fuck," you hissed once he bottomed out.

"Say it again for me."

"Fuck,” you whined, leaning forward into the cool glass of the table. “Fuck me."

He didn’t oblige as you asked, staying still in you, waiting for you to adjust to his size. You pressed your hips back against him, urging him to move inside you.

“Please,” you begged with ragged breath, dying to feel him driving into you over and over.

"Goddamn, you’re so tight,” he groaned. “But I just knew this pussy would fit me perfectly." He pulled himself out to the edge and you wanted to cry. Until he slid back inside, filling up every bit of you to the brink. Out. And back in with an agonizing thrust. Another. And another, until he had built up a slow, deep rhythm that left you just satisfied enough while still craving for so much more that he had to offer. You squeezed around him, enjoying the low moan it drew from his lips, the way his fingers dug harder into your hips.

“You like the feeling of my cock deep inside you?"

"Yes,” you whined. “Fuck, yes. You feel so good."

His hands went to the front of you then, pulling your body up to arch into his chest, pressing himself deeper into you. You felt his fingers close in lightly around your throat.

"My name, princess?" he said, sliding out and slamming himself in to the hilt, forcing you to gasp at the impact.

"Namjoon,” you panted.

He thrust into you again, so deep you swore you could see stars exploding. "There’s a good girl. Again."

"Namjoon. Please. Don't stop."

He didn’t, pounding into you, his fingers finding their way back between your legs, rolling over your swollen clit and pulling your pleasure along at his mercy.

"Right there. Oh my god. Right there, yes,” you babbled, lost to the satisfying stretch of him, to his skilled fingers that felt so rough before, but felt so perfect rolling against your clit now. “Don't fucking stop."

His teeth scraped along your neck, his other hand rolling one of your nipples between his fingers.

"God damn, your cunt feels so good. I want to feel you cumming around me." His lips were at your ear, pressing a light, warm bite against your earlobe, deep voice rumbling straight through your body. "Can you do that for me, baby? Cum for me? Let me feel you come apart on my cock."

You wanted to cum for him, to ride him into your orgasm and squeeze his cock dry. You met each of his thrusts with your hips, driving him into you as deep as he would go, savoring every stroke of his cock as he curved into you just right again and again and again and again.

“Y/N.”

He had been demanding that you say his name the entire time. But hearing the guttural sound of your name on his lips was your undoing. Your orgasm crashed into you, body clenching him tight, shivering in his grip as it rolled through you in waves of dizzying release.

You heard Namjoon growl low into your ear, shuddering groans as he joined you, pressed into you at your deepest as he spilled inside you.

His breath ghosted your ear in light pants as you both came down from your high. You only let yourself savor it for a moment before you pressed your hands against his, shifting your hips to slide his softening cock from between your legs and slowly pulling yourself from his grip until you could turn your body to face him. You caught the thick vein pulsing at his neck first, the light sheen of sweat across his face serving as proof of your illicit activity. His eyes were like a predator's on you, watching tentatively for your next move.

You had no intention of making this awkward. You were both adults and sex was just sex. If anything, you felt like a little of the tension between you had finally been exercised. And, if nothing else, even if you found each other mostly intolerable, it boosted your confidence a little to know that the sexual attraction you’d been feeling for weeks hadn’t been one-sided.

You collected yourself, bending to tug your pants back up and over your hips. He did the same, redressing quickly and fastening the buckle of his jeans. You offered him a napkin from the table for the used condom and shoved the evidence into your purse. No point putting the poor caterer through seeing that something so indecent had gone on in his tasting room.

There was a knock at the door just then, Jimin returning with perfect timing.

“Well, what do we think? I hope we’ve been able to impress you today,” he said with a cheerful smile. You shifted a little, trying to block the sight of your handprints against the glass of the table from his view.

"Your food is certainly...inspiring. We'd absolutely love to book you for October."

Once everything was set and scheduled, you climbed into Namjoon’s truck and considered taking a real nap on the way back to your apartment, exhaustion truly catching up to you now. He had been giving you sidelong glances every once in a while, but you intended to stick to your plan and act as though nothing had changed. That was, until he spoke up in the middle of the drive.

"So we’re really not going to talk about what happened back there?"

"There’s nothing to talk about, so no, we're not,” you said, crossing your arms, leaning back into the seat, and closing your eyes. This was not a big deal. You still hardly liked this man at all. He just happened to have a fantastic cock. And hands. And voice. But it all didn’t mean anything. “We're going to enjoy a quiet ride back to our apartments and not see each other again until we meet the florist or I run into you and another one of your hookups in the hall. Whichever comes first."

July — Namjoon

“Does Y/N seem ok to you lately?”

Namjoon watched you and Hani, sitting on a neat little loveseat at the other side of Jin’s living room. On the surface, you were patiently scrolling through wedding dress photos trying to gather some semblance of style for a woman who was clearly uninterested. He was learning your signals slowly. When your patience wore thin, your temper and matching tongue waiting just beneath the surface to strike. When your smiles were genuine reflections of your joy. And when they were for survival, like the one plastered across your face right now.

Wearing a short dress in a bold shade of blue that made the deep cinnamon shades of your skin look even richer, you looked stunning tonight. Well, that wasn't true. You looked stunning every time he saw you.

Were you ok? He didn't know. You were still an enigma, still closing off most things beyond business whenever he spent time with you for wedding planning.

Was he having a hell of a time not thinking about you every day? His eyes went to your lips, to the memory of how soft they felt against his own, to the sweet taste of your tongue sliding against his, the erotic sound of his name in your voice while he was buried in that magic you kept between your legs.

Definitely.

“What do you mean?”

Jin took a slow sip of his drink, gaze concentrating on you and his fiance. “I’m just worried about her. She works too many hours in the most stressful unit, she still makes time to do research for publication, and her family is...anyway. Now I’ve put this wedding thing on you guys without thinking and I’m feeling pretty shitty about it.”

���We’ve got the wedding planner doing most of the leg work for us. And I don’t know her that well, but I know I speak for both of us when I say we want to see you happy.”

“Just, if she seems kind of off, will you let me know? Help her out for me. I’ve seen what burnout can do to people.”

Considering how serious you seemed to take everything you handled, Namjoon could understand Jin’s concern. “Yeah, of course, I’ll do what I can. She’s not going to share her secrets with me or anything though. She barely likes me.”

Jin raised a questioning eyebrow. “Huh. She thinks you don’t like her too. What happened with you two? Did you try to hit on her?”

Namjoon hesitated, unsure how much you would want Jin to know about how far you'd both gone. His friend seemed to take his silence as confirmation.

“I warned you you weren’t her type. You’re going to be working with her for a few more months so just be nice to her. She can be a little guarded, with good reason," he said and Namjoon saw the protective flash in his eye as he spoke the last part. "But once you get to know her she’s....one of a kind."

“And you and her have never…?”

Jin shook his head. “Nah, it’s not like that. We just get each other. I love her like she’s my own blood. So be nice to her.”

Namjoon cocked his head. “When have I ever not been nice?”

“Yeah, I don’t get it either. Everybody likes you. You must’ve really screwed up to get on her bad side. So play nice and fix it. And look out for her for me.”

Namjoon picked up his own drink, attention drifting back to you. Your smile wavered somewhere between genuine and polite as you continued slow progress in your wedding fashion efforts. He wasn't your type, but you'd had sex with him anyway. Not that that meant anything serious. Still, he wanted to know what it took to slip past your guard and get to know you really. To keep that smile turned all the way to genuine.

He gave Jin a short nod. “You got it.”

“Do you think she really loves him?”

It had been Namjoon’s suggestion that you both ride together to Jin’s for dinner. And you’d seemed lost in your own thoughts after you’d left, so the ride in his truck had been silent until you asked about Jin’s fiance.

He could understand how things between Jin and Hani looked. Jin had been a warm and welcoming spirit ever since they were kids. People flocked to him naturally, found comfort in his jovial personality. Hani was a stark contrast in every way, serious and stone-like in most of her manner. But Namjoon didn’t doubt her feelings at all. Every time she looked at Jin, he could see how she felt clear as day.

“She loves him. I can tell.”

You scoffed. “What, you’re a mind-reading builder now?”

“You can see it in her eyes, the way she looks at him. They’re the real deal.”

You sighed deeply. Namjoon would’ve given anything to know what was going through your head. There wasn’t any obvious tension between you and Hani that made him think you disliked her. But there was something odd going on there that he hadn’t yet placed.

“Well if you’re such an expert at romance, why are you single?” you mumbled. There it was, that misguided stinger he was getting used to whipping out in his direction. “Why haven’t you swept the girl of your dreams off her feet and whisked her away to a palace or something?”

He chuckled. “Palaces are quite expensive. Lot of materials, probably lots of historic zoning laws, exorbitant permit fees.” He laughed more at your dissatisfied huff. “Seriously, just because I find weddings romantic doesn’t mean I’ve got my own love life sorted.” He shrugged, more a physical shake off of bad memories than anything else. “One day.”

Unfortunately, it seemed like he’d said the wrong thing. You closed up again, not offering him anything else for the rest of the ride. Fortunately for him, you both had the same destination, rode the same elevator, and walked down the same hall to return home. As you reached your apartments and turned toward your door, he caught your wrist.

“Princess,” he said softly. You didn’t resist when he pulled you back lightly, turning you to face him. He had intended to simply do as Jin wanted, to ask if you were doing alright, maybe invite you over for coffee and attempt to make nice. But you stared up at him with your beautiful eyes, like a starlit galaxy calling him home, and his desire shifted.

Namjoon waited a few more moments, waited for you to shake yourself loose, to tell him you wanted nothing to do with him. But you didn’t, only looked up at him curiously. He moved closer to you, watching your lips slightly part as his hand cupped your face.

He leaned forward, gently meeting his lips against yours, giving you space to still push him away if you wanted. The smallest spark grew into a dazzling flame when you leaned forward into his chest, when you kissed him back and fanned the flame he wanted to feed more, growing it into a roaring fire.

He punched in the code to his door and backed you both into his apartment, arm around your waist while yours slid up over his shoulders, as kisses turned to bites against your lips, to you sucking on his tongue. He kicked the door closed behind him and finally broke away from your mouth, panting, sure you could feel the hard press of him against your body.

“Son of a bitch, we’re doing this again, aren’t we?” you breathed but didn’t pull away.

“You’ve been thinking about it since then, haven’t you?”

“Unlike you, I have more important things to-”

His fingers brushed against your bare thigh, a spark of something electric jolting through his fingertips at the touch. Your silence made it clear you felt it too.

“Me too,” he whispered.

“I-I never said it wasn’t good sex.”

“We can do better. What do you say?”

You frowned. “Namjoon, we hardly even like each other.”

Why did you think that? Alright, so he had thought you were a little stuck up in the beginning. But that impression had already shifted and he wasn’t sure what he needed to do to shift yours. “I don’t know. I very much enjoyed fucking you into that table. Surely that’s enough for now.”

He watched the wheels turning in your head, running through whatever scenarios you imagined might come of an arrangement like this.

He flexed his fingers against your inner thigh. "Just sex, princess. A lot, if you want. We’re together all the time planning this wedding anyway and we’re just across the hall from each other."

“...Just sex?” you asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

“I’m game if you are.”

You bit your lip. "What about all your dates? Won't they miss you?"

"You gonna start judging me for my hookups while we’re in the middle of agreeing to be fuckbuddies?"

"Fuck-neighbors. Fuck-acquaintances, really."

Namjoon raised an eyebrow.

"No, of course I'm not judging you. I just don't want to interrupt things for Miss Tuesday or Madam Saturday."

He tipped back your head, exercising his highest level of restraint by placing a soft kiss just beside your lips. He had only just finished kissing you, so why was he already dying for more?

"Don't worry about anyone else. I'm not dating anyone."

“Fine. But just until the wedding is finished. And we don't tell Seokjin. I don't want him thinking I like to throw my vagina at his friends."

Namjoon's mouth lifted in a smile that bared his teeth.

"Glad you’re up for this. Because I've been dying to eat you and make your cake squirt."

You grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled him close enough that your lips ghosted warm over his as you spoke, a challenge in your tone. "You better be that good."

He was.

In fact, he was so good with you, his tongue swirling against your clit, his fingers curled inside you just right, that he made you make a satisfying mess in his sheets twice.

"Good?” he asked when he finally came up for air. “Though with the way you were holding onto my hair, I probably don't need to ask."

"I’m not here to give you an ego boost. Just shut up and fuck me."

With that, he could oblige. He started with you from behind again this time, bending you over his bed and planting slow kisses down your back, cupping your ass in his hands. He loved the feel of your body against him as he sank deep inside you, loved watching the bounce in your ass each time he drove home. But he wanted to watch you come apart this time, watch you unravel with his name on your lips.

He came staring up at your beautiful body on top of him while you slid him deep inside over and over, your nails raking across his skin, his hands at your hips rolling you to your own orgasm. You didn’t hold back, voicing your enjoyment between murmurs of his name, a blissful release that brought him pleasure deeper than flesh.

Once spent, you slid down into his sheets and curled against him. Namjoon hurried to peel off the condom and toss it away, then slid his arm around your waist and pulled your body closer into his. He would’ve never imagined you a post-sex cuddler, but he was learning that you would always challenge whatever assumptions he made.

“I still don’t know that I like you very much,” you said softly, lips brushing against the skin of his chest.

He reached up and ran a thumb against your still peaked nipple. “Oh, I can definitely tell.”

Namjoon could’ve kept holding you, touching you, could’ve worked his way around to another go for you easily. You didn’t stay in his bed for much longer though, slipping out of his sheets and sliding back into your pretty, blue dress. He pulled on a pair of shorts and helped you zip up, then walked you out of his room toward the door.

“What are these?” you asked on the way, eyeing a couple of the three-dimensional home models that sat scattered across his kitchen counter. He suddenly felt a little self-conscious, considering his place wasn’t in the tidiest condition.

“It’s a model home,” he said, reaching out to flick a battery-operated switch that mimicked lighting inside the one you were looking at. “I make them with a 3d printer. Easier to try out new designs that way and help customers decide what they want on new builds.”

You glanced at him with something like wonder, kneeling to take a closer look. That brilliant smile that was all genuine spread across your face as you gingerly touched the tiny doors and plastic windows.

A new heat flushed through Namjoon, a strange mixture between embarrassment, pride, and a sudden, odd need to impress you, to find every way to coax that smile out of you.

“Hey,” he said, and you turned your attention back up to him. “You uh...you’re ok, right?” Alright, not the smoothest he’d ever been. What was it about you that always sent him tripping over his words? He watched your eyebrows knot in mild confusion.

“Did you forget we fucked before? I mean, your dick’s big, but it’s not that big. I promise you’re not going to hurt me.”

He cursed to himself. “No, I-I meant-”

You stood and started for the door again. “I gotta go. We’re meeting the travel agent next week about the honeymoon. And if you don’t send me an actual opinion on the final invitations by the end of this week, I’ll make sure you understand exactly how blue your balls can get.”

Right. Back to business. You had your purse in your hand already, standing in his doorway and waiting for nothing but his agreement. You were a striking force and impossibly, Namjoon felt his attraction for you suddenly ratchet up another level. Jin had asked him to look out for you, to help you more so you wouldn’t be stressed. He could do that.

“I’ll get you your email tomorrow, grandma.”

Namjoon was on such unsteady ground with you. You had already let him know you didn’t like him very much. Half the time he felt like you were angry or disappointed with him over some wedding detail that he hadn’t remembered or responded to you fast enough about.

But you were at his apartment every night for the next two weeks, save for the one evening shift you picked up to help a co-worker. Ass up on his couch. Pressed against the wall of his shower. On your knees beside his bed. His balls were the farthest from blue as they had been in a long time. He became so familiar with the taste of your pussy that it lingered in his very satisfying dreams and he missed the warmth of your body every time you got up to leave. Whether it was you texting him or him messaging you to come by, he was happy every time you showed up at his door.

Which was why, after you left from meeting with the travel agent and securing what was going to be the most romantic honeymoon of the decade, Namjoon couldn’t wait to take you back to his place and continue exploring all the things that made you grip his sheets for dear life. In his eagerness, he let you know as much, whispering his plans in your ear while you walked to where he had parked. And you left him pleasantly surprised when your hands went to his chest and pushed him back against the sun-warmed side of his truck.

“I know how much you like to take your time,” you said teasingly, fingers tracing between his muscles down his shirt. You hooked your fingertips over his belt and brushed against his stomach, setting off sizzling sparks across his skin. “But I really should take a break from you and work on a speech I’m giving soon. I’m afraid you’ll have to call up one of your other ladies tonight.”

Oh. “What are you giving a speech for?”

“An article I wrote is going to be in a medical journal and I’ll be the guest speaker for a charity dinner,” you said, surprising him with a sudden shy glance away.

“Oh, wow, that’s amazing,” he said, carefully enthusiastic. He had already gathered that you were sensitive about your position based on how defensive you sometimes got whenever the topic was broached, though he hadn’t quite pinned down the reason why yet. “I thought only doctors got to submit to things like that.” Admittedly, he didn’t know much about the medical world, but he understood enough to know it was a great achievement for you.

“Right,” you said, tugging your hands away from him and taking a slow step back. “Because having an M.D. is the only way someone is smart enough to write about medicine, right?” He watched you shut down in record time, watched you cross your arms across your chest, your stinger poised and ready to strike. “What should I expect? It's not like you’ve ever had any respect for me or what I do anyway.”

“No,” he said, trying to correct this flaming train before it went careening all the way off the rails. “What are you talking about, Y/N? I respect you entirely.”

“Yeah, and that’s why when we met you treated me like I didn’t matter after you found out I wasn’t a surgeon like Seokjin.”

He blinked.

“I...I’m going to be honest, I hardly remember you telling me your profession.”

“Exactly,” you said, as though it confirmed every suspicion you had. Was this why you didn’t like to talk about your work around him, why you were so defensive on the topic? Because you thought he thought you didn’t matter? He wanted to reach for you, to cement how he really felt with physical touch. But he held back since you looked like you might remove a finger if he got anywhere near.

“No, I mean...god, this is not going to be a good look for me. Y/N, you are drop-dead gorgeous. It took me a while to wrap my head around any words coming out of your mouth past ‘Hi’."

You looked confused and he pressed on.

“Actually, I don’t even remember if you said ‘Hi’ or not. What I remember is the hottest woman I've ever seen in a dress that I wanted very badly to be responsible for removing."

You lowered one arm, then the other, cupping your hands together in front of you instead.

“You never said anything about finding me attractive after,” you said quietly. “Not until...you know.”

He took a chance then, reaching out to slide his hand between yours. You let him separate them, let him slip his fingers between and through your own.

“I asked Jin if you were single that same night. He told me I wasn’t your type. Told me he’d never seen you date someone who drove a pickup.” He lifted your joined hands, tugging your body closer just a little, and pressed a light kiss against the back of yours. “If I’d known he was cockblocking me, I would’ve just asked you out. You weren’t exactly warm toward me afterward. So I figured he was right, that you wouldn’t be interested in someone like me. You checked out on our conversation that night and every time we met up it was like you didn’t want anything to do with me. I guessed you looked down on me or something.”

You took an unconscious step toward him.

“I’ve never looked down on you. I…” you trailed off, looking slightly embarrassed. He stayed quiet, nodding slightly to encourage you to continue. “You show up from your work sites all the time in your t-shirts and tight jeans and honestly...you’re not the only one that was thinking about removing clothes.”

“Oh,” he said with a chuckle, though an uncharacteristic heat was suddenly flooding into his cheeks.

“Do you not know how sexy you are when you show up clearly having sweat half the day away? You’re a walking erotic novel cover, Namjoon.”

His smile probably came across as unnecessarily cocky after hearing that you had those thoughts about him, but he felt more bashful than anything. “So, just to be clear, we both respect each other and want to fuck each other senseless.”

You laughed and gave a small nod. Slowly, he watched your defenses lower, watched that genuine smile that he loved slowly spreading across your lips. He kept your fingers clasped, lifting his free hand to your chin.

“I’m sorry my assumptions about you manifested as a lack of respect.”

You shook your head. “Once I thought you were judging me I gave back the same. I guess I let my insecurities project and read them into whatever you said. I’m sorry too.”

“Even if I didn’t know what you do, I’ve seen your mind in action,” he said. “I know that you’re brilliant.”

“And I respect the skill it takes to do what you do, and all the hard work too, Joon.” You glanced away for a moment and he watched the wheels turn while you decided where you wanted to go from here. “So...we start over maybe?”

He slid his fingers from yours and instead held his hand out between you. “Kim Namjoon, general contractor.”

You accepted it with a firm handshake. “Y/N, emergency medicine PA.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” he said and leaned forward a bit, lowering his voice a little to whisper the rest in your ear. “I’d be honored if you’d let me take you home and fuck you into my headboard for a few hours. If you’re not too busy, that is.”

You leaned your body into his, pressing him back against his truck once more.

“You know, I think I’d enjoy that very much.”

August — Y/N

With the air clear between the two of you, sex with Namjoon only got more frequent. He was always so plainly genuine, casually admitting that he hadn’t been sleeping with anyone else, that he didn’t plan to. Of course, he could’ve just been saying whatever he thought you wanted to hear. But the longer you spent around him, the more you trusted that he was telling the truth.

You fucked on his living room floor, on his kitchen counter, in his tub, and against his bathroom sink. You fucked in his bed, in your bed, on the floor in front of your balcony window, got caught on your kitchen counter by a very embarrassed Momo, and, once, had a very rough ride in your apartment's elevator.

But your favorite place was in his truck. Your thighs spread across his lap while his cock slammed deep inside you over and over, his big, rough hands rubbing, squeezing, slapping your bare ass, his mouth at your breasts, sucking and biting your nipples like they were his favorite candy, applying just the right amount of pain.

As you got more comfortable together, you learned that he liked to be in control, enjoyed handling you with a measure of roughness, telling you exactly what to do for him, and leaving you sore and stinging from his mouth, his hands, and a couple of times, his belt. It wasn't fair how good sex with Namjoon was. It was like he had some secret code to making you orgasm that no one had ever unlocked before, and making the entire path there just as enjoyable as the finish line.  

Your enjoyment didn't stop there. He would also show up during breaks in your shifts, or pick you up after. He came for a booty call of course, but he also brought you coffee and late lunches and sweet snacks he had learned you liked. He would stand outside with you in the warm, late summer air, making you laugh while you both leaned against the cool metal frame of his truck and spent time actually getting to know each other. You learned about his little sister that he adored more than anyone else in his life. About his family that lived far away from them both. You learned that landscaping was still his favorite part of a build and how he'd shocked himself so bad on electrical one time he'd pissed himself. And you learned a million ways to make the pretty dimples show up in his cheeks.

You also forgave him for the nights when he was so tired that you didn't make it to sex, just sort of made out and cuddled until he fell asleep. You both had a problem with working too much, so you wouldn’t begrudge him his exhaustion when you too often felt the same. Though, instead of leaving, you’d gotten into the dangerous habit of staying over, of sleeping through the night wrapped up in his arms.

Tonight, after a quick meeting with the venue’s DJ, you noticed him rolling his shoulders and stretching uncomfortably, even on the drive back. You knew the kind of work he did was hard on his body and today must have been rougher than usual. He didn’t even question it when you followed him into his apartment. You grabbed his hand and guided him into his bedroom.

“Why don’t you take off your shirt and lie down for me,” you suggested quietly.

He obeyed without a word, lying face up on his bed. You swirled a finger, signaling him to turn onto his stomach instead. You watched him roll over, treating you with the sight, the muscles of his carved torso and well-defined arms flexing as he moved.

You climbed on top, throwing a leg over the side of his hip to straddle his body. Stretching your fingers, you got to work, pressing and rolling his muscles under your hands to help relieve some of the ache and tension. When he started releasing soft groans of pleasure you knew you’d guessed right.

"Did you start out as a masseuse?” he asked, mumbling into his sheets. “Because I think this might be your real calling."

You smiled to yourself. "Nah. Just good with my hands like you say. And understanding the body helps. You looked like you’ve been hurting."

“Had some contractor issues and pushed my limits today to pick up the slack, yeah.” He groaned again as your thumbs kneaded a particularly tight knot. “And yet I’ll go back to it tomorrow.”

“How did you get into this kind of work anyway?”

"Is it a cop-out to say it just sort of happened? You know, Jin knew he wanted to be a doctor by the time we finished high school, but I had no idea what I wanted to do. Instead of wasting money on a random degree, I worked for a year landscaping with one of my uncles. That turned into helping with repair work, then I went to a trade school for electrical and...well, I guess it spiraled from there."

You continued your massage as you spoke, rolling the heel of your palm in rocking motions up and down his back.

"You ever regret not going to college for anything? Architecture maybe?"

"Nah. Don’t get me wrong, I know some amazing architects. But I'm happy every time I finish a build on some family's first house or a bright-eyed entrepreneur’s new office. This is enough for me."

“So you’re killing yourself for your dream.”

He chuckled softly. “Is that what I’m doing?”

“I’m just saying...from one workaholic to another, you are allowed to relax occasionally. Take tomorrow off. Your back will thank you.”

“I guess I do relax a little more since I met you.”

“Sex with me is relaxing? I like to think I work you pretty hard.”

Namjoon chuckled and rolled over onto his back, holding your hips in place so you stayed straddled across his lap.

"I’m half-tempted to change the deal just to get a massage from you every night."

You raised an eyebrow. "And what would be in that for me?"

He considered for a moment. "Momo mentioned something about you guys needing a cat tree. I could build you one."

"I mean, Peeko is her cat so that’s not really for me. What is this, your subtle way of saying you don't want to have sex with me anymore?”

His arms slid up your sides, pulling you down against his chest.

"That would be the stupidest mistake I could ever make," he said quietly before claiming your lips with his own.

With less than two months left until the wedding, some very rude part of your brain acknowledged that things with Namjoon would be ending soon. You distracted yourself from that disappointing fact by burying yourself in speech prep and, counterintuitively, drowning yourself in as much Namjoon as you reasonably could.

He'd picked you up tonight, smelling like sweat and sunlight and old cedar and kissed you in the parking lot like he'd waited a decade to see you again. You'd wanted to rip off his clothes and indulge in him right then, but he held you back, teasingly saying he wanted to wait, wanted to take his time with you all night in his bed instead. It didn’t stop you from sucking his cock the entire ride home.

He backed into the doorway of his apartment, pulling away from you for just a moment, probably to kick the door closed. He paused then, eyes focused somewhere behind you.

“What?” you asked in an impatient whine. You turned around to find a red-eyed Momo behind you in the hall, wet streaks staining her cheeks.

“Mo! Oh my god, Mo, what happened?”

She barreled through Namjoon’s doorway and straight into your chest.

“They didn’t pick me. Why, Y/N? Why does this keep happening to me?”

You ended up back in your apartment, Namjoon hovering anxiously behind the two of you while you hugged Momo on your couch. She’d had her fourth interview earlier in the week and was sure she had this position secured. Only to hear today that they had gone with someone internally instead. Your friend was crushed, tired of playing the rat race game on a playing field that only highlighted her weaknesses instead of her strengths. Of course, she looked amazingly well-put-together even in her darkest hour. “Look good, feel good” had always been her motto. But her vintage, designer finds and carefully crafted handmade pieces weren’t helping her to feel very good tonight.

You offered to spend the evening with her and however many bottles of wine she needed, but she shoved you back into Namjoon’s arms, saying she just wanted to drown herself in loud music and her art tablet for the night.

Back in Namjoon’s apartment, the mood had shifted to one more solemn. He offered you a beer and collapsed into his couch next to you while you worried your lip over your friend.

“She’s such a talented artist. But interviews...well, you’ve seen her. She’s shy about just about everything and it probably comes across as a lack of confidence or something. I hate it so much for her.”

“Design is definitely an industry of connections.” Namjoon looked thoughtful, rubbing a hand back and forth across his jaw. “You know, I have a buddy, an architect that’s been looking for an in-house artist. He’s got high standards, but he’s probably the most patient, understanding friend I have. I can give him her card if you don’t think she’d get offended.”

“I’m sure she’d never turn down an opportunity like that. It’s the kind of job she’s looking for.” You dug around through your purse until you unearthed one of her business cards and handed it over. “Thanks, Joon. That’s really kind. I’ll let her know to look out for contact from him.”

You offered to find somewhere else to crash, but Namjoon suggested you stay close just in case Momo needed you. You ended up draped across his lap while you watched a movie, his hands innocently kneading your hip at some point and reminding you of the heat you’d felt before.

It didn’t take long for your lips to find their way back to his cock, for his skilled fingers to end up buried inside your wet folds. You slowly worked your way around to sex right there on the couch, Namjoon sliding you into his lap and leaving sore spots along your neck and chest with his teeth. You rode his lap in a lazy roll that let the sweet pleasure between you linger until you reached your luscious climax and him not long after.

Lying together in the afterglow, Namjoon ran his fingers against the side of your thigh, apparently one of his favorite places to touch you. His fingertips were calloused and rough against your skin, the texture comforting somehow. You closed your eyes as he stroked you, your face buried in the warmth of his neck.

“You’re always so soft,” he murmured, lips brushing your forehead. You didn’t hold back your smile against his skin.

"Because putting on lotion is a black woman's best defense against looking like we dust with flour.” You felt his fingers pause. “What? I've seen those crusty ladies you bring back to your apartment. They need body cream, not body glitter. Unless ashy is your type."

He chuckled. "Why do you seem so convinced that I have a type?"

"Because everyone has a type."

"Mm. So tell me yours."

“Let's see." You slid a finger up to his mouth. “Soft, thick lips.” You trailed your hand down to his bare chest. "Powerful muscles.”

You let your hand trail down his stomach, cupping your hand over his half-hard cock. “Big cock just like this.”

He pulled your hand away and slid his fingers between your own.

“I'm being serious.”

You made a deep sigh.

“I've never really dated someone seriously. My personal record is ten dates, by which time I usually find out they're a borderline narcissist with expectations for a submissive babymaker, have a fetish for fucking black women, or that they have premature feelings that I’m not ready to handle so I run screaming into the night. So I guess my type is ‘not the right person’.”

He glanced down at your intertwined fingers between you, thumb stroking against the back of yours.

“Or they’re taken, right? That’s what you said before.”

“Yeah, or that.”

He bit his lip like he was hesitating on whether he wanted to finish his thought.

“Like...maybe they’re getting married sometime soon?”

You started to answer with a maybe, then blinked.

“Wait, I don’t know what you’re trying to suggest-”

“I knew something was going on when we were at dinner last month. You were trying so hard with Hani and I couldn’t figure out why you were acting so tense with her. But that’s it, isn’t it? You’re in love with Jin?”

You wanted to yank your fingers out of his, to shove yourself off of his couch and stomp your way to your apartment. But something inside you burst, a bubble that had been long overdue to pop finally letting go of all its tension. Your shoulders sagged a little, chin drooping until it rested against Namjoon’s chest.

“I had a crush on him for five minutes, but that was over a year ago,” you said quietly, deflated. “We’re friends now, that’s all.”

He said nothing for a while, that uncomfortable silence filling each crack in the room. You were in love with Seokjin. Or something like it. You’d had such strong feelings for him once. But now that he was getting married, now that you were helping him cement his life with the woman of his dreams, you didn’t know where your feelings had fallen to. Where they stood now.

“At least let me pretend then,” Namjoon said, finger lifting your chin up. He stared down at you, gaze soft.

“Pretend what?”

“That you’re not in love with my friend while you’re sleeping with me.”

“I’m not in love with him.”

“It’s not my business-”

“Then learn how to mind your own,” you snapped. Still, you didn’t pull away, didn’t take your fingers away from his. Maybe, you thought, it was time for you to face this truth, to try and accept what this marriage meant for you. Even if someone else had to lead you there.

“I’m not asking you to work through it on my account, Y/N. I’d just like to pretend I’m the one on your mind when my cock’s in you.”

You propped yourself up on an elbow. “What, you mean no one else has ever crossed your mind when you’ve been with me?”

His smile was tentative but unmistakably roguish. “With your perfect tits in my face, trust me, I’m not thinking about anyone else.”

“Good. Because your sheets are nicer than mine, so I don’t want to have to stop coming here yet. Don’t pick a fight with me.”

His smile widened a little more. “Maybe I want to. We haven’t tried angry sex yet.”

You didn’t want to laugh, but it worked its way out of you anyway. Namjoon stroked a finger lightly across your jaw.

“Why do you run screaming? Isn’t it good for someone you’re dating to have feelings for you?”

You didn’t answer for a long time, letting your thoughts pile on in the silence. So many thoughts. At last, you finally spoke, so quietly you doubted he could hear. “So they don’t have a chance to be disappointed.”

After checking on Momo, who was still locked in her room with her headphones on, you ordered a late dinner and set up in front of Namjoon’s coffee table to finish the movie you had been watching earlier.

You ended up prodding around one of his home models, asking him questions about what had inspired some of the prototypes. Even though your feelings were muddled, the innocent joy that made his cheeks swell when he talked about constructive design was still enough to coax a smile out of you.

“Why are you even living in an apartment? Why not build one of these places for yourself?”

He sat back against the couch, staring thoughtfully at the model in front of you.

“It’s like a hairstylist who won’t cut their own hair. You look at houses all day, every day, and you’re not even sure what you like anymore. I don’t know what I want, but I’ll know it when it’s time.”

You thought about all the homes you had viewed during open houses, your secret realty adventures that you couldn’t fulfill just yet. You’d fallen in love with design after design, but had any of them really been it? Without an answer, you could understand Namjoon’s perspective that much better.

“What about you?” he prompted.

“I told you, I’m not very good at visualizing.”

“Try.” He held up a large hand, covering your eyes with his palm. “Close your eyes and tell me what you see.”

It was silly. And impossible. What did a person’s dream home really look like? Walls? Doors? Fancy light fixtures and durable tile floors that looked eerily like wood? You didn’t know. Or rather, maybe it was that all that was extraneous. All you knew was that your parent’s house had been too big, too cold and empty. It had never felt like a home. All you wanted was something that did. Something cozy, where everyone inside felt like family, like they were accepted. Like they belonged.

“I just want somewhere that feels like home.”

Namjoon uncovered your eyes, his eyebrows knitted with kind consideration. Patiently, he asked you about styles that caught your eye, the kinds of rooms you dreamt of having, color schemes that sounded good to you. But he asked so much more than that. What having a home felt like to you. What you wanted to do there every day and night. If you thought you would live there alone or with someone else.

You woke up the next morning to soft, golden rays of sun glinting off the glass of the coffee table. A small writing pad with Namjoon’s scribbled notes lay next to him, your body in his lap, curled against his chest, one of his arms around your waist holding you close.

Strangely, the first thing you thought of was home.

The rest of August flew by, cake design selection, finalized gift lists, thank you card designs, hair and makeup scheduled, marriage license application, final selections with the florist. The list of tasks between you and Namjoon was endless. Thankfully, Seokjin had chosen not to have a bachelor party, but he insisted that Hani should have a bridal shower. It was a painful affair, given Hani’s penchant for disinterest in the entire wedding process and your still reeling feelings from your conversation on Namjoon’s couch.

It also meant that the charity dinner where you needed to have your speech prepared was creeping closer. Everything you wrote somehow felt inept. It wasn’t that you weren’t an expert on your topic or even that you were worried about speaking in front of so many of your colleagues. Only that the sudden pressure of your father being in the room made all of your words sound hollow and pointless.

Namjoon came by one evening, drawn by the smell of Momo’s cooking, and found you spread out at the dining room table, scratched out versions of your speech hiding the placemats and laid out silverware.

Momo shooed him away from the kitchen, insisting nothing was ready yet and that he would only get in the way. He headed over to you instead, peeking down at your work over your shoulder.

“So when is this presentation of yours anyway?”

You leaned back a little in your chair, trying to will away the stress that had tightened your neck throughout the evening. “About a week before the wedding. It shouldn’t conflict with anything we need to do.”

“And you’re really this nervous about speaking in front of an audience?”

Why did he have to be so perceptive? Why couldn’t he have been just as clueless as most men and asked for a quickie before dinner instead?

You dug the heels of your palms against your eyes. “It’s not that. My parents will be there too. And my dad is…” Your relationship with your father escaped words. How could you explain loving someone, craving love from someone who was such a disappointment in his own role? “I don’t actually know why he’s even coming. He’s not exactly been my biggest supporter.”

Namjoon didn’t say anything and you looked up to find him kneeling next to you, silently encouraging you to continue. You weren’t sure you wanted to say more, to bare exactly how insecure being around your own father made you feel.

“Anyway, Mo’s teaching a class so she can’t come. Seokjin was supposed to come, but he got roped into a conference at the last minute. And I just…” you trailed off, the thought of the evening to come making your stomach turn over. You flicked the edge of one of your discarded papers.

“And it’s black tie, right? I’ll have to buy something.”

Your fingers froze before you could make another irritated flick, head snapping back in Namjoon’s direction.

“What?”

“Just want to make sure I’m not underdressed while you talk about rearranging people’s guts in the middle of the night or whatever it is. And be sure to tell them no seafood for me.”

You opened your mouth, then closed it again. If your brain had felt sluggish before, it was at a full stop now. Namjoon? Wanted to come?

“Why?” You blinked at the modest smile he offered up, your brain coming crashing back into the present. “Why would you do that?” you asked, rushing out the words. “Why would you want to come?”

“Because it sounds like you need someone in that audience who believes in you. So I’m coming to support the smartest person that’ll be in that room.” He moved to stand, pressed a soft kiss to your temple before returning to his full, towering height. “That’s you, just in case that wasn’t clear.”

He headed back toward the kitchen, grabbing a spoon and trying to sneak a bite from one of Momo’s simmering pans. Your bemusement manifested as a breathy laugh, full to the brim of warmth and nerves, surprise and gratitude, and something that stirred deep inside your chest, that grabbed hold tight to you in a way that said it planned to endure.

“Thanks, Joon,” you said, and even though you were sure he couldn’t hear you, you figured he knew you’d said it all the same.

Spending time with Namjoon outside of when you had sex or worked on the wedding was starting to become commonplace. You hung out at each other’s apartments when you knew you were both off work. You went on a few runs together, and sometimes even bumped into each other in the building’s gym. He was hesitant about joining in on any of the sports you and Seokjin played together, half because of disinterest and half because he didn’t want to get injured. But he never missed his gym days. He said it was because construction was so much physical labor and keeping his body strong helped fend off any accidents.

It sparked your interest in seeing him work. Was it partially because you wanted to see him flexing those muscles using power tools and hauling construction materials to feed your fantasies? Absolutely. But you also just wanted to see him on site, in his element, doing what he clearly loved. Still, you didn’t want to push at the boundaries of whatever the strange relationship between you had become, so you didn’t ask. And with Namjoon, so surprisingly intuitive, you didn’t have to.

Joon: You free?

Y/N: I told you I was off today, remember? It was like four hours ago, right after you literally licked your own cum off my ass.

Y/N: You need me again already?

Joon: Wondered if you wanted to go visit one of my worksites

Joon: And you know I do

You didn’t even make it to his bedroom. Your shorts were lost somewhere near the door and he had a condom on before you passed the kitchen. He had your back against the wall in his hallway, your body lifted effortlessly into his arms. He sheathed himself inside you with a satiated groan, as though he had been waiting for months to bury himself between your legs, as opposed to a few hours.

“Fuck, a thousand times and I still can’t believe you feel so perfect,” he hissed into your skin, biting down on your neck, sucking the flesh with wet heat. You leaned your head back against the wall, eyes rolling back as he thrust into you just right. Every time, it was so right.

Both your moans echoed in the hall, your legs locked around his waist, hands threaded into his hair. You came together, a flurried tornado of pleasure as your body squeezed out everything he had to offer and his body gave it so willingly. He rested his forehead against yours after, panting softly and holding your stare with his own. Then his lips met yours and you realized that your hunger for him was impossible to sate, that some selfish part of you would always crave for more of him. With one last lick into your mouth he pulled away.

“We're late.”

You cocked an eyebrow in amusement. As though he hadn't just spent five extra minutes kissing you while he softened between your thighs. "I didn't know we had a schedule. Besides, it's your site isn't it?"

“This client's a little different. She's a stickler for punctuality. Come on,” he said with a not so gentle squeeze against your bare ass still cupped in his hands. “We need to go.”

After you had freshened up in the bathroom you met him at the front door, taking your time admiring the thick muscles of his thighs wrapped tightly in his jeans until he turned around at your footfall. His eyes trailed over you brazenly, then he reached out a hand and cupped your face, kissing your lips again. And again. And again.

“What about your client?” you murmured into his mouth.

He groaned. “I know. How do you do this to me?”

“Fucking takes two people last time I checked.”

Another long kiss. “You drive me crazy, baby girl. Every time it's like I've been starving until I finally have you.”

“Maybe you've just never eaten this good.” You kissed him one last, indulgent time. “Let's go, you glutton.”

An obscenely handsome young man approached the two of you as Namjoon helped you down from his truck.

“Hey, boss! Thought you should know I went to the six-bed site earlier for measurements and the owner was riding my ass about where you were. You really need to call her.”

Namjoon made a deep sigh. “Yeah, I’m ignoring her calls today. She’s asking for impossible variances and I just don’t have the patience to tell her she can’t have her way.” He pushed closed the door behind you and you looked curiously between the two of them. “Y/N, this is Taehyung. He’s one of my plumbing contractors. Does HVAC for me too in a pinch.”

“Whoa,” Taehyung said dramatically, giving you a not at all shy look over. “Who’s this beautiful thing and where have you been hiding her?” A charming, wide smile stretched across his face. Scratch that; he was deadly handsome. “If you’re our new foreman, don’t blame me if I take my sweet time working at this site.”

Before you could even think of a response, Namjoon had positioned himself between you and the other man.

“Shut up and get back to work, Tae,” he said, and you didn’t miss the rough drag at the edge of his words. With a heavy hand pressed against the small of your back, he guided you away, up the dirt drive and toward the beautiful, unfinished house.

Though the grounds were still unfinished, the house itself was a beautiful masterpiece, all textured white stone and natural wood designs. The makeup was sleek lines and unique architecture, with romantic, sweeping glass double doors that currently stood open at the home's entrance. Whoever Namjoon was building for had beautiful taste and his team had definitely done justice to the build so far.

“Namjoon, this place is going to be gorgeous,” you said as you stared around the structure in awe.

“It better be or I’m going to leave one hell of a nasty review.”

A very pretty, very pregnant woman in a light yellow summer dress stepped through the house’s entryway, a tiny mini fan clutched in her hands to fend off a little of the late summer heat.

“Y/N, this is Sowon, my little sister.”

Oh, right. His special client.

"Oh! So I finally get to meet the girl that's got my big brother all wound up."

"Sowon, don't start,” he said with a level of irritation you only ever heard between siblings. “I told you she's just a friend. Where’s Nayoung?"

"Mhm. You know,” she said, ignoring his question and leaning toward you conspiratorially. “He hasn't introduced me to a girl in over two years. I was beginning to wonder if he'd given up. It’d be a shame since he's the biggest romantic."

"So I've learned." Sowon's eyes widened at that and you rushed to correct yourself. "Ah, we're helping plan a mutual friend's wedding together. Namjoon's tastes definitely come off as romantic."

“Hey, you’re here.” A dark-haired woman with fantastic hips and a fairy-like, adorable face walked up from a dirt path that curved around to the rear of the property.

“Oh, there you are. Y/N, this is Nayoung, Sowon’s wife. I’m building this house for the two of them. Well, soon to be three. Though I guess my nephew will be sixteen before I’m finished since they keep requesting changes every other week.”

“What happened to the customer always being right, Joonie?” Sowon said with a pout.

“I’m building this thing for you at cost. You’re no customer, you’re a-”

“I had a question about some of the outside window trim and a section of the stone siding,” Nayoung interrupted in a tone that edged on no-nonsense. “I know your team is good, but maybe they’ve been in a hurry lately.”

Namjoon eyed Sowon, concern settling in a wrinkle across his forehead.

“You shouldn’t even be out here like this, Sowon. It’s blazing and they haven’t finished installing the AC yet. What if you pass out?”

Sowon slid one of her arms around yours. “I’ll be with Y/N. Didn’t you say she was a doctor or something? I’ll be safe.”

“Emergency medicine physician’s associate.”

You blinked, surprised that Namjoon was the one offering up the correction you’d given so many times before. A mild heat filled your cheeks and you placed an arm over Sowon’s in a bid to ignore the strange feeling spreading across your chest.

“You go do what you need to, Joon. I’ll look after her.”

His eyes softened for a moment, first at his sister and then toward you. He reached in his pocket and tossed you his keys. “Fine. At least go sit in my truck with the AC.”

Namjoon and Nayoung turned then to head back down the dirt path that curved around the edge of the house.

“Don’t mind him, he’s always been a little too protective. Let’s go sit over there.”

She guided the two of you to a small wooden bench set up beside what would likely become a flowerbed.

"You sure you're alright in this heat?" you questioned just to make sure. The sun was feeling pretty brutal and even in your t-shirt and shorts, you were starting to sweat.

"I know, I look like I'm going to pop any moment. Don't worry, I'm not due for another week and a half. And I kind of like it out here. Hand me that water bottle?"

You did as she asked and looked her over while she took a long drink. The way her expanded tummy hung, low and heavy, it really did look like her baby might arrive at any moment.

“So what's the real story with the two of you? Joonie would never tell me. He still acts like it's a secret how people get pregnant, and yet I’m the one that’s having a damn baby.”

“Oh, we're just friends.”

She tilted her head curiously. “He must not have told you. I'm a psychic. I already know you're not just friends.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m a medium and I do psychic readings for people. So you can’t really lie to me. I can tell there's more between the two of you than friendship. You like him?”

Namjoon was near the edge of the house, still talking to Nayoung. He was busy inspecting something about the exterior, bent low in his concentration. Even from here, you could see the way he tightened his jaw, forming a masculine crease along his cheek, the way his lips slightly puckered and his eyebrows knitted as he focused. It was the smallest thing, but something you had begun to appreciate in him at some point. One on a very long list of small things. It also didn’t hurt how irresistible his ass looked in his jeans.

“It's just casual,” you admitted.

“Oh, honey,” she said, placing a hand against her stomach. “Those looks between the two of you are anything but casual. You do like him.”

Did you? Of all things, your mind went back to the morning you’d woken up in his lap, feeling a strange level of comfort that you couldn’t remember feeling before.

“Fine. Maybe I have a little crush. Anyway, things really are casual so I don’t want him to know any of that.”

“Ok, sure. A crush.” She took another swig from her water bottle. “I lied by the way. I'm a hairdresser."

"You!"

Sowon giggled brightly. "Joonie is always busy, but he’s never late to meet me for anything. And yet he's been late meeting me here twice in the last month. I suppose I have you to thank for that?"

You gave a short, embarrassed laugh. "Guilty. Sometimes we're a little slow at getting out of bed."

"Good,” she said, though her eyes squinted together a little. “That means he's having a good night."

You tried to hide your smile.

"I like you, you’ve got good vibes. You know, he hasn't had a long-term relationship in a few years. Not since his business started to take off. It’s like he thinks he doesn't have the time anymore to invest in someone like they deserve. I really was worried he'd given up. So if you think there's a chance for something less casual, don't let it pass. My brother...he just wants someone to love him as much as he loves them."

Was that something you’d ever be able to offer anyone? You had run away from so many relationships before they could reach that stage. You shook your head. It wasn’t worth it to consider. You and Namjoon were just having sex for a few more weeks. After that...after that…

Sowon was looking at you curiously. You cleared your throat.

"Right. I'll think about it."

You saw her squint again and a small dip appeared in her cheek as though she were biting it.

“Hey, you sure you’re alright?”

“I think so. Just a little kind of squeezing pain.” She shook her head as if to shake it off. “I’m not due though.”

“I’ve seen just about everything in the emergency room, Sowon. Due dates mean jack shit. Have you been timing the pain?”

She didn’t need to answer. A sudden gush of fluid burst from between her legs, landing at her feet and splashing you both.

“Shit,” you cursed.

Sowon looked horrified and you could see the impending freak out as her eyes widened. Like a switch, your work mode flipped on.

“Don’t panic. I can take care of you. I just need you to listen to me, alright? Do you think you can stand?”

She nodded, hand still at her very swollen stomach.

“Is there anywhere in the house with running water?”

“The...the kitchen is hooked up.” She grit her teeth as she spoke and you suspected she had been sitting through the pain for a lot longer than she wanted to admit.

“Alright, put your arm around my shoulders and I’m going to get you there. If you feel too much pressure you let me know right away, alright? Keep breathing.”

The gift of height clearly ran in their family. She was taller than you, but you did your best to support her. Her arm at your waist, you walked her slowly toward the house, pulling out your phone and dialing emergency for an ambulance.

Namjoon and Nayoung spotted the two of you as you came closer and came running over.

“Joon, hurry. Help her inside. She’s going into labor.”

Unfortunately for Sowon, she’d chosen to have her dream home built on the outskirts of the city. It would be at least fifteen minutes until an ambulance could arrive. You tossed your phone to Nayoung and hurried inside to help Namjoon. You spotted an island in the kitchen with a finished countertop.

“We need to get her up there. I need warm water, clean towels or clothes, and some kind of cord to tie off the umbilical in case the baby comes before emergency gets here.” Namjoon helped you get her up onto the counter as Sowon's moans of pain began to escalate. You put a supportive hand on her shoulder.

“Listen, I’m not going to lie. It’s going to hurt like a bitch, alright? But I’m here and your wife and your brother and we’re going to get you and your baby through this just fine, alright? You trust me?”

She gave a weak nod, brow already dotted with sweat, and then another excruciating moan had her squeezing tight on Namjoon’s arm. He looked paler than you’d ever seen him.

“If you don’t think you can handle watching birth, take over for Nayoung and keep us updated with an ETA on the ambulance.”

He nodded quickly and Nayoung handed him the phone. You instructed her to help hold Sowon’s legs and support her at the edge of the counter.

“They should be here in ten,” Namjoon piped up. You noticed he had moved quite a distance from the three of you. You reminded him to round up any clean towels or clothes and a shoestring before you set back to focusing on Sowon.

Hurriedly, you washed your hands and arms, thankful there was a bottle of soap nearby. Sowon was crying out now, and after removing her soiled underwear, it definitely looked as though this baby wasn’t planning to wait for anything.

It wouldn’t be the first time you’d helped deliver a baby in a pinch, but it was definitely the fastest you’d personally seen a woman go from calmly sitting to crowning. It only took a few more minutes to confirm that that was definitely a head you were seeing coming toward you between her legs.

“Keep breathing, Sowon. Breathe deep for me and you’re going to push.” She cried out her confirmation in a mixture of frustration and pain. “I know it hurts, but you’re strong and your baby is almost here, alright? You’re doing great.”

It only took a few good pushes and a couple more screams, and Sowon’s baby was out in the world, sliding into your arms, and serenading you all immediately with his wailing song. Sowon slumped back onto the counter and Nayoung was sniffling tears as she held her hand and looked on at their son.

“Welcome to the world, little guy,” you cooed at him. “Born right in your own home.”

You hurriedly cleaned him up as best you could with the towels Namjoon had brought and wrapped him in Nayoung’s jacket before placing him against Sowon’s chest.

“Ambulance will be here in one minute,” Namjoon said from somewhere beyond your shoulder. You tied off the umbilical with the shoestring, happy to leave the cutting to the emergency crew with sterile equipment. Sowon and her son were cradled in Nayoung’s arms, the two mothers laughing and crying together. Moments later the sirens of the ambulance finally arrived.

You gave them all the information you could while they rolled in to load Sowon and baby onto a stretcher. Namjoon spoke up shakily as they hurried Nayoung and his sister out to the ambulance.

“We’ll meet you at the hospital, Sowon. Right behind you.” He turned to you and you couldn’t help but smile up at him. He looked almost as bedraggled as Sowon had, sweaty, his normally peach-gold skin gone ashen as though he’d seen a ghost.

“Welcome to the miracle of childbirth. A lot of men faint, so trust me when I say you did fantastic,” you offered as comfort.

"You...” he breathed, then cleared his throat and took a step toward you. “You are the sexiest woman alive."

You chuckled. "Women have been delivering babies for thousands of years, Joon.” He was leaning closer still as you spoke, something unexpected circling in his eyes. “And, more importantly, I’m covered in your sister's blood and amniotic fluid. Definitely some piss, maybe shit. Please don't kiss me. At least let me wash-"

He didn’t wait for you to finish your sentence, enveloping your lips with the plush of his own. You kissed him back, never able to resist his mouth on yours. Given the circumstances, you figured it was just his excitement over the situation flaring in your direction. Still, there was something about the way he kissed you that set part of your soul aflame every single time. This time was no exception.

“Whoa, boss!”

You broke apart and turned to find Taehyung standing in the archway leading into the rest of the house. “What the hell happened? We heard the sirens and now you’re in here making out with the hot foreman covered in blood. Do I want to know?”

You and Namjoon exchanged a look and then, with a secretive giggle, you headed to the sink to wash yourself off before you both headed to the hospital.

When you arrived at Sowon’s room in the postpartum unit, she was smiling and staring down at the little bundle that had obviously become her entire world. She let out a weak squeal when she looked up and saw you and Namjoon standing at the entrance.

“My hero. Oh, and my big brother too. Come in, please come see him.”

She handed him over, looking much cleaner and warmer than you had left him, pink-faced and perfect. You held him for a few moments, in awe over how a wrinkly little miracle could so preciously steal your heart. You noticed Namjoon still standing far back, just looking on at you while you held him.

“There’s a couch there if you think you still need to faint,” you joked, nodding behind him. He blinked a few times, eyes settling back at your arms.

“...I’m an uncle.”

“Yep.” You made your way toward him. “Why don’t you hold him for a little?”

“No no no, I, I’ll, he’s...he’s so tiny.”

“Come on, Uncle Bob. Time to get used to it.”

With a slight tremble, Namjoon cautiously took him from you, and after a few adjustments, he had his nephew cradled properly in his giant hands.

“Great. Now that I know you can hold him, I’ll feel better when I drop him off for you to babysit,” Sowon snickered from the bed.

“Hey, buddy,” Namjoon said in a whisper. “Hey, my little guy.”

The sweet cadence and the unmistakable affection in his voice and the glistening shimmer in his eyes that made him look close to tears suddenly sucked everything out of the room. There was a strange vacuum surrounding you, this vision of Namjoon holding that baby. You couldn’t breathe, could only stare as something struck your chest and burrowed deep, your lungs unable to expand in its presence.

This was more than a little crush, more than sexual infatuation. You...you liked Namjoon. A hell of a lot. You saw the desire for a future with him unfold in front of your eyes, not as something impossible, but something you suddenly wanted to run headfirst into. And that thought was terrifying, sent fear spiraling down your back, and shocked a gasping breath out of you.

Namjoon started to panic at your noise. "Oh no, a-am I doing something wrong? Please take him, I don't want to hurt him."

"No, no," you said in a rush, trying hard to wipe your thundering emotions from your face. "You're doing great."

His unsure smile returned to one of pure joy as he stared down at his nephew. He resumed cooing at him in little sentiments of love, and your heart jerked up and down irregularly at the sight. After a few minutes, he was released from the baby’s spell, handing him back to you for fear that any longer and he would do something wrong. You hurried back to Sowon’s side, bending low to hand over her beautiful bundle.

"Thank you,” she said. “For everything.”

You responded with an awkward nod, still not sure if you were present in your own body. Sowon tilted her head a little closer toward you.

“My parents would like you too,” she whispered. Your eyes went wide at the implication.

"What are you saying to her?" Namjoon piped up suspiciously from across the room.

"Oh. Nothing she shouldn't know," Sowon said and followed up with a wink at you.

“I really hope you like the view of my ass.”

Seokjin stared up at the walls dotted with multi-colored rocks towering before you both. His smug smile broadened. “I wouldn’t know, short stuff, since you’re always behind me.”

You shook your head and dusted chalk from your hands while you watched Seokjin’s precise hands fastening his auto-belay. He’d asked you to meet him at the gym for an early morning rock climbing session, of course coupled with a friendly wager of the loser buying breakfast.

After a few climbs, at least one of which you definitely won no matter what he said, you both sat down to take a break, staring up as other climbers ascended the wall.

“So how are you feeling about everything?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, are you going insane planning my wedding alongside your intensely busy life?”

You reached up your arms into a rolling stretch. “Even if I was, I’d still do it, Seokjin. You deserve the wedding of the century. And the marriage to match.”

A warm smile spread across his face at your words. “Between you, Namjoon, and definitely Hani, I think I’m all set.”

You worried your lip a little, wanting to finally get out something that had been nagging you since Namjoon had left your emotions spinning on that couch.

"You know, I call you my best friend."

"And I call you the same,” he said with a small nod.

"But your guest list is insane. Look at all the people in your life who are coming in a few weeks to celebrate your happiness. It feels like I’m stealing a title that shouldn’t belong to me. I've only known you for two years."

"One, they’re coming because you and Namjoon have put together one hell of a wedding. And two, I love a lot of them. But it’s not about how long you’ve known someone. I would've been happy getting married with only you in my wedding party."

You leaned against his shoulder.

"Dramatic as usual."

"Y/N, you make me feel more like myself than anyone else."

"Hold on, I think you're meant to save those words for your wife."

"Nah, it's different. This isn't romance. It's just...love. I love you as a person and you love me as a person, and we actually see each other as real, whole people and accept every good and bad bit. I know you'll be there for me no matter what. You're the only friend I can say who knows me inside and out that way, Y/N."

You did. You knew exactly what he meant. Any of the remaining clouded feelings you’d been trying to sort through instantly became clear. It was that simple.

"Yeah. You too, Seokjin."

"And it'll probably take the rest of our lives for us to find one sport you can beat me at so we’re stuck with each other at least until then."

"When are you going to accept that I'm better than you at everything, just in a shorter package?"

He laughed and threw an arm around your shoulder, hugging you close against his body. Seokjin was everything anyone could ever want in a partner: confident, secure, sensitive, honest, kind, gorgeous, brilliant. The greatest friend.

And that’s what he was to you. Your friend.

You would’ve never told Seokjin you loved him to his face. Or anyone really, for that matter. The phrase felt sacred and foreign, like something you would only say with you were absolutely sure beyond a doubt that it was love that you felt. Yet Seokjin said it freely. He told you he loved you, he text you he loved you, he called you ‘love’. But you never said it back and he never questioned you or made you feel weird about it. And maybe that’s because it wasn’t the kind of love you always expected, but something different that you hadn’t fully let yourself accept.

You understood now that you were never in love with him. You simply loved him.

“Oh, hey, it’s none of my business, but do you think you could let Namjoon down easy? He’s a pretty sensitive guy.”

Your muscles tightened for a brief moment. “What are you talking about?”

“I know you’re just having a good time, but he’s...look, just be gentle.”

You tilted your head up to look at him. “How did you even know about us?”

He shrugged. “The way you acted around each other at my place. So comfortable with your bodies close. It was obvious something had happened. Besides, you’re not my best friends for no reason.”

You looked away, a little embarrassed. “It’s just a casual thing.”

“Yeah, I figured. You two don’t seem like each other’s type. Though I guess neither did me and Hani and look where we ended up.”

“Yeah,” you responded quietly.

“Whoa, you didn’t argue? Does that mean…?”

“No. Stop, whatever you’re about to say, you’re wrong. It’s just casual, for real.”

“Ok.”

A couple of minutes passed, the two of you watching another climber that definitely had you both beat on speed and skill effortlessly scale the wall. But a question emerged at the top of your thoughts.

“Why did you tell him I wouldn’t be interested?”

“You’ve given the time of day to like four guys since I’ve known you. Porsche, Mercedes, another Porsche because you didn’t learn your lesson the first time, and quite humbly, a Lexus. I didn’t think Joon’s muddy pickup would fit your standards for dating material. I was wrong, apparently.”

“Shouldn’t you be attaching blood vessels to coronary arteries instead of clocking the make and models of who picks me up for dates?”

Seokjin only chuckled.

“I don’t date people based on the car they drive,” you said.

“I know. I didn’t give it a lot of thought, I guess. I was so stressed about the engagement and Hani’s family, I kind of brushed it off when he asked. But look, you guys worked it out on your own.”

“Yeah. I mean, we’re not dating, but...yeah. Anyway.”

“The last girl he was serious about...he probably told you, but she turned him down when he proposed.”

“No,” you said, not sure if you should be surprised that you’d never heard anything about it. “He’s never talked about that. What happened?”

“He’s only ever said that she didn’t love him as much as he thought. I don’t know if he’s ever gotten over it. Kind of threw himself into his business after that, only ever talks about casual hookups really. That was about two or three years ago now, I think.”

You weren’t sure what to do with this new information. Namjoon had never acted like he was recovering from any emotional baggage when the two of you had sex or even just hung out together.

“Well, if that’s how he copes...” You trailed off, unsure of what to say.

“Yeah. But you’re pretty special, you know? Might be too much for a guy like him to resist. I just don’t want him to get hurt whenever you decide you’re done, so promise me you’ll be gentle, yeah?”

“We are so not serious. But ok, I promise.”

“Come on,” he said, standing into a long stretch. “I only have to win one more set to earn the most delicious frittata of my life.”

“So you admit I won one!”

“I admit you think you did and that I’m a very generous kind of guy,” he said, tossing a wink back in your direction.

You stared after your best friend with a smile on your face that didn’t feel like it would be fading any time soon. Seokjin, who wasn't just beautiful on the outside, but had a beautiful heart as well. You always joked that he ended up operating on hearts because he knew what a perfect one was like: he carried it inside his chest.

"I'm so happy for you,” you said as you caught up with him, though that wasn’t entirely what you wanted to say.

"I love you too, short stuff. I'll always love you."

September — Namjoon

"Where are we going?"

"No matter how many times you ask me, I'm not gonna tell you," you responded in singsong.

He’d told you he didn’t usually bother to celebrate his birthday and you’d made a face at him as though that was unacceptable.

“We may only be fuck-acquaintances, but I have to make sure you enjoy your birthday.”

You’d slept at his place last night. And this morning, which just happened to be the start of the birthday in question, you’d woken him up before sunrise, blindfolded him, and dressed him without letting him see the clothes. Now he was in your car while you drove him to some unknown location. Exactly when had he begun to place so much trust in you?

“We’re almost there anyway,” you said. Not long after he could hear the car slowing down as you parked it at this mystery location. You came around and helped him out of his side of the car and finally removed his blindfold.

He stared up at the beauty of a mountain he only saw from a distance most days. It was even more impressive up close, thicketed with trees and flowers, a winding gravel path the start of a trail up its side.

“We’re going on a hike,” you said with glee in your cheeks. He looked down at himself, realizing you had dressed him for just that.

How had you even known he’d wanted to come here? Had he mentioned it? Even if he had, it couldn’t have been more than once.

“Come on,” you said, holding your hand out for him to follow. “We’ve got to hurry and get to the first checkpoint so we can watch the sunrise.”

It took you two hours to reach the checkpoint and Namjoon loved every minute of it, seeing the natural beauty of the ascent light up around you both as the sun began slowly peeking over the horizon and through the trees. Seeing your natural beauty as you ran ahead excitedly and pushed him to climb faster, but were also willing to slow down with him and soak in everything he wanted to observe with curious eyes.

As you finally approached the steps leading to your goal, Namjoon blinked a few times, trying to decide if he was having some kind of hallucination. Waiting there at the top of the stairs was Jin, Hani, Sowon, and Nayoung. His sister waved down at him excitedly.

“Happy birthday, bro,” Jin said with a sprawling grin.

Inside the sweet little cafe that served guests who’d arrived, Namjoon asked how early they all must have gotten there to meet up.

“Of course we didn’t walk this thing, not with the baby,” Sowon said while Nayoung leaned over their son’s stroller to adjust his blankets. “You can drive to the first checkpoint from the other side of the mountain. Y/N said we’d all be meeting you here for birthday breakfast. And cake, but who doesn’t like cake at six in the morning?”

Namjoon felt speechless, could only stare at you in awe while you laughed over some joke Jin had made that he’d missed.

He didn’t know. That you’d been paying attention to such small things. Enough to know that he’d wanted to come here, but never gave himself a free day to do it. Enough to know his favorite food would be served here, or to have his sister bring an ice cream cake in the shape of his favorite cartoon bear. He didn’t know you were willing to do this much for him.

Your way of care was so subtle that it had taken him this long to realize you’d been doing it at all. When you ordered or made breakfast with him whenever you slept over, a meal he often skipped because it felt like he just didn’t have time, but you insisted he eat to keep up his strength. When you asked curiously about his love of art. He didn’t think you were particularly interested in art or designs, but you would let him go on for half an hour about artists he loved, listen when he and Momo got excited and gushed over dinner, really listen and ask questions, leaving him feeling understood. When you left adorable, colored sticky notes with smiley faces stuck to his fridge to remind him of wedding tasks and appointments and, that one time, to have a nice day. When you leaned him back against you on his couch and kneaded the day’s tension out of his shoulders without him even saying a word.

He wasn’t sure you realized you did half the things that you did for him either. That compassion and empathy just came to you in naturally silent ways.

Jin pulled him aside once everyone had eaten their fill of breakfast and cake, the two of them stepping out onto the checkpoint’s terrace.

“Last time I checked, you two didn’t like each other very much,” Jin said. “Your relationship must’ve improved a lot considering she’s the one who set this whole thing up.”

Namjoon gave a non-committal nod, still unsure of exactly where he stood with you.

“We’re getting along.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Joon. You like her.”

“Yeah, but it’s just a casual thing.”

Jin’s smirk came across a little suspicious, but Namjoon brushed it off. “I’ve known you since you were three. That’s not a ‘just casual’ face.”

Namjoon glanced back across the terrace just to make sure you hadn’t come out of the cafe.

“Don’t say anything to her. I get the feeling she’ll run away if she thinks I want anything serious.”

“You’re right. She probably would.” Jin slung an arm across Namjoon’s shoulders. “Just don't get hurt. And please don't hurt her either. As her brother from another mother, I couldn’t be happier if something worked out between you two. But as someone who knows both of you very well, you're highly sensitive people in such different ways and I don't want to see either of you in pain.”

He didn't want to cause you any pain. Quite the opposite.

“We’ll be alright. You focus on your big day coming up.”

You joined them at the edge of the terrace then and, after a few minutes appreciating the view, Jin made what was an obvious excuse to go inside and check on Hani, leaving you both alone to stare out over the fresh morning sky.

“You set all this up?” he asked quietly. “For me?”

“Mm,” you hummed, staring dreamily out over the fresh blue of the skyline.

Jin’s warning had been clear. There could be no expectations between the two of you. You were hardly compatible, wanted different things for the most part. And yet his arm ignored his pleas for reason and wound its way around your waist anyway. You only reacted by leaning your head against his chest.

“Y/N. Thank you.”

“Happy birthday, Joon.”

He responded by pulling you closer. It was. He was happy. Happy he'd been born. Happy all the years of his life had led him to this moment. To you.

You gave him his second gift once you were both alone that night. You had gone home to shower and returned to his door wearing nothing but barely-there, black lingerie, all pretty silk and lace. You gave him a lap dance so sensual it made him sweat and a blowjob so phenomenal it almost brought him to his knees. You’d laid him back on his bed, told him to let you do all the work, and rode his cock luxuriantly, rolling your hips on top of him in the magical way only you could and letting his name fall from your beautiful lips like a chanting prayer. You didn't argue when he couldn't resist you, pulling you down to kiss him, lifting his own hips to bury himself in you to the hilt. And he could only oblige when you begged for him to fuck you harder, turning you over onto all fours, hips slapping your glorious ass again and again until you both unwound together and collapsed into a sweaty heap against his sheets. You lay together, you curled into his arms, smelling like sex, flowers, and sweet musk, your breath light on his neck.

He felt himself split. Was this still just sex? The connection he felt with you had expanded so far beyond that. The need to hold you in his arms, to kiss you, to spend time with you, enjoy life with you. It was quickly ballooning around you both.

"I hope you had a good birthday," you whispered, nuzzling into his neck, already half-asleep.

He thought about you both at the final checkpoint of the mountain, the radiance in your skin as you stared out over the breathtaking view of the forest sprawled below and the city beyond. The way you’d hugged him close despite both of you being sweat-soaked from the challenge of the final climb. The way you’d even thought to pack his favorite snacks to share before you began your descent. He hadn’t felt so free, so triumphant, so happy in a long, long time.

Jin was right like always. You really were one of a kind.

“The best one yet.”

“How do I look?”

At the sound of your voice, Namjoon looked up at you from his spot on your couch. There was a violent detonation in his chest, an upsurge so powerful he could no longer breathe. Think. Move. He could only stare at you, the most beautiful creature nature had fashioned, and wonder how, after all these months, the sight of you could still do this to him again and again.

It wasn’t the dress. He had learned over the months that, though you enjoyed looking well-put-together, you were just as happy wearing your medical scrubs or dressing casually in t-shirts and shorts. And you looked just as beautiful wearing nothing but one of his t-shirts as you did in your off-shoulder black evening gown and strappy heels.

No, it was how dressed down you had become, letting him see your nerves, being willing to share your vulnerabilities and trusting him to accept you as you were. Namjoon’s feelings shifted, colliding like stars and forming a new wondrous galaxy containing you and him, settling him in that new place. For a second, he thought he might faint.

You looked down at yourself, smoothing nervous fingers along the silken fabric of your dress. “Mo picked it out for me. Said I needed to represent the bold, intelligent women with impeccable fashion sense.”

Still in a daze, he somehow found the strength to lift himself from the couch and move to stand in front of you. He lifted a hand to your chin and tilted your face up, smiling down at you. You closed your eyes as he leaned close, as he pressed the softest kiss to your forehead.

“You look like a dream.”

You laughed nervously, then reached up and adjusted his tie a little. He tried not to notice the slight tremble in your fingers.

“You too.” Your eyes flicked up to his face and his heart did another of those inexplicable explosions in his chest. “You’re wearing your glasses?”

“Yeah.” You knew he wore them considering you’d slept over at his place enough times to see him take out his contacts and switch to his glasses. “Contacts are easier on-site, but I thought tonight the glasses would make me look a bit more like I belong.”

You flicked one of the small, silver hoops at his ear.

"My dad will love the earrings," you said sarcastically. Namjoon's fingers joined yours at his ear.

"Should I take them out?"

"No, no" you said hurriedly, pulling his hand away. "Just be yourself. You're great just how you are. You don't need to impress anyone."

"And you have nothing to be nervous about. You're brilliant and you should be proud of everything you've accomplished. Don't let anyone take that away from you."

You nodded unconvincingly. "You're right. You're right, I know."

He suddenly shared your nerves, worried about meeting the man who could make someone like you, a truly unstoppable force that could also command rapt attention, feel this unsure of yourself. But he would be there to support you no matter what.

“I’ll be right there cheering you on.”

Leaving the apartment, Namjoon glanced up to see a doe-eyed young man and a shorter one with sleepy eyes sharing a kiss just outside of one of the other apartment doors.

“Oh!” you said, making them both jump a little and turn their attention to you. “I didn’t even know you and Yoongi knew each other, Jungkook.”

The taller man’s cheeks immediately turned an embarrassed shade of pink, but the other smiled and gave you an appraising once over.

“You’re the most beautiful meal delivery service worker I’ve ever seen, sweetheart.” Namjoon felt a slight pang of jealousy at the way his words made you smile. “You two have a good time tonight wherever you’re going.”

You waved your goodbyes to the two men and Namjoon took your hand and led you down the hall toward the elevators.

“You’ve never met them?” you asked after he said he didn’t know them. “They live on either side of my apartment. Momo has been feeding them ever since we moved in.”

“I think I’ve seen them around, but I guess I never paid much attention. Must be something in the building’s water though if all the neighbors are fucking.”

You snickered. “Who knows? Maybe if I’d shown up with dinner a day later, you would’ve decided Jungkook was your type instead.”

The elevator doors slid open to let you into the parking area, but Namjoon held your hand firm, pulling you back against him and pressing a deep kiss to your lips.

“I think you were right on time,” he said softly. “What kind of life would I have if I never knew what it was like to kiss you like this?”

For a second, as your eyes widened in front of him, he worried he’d crossed a line. He wasn’t sure what had possessed him to say it. Everything felt so much different than it had an hour ago. Suddenly, he didn’t want to stop holding your hand. Suddenly, he didn’t want to think about either of you entertaining anyone else. He had just tripped into dangerous territory and felt entirely unprepared for what that might mean.

“I guess we’ll never know,” you said quietly, then leaned forward to meet him with another kiss.

He offered to drive your car, assuming you wouldn’t want to show up in his truck, but knowing you would want to look over your speech notes about a hundred more times before you arrived at the venue.

He wasn’t extremely uncomfortable wearing a formal suit like the black one he was in now, but once you’d both arrived and headed inside the museum gala room where the dinner was being held, surrounded by people who clearly belonged to wealth and status and could speak your medical language, he felt a little fraud to be standing by your side.

The only thing keeping him grounded was you, was the way you twined your fingers through his when he’d helped you out of the car, and the way you hadn’t let go, even while you were both seated at the speaker’s table near the head of the room.

As the event began, and he watched you barely touch your drink and wring your cloth napkin into a twisted mess in your other hand, he wished he could offer you the same comfort. You kept glancing around the room, struggling in your lack of focus to keep up meaningful conversation with the other guests at your table. One by one, they each left to speak, and with each one meaning your presentation would draw closer, your leg bounced a little more anxiously.

“Tell me there’s something I can do to help you calm down,” he leaned over and whispered. “You’re creating enough restless energy to start a skid loader engine.”

“I’ll be fine once I get on stage. It’s the waiting that makes me nervous. That and my parents aren’t here yet. I’m starting to hope they don’t show. And I’m nervous that they still will. I don’t know.”

You gripped his hand a little tighter in your lap as someone on stage rambled on about chain of survival modifications for infants or something. He had to do something to help you, even if it was only enough to distract you from your nerves for a moment. And if there was anything he knew that could also demand attention from both of you, it was food. He reached onto the table and pulled a bit of bread from the basket, smearing a little butter onto it and lifting it to your lips. It pulled you from your distractions long enough to look down at it and back up to him in confusion.

“Eat.”

“You...you buttered my bread.”

He smiled at you. “Yes, I like to think I’m good at that. Eat. It’ll help you calm down.”

You laughed a little and accepted the offering, and Namjoon noticed a little of the tension in your shoulders relax as you ate.

The gray-haired woman sitting next to you leaned close enough to talk to you. “You and your boyfriend are adorable,” Namjoon heard her say. “He’s been staring at you with those worried eyes since you sat down like you might collapse any second. And he’s right. There’s nothing to be nervous about, dear. I’ve read your work. You’re a brilliant PA.”

He expected you to correct her, to let her know that there was nothing serious going on between the two of you. But you only smiled shyly and asked a little more about the woman’s career, leading to a few minutes of pleasant conversation in your field that Namjoon didn’t bother to try to follow. He was just happy to watch your nerves finally settle.

At last, it was your turn to speak. Namjoon expected you to finally drop his hand, but when you stood you kept holding on and he took your cue to follow him to the side of the stage to wait to be introduced. As the MC called your name and introduced a brief synopsis about your featured article, you froze where you stood in front of him. He followed your gaze toward the doors of the venue where an older, black couple were making their way to seats at one of the vacant rear tables. With your reaction, he assumed they had to be your parents. You hadn’t noticed when the MC finished speaking and beckoned for you to come forward. Namjoon gave you a small nudge at your lower back.

“They’re calling for the smartest person in the room, princess. That’s you.”

You sucked in a breath like you had forgotten to take one for a while. Then you nodded, looked forward again, and made your way onto the stage, finally letting go of his hand.

It was like watching a flower bloom. You took to the stage as though you had been made for it, your broad smile reflecting the confidence that only grew more and more as you found your footing and settled into your presentation. Of course, he didn’t have much of a baseline for what your study and findings had revealed. But it didn’t matter. Anyone with as much passion as you clearly had for what you did deserved the spotlight now focused on you.

Staring up at you behind that podium, dazzling like a damn star, so proud of your hard work, of your accomplishments, with that fiery passion you always told him had something to do with your astrology, but he knew was just an integral part of who you were, Namjoon realized exactly how deep in he had gone.

He liked you. He knew, for certain, that he wanted to be with you.

Before he had much more time to process that revelation, your presentation ended to rounds of polite applause from your peers. You had your hand on your chest as soon as you were off the stage and heading toward him. You had been so nervous, but no one who watched you on that stage could’ve known. Because that’s what you did. You put on a brave face and pushed through, no matter the situation.

You reached him and Namjoon didn’t know what to expect, but you just buried your face against his chest. His body reacted on instinct, wrapping his arms around you tight to hold you closer.

“That’s my girl.”

The words were out so quickly he had no chance to catch them. You weren’t his girl. But the desire for his words to be true grabbed him by the throat all the same. He liked you. So much. “You were amazing up there, “ he said, hurrying to correct.

“My heart was beating so fast I thought I was going to throw it up,” you said quietly into his tie. He ran a comforting hand along your back and pressed his lips to your temple.

“Let’s head back to our seats for the rest. I’ll butter all the bread you want to eat.”

With your speech done, you opened up a lot more to the others at your table. You introduced Namjoon as a close friend, pointing out that he was in construction instead of the medical field. Surprisingly, he handed out two business cards before dinner was finished. But mostly he was just happy to see you in better spirits, smiling and exchanging ideas with people who clearly respected you. You still gave a few nervous glances to the couple at the back of the room, but on the whole, he could tell you felt proud of how you had done and that was all that mattered.

They finally approached once dinner was cleared away and members of the event began to mingle with drinks in hand.

“Hello, sweetheart,” the older woman said, pulling you into an awkward hug. The older man’s face was screwed into a frown that could only be read as disapproving, but his hug was surprisingly warm. Still, as soon as you were out of his arms, your hand was back in Namjoon’s.

“Mom, Dad, this is my friend, Kim Namjoon. He works in construction, but he was nice enough to come support me and let the medical world bore him to tears for a night.”

“Lovely to meet you,” your mother said with a meek smile. Your father offered him a stiff nod, but Namjoon noticed his focus was all on you.

“You were wonderful on stage, we were so proud. She was impressive, right dear?” your mother urged. Your fingers tightened just a little in Namjoon’s hand.

“Yes, well,” your father said and cleared his throat. “It likely could’ve been shorter, but I would applaud the team that worked with you on the data. Nice of them to let you do the presenting, of course.”

“There wasn’t a team, Dad. This was my research I did on my own.”

He scoffed. “Come now, you’re a capable assistant. No need to lie about your sources, they’ll be listed in the article anyway. You’ve always been a terrible liar, honey.”

“Either way, you did a great job. We’re glad we could come tonight.” Namjoon got the feeling your mother was used to attempts at diffusing situations between you and your father. But he also knew when your stinger was raising in defense, ready to strike out at any moment. He could almost see the shadow of your anger rising in front of you.

“It’s associate. You’re the surgeon, Dad. I’d think you could learn something as simple as an abbreviation.”

Your father spluttered a little, but you pulled your hand from Namjoon’s and crossed your arms over your chest instead.

“I don’t even know why you came.”

“I came because I love you,” the old man said with all the venom of someone who didn’t know what those words meant. “I thought you would be grateful we would even show up to this mockery of real professionals. If you would just go back to school and finish your M.D. instead of wasting your time-”

“Honey,” your mother hissed and it seemed to remind your father that you were all technically surrounded by others, that Namjoon was still standing there beside you. He watched your arms drop to your sides, watched your shoulders deflate, all the pride you had been feeling earlier slowly leaking out of you like a pierced balloon.

He was angry now. Angry that anyone could say they loved you and yet have that kind of effect on you. They may have been your family, but what kind of friend would he be if he let you walk away from tonight with anything but your head held high?

“Excuse me, sir? I was under the impression we’d all gathered here tonight to support your daughter’s extraordinary achievements. You seem to be the only one in the room intent on undermining them instead. Perhaps we could go back to focusing on the positives tonight?”

Your mother looked intensely appreciative at his attempt, but when your father’s eyes landed on him, Namjoon could feel the slicing heat behind them. He understood now where exactly you got that cutting look from.

“Adorable. You brought your man of the month to come and help you feel proud of your shortcomings. This doesn’t concern you, boy.”

"What about your pride? Tearing down your own damn daughter when she's supposed to depend on you to lift her up. You're a disgrace.”

“Who the hell do you think-”

“You managed to raise a brilliant, dedicated, hard-working, compassionate woman and instead of treating her like the gift she is you shit on her during what should be one of her proudest moments." Namjoon’s fingers laced through yours, pulling you away from your parents. "If that's all you have to offer then she's got better things to do with her time. Come on."

“Y/N. Y/N!” Your father called out behind you both, but Namjoon needed to get away from him before his anger wormed its way through his body. He needed to get you out of that man’s radius. You followed him as he led you through tables and past other guests until it felt like he finally put enough distance between all four of you.

He turned to face you, trying his best to collect himself, to quell his anger at your father of all people speaking to you like that. It was difficult when he got a good look at you, seeing the light that had been in your eyes before dimmed this way.

“Hey,” he said, trying to call your attention back from the faraway place inside yourself you had disappeared into.

You brought up one hand to your arm, cupping it around yourself like you needed to hold yourself together. You met his eyes, but you didn’t say anything.

“Do you want to stay? There are plenty of your colleagues here who have a lot of respect for you, I’m sure.”

Your reactions were slow, but you took a glance around the room, then shook your head. “I’d rather just go.”

He squeezed your hand, the one he was happy you still let him hold, and headed toward the exit. You were quiet on the way out of the venue. He helped you into the car and as soon as he slipped into the driver’s seat he took up your hand again, held it all the way back to the apartment. He didn’t miss your other hand as it occasionally came up to your face, wiping away tears he couldn’t see in the dark. But you said nothing, so he said nothing, just gave your hand a gentle squeeze every now and then.

You sat quietly for a few moments after he pulled into your parking spot.

“Sure you don’t want to go somewhere else?” he asked after more silence had passed. “We could find a club and drink until we can’t stand up. Or I know the best burger truck in the city that would love to see you in that gown.”

You stared ahead at nothing and Namjoon would’ve given anything to get inside your head and pull you out of whatever storm you were fighting through in there. Finally, you shook your head. “I’m tired.”

You paused in the hall just before you reached the crossroads of your door and his. You glanced at Namjoon’s apartment and hesitated for a moment before turning toward your own. He caught your hand again before you could take a step, slipping your soft fingers back between his own. The look you gave him was enough to seal his decision. He pulled you gently toward him and punched in the code for his door. You followed his lead and walked silently after him into his apartment.

Helping you out of your gown, he left it crumpled on his bedroom floor, giving you one of his t-shirts to put on instead. All he had to offer was beer, but you took it from him all the same and accepted his embrace when he guided you to the couch and sat you both down. You shared the quiet space, some nature documentary on his television playing low once he turned it on.

Namjoon wasn’t sure how much time passed before you finally spoke up.

“I thought...I could help people faster as a PA.”

“And you were right,” he said quickly. “You help people every day.”

More silence passed, more of that tempest inside your head tumbling your thoughts in directions he couldn’t know.

“I never would’ve been good enough for him. Even if I had gone for the M.D. Could’ve become a lawyer. Could’ve been a fucking astrophysicist and he would’ve found something else to be disappointed in me for. Maybe that’s the only reason he had a kid in the first place. To give him someone to look down on.”

Namjoon hesitated, but only for a second.

“He’s your family so I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but fuck him.”

“Fuck him…” you repeated slowly.

Shifting closer to him on the couch, you curled yourself into Namjoon’s body. He lowered his lips to your forehead, trailing slow kisses down your cheek and you melted into him, eyes fluttering closed. He thought about seeking out your lips, giving in to what could easily turn to heat between you. But he drew his lips away instead, leaning back into the couch, arms around you, holding you close against his chest. This peace was what he wanted to give you right now if that’s what you wanted. He couldn’t offer you answers, but he could offer you strength.

You fingered absently at the end of his loosened tie.

“My parents. They’re the reason I dream about owning a house, you know,” you said, and he realized you were sniffling, that there were warm tears landing against his shirt. “Ever since I left, all I’ve wanted was to find a place that felt like the home I never got to have. Where people go and feel happy and welcome and safe and...wanted.

“My mom wracked up a lot of debt a few years ago, debt she didn’t want my father to know about. So I’ve spent a long time helping her to pay that off. But even when it was done and I could afford to finally find the place of my dreams...I still haven’t.” Your voice grew quiet, face turning to muffle your words against the fabric of his shirt. “I still haven’t found home.”

Sometime later he felt your body jerk as you woke suddenly. He watched you blink away the confusion of where you were, eyes trailing up until they landed on his.

“Shit, sorry,” you said in a groggy voice, hurrying to sit up. “I’ll...I’ll go back to my place.”

“Shhh,” he hushed you, kissing your cheek. He slid his arms underneath you, pulling you up as he stood, and cradled your body against his chest. He carried you into his bedroom and laid you down, climbing in beside you and pulling his sheets up to cover you both. He had no plans to let you go anywhere. If you were going to face this storm, he was going to stand in it with you for as long as you would let him.

The quiet returned and Namjoon said nothing, just laid next to you and waited while you decided what you really wanted.

“Tell me about your day.”

“Hm?”

You turned to your side to face him. “I want to hear about the site you worked at today. Please?”

So Namjoon told you, about the city inspector that wouldn’t stop busting his balls because he’d refused a date with the man’s daughter months ago. He told you about a miscommunicated order that left him with an overabundance of bricks in the wrong color and the homeowner that decided they were into the mismatched look anyway.

You curled against him and listened for a long time, until finally your shoulders relaxed and he heard your breathing slow. He pressed his lips to your forehead lightly and the arm he had slipped around your frame pulled you into him a little closer. You murmured a soft response that he could only interpret as gibberish and molded your body against his in your sleep. It was a struggle as he tried and failed to ignore the powerful thudding at the base of his throat as you sought out his closeness.

You were a strong woman, proud, and deserving of all that you had earned. You were beautiful and caring, empathetic and sweet. You were adventurous, confident, spontaneous, and surprising. You were insecure, and defensive, and battling demons he couldn’t begin to understand.

You were all those things and Namjoon’s gut told him all he wanted was to hold each piece of you as close as he could for as long as you would allow. He wanted to learn all of you inside and out and treasure each facet that made you who you were.

He was in so much trouble.

Namjoon handed you a tissue discreetly, hidden by the crisp, white linens of the banquet table. You nodded in slow appreciation and dabbed at your damp cheeks as one of Jin’s friends from med school finished a story about how Jin had dropped studying for a grade-breaking exam to go on a faraway drive and support him while his friend met his birth parents.

It was the last toast and Namjoon was captivated by your reaction. He could see, as anyone else probably could, just how much Jin meant to you.

“You alright?” he leaned over to ask once the toast was finished. You nodded and crumpled the tissue in your hand.

“Yeah. Just a little in awe. So many people love my best friend and it’s because he’s such a genuinely good person.”

“Always has been,” Namjoon confirmed. “You teared up a little during Hani’s brother’s toast too. Maybe you’re more of a softie than you realized.”

“Maybe,” you said, your voice far away, gaze hanging on where Jin and Hani sat, surrounded by their family, laughing and smiling. “There really are so many different kinds of love. Or something, I don’t know.” You sat up in your seat a little straighter as if to shake off your thoughts and took a short sip from your wine glass. “Don’t make fun of me.”

Namjoon found your free hand in your lap and cupped it with his own, offering you a squeeze he hoped let you know he understood. The rehearsal dinner evening would be over soon. After dessert, Jin and Hani would bow out and head home to prepare for their big day. And the remaining fifty or so guests had the option of visiting the adjacent, swanky bar and nightclub for a few drinks and a late evening of partying.

Tonight, you wore a form-fitting gold cocktail dress and he’d had to look away several times, both for the safety of his heart and the modesty of his lap. The idea of leaving with you was so selfish he didn’t want to admit that it was all he wanted to do. But he hadn’t given you any hints. Mostly, he hadn’t said much to you at all.

Ever since that night at the gala, Namjoon had been stuck sorting things out in his head, trying to figure out what to do about you. You still had sex regularly. You still spent most nights asleep in his bed, wrapped up in his arms. He still brought you coffee at work, you still hung out at each other’s places, and he still found you in his kitchen in the mornings making sure he had something to eat.

But everything had changed so much. His feelings had only increased in intensity each day. When you took him up on his offers of joining him on a bike ride, jogging by the river, or surprised him with a spontaneous visit to a botanical garden. Things he loved to do, but hadn’t bothered to for years because…was it because he was so busy? Or because he hadn’t been reminded of how important the rest of his life outside of work was until he’d met you? How fun it was to share the things he truly loved with someone else. Someone who genuinely seemed to care about what mattered to him, what made him happy.

The right thing would’ve been to tell you how he felt. Even though he already knew it would push you away from him, he still owed you that much, didn’t he?

“Drinks?” you asked, as everyone prepared to end the evening. He had hardly responded before you were off, switching your way into the crowded bar next nightclub and heading straight for the bar. You had a shot in you before he had even ordered one drink.

“You remember the wedding is tomorrow, right?”

“So? Our tab is on the wedding that I…we…so meticulously budgeted. I’d like to take what I earned and get at least half of a shitface.” You grabbed at his tie and waved down the bartender. “We deserve to have some fun. Take a shot with me. One won’t put you over the limit.”

Reluctantly he had one shot with you. You grabbed onto his tie again and tugged him out onto the dancefloor. He almost lost you twice, twirling and coiling your body to the music, dancing with strangers and back to him. He knew you were only having a good time and he tried his best to relax and have it with you.

“Another shot?” you said as you headed back to the bar with him after dancing to what felt like a million songs.

“Maybe that’s enough. You’re going to end up with a full shitface if you keep going.”

“What’s wrong with that? Sounds like fun.” Your words sounded a little slurred already against the backdrop of the pounding music. Namjoon glanced down the bar, barely missing the stares from a few men that had definitely been focused on you.

“Not when there are people nearby making eyes at you like you’re a wasted, easy target.”

“What, you worried someone else might offer me a better deal?”

“I’m just saying that we have the wedding tomorrow and we’re still kind of in charge of making sure everything goes right. Why don’t you let me take you home?”

Instead of responding, you grabbed your new drink and danced away from him, sinking into the crowd of bodies while you swayed to the music. Namjoon struggled to keep his eyes on you, but he stopped short of running in after you.

You weren’t his girlfriend. According to you, you were still only fuck-acquaintances. So he would do what any friendly acquaintance would. He would stand back and watch as you did what you pleased. He would simply keep an eye out for you while you did it. He was the one that had driven you both anyway, so he could at least promise himself that he could get you home safe.

It worked for about fifteen minutes. He watched you down your drink, dance around with strangers, watched as some guy came up behind you and definitely gave a press against your ass that was more than friendly. He watched what was likely flirting, watched you walk back to the bar and take a seat with the man, close enough to Namjoon that he was able to hear that the flirting was pretty blatant and you weren’t backing down from it one bit. Heard him offer to get you out of here, to take you to a better party.

But the deal-breaker was the look the man exchanged with another at the other end of the bar. Namjoon didn’t care what his relationship was with you at that point. You weren’t going anywhere with anyone but him.

“No need,” he said, placing an arm on either side of you and spreading his hands against the bar. He was at least a head taller than the guy and he hoped he cut an intimidating figure as he stared him down with narrowed eyes. “I’m her ride.” He didn’t bother to peel back the menacing edge in his words either. It seemed to get the message across, the man taking his drink and wandering off elsewhere into the crowd.

You tipped your head back to look up at him and responded with a wide grin, then knocked back the rest of your glass. He put an arm around your shoulder and guided you out of the seat, planning to lead you toward the door. But you pulled away and began dancing your way backward and beckoning him to follow. Reluctantly, he did for a few steps, finding it hard to resist the happiness on your face, before he remembered the day ahead and stopped, gripping your wrist a little tighter. He leaned forward, lips just next to your ear.

“You’re drunk.”

You slid your hands up the lapels of his suit jacket and linked them around his neck.

“And you’re the hottest man in this room. So stop worrying about anyone else taking me home and just have fun with me.”

“Here? What if someone tells Jin about us? I thought you didn’t want him to know.” It was a bluff, considering Jin had already figured it out. But he needed to bring you back to your senses somehow.

“He knows,” you said simply.

“You told him?”

“He figured it out. I told him we are having a casual thing. Besides, it’s almost over anyway.”

It was. Just one more day. He had been trying to forget.

“Then we should go enjoy what’s left, princess.”

You stared at him for a few moments and chewed at your lip before shrugging.

“Fine. Let’s go, party pooper.”

Finally out of the nightclub, he felt like he could breathe. But just beneath he felt irrational. Why did it bother him so much? Sure, you had the wedding in the morning. But that wasn’t what drove him to want to get you out of that nightclub. It had been jealousy, pure and simple. Irrational, mishandled jealousy.

“I’m a grown woman, you know,” you said as you walked up to where he’d parked. He glanced over and caught the look you gave him, seeing in your eyes that you’d had perhaps one too many shots. But it didn’t stop that piercing stare of yours he’d come to love.

“I know.”

“I can take care of myself after a few drinks.”

He looked away as he spoke.

“Is it so awful for someone else to want to take care of you too?”

You were silent after he spoke and he didn’t have the strength to look at you. He was doing this all wrong. You weren’t supposed to know that he was slowly falling for you. That he didn’t want you going places with other guys or grinding your ass against anyone but him.

I like you. He wanted to shout the words. If only he knew they wouldn’t send you running away from him instead of toward him. To silence his mouth and yours he leaned forward and kissed you instead, leaning your body back against the side of his truck and swallowing anything that might be said with the taste of you.

What was he going to do? He liked you. Shit, he liked you a lot. This was supposed to be sex with no feelings, and yet here he was, tripping over his emotions with you at every turn. Did he have some kind of knack for this, for falling for women who wouldn't seriously consider being with him?

He drove back to the apartment while a war raged inside his head. He needed to find a way out of this, to shake off these feelings and just enjoy the end of this arrangement as best he could.

When he pulled into his parking space, he realized you had fallen asleep in your seat. He tried not to wake you as he carried you upstairs and plugged in the numbers for your door’s lock.

He expected to see Momo in the doorframe of her office or in the kitchen, but aside from a lazy meow from Peeko, the apartment seemed to be empty. He took you to your bedroom, laid you down into your sheets, and slid off your shoes, then went to the kitchen to get you a glass of water. When he returned you had half-attempted to free yourself from your dress, giving up after unzipping, but not being able to undo the hook at the top.

You opened a lazy eye in his direction then closed it, defeated. "Hot," you mumbled.

“Cutie,” Namjoon chuckled. "Let me help you."

Finally free of your dress, you rolled over onto your back and, with great effort, stood up.

"Where are you going?” he asked, amused.” You're having a college moment. You're supposed to collapse into bed and wake up a crusty mess like everyone else."

"Gross,” you responded with disgust. “No amount of alcohol is going to keep me from basic hygiene and I intend to look fabulous for the wedding tomorrow. I'm taking off my makeup and brushing my teeth."

You returned minutes later, still in your bra and panties, only now with the addition of a pretty, patterned satin scarf wrapped protectively around your hair.

"Thanks for getting me home safe.” You took your lip between your teeth and gave him a look hot enough to burn through him straight to the center. You were frustrating. You were a firestorm. And Namjoon wanted to bathe in the flames. "Still want to stay over?"

He did. God, he wanted to strip off his clothes and climb into that bed with you, taste your lips, your skin, feel your wetness around him, your legs around his hips, the sensual way you moaned his name that made him want to cum on the spot every time.

And he wanted what came after, the way you glued yourself to his chest, buried your face in his neck, and fell asleep there in his arms, your legs slotted comfortably between his.

He wanted to wake up with you still curled against him in the morning, hear you cracking jokes, swooning over his slightly deeper morning voice. Wanted you to show him viral videos or memes from Jin you knew would make him laugh so hard he'd snort. Wanted you scrolling through house listings and photos while he got a few chapters down on whatever book he'd been reading, you curled into his side the entire time, silently connected.

He liked you. And since he didn’t think you felt the same, or that he had the right to say anything considering the arrangement between you was specifically meant to be sexual, he knew he should've left. It would’ve been the right thing to just leave.

But Namjoon could acknowledge he was also weak. To his feelings. To his hormones. To the sight of you in your lacy underthings and your pretty satin headscarf. To all of you. How was he supposed to get through the wedding tomorrow? The wedding that was supposed to signal the end of this entire set up between the two of you. How was he supposed to get used to waking up without your skin against his? How was he supposed to get used to every day without you, your scent, your smile, the halo of warmth and light that was you that had become so important in his life?

He took one more long look at you, your beautiful face, your pretty, glowing skin, at the confidence in your stance that was probably influenced by alcohol, but also by something so naturally a part of who you were.

"Ok."

October — Y/N

“Hey, hey! Don’t start crying already, short stuff.”

It was too late. You were already crying. Your best friend looked like a fairytale prince, his dark hair parted in the swooping way away from his forehead that screamed heartbreaker, his perfectly tailored suit highlighting his broad shoulders and perfect physique. And the glow in his skin, the gentle sparkle in his eyes that reflected every bit of happiness. He was getting married, seeing him in his suit made it so real, and you were so happy for him that there was no chance you could keep the tears at bay.

Seokjin pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of his cream-colored suit jacket and dabbed at your cheeks.

“Save those for after the videographer stops rolling.”

You sniffled. “Ahh, I can’t help it. It’s really here.”

He breathed out his own shaky breath, the smile he aimed down at you a little strained. “Yeah. It is.”

“You’re not nervous, are you?”

“Not for me. Hani had a touch of cold feet last night after dinner. I’m hoping...well, I guess I’m just hoping she’ll actually meet me at the end of the aisle.”

Oh no. No no no. Not after you’d worked this hard for this day. The weather had been kind, offering an unusually warm October day, bright sunshine only joined by a few wisps of clouds. Flowers of soft pink, vibrant turquoise, luscious cream, and fresh white lined arches and chairs, strings of beautiful fairy lights strung in lines above. All set up in front of that tranquil lake, the misty mountain you’d hiked up with Namjoon making the backdrop like a classical painting in real life.

Hani was getting married today. You would see to that.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go check on her.”

You found Hani alone in her bridal suite, her back to the door as you knocked and entered.

“Hani, it’s Y/N.”

She was staring out over the view of the water, but finally looked back at you after you’d spoken. You were happy at least to see that she was ready, the intricate lace patterns of her gown swirling down in flowing waves at her feet. Her makeup and hair were all done and she looked just as royal as Seokjin, ready to meet her prince and finally get her happy ending.

But she wasn’t exactly smiling as she looked at you. If anything, she looked a little sad.

“Hey, is everything alright?”

She bit her lip for a moment, as though uncertain if she should answer.

“No.”

You joined her in front of the floor-length window.

“Well, talk to me. If you’re having second thoughts or doubts, it’s better to work those out before you take a really important step like this.”

She took a deep breath, then another before she was ready to speak again.

“Y/N, you and Namjoon have organized the most beautiful wedding for Seokjin and me. The most magnificent man I’ve ever met wants to announce before a room of all our friends and family that he is ready to spend the rest of his life with me.” You heard the waver in her voice and, though she wouldn’t look at you, you could see there were tears collecting in her eyes. “And I don’t know if I can do this.”

You reached out for her hands and cupped them in yours, forcing her to turn slowly and face you, holding her eyes with yours.

“Do you love him?”

Something about that question broke her, let the tears spill free in twin streaks down her pretty face.

“More than I ever knew it was possible to love someone. And yet I can’t help but think, how can it possibly be me that he wants to spend the rest of his life with?”

“Because he feels the same way about you. Seokjin is my best friend. He’s been surrounded by people who love and adore him all his life. But it’s because he’s always followed his heart and been true to himself. He knows exactly what he wants. And it’s you he chose, Hani. You’re the one that lights up his soul, that makes his heart sing. You both do that for each other. And you both deserve to be happy. So I want you to go out there and honor that. Go get your man.”

You were definitely going to have to call the makeup artist back in for touch-ups, but with the smile that spread across her face, your words seemed to have helped her overcome the worries she’d been fighting through. You ran to get a tissue from the vanity and helped to dab at her face.

“I know I haven’t made planning this wedding easy for you, Y/N,” she said through remnant sniffles. “I’ve never had an interest in things like this. I just wanted to get married. I appreciate you being so patient with me through all of this. I definitely understand why you mean so much to Seokjin.”

“He means the world to me, Hani. Please promise me you’ll cherish him.”

“I know I’m not the easiest person to read. But I swear to you I love him so completely.”

“I know you do,” you said with a squeeze at her arm. “I know.”

After helping her to get ready and heading back to Seokjin to confirm that he would indeed be getting married today, you and Namjoon met outside of the groom room to go over your last-minute checklists and get the wedding party lined up for the ceremony.

With the guests seated, you all began your walk onto the green. Though they had chosen not to have titles for the wedding party, Namjoon took up the space beside where Seokjin would stand as his best man while you stood in place to support Hani. As Seokjin came down the aisle with his parents on either side and took his place, you had to hold yourself back from tearing up again.

But soon your attention was taken by Namjoon. Just like the first time you’d met, he had the power to steal your attention away from anyway else in the vicinity. His suit was a dark, heathered gray, the rich brown of his hair against the sunlit golden peach of his skin giving him a dream-like aura that you couldn’t tear your eyes away from. But you desperately wanted to look away when you realized that his eyes seemed to be glued to you as well.

With effort, you forced yourself to glance away guiltily a few times, wondering if he was judging you for your drunken escapades the night before, or sizing up whether he even wanted to spend one more night with you. But each time you looked back, that wasn’t what you saw in those sharp, dragon-like eyes. There was something unreadable in the look he was giving you, something so intense that you felt it bind around your chest, making your breath come in short, slow bursts. You smiled at him trying to ease whatever tension had collected between the two of you. But Namjoon only hurriedly looked away, a curious blush settling over his cheeks. So maybe he was only thinking about sex after all.

Hani’s music began then and all attention turned toward her as she made her way down the aisle. The pull between her and Seokjin was palpable and as she took her place at his side, you were happy if only just to witness the kind of love they shared.

When offered, Seokjin shared a short and sweet set of vows with just enough terrible humor to pull a few giggles from the guests. Hani hadn’t told you she intended to say anything for her turn. But when asked, she confirmed that she did and gripped Seokjin’s hands a little tighter as she began to speak.

“My love. When I met you, I didn’t understand exactly how grand the delicate intricacies of life really were. When you talked about the network that forms a heart, all I could see was a tool, a part of a machine intended to do its job in all of us the same way a processor keeps a computer running. What I know now is that there is so much more between the pieces that make up those parts. That love spreads from that energy center and throughout every atom that works together to make us up. Love binds us closer to ourselves than we ever knew was possible. I am a better me every day because I met you. Because you paid for my coffee and had the barista write the worst joke I’ve ever read onto my cup. Because when you first made dinner for me, you magically pulled a tiny chocolate heart from behind my ear and made me laugh so hard I choked on my wine. Because you gave me the courage to live my life for happiness and to find exactly what happiness meant for me. Because where most people see a cold, calculating brain and nothing more, you were willing to unfold each of my layers, to discover me, you and us, and everything that meant. And everything it will come to mean as we grow and change together. I love you eternally, Kim Seokjin. You’ve given me your hand and in exchange, I will give you forever.”

You quickly wiped away the tears that managed to slip out. He was going to be alright. You had no doubt now that Seokjin, your best friend who deserved to be loved for every bit of who he was, was going to receive all that and more from his wife.

The rest of the evening went by in a blur. There were photos, toasts, dinner, drinks, and dancing late into the evening. There were games on the lawn and inside the reception hall, a photo booth, a VR arcade set up, and street food vans with flavors from all over the world for the guests to eat from all night. There was a fireworks display once the sky turned dark, shimmering lights across the lake as the guests looked on with excitement. It was truly a wedding to end all weddings and you finally felt like all the months of planning had reached their payoff.

You danced all night with people you'd never met, Seokjin and Hani's families and friends. You danced with Seokjin and even Hani herself. You ran from the bouquet toss.

And you found Namjoon at your side more moments than not, refreshing your drink while he slipped his hand around your waist, helping the one time the caterer ran into a small issue, and of course, dancing with you. He held you from behind, kissing your neck, his arms wrapped around you. He whispered in your ear, sweet nonsense, teasing that made you giddy with laughter, and flirting that bordered a little inappropriate for any public space. He made a deal with one of the flower girls to save her an extra slice of cake in exchange for her crown of flowers, placing it atop your head. He kissed your cheek and told you again and again that you were the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

You kissed him on that dance floor like no one else mattered. And at that moment, they didn't. It might have been the atmosphere of the evening, the aura of romance surrounding not only Seokjin and Hani, but the entire joyous venue. It might have been the gorgeous view of the lake as the sun went down and all the fairy lights came on and cast the most beautiful glow across the water.

Or it might have been that you liked Namjoon more than should have been sensibly possible. That tomorrow, the next day, and for a long time after, you wanted to be in his arms, stay in his life. And right now you didn't want the fact that it couldn't be, that this was your last night to play pretend, to dampen your enjoyment of him.

As the night drew to a close, most guests heading home or to their rooms at the lodges by the lakeside, Namjoon spirited you outside, walking with you on his arm toward the edge of the lake. The grass of the green went all the way up to the water and you both stopped in front of it, staring up at twinkling stars that reflected in the water. It was a magical location for a magical night.

"You did a great job, princess."

"We did a great job, you mean. I couldn't have done this without you, Joon."

You stared around at the remaining guests, getting their fill of food and drinks, walking near the lake just like you and Namjoon, and capping this beautiful day with the gorgeous view before you.

“We make a pretty good team then. And thank you for making sure we had a good time while doing it.” He took a deep breath of the cool night air and walked a little closer to the water. "Once my business can run more smoothly without me, I'd love to take a page from your book. Get a little more spontaneous, travel, see the sights. See the world's amazing architecture and the people too."

"Me too. What's the point of all the work we put in if we're not taking time to enjoy the rest of what life has to offer?” You nodded to yourself. “I want to see everything. As long as I can always come home. If I ever find it.”

He rubbed your arm in a comforting gesture. "You'll find wherever that is for you. I know you will."

“What about you? Seokjin mentioned that you were planning to get married once. I imagine you had a home all picked out, ready to start your life just like Hani and Seokjin."

He glanced down, as though the weight of those memories had suddenly found him. “I was. And I did."

“Is it alright if I ask what happened?”

“I wanted something she didn’t. It wasn’t a nasty breakup or anything. Just two people realizing they’re on different paths. When I look at Jin and Hani I think, how can two people so different end up together? But when I see the way they look at each other, their paths are entirely merged. So I’ll just have to wait for that. For someone who is walking the same way I am.”

He reached into his jacket pocket and handed you a small brown square. You realized it was a piece of chocolate from the wedding cake, the kind with caramel inside that you loved. You popped it into your mouth and enjoyed the slow melt while Namjoon stared down at you with a faint smile.

He leaned over and placed a light kiss on your lips. You weren’t sure why he was kissing you now. But you’d never complain. You would take everything he wanted to offer tonight since it had to be your last.

He slid off his suit jacket and let it drop to the ground nearby, kicking off his shoes while a mischievous smirk lifted the corner of his mouth.

“What are you doing?” you asked in confusion.

"Trying to make myself remember that fear of what's coming shouldn't keep me from taking the next step."

Then he ran into the lip of the lake and out until the water met his shoulders, soaking his suit entirely. You hesitated for a moment before kicking off your shoes and joining him. The lake water was a little chilly but refreshing. Namjoon came back a little to meet you until the water was only up to his waist. By the time you reached him, it was up to your chest, but you hardly noticed. The way he was staring at you, droplets of splashed water in his hair reflecting fairy lights and the moon’s glow, you felt all your breath stolen from you in a single swoop.

“I know you’re a goddess, Y/N, but it’s not fair for you to look like one too.”

You blinked, finding it too difficult to respond. If anyone looked ethereal at that moment, it was him. He reached out and pulled you closer, bringing you chest to chest. As he kissed you, you closed your eyes and fell into him, your very own star come down to earth, filling you with warmth and light and something cosmic with only a kiss. It was wonderful. And at the edge, a little heartbreaking.

You didn’t know how long you stood in the water kissing him, but eventually you both made your way back to land after hearing several splashes around you as other guests followed your lead and ran gleefully into the water. You ended up on your back in the grass, soaked in your gown with an equally drenched Namjoon by your side. You stared up at the star-dotted sky as Namjoon pointed out a few constellations he could remember, relating them to paintings and sculptures and artists whose work he wanted to go see.

“We’d better get out of here before one of us gets sick,” he said after a while. You both stood and a slight shiver ran through you, the night air a little chilly now that you were soaked through to the bone. It only lasted for a second though, Namjoon draping his still dry suit jacket over your shoulders immediately. He grabbed your discarded shoes and you both made your way around the venue, toward the villa that housed your private guest suites.

“Why am I wet, Namjoon?”

His only response was a suggestive eyebrow wiggle which earned him a healthy shove.

“I mean, why did you run into the lake?”

“I don’t know. Why did you run in after me?”

Because you wanted to go where he went. Because the moments he allowed himself to surrender to his innocent joy were some of the most beautiful and you wanted to be right there with him for each one. Because your heart had gotten tangled up where it had no business being.

You shrugged. “I’m the fun one.”

Namjoon looked like he wanted to say something else, but you reached the path that led up to your suite’s door just then. It was all crushed, white gravel that was likely not kind to bare feet, reflecting silver in the glow of the moon. Your shoes hung from Namjoon's fingers, but even as you looked over at him to take them, he was already moving.

You yelped a little as he scooped an arm behind your legs and pulled you up against his chest. He held you all the way up the path, pausing while you unlocked the door, and then continued his princess carry through the threshold. He sat you down on the plush carpet inside and kicked off his shoes before joining you.

You were sure you looked like a disaster in your waterlogged dress, even in your waterproof makeup. But Namjoon stared at you like he’d never seen anyone more beautiful in his life.

"You're breathtaking, you know that?"

He placed gentle fingers at the side of your face and leaned down. You closed your eyes as his lips connected.

"So beautiful."

"And if I tell you you're beautiful too? Because you are, Namjoon. So beautiful." His smile turned bashful at your words.

You turned around and he followed your hint, unzipping your gown and helping you step out of the soaked fabric. He stared at you for a moment, at the delicate lace lines of your lingerie that hardly left anything to the imagination, more so now that they were wet and sticking to your skin. He had seen you naked so many times already, had peeled off, ripped off your underthings more than you could count on one hand.

But he had never looked at you like this. Like the sight of you hurt, made him ache in a place he didn’t know was possible. Made him regret that this moment was fleeting, that he couldn’t live here all his life.

His hands fell from his shirt, plans to undo his own buttons forgotten. He stepped forward and then you were in his arms, being devoured, consumed wholly by his lips. He’d never kissed you like this. It was the kind of kiss that changes you, that launched wars and shifted the gravity of worlds. There was power in it and a need so fierce it made you dizzy.

You were in the bedroom when you broke apart, your hands having taken up his job, undoing his shirt, his pants half unzipped. He kicked out of his clothes and pounced on you, not sparing a moment before getting his lips back on yours, his hands back onto your body.

The air was different tonight, full-bodied and rich like earthy incense and overripe fruit. Namjoon handled you with new delicacy, fingers trailing the damp skin of your back, your legs, your breasts with gentle deference.

His hands never stopped their work, peeling away your lingerie like gift wrapping he wanted to save. His mouth eventually followed, trailing down your body with wet kisses and soft bites, tugging on your nipples long enough to coax his name from your lips for the first time since you’d lain down.

When his lips finally landed on the seam between your legs, you slipped away into some unknown realm with only you and him and no other shred of reality to keep you apart. His hands were on your hips, holding you in place while his tongue worked fervently to make you come apart. He held you firm, held onto you in a way that made you belong, that said, ‘Mine, mine, mine. You are mine.’ And for tonight, you would be his. You would lose yourself in this fantasy for one more evening before returning to the truth.

“Namjoon,” you cried out when your body felt like it might fall apart. Your fingers tugged where they gripped in his hair as he lifted his face.

"Yes, baby. Tell me."

“I want you.” He leaned up a little further, hovering over you, the soft brown of his eyes now a deep oak. He licked his lips, licked the sticky slick of you from near his mouth, from the fingers he pulled from between your thighs. Your head dropped back into the sheets. “I want you,” you repeated, desperate, barely able to handle anything more. The depth of his voice as he responded, the way it vibrated through you, all the way down to your core almost broke you on the spot.

"Anything you want."

He peeled away, seeking out a condom, and returned to you, kissing you deeply as he slid home without hesitation. You gasped into his mouth and he swallowed it, married your tongues together as he plunged inside you deep as he could, drew out only for a moment before sliding back inside. You swallowed his deep, satisfied growl, swallowed his moans, his breath, took him into you like you were starved for air, and air was Namjoon, all you needed to survive, all you wanted to fill yourself with for every remaining moment. His touch was light in the right places, rough in others. His teeth dragged along your neck, leaving sore the places where he bit you, made you tear a little when he tugged at your hair, left impressions of his hands as they roughly grabbed your breasts, your thighs. He left you with marking reminders that he had been with you tonight, that he had taken his time to claim you as his own.

Your body arched into his, his hand around your lower back, his lips at your breasts, your neck, your lips. The fingers of his other hand twined with yours, skin against skin with every long, indulgent stroke of his hips. He spoke with his body, with each sharp breath, each thrust claiming you, unraveling each bit of you beneath him, only for him to reach, to taste, to feel.

“You have me,” he panted into your mouth and you swallowed that pretty lie as well. For tonight, you would believe anything. Tonight, this was more than just sex. This was goodbye.

All space for words had shrunk to a needlepoint, replaced instead by your moans of satisfaction, his ragged panting and sighs so deep you felt them in the lowest part of your belly. Your release crept up on you, your focus only on him, on the connection between you that was usually all sparks and roaring flames, that had centered itself into a gentle warming heat coursing between you both. You might have called his name as it crashed over you. Or maybe your own. They were the same, you were the same in that moment, melded with him, your pleasure blended together in a beautiful symphony, all harmony and light.

His thrusts continued through your orgasm, leading you into a second, wave after wave rippling through your body, your quiet pleas for him only the weakest whisper between you. He came with you on the third, but really, he had been with you on them all.

Your activity had taken you all over the bed, bodies moving without reason or understanding, performing this dance together and leaving the sheets in a tangled mess, pillows thrown to the floor. Namjoon didn’t stop kissing you, lips continuing to claim their home on yours, at your neck, your collarbone. Your name rumbled across your skin in his deep tones that sent a quiver rolling through you.

Even in the wake of all that, satiation refused to find either of you. You spent at least another hour only kissing, riding his lap once he hardened again. You fell asleep somewhere in the vibration of him, soothed of whatever worries you had by only the feel of his voice, of his breath against your skin, the energy he shared in this sacred space with you and you alone.

You woke to him begging entrance again. And just as the sun peeked over the horizon and the waters of the lake reflected lines of sunlight in between the curtains, you said your farewells with your bodies one last time, crying out his name again and again as the rosy ripples beyond your window faded to blue.

Namjoon was asleep again after that, but with the sun up and your mind fully awake, reality finally caught up with you.

You stared down at him as he slept, just enough light highlighting his cheekbones and strong jaw, thick brown locks of his hair splayed out against the pillow. And you knew it was finally time to go.

Your feelings were too strong to ignore. Even if he wanted to sleep with you again, you couldn't. It wouldn't be right. And after last night, after the way your heart had begun to call out for him, you knew you would never be able to go back. So you did the only thing you could think of, the only response you were used to making.

You ran.

Your phone clattered against your dresser a few days later, vibrating as you were getting ready for work. You reached down, ready to ignore yet another call from your father. But this time it was your mother’s number on the screen.

“Mom?”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Mom. About to head to work.”

“You know why I’m calling. Your father said you haven’t been answering his calls.”

“Why should I, Momma? Every time he opens his mouth it’s only been to hurt me.”

“He’s been beside himself with anger. You let that boy speak for you, say those things to him.”

You sighed. “First, he’s not a boy-”

“Oh, everyone your age is a boy to me.”

“He’s a grown man. And everything he said was true. Anyway, I don’t care. Dad’s never listened to my voice, or yours. I wouldn’t expect him to listen to anyone else’s either.”

“Your father loves you, sweetheart.”

“Maybe, in whatever twisted definition he’s given that word. But I get to decide what kind of love is good enough for me, Mom. And his isn’t. I’m only sorry it took me this long to understand that. I don’t want to talk to him.”

Your mother was silent for a few moments and you checked once just to make sure she hadn’t hung up on you.

“I’m proud of you, you know that?”

“Mom-”

“No, I mean it, Y/N. I know I haven’t been the strong mother I should’ve been all these years. I’ve even had to rely on you to save my ass. So you have to know that you turned out to be incredible not because of me and your father, but in spite of us.”

You stared at your phone, swallowing down the lump that had formed in your throat. “Thanks, Momma.”

“So are things serious with you and that boy?”

You glanced at your phone, this time considering whether you should be the one to end the call. “No, we...he’s just a friend.”

“I sure wish I had friends like that. Very nice to look at.”

“Ok, I have to get to work. Please don’t fantasize about my friends.”

She giggled. “I’ll do as I please unless you intend on making him more than just a friend. My god, the muscles on him and so handsome! If I wasn’t married I’d love to-”

“Goodbye, Mom!”

“I’d rather not. Can’t you just leave it outside his door?”

Momo’s pout was still one of the most powerful forces on the planet, but you were trying your hardest not to succumb to her charms tonight. There was no way in hell you were taking food to Namjoon. It could only serve as a reminder of your stupid feelings, and you weren’t in the mood to feel stupid any longer than necessary.

She shoved the warm container into your hands. “No. I’m sure he’s been working all day and would love something hot to eat. You haven’t let me cook for him in over a week. And I know he’d be happy to see your face-”

“No. Things are done between us, Mo. We were fuckbuddies for a little while and now we’re just strangers who live across the hall from each other. That’s it.”

You’d hardly seen Namjoon since the wedding. Apart from an awkward wave in the parking garage, you’d been very successful at avoiding each other. It probably had a lot to do with you hardly being home while you spent your time constantly rotating between the hospital and the library. Anything to keep your mind off...everything.

You had developed feelings for him, for that smug smile, his mud-caked boots, and calloused hands. His gentle heart and kind words. But who caught feelings for the person explicitly having casual sex with them? No, you needed to get over him. And that meant staying far away. You needed long enough to accept the truth. That the thing between you had only been sex. That, whatever your feelings had evolved into couldn’t solve your incompatibility. That you lived in different worlds, were vastly different people.

“Maybe,” Momo said, intruding on your thoughts. “Maybe not. Anyway, it’s not like you’re going over there to profess your undying love for the man. Just to take him some spaghetti aglio e olio, that’s all. It’s just food, right?”

You sighed deep in resignation. “Right. Just food.”

She gave you a reassuring pat on the shoulder before grabbing her own plate and retreating into her room, back in front of her drawing tablet where she’d been all day. You tried to shake the frown off your face and get back into your neutral zone. It wasn’t like you had been thinking about him every day for the past two weeks. It wasn’t like you missed the warmth of his body as you curled up next to him on the couch and read over his shoulder. It wasn’t like you missed the soft smell of his soap, the way his forehead wrinkled above his glasses when he was concentrating, or the way he said your name in his soothing, deep voice that felt comforting and warm like a dollop of honey in your tea.

Before that annoying voice could pop up in the back of your mind saying, “It’s exactly like that,” you shut off your thoughts and trudged to the front door. It was just food. Just stupid spaghetti.

You spotted him as soon as you stepped out of your apartment. In his signature jeans, a t-shirt, and a leather jacket, he was heading down the hall in your direction. Only he wasn’t by himself. A woman in heels and a skirt far too short for the cool weather outside walked quickly just behind him.

It was hard to imagine what all he planned to do with her. He seemed so focused on getting to his apartment that he almost looked angry. It was only when he got close enough and glanced up to see you that surprise replaced the intensity on his face.

“Y/N…” he said, a whisper, a hollow point bullet fired straight through your chest. He was back to his old habits without hesitation, back to his dating apps and his one-night-stands as easily as breathing. Right. You needed to be that way too. This stupid crush wasn’t going to cause you any more grief.

You managed to hold yourself upright, managed not to let your disappointment trip up your feet. You closed the short gap between you and shoved Momo’s container of food into his hands. Namjoon said nothing, only stared at you with wide eyes, lips slightly parted.

You turned, more awkwardly than you intended and headed straight back toward your apartment.

"Y/N. Y/N, wait."

"Have a good night, you two," you mumbled before heading inside.

Momo looked up as you closed the door behind you. But it was all you saw before your field of vision changed. As you sank to the floor and the room blurred around you. As Peeko climbed into your lap and licked at the salty streaks your tears made as they dripped down your cheeks and under your chin.

Namjoon taking Momo’s business card paid off for her in a bigger way than any of you could have planned. Hoseok had offered her a permanent position at his architectural firm as an in-house graphic designer. On the upside, it was an incredible salary for a position that offered plenty of free time to work on her own business and side artistic passions as she pleased. On the downside, the home office was located three hours away. Which meant Momo would have to move.

“You sure you don’t want me to stay home with you?”

It had been over three weeks since the wedding, not that you were counting your life in distance from that night. And for once, instead of picking up a shift at the hospital or staying until the library staff finally kicked you out, you were planning to spend the night at home.

“It’s your last night at the college. Go have a good time with your students, celebrate the new, fancy life you’re about to start.”

“It’s been almost a month, Y/N. You’ve barely been sleeping. You find any excuse to be at work or doing research somewhere.”

“I’ve been like that forever, Mo.”

“Not like this. You used to want to spend time with your friends. Or by yourself doing things you like. Now you avoid everything. If you miss him this much, please, just go and talk to him.”

You sighed and pulled the blanket you had draped across you where you were curled up on the couch a little higher. “For the last time, I’m not even thinking about him. Go, please. You’re going to be late.”

She shook her head, but did as you ask, leaving you with the flashing lights and low hum of the television as you caught up on one of your favorite shows that had been neglected since you were never home.

An hour or so had passed when you heard the doorbell ring and you hurried up to check the camera, wondering if Momo had left something behind. And then you froze, catching Namjoon’s face staring back at you through the pixels. Your heart skipped a little but you clamped it down as fast as you could. He was just the guy who lived across the hall. The guy you were actively getting over and doing very well at that.

At least that’s what you told yourself until you opened the door. Your vision blurred a little at the sight of him in person. Dressed in a slim-fitting black t-shirt and jeans, he looked as down-to-earth and effortlessly handsome as ever. You swallowed down the pang in the back of your throat.

"Hey. Momo text me saying the window at your balcony wouldn't open.”

What the hell? It had been a fight to get it open since you'd moved in. But what did it matter? It was late October already. You weren’t planning to open the window any time soon. You cursed your soon-to-be ex-roommate. At least she could’ve warned you he was coming, instead of having him find you dressed down like this in shorts and a sweatshirt. You tried to shake it off. It didn’t matter what you looked like. He was back to seeing other people and eventually you would get over your sickening crush and date someone else. It didn’t matter.

“It’s been like that forever,” you said finally. “It opens, just with a lot of effort.”

“That’s no good if a fire happens. I'll take a look.”

He brushed past you, small toolbox in hand, and headed straight for the balcony.

“Our building has a maintenance team, Joon,” you said, closing the door and turning after him. “You don’t have to run over here immediately to fix everything just because Momo waves food in your face. Especially since she’s moving out soon and leaving us all to go hungry.”

He grunted in response and set down his things next to the window. Determined not to be affected by him any further, you walked back to the couch and retook your seat, crawling back under your blanket and continuing your show. And that worked for a few minutes. Until you saw him with a flashlight between his teeth as he made his inspection, holding onto the frame of the window with a screwdriver in his other hand. You sighed and hoisted yourself up from the couch, moving to him and offering a hand to hold it for him instead. He nodded and mumbled a thanks. You were fine. Even though you could smell his cologne from here, that deep, submersive spice that used to drive you wild. Was currently driving you wild.

But then he glanced at you for a moment and you knew you weren’t going to escape this unscathed. "Listen, about the other day-" he began.

"You don't have to explain yourself,” you hurried to say. “Our thing is over. Sleep with whoever you want." The lie burned on the way out, but you had to say it. You had to move on.

"Yeah, but that’s the thing. I wasn't sleeping with her. She's a client that's been hounding me about her build. She crossed a line by coming to where I live."

"Oh.” That explained the angry look on his face that day. But it didn’t change the fact that your arrangement had only been sex. At least for him. It wasn’t his fault your stupid heart got involved. “Well, I still meant what I said anyway."

There was another long pause as he knelt lower, exchanging his screwdriver for a set of pliers. "I haven't been seeing anyone else," he said quietly.

"Alright," you said, trying to keep the question out of your tone. It wasn’t your business whether he wanted to see other people or not. After all, hadn’t your agreement started because neither of you had much time for traditional dating anyway? And when he did decide to start seeing people again...you just didn’t want to know.

He sat down his tools and slid the window back into place.

"I don't want to see anyone else, Y/N."

You gave him the same noncommittal grunt he’d given you before, offering him back his flashlight.

Namjoon sighed and took it from you. "Right. I know you can't imagine it unless I show you, so..."

A warm hand slid behind your neck, calloused fingertips grazing your skin as he tilted your head back. Then he was kissing you, gentle at first, testing your reaction. Bolder when you closed your eyes and leaned into him, his teeth catching your lower lip. It hit you then, the loss you had faced without his lips on you like this. Momo was right. You had missed him so much, his taste, his touch, the comforting smell of him, like sun-warmed oak and rich autumn. All Namjoon. No one could kiss you the way he did, take everything you had and fill you to the brim in the same instant.

It was over too soon, his lips pulling away from yours an instant reminder that things weren’t like this between you. That it was over. That your arrangement was done and whatever confused feelings you had built up during weren’t his responsibility. That you were only trying to get over him.

You tried to lean away, to put distance between you, but Namjoon’s hand at the small of your back held you in place.

"I like you, princess,” he said quietly. “A lot."

And no amount of intelligence, degrees, or expertise could moderate the ingenious words that came out of your mouth in response.

“Me too,” you said with a slow blink. His eyes widened a little in surprise before he was kissing you again.

“Really?” he said breathlessly, lips still hovering against yours.

You had no more words, so you answered again with your lips against his, relishing the taste of him, pressing your body against the warmth of his chest. Your fingers tightened in the soft fabric of his shirt as his words circled through your head. I like you .

“Please tell me you’re not already seeing someone else,” he breathed.

How could you be? When he was all you dreamt about, all you spent your days and nights craving. He frowned a little at your silence.

“Should I be jealous?”

It was your turn to offer him one of his teasing smirks. “Only if it makes you want me more.”

The front door burst open then, both of you whipping your heads to see Momo fly through the apartment and emerge from her room with a couple of easels and supplies in hand.

"Sorry, forgot my brushes! Please continue your make-up coitus. I’m leaving!"

She was gone as quick as she had come and you and Namjoon melted into laughter before his hand was at your cheek, his lips pressing against your forehead this time.

“I’ve missed you. Not just the sex, but you. I miss your smile. Your laugh. The bossy way you tell me to clean my apartment. The fire in your eyes when you get excited. I miss waking up with you and taking forty-five minutes to decide what to order for breakfast. I miss the weird way you’re so meticulous about everything, but will spontaneously drag me away to an impromptu concert in the park. I miss….everything about you.”

The pressure was already welling up behind your eyes, but you kept them closed. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I woke up alone in that villa after the wedding. You didn’t call or text me, and I knew our deal was technically done so I wanted to give you your space. I didn't want to suddenly unload that I'd been into you for months-"

That had your eyes open, meeting his with no small amount of shock. "Months?"

"I didn’t realize it until we were at your charity dinner,” he continued. “But it had been building for a while before that. You’re very charming, you know, once you get past all the anal-retentiveness.”

A disjointed laugh escaped you, one you couldn’t control.

"What is it?"

"I realized it at the hospital,” you said, the memory of those sprouting feelings thick in your throat. “When you held your nephew I thought, 'I could see myself with this man, having him hold our baby just like that.' It scared me that I could feel like that about someone I've only known for a few months. And scared me more that you wouldn't feel the same, so..."

"I do. I do feel the same. God, I've stood outside your door so many times telling myself to just ring the bell and talk to you, but I...I didn’t want to bring you something you didn’t want in your life. I didn’t want you to run away from me, screaming into the night. But when Momo reached out I decided I'd tell you. No matter what happened after, I wouldn’t be afraid."

You kissed him then, so soft and tender.

“I won’t run. I want you. I want you in my life, Kim Namjoon.”

“You have me, then.”

The kiss that followed expanded in the room, clearing the space and releasing an air so fresh it felt like you hadn’t breathed since you left him in that bed. He lifted you into his arms, still kissing you, and carried you into your bedroom, collapsing you both onto your bed. You spent years kissing, decades, millennia just reacquainting yourselves with the taste of each other, with the heat and feel of being in one another’s arms again. His lips trailed away finally, grazing down your cheek, your jaw, against your neck.

"I think this is the part where I ask you to be my girlfriend," he murmured against your skin.

"Your…" Your brain froze for the hundredth time that night.

"I'm crazy about you, Y/N. You drive me up the wall. So I’m happy to live on the ceiling with you."

“Are you sure? I’m a little...intense. I work crazy hours. I’m not a poster child for even tempers.”

His hand was at your cheek, tilting your head forward so he could press a soft kiss against your forehead. “I know you, princess. And I want every single bit of you.”

“Joon…”

His kiss was his response, filling you to the brim with everything you had been missing, craving, wanting with every breath, this kiss, only his kiss, only him.

He sat up and pulled off his t-shirt, exposing the thick, taut planes of muscle along his torso and arms, an exhilarating sight you had missed dearly. His hands went for his jeans, but you leaned up quickly and reached out to stop him.

“Sorry,” he said in quick apology, pink blossoming on his cheeks. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed-”

You cut him off with a rough kiss, your own fingers undoing the button and dragging down his zipper while you caressed his tongue.

“These are mine to take off now, Mr. Kim,” you purred.

You felt his smile before you saw it.

“As long as I get to return the favor, princess.”

Once you had both made quick work of each other’s clothes, you were drawn back together by your lips, magnetized, unable to resist the other’s draw.

“I’ve missed you so much,” you panted, echoing his earlier sentiment. Life without this, being able to melt into his arms, feeling the heat of his body against your own, the wide stretch of his hands caressing your skin. There was no comparison for which life you preferred.

“Show me,” he whispered with a soft kiss at the corner of your lips. “Show me how much you’ve missed me.”

You slid yourself from his arms and scooted away from him on the bed. When he reached for you again you gently pressed his hands back and shook your head. You leaned back against your pillows and slowly drew your knees closer, letting your legs fall open and bared yourself to him.

Namjoon released an almost feral groan, the sound swollen with want.

You dragged your fingers down your slick sex, circling your clit before dipping your fingers inside. “I’ve missed you here,” you said, giving in to the satisfying feel of your fingers while aching for the feel of him at the same time. “Your tongue, your hands. Your big cock filling me up. You’re all I think about when I touch myself like this.”

His erection, the prettiest, deep pink color, twitched at his lap, bobbing slow against his stomach. He clenched his fists, clearly fighting the urge to reach out and take you.

“Let me fill you, baby.” His voice ground deep, scratching you at the edges with his desire. Your eyelids fluttered at the sound.

You’d wanted to tease him a little, to feel his cock in your mouth again, to take your time re-immersing yourself in all of him. But watching him kneel in front of you on your bed, seeing how badly he wanted you, staring at the expanded dark of his eyes as they followed your every move, watching his tongue dart out and wet his plush lips in hunger and anticipation. You lost all patience.

All it took was one slow nod and Namjoon was on you, hands, teeth, tongue, everywhere, all of him. He pulled away long enough to reach into your bedside table and pull out a condom. You watched as he rolled the latex down his thick shaft, then the slow drag of his eyes back up to you. You didn’t move for a moment, didn’t breathe, exchanging something mystifying with him in that stare, something so intricately woven into the energy between the two of you that there were no words to do it justice.

“Y/N,” Namjoon said quietly, that pretty blush still dusting his soft cheeks. You crooked a finger, beckoning him to come to you. And your Namjoon, who was so often rough with you, took you tenderly by the hips and laid you back into the bed, his lips a gentle seal as he slid inside you.

The feeling of Namjoon sinking into you, the force of him stretching your walls was a rebirth. Your cells came alive, began to sing with life.

“God, you’re so beautiful,” he breathed between deep presses of his hips between your legs.

You lifted up to meet him in response, following your instincts, pressing into him with more force than either of you had been expecting. You wanted him, all of him, right now and forever.

“Patience, baby girl,” he cooed against your mouth. “Let me savor you.”

You tilted your head back, leaning away from his lips and rolling your hips against him again. “Later. Right now, I want you to devour me.”

With a soft chuckle, he leaned up and one-by-one pulled your legs up over his shoulders. In a slow rhythm that sped to a speeding pound, he thrust himself into you, eyes on you, on his cock sliding in and out of your heat.

“Ffffffuck.” The word was a slow rip out of his mouth, undressing the last layers of passion between you. You clenched around him and his thighs shook against you.

“Princess, if you do that I’m not going to last at all.”

You tightened around him again, hoping he could see the wicked intent in your smile.

He groaned. “We can play later. Be my good girl right now. I want to cum with you. It’s been too long.”

You melted at his gentle demand, any desire for games and toying dissipating. You joined him in his longing, sank into the searing desire of him. Your hands reached up and pulled him down against you, legs slipping from his shoulders, and met his mouth with yours. He slipped into you a little deeper and the feeling arched your body against his chest, pressing you close, skin to skin, fiery heat to heat. You dragged your nails across the skin of his back and he sank into you again and again.

His lips found your breasts, teasing the flesh, the nipple with the wet of his tongue, with soft bites that had your body lifting to meet him, clenching around him without your control.

Namjoon’s movements became erratic. “I’m close,” he panted between your breasts. You didn’t have to say anything for him to know that you were too. Your body spoke well enough, meeting each of his thrusts with your quickly cresting need.

He moaned aloud, the sound heady and lush as you came, as you squeezed him so tight and he came undone along with you, bodies in sync unraveling the layers of pleasure between you and leaving you bare and sweating and deeply satisfied.

“What, no bite marks?” you joked between huffing breaths once you collapsed into the bed. “No stinging skin on my ass? This is new territory, Joon.”

He leaned down and kissed your lips so softly you thought you might cry.

“Having you back in my life put me in a more gentle mood tonight,” he murmured, then pressed a teasing bite into your earlobe. “I’ll make sure next time it hurts.”

You lay curled together in your bed for a long time after, his hand at your hip, stroking the skin there in nonsensical shapes, his lips giving you a thousand little kisses. Being back in his arms, seeing his beautiful face, his gentle smile as he lay there with you, had brought a light back to your heart that you hadn’t felt in weeks.

“I know better than to leave here without a clear answer from you,” he spoke softly into your hair. “Will you be with me?”

For the first time in your life, you truly didn’t want to run. You didn’t feel so afraid, so worried about what might come next. Instead, you felt anchored, as though you had always been floating and were finally learning what it felt like to be on solid ground. So you said the only word that mattered to the only person that mattered to you like this.

“Yes.”

August — Namjoon

Epilogue

“Baby, I know it’s after dark, but why am I staring at your glorious tits right now?”

Namjoon continued to wipe his chest down with a towel.

“He...he pissed on me. I had to take off my shirt.”

Your peels of laughter almost made getting hit by his nephew’s deadshot stream bearable. His nephew’s diaper successfully changed and finally asleep for the night, Namjoon headed into the kitchen and grabbed you both a beer, joining you on his couch. You had spent the day together babysitting, and as enjoyable as that was, he was happy now to be able to focus on just the two of you.

You had been together almost a year, and in that time you essentially paid for an apartment you didn't use. Most nights you spent at his place, and even days where you worked the night shift and slept wrapped up in his sheets. He enjoyed coming home on those days and waking you up with a kiss.

“Now that he’s asleep, I have something to show you, actually.” He got up and winked at your curious face, hurrying into his office and returning with the little box he’d been hiding for a while. “I’ve been keeping a little secret.”

Sitting it on the table in front of you he carefully pulled out the little miniature home model, his best interpretation of the dream home you’d shared with him all those months ago.

“Joon…” you said, hand over your mouth as soon as you saw it.

"I started working on it after you described it to me. Of course, I had to get a little creative, but maybe it’ll help you get closer to that idea of home? If you'll let me, I'd love to build it for you. Maybe...for us?"

It was cliché, but it choked him up any time he saw your happiness bubble over into tears, which your eyes were threatening to do right now.

“It can’t just be for me. What about you?” you asked, practical as always. “What about your dream?”

He scooted a little closer to you, cupping your hand in his. "I hand people the keys to their dream houses all the time. And I still don't know what kind I’d build for myself. But I do know that you're my home, Y/N. And I pinch myself every day trying to remember that you're not a dream. I’ll do anything to help you find yours."

“Joon, I...I…”

You hadn’t said it yet. Neither had he. You text each other hearts, you made love in bed because sometimes the sex between you could only be described in that way. But for you, saying those words to him, to anyone was still uncomfortable territory. He didn’t blame you. You still hadn’t mended things with your father, still had scars you were working through over the concept of those eight letters. But the words were never what mattered to him.

“You don’t have to say it. I don’t need to hear it. You show me your heart every day. And I feel the same, baby. I feel the same.”

You still looked worried, like there was something you couldn’t choose how to express. You blinked and your tears finally broke free. He reached up a thumb and brushed them away, returning the gentle smile that lit up your beautiful face.

“I want to walk down the same path with you.”

As usual, you could cut to the heart and say something so powerful it threatened to knock him off his feet. There were matching tears in Namjoon’s eyes a moment later. He hugged you against him, enveloping you in his embrace.

“Then I’m ready to walk together.”

[rocksandrobots]

Phantoms of the Past Ch. 44 - Mission Possible: Part 3

"Eep! I can't believe I'm inside Big Hero Six's Headquarters!" Mole squeed. "Oh, oh, what does this do?"

He ran to pick up a probe-looking tool off a work desk. He pressed a button and electricity fizzled between the four electrodes at the end.

"Aah, it's a stun weapon prototype," Hiro warned as he snatched the staff out of Mole's hands. Then to the rest of the newcomers, he added, "Be careful of some of the equipment laid out, a lot of it is still in the experimental stage."

"It's a pretty impressive setup you got here." Ron complimented as he viewed the super suits lined along the wall.

"I'll say," Kim agreed, "You made all of this yourself?"

"Most of it," Hiro replied. "Including our main computer system." He walked over to the controls and turned the screen on. "You said you can track this Drakken guy using a computer?"

Kim shook her head. "I can't, but I know someone who can."

She pulled out a green handheld device and pressed a button; out popped a USB connector.

"May I?"

"Be my guest." Hiro agreed and stepped aside.

Kim plugged in the device and pressed a button. The view screen lit up and on the other side was another young man, close to their age. He was husky, dressed in jeans and tee-shirt with a the model of an atom printed on it, and he was sporting a recently grown mustache. He appeared to be sitting in some sort of lab and behind him was a hadron collider.

He gave a wide smile upon seeing who had called him. "Hey, Kim. What's the sitch?"

"Hey Wade-"

"Wade!? Wade Load!?" Wasabi interrupted. "You know the Wade Load? The inventor of Thermal Imaging Spectrometer Goggles!"

Wade seemed surprised by such enthusiasm but quickly shrugged it off and gave another affable smile. "Hey you're Gari, right? I read your paper on laser optics. It was really interesting. I think you might be onto something regarding newer surgery equipment."

Wasabi stood there dumbstruck for half a second before whispering. "Wade Load knows who I am? Wade Load knows who I am."

Baymax was quickly on hand with a paper bag for Wasabi to blow into.

"You'll have to forgive Wasabi." Hiro apologized. "It's not everyday you get to meet one of the leading scientists in optical engineering."

"You should talk." Wade laughed heartily. "You're Hiro Hamada aren't you? I saw your presentation on microbots. It's a shame that that supervillain got ahold of them."

"Uh.. yeah." Hiro awkwardly agreed.

Wade didn't seem to notice that he had hit upon a sore topic. Instead he leant forward and eagerly asked. "Hey, is it true that you and your brother are working on time travel?"

Varian shook his head from the back. "Nah, we're done with the time travel stuff. I'm back to building an interdimensional portal instead."

"Even cooler!" Wade exclaimed enthusiastically. "I can't wait till you're ready to present it."

Hiro softly chuckled. "Yeah, we'll be sure to save you a ticket."

"As... interesting as all this nerd stuff is." Kim interceded. "Can we get back to the ... you know... the whole tracking Drakken down."

"He crashed the convention, didn't he?" Wade stated calmly. "What's he up to this time?"

"No idea." Ron said as he pulled out a bag of chips to share with his pet. "But he mentioned something about 'collecting the older superheroes'..."

He went to take a bite of the chip when suddenly something furry and covered in stripes dropped down from the ceiling and swiped the food right out of his and Rufus's hands.

"Hey!"

"Ruddiger!" Varian got onto his own pet and gave chase after the raccoon around the meeting room.

Everyone groaned.

"What's the raccoon doing here, Varian?" Gogo bemoaned.

"Aunt Cass has a catering job coming up. I had to keep him away from the Lucky Cat till it's over with, and I knew Wasabi wouldn't want him in the back dorm."

"You got that right!"

As Varian finished giving this explanation Ruffus caught up with Ruddiger and the two pets started to engage in a tug-a-war for the bag of chips.

As Varian and Ron rushed to separate their waring pets, Wade pulled up a computer readout on his end.

"Hmmm… according to the spy satellite I just hacked, it looks like there are large energy spikes coming from the docks of San Francisco, and some low level radiation. I'd bet you anything that's Drakken's work alright."

"You… you just casually broke into a high security military satellite?" Hiro squeaked.

Wade shrugged. "Oh sure, I do it all the time. The government pays me to test their defense systems and it comes in handy when superheroing."

"We're not superheroes." Kim insisted.

"If you say so, Kim." Wade smiled.

"Can you get a fix on where the energy reading is coming from?" Hiro asked.

Wade shook his head. "Not from this far out. The energy spikes seem to be random surges from various locations in the area. It'd take some time to triangulate them."

"Then can you send us a copy of those readings? Baymax and I can fly over there and get closer reading-"

"Or you could just head over to 1375 Fairview Ave, and save yourself a trip."

Everyone turned to look at Mole.

The pre-teen didn't pay attention to thier surprised expressions as he scrolled through his phone.

"It went off the market on Lairs4Rent last week, last comments were an enquiry by a Dr. D, and it's down by the docks where all those energy spikes are." Mole continued as he spun around in circles on the swivel chair.

"See!?" Fred yelled. "I told you we weren't utilizing all of our sources!"

"Lairs4Rent…huh?" Kim echoed.

"You know, we're going to have to remember that site for later." Ron added, as he finished rescuing both Rufus and the chips from the ravenous raccoon.  

"Uh, Mole, how did you even know about this Lairs4Rent?" Hiro asked.

"Oh, I have a few spare warehouses I rent out from time to time." Mole explained.

"You do business with supervillains!?" Fred screeched.

"Hey, money is money. Besides it's not my business what my clientele choose to use the space for. So long as they pay the deposit then it's against my ethics to discriminate."

"Yeah, that's exactly what a Mole would say." Fred seethed.

"Oh and like taking the moral high ground has gotten you anywhere. You'd all be wasting hours trying to calculate the bad guys' whereabouts without me." Mole huffed.

"Fine." Hiro sighed, stepping in between them. "Thank you, Mole. Your assistance was invaluable."

Mole beamed at the complement before blowing a raspberry at Fred. Both Hiro and Varian had to hold him back from tackling the younger teen.

"Alright, so we know where he is." Gogo said. "But what's the game plan for when we get there? The guy has freaky plant powers."

"He does, but he has limited control over them." Kim explained.

"Though he is getting better." Ron interjected. "You know what they say, practice makes perfect."

"Still, we need a way to neutralize it…" Varian thought out loud and then he snapped his fingers. "Got it! Carotenoids!"

"We break down the chlorophyll and cause his plant monsters to wilt." Honey Lemon jumped in, knowing precisely what he was talking about.

"Exactly!"

"That's brilliant!" Wade said. "You can speed up the process using natural weed killer agents."

"Yeah, and we have my portals." Varian turned to Honey Lemon. "Remember how I made the vinegar? We can do the same thing to the plants."

"Is it safe?" Honey Lemon questioned. "I mean it's still in the experimental stage and-"

"And it'll be fine. It's not like you have to be precise with it."

"You wanna explain to the rest of class what you're planning?" Wasabi asked.

"I can turn the portable portals into localized time vortexes."

"That sounds incredibly dangerous and I don't like it." Wasabi huffed.

"Leeeet's go with the weed killer idea for now and save the time vortex as a backup." Hiro cautiously suggested.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Ron said as he started heading for the door. "Let's go kick some man-eating plant butt!"

"Alright, everyone, suit up." Hiro said.

As everyone gathered the last of their needed equipment, Hiro and Kim said goodbye to Wade.

"I'll stay online if you need me," Wade said, "and relay anything else the satellites pick up."

"What about me?" Mole whined. "Don't I get a super suit?"

"Umm, no." Hiro replied.

"B-but.. but.."

"You can't be trusted with one. You're staying here." Gogo ordered.

"But I'm the one who found him!" Mole huffed.

"And that's great, but you're not ready to go on field missions." Hiro explained.

Mole gasped. "You mean I might be ready some day?"

"Uhhhh…"

"You mean if I train really, really hard I might get to be a part of the team?"

"Uhhh…."

"And I'll get my very own super suit!?"

"Uhhhh…"

"No!" Shouted Fred from across the room.

"No one asked you, Fred!"

"And what happens if the rest of us say no?" Wasabi asked.

"Then I shall proceed to use every trick in the book until I get what I want. Starting with the puppy-eyed stare."

And with that, Mole gave Wasabi a pitiful, wide-eyed pout.

"Gah, no, not the pouty face!" Wasabi yelled as he threw his hands up in front of his own face. "How can I say no to those big hazel eyes!?"

"Oh, I know how to solve this." Honey Lemon. "We'll just do the same thing as last time. One Amnesia-tino coming up!"

She scurried back towards the lab with a wide smile. Varian chased after her, Ruddiger still in his arms.  

"Uh.. umm….Honey? Honey!? No!"

Kim watched them leave, not entirely sure what an 'amnesia-tino' was, before bending down to talk to the kid herself.

"Listen, every team needs a man on the outside. You know, someone who provides intel and backup from homebase. Like Wade, here. He hardly ever goes on missions, but we'd be lost without him. Why don't you start your training with him? If you stay here, he can give you a few pointers."

"Yeah sure." Wade nodded. "Stick with me, little buddy, and I'll show you the ropes. The heroes can't do anything without support."

"Well… okay…" Mole reluctantly agreed. "But. This is just temporary! I still expect to get my own super suit… eventually."

Hiro silently mouthed her a 'thank you' over the boy's head.

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

"Spotted anything yet?" The Fearless Ferret said over a walkie-talkie as he hunched over a gargoyle.

"Nothing my old friend," came Captain Fancy's irritating voice. ",but evil can not hide from the light of truth forever."

Miracle Maiden snorted behind him at that.

"Really, Hank, can't we for once drop the hokie speeches?"

"Now where's the fun in that?" Hank replied.

The Ferret rolled his eyes. "Now don't start, you two. We got a job to do, and those kids are counting on us, remember?"

"Oh come on Tim, don't pretend like you're not enjoying this too." Hank yelled as he flew by. The super did a somersault in the air in front of them before flying on.

"Show-off." Tim huffed under his breath.

Miracle Maiden smiled and gave him a gentle nudge.

"Oh, don't be such a resmungão. This really is just like old times, you know. How often do we get to come out of retirement?"

Tim tried to hold back a chuckle and failed. "Since when did you ever retire to begin with Lima?"

Lima shrugged. "Never, but supervillains these days just aren't as common anymore. Looks like we did our jobs too good." She winked.

Just as she finished saying this, Hardlight flew by on his hover disk.

"What were you saying about supervillains not being common anymore?"

"So there's some young startups now trying to make a name for themselves," Lima said as she pulled her spear out of its sheath, "he hasn't fought any real superheroes yet. Once we're through with him, he'll be the one retiring."

She let out a battle cry and jumped across to the next rooftop.

Tim sighed and pulled out his grappling gun. "Hey, Hank. That new hotshot, Hardlight, just started heading towards the docks."

"On it!" Hank responded before Tim put the walkie-talkie away and swung him himself over to the next building using the grappling gun.

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

The supers caught up with Hardlight at a warehouse down by the docks.

"Hahaha! Let's see if you old timers can keep up." He laughed before flying through the window of the uppermost story.

Captain Fancy followed after him, only to suddenly hit an invisible wall. It glowed neon pink from where he had smacked into it.

"Nuh-uh-nuh." Hardlight wagged his finger at them."You don't get to speedrun this. You got to start on the first level."

He then pressed a button on his glove and the entire building was bathed in purple light. All save for the front door.

"My game, my rules. If you wanna make it to the boss, you have to beat my maze fair and square. No shortcuts, no cheats, and no complaining."

"And if we refuse to play along?" The Ferret asked from below.

"Then I guess you won't win your prize, now will you? See ya at the finish line." He gave them a salute and then disappeared from view.

Fancy rejoined his friends upon the ground, rubbing his sore forehead. "Sooo... this is a trap right?"

"Oh, totally a trap." Lima agreed, never taking her eyes off the light fortress.

The Ferret straightened up to his full height and marched forward. "Then let's spring it."

"Ummm... Tim?" Fancy flew after him. "You know, I've been thinking. Maybe we should ask for backup?"

"Backup!?" Tim whirled around to face his friend.

"Well, yeah. I mean we've never faced this guy before, and he seems to have some pretty unique powers."

Lima rolled her eyes. "So he has some fancy tech. It's nothing we haven't faced before."

"All I'm saying is, maybe we should ask those new kids what they know about him. They might have some useful knowledge about how his tech works and what weakness it might have."

Tim raised an eyebrow at him. "And you're not just saying that, because you won't be able to fly around in there?"

Hank stiffened. "Well, at least I have superpowers."

"I have a superpower, my stunning intellect."

Fancy doubled over with laughter. "You mean you're good at guessing multiple choice during trivia night."

The Ferret stepped forward and stood up on tiptoe till he was nose to nose with the pompous Captain. "I swear, one of these days Hank..."

"Why not today?" Fancy smugly smiled back. "You and me, one on one."

"Brain vs Brawn. The first man to capture the villain wins."

"You're on."

"Ugh! Just kiss already and move out of the way," Lima said as she pushed past the two men. She marched up to the door and ripped it off its hinges with her super strength.

Her colleagues followed after into the dark hall, eyeing each other challengingly.

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

Kim looked out the window of the moving car to see the other superheroes flying, jumping, and skating around them. Meanwhile, She, Ron, and Rufus rode with Wasabi and Varian.

"So how do you know Wade?" Wasabi asked, making small talk. "Do you both go to MIT too?"

Ron shook his head. "Oh no. I actually graduated four years ago, and Kim here attends Yale."

"I'm getting a doctorate in political science." Kim explained, almost sheepishly.

"Impressive. "Wasabi nodded.

"Oh, it's no big."

"And you said you already graduated. What do you do now? Full-time superheroing?"

"More like full-time job hunting." Ron groaned. "I do marketing and sales. It pays well, but it's all gig-based. So you're constantly networking trying to land the next job."

"Oh, but you have gotten a lot of work from those restaurants, recently." Kim pointed out.

"That's true. It pays the bills anyways." Ron laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I guess we're not doing too bad."

Kim smiled back at him before continuing the conversation. "So what about you two? Are you still in school as well?"

"We both go to SFIT," Varian explained. "We're both physics majors, technically."

"Technically?"

"I prefer alchemy, but the dean said that wasn't a viable degree."

Kim tilted her head at that but decided not to press the matter further. "Oh, well, are you going for your Bachelor's degree?"

Varian shrugged. "I don't know if I'll even graduate, yet."

"Don't say that." Wasabi snapped. "You're graduating even if I have to drag you to class myself."

"Now you just sound like Honey Lemon."

"Then we'll both drag you to class. What makes you think we're just going to let you flunk out?"

"I'm not talking about failing. I'm only going to SFIT for my dad. It's not a priority or anything."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

Varian shrugged. "I don't know. As in I literally don't know what I'll do; maybe I'll graduate, maybe I'll switch majors, or maybe I'll quit and get a job. I could sell an award-winning novel. There are lots of things I can do. I'm not locked into anything."

Wasabi rolled his eyes. "You can't just drift aimlessly like that. You need a plan."

"Oh, and what's your plan?" Varian folded his arms.

"Step one. Get my Undergrad. Step two. Apply for my Masters. Step three. Graduate with my Masters."

"Then what?"

"Then what?" Wasabi echoed hoarsely.

"Yeah, so far all you've listed is school. You can't stay in school forever. What do you wanna do afterward?"

"Ummmm..."

"You've no idea."

"Uhhhh..."

Kim reached out from the backseat and patted Wasabi on the shoulder.

"It's okay. Finally graduating can be stressful. I don't know what I'm going to do after the next semester either."

"Are you freaking out over finals too?" Wasabi asked.

"Totally."

"And job applications?"

"And interviews."

"And thesis papers."

"Not to mention... presentations of those papers."

Both she and Wasabi shuddered simultaneously at the thought.

"Oh, you worry too much KP." Ron chided. "You can literally do anything. I'm with Varian on this one. It'll all work out."

He pulled out his last bag of taco-flavored chips from his pocket as he said this, but no sooner did he open the bag then did a certain troublesome raccoon sneak out of the trunk of the car, snatch the bag out of his hands, and ran dashed towards the front seat.

"Hey!"

"What's he doing here?"

"Ruddigger!"

"Get back here you chip thief!"

 hiss

"Varian!"

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

From above Hiro wondered what could possibly be happening inside Wasabi's car as it began to swerve all over the road. He was about to ask over the intercom if everything was alright when Baymax pointed ahead.

"I have pen-pointed the energy fluctuations."

Hiro followed the robot's finger and that's when he saw it; a giant purple-glowing tower looming over the docks. Hiro pressed his finger to his helmet's intercom.

"Uh, guys... I think we've found Drakken.... and I think he's working with Hardlight."

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

Lima finished punching the last of the light bats.

"Ha! This is most amusing! Wouldn't you agree, amigos?"

Tim grumbled something in response as he pulled the end of his cape out of the jaws of a giant pink bear trap. He was ignored, as his friends ran on ahead as the barrier to the next room disappeared.

"Come on slowpoke, or I'm going to win the bet," Hank called back to him.

"How many more of these rooms are there?" Tim complained as he entered what looked like a large arena. That was when the door behind them closed and Hardlight's voice sounded out over a speaker system.

"Congratulations. You're almost there, but first, it's mini-boss time!"

Grating electronic music blasted out of the speakers and fog filled the room.

The three supers tightened around each other to create a defensive circle.

Then they heard a buzzing noise overhead. They looked up to see a gigantic fly made of blue light swooping down at them!

All three heroes dodged out of the way quickly as it landed. Tim however was not fast enough.

The fly lowered its bulbous head and snatched the Ferret up between its saw-like jaws, catching his cape once more.

"Put me down you overgrown pest," Tim yelled as he swung in midair.

Lima came to his rescue. She ran up and punched the legs right out from under the insect. It opened its mouth and released the Ferret who landed on the ground with a hard "oof!".

The creature then tried to fly away from the aggressive woman, only for Captain Fancy to pursue it. He mounted the overly large housefly like you would a steer-bull and grabbed it by its wings, pulling back on them hard. The fly crashed to the floor with a heavy thud and a now recovered Ferret used his grappling hook to entrap the monster.

It let out a feeble buzz before exploding into a harmless puff of smoke.

"Well done!" Hardlight clapped over the intercom. "Now for your final challenge. Get ready to meet the Boss."

An open door appeared on the other end of the hall. The trio exchanged meaningful looks before entering the darkened room together.

Try as they might, the trio attempted to pierce the darkness but nothing could be seen. Suddenly a spotlight flared up at one end of the opposite end of the room. They took up defensive positions, ready for anything.

Almost ready for anything that is. They were expecting more light monsters, or Hardlight himself, they did not expect a familiar blue figure to slowly and calmly walk into the spotlight.

"Hello, I'm the Boss." Drakken smiled.

Before the supers could react, vines had snaked around their ankles and they were suddenly lifted off the ground. All the lights turned on and they were each thrown into glass tubes that stood beside complicated machinery.

Lima got one good punch in and managed to crack the glass case before electronic neuro-rings were placed upon each of their heads.

The rings lit up and the supers' eyes glazed over. They stood inside the tubes stiff and erect, unconscious to the world.

"Thanks for playing." Hardlight cheerfully mocked as he hovered above the scene.

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

                     Notes:        

We're hosting a Secret Santa on the Discord. Sign ups will still be open though the weekend and gift will be presented on Jan. 6th. The 12th day of Christmas.

https://discord.gg/6GNMTTe49r

[lovee-infected]

Hello! ♥ Can I request headcanons or oneshot (whichever is easier) about how the twst boys react when they discover that MC is a girl, because they thought MC was a pretty boy, someone like Epel, when an unexpected rain happens during flying class and they can see the silhouette of the breasts or the vibrantly colored bra under the wet T-shirt 👀

At some point they all go : “My expectations for you were low , but holy f ”

Riddle Rosehearts

Class 2 E had to take Riddle who crashed the ground from the 20 meter height to the nurse office afterwards

His pe grades were already horrifying and with those two tips of something he saw under your wet clothes , it isn't really strange to end up in bed

Thankfully he doesn't end up with a broken leg , but that seemed way better than having this broken sanity now : (y/n) is a girl...?

He gets red but not of any anger , instead embarrassment . He has been treating you too casually good lord , he is never the same with girls

Riddle doesn't talk to you for a few days because he now realizes how lame your relationship may seem ; many things he should have done , many things he shouldn't have done

Would things still be the same ? Well it has to be he , thought . After all you didn't ever hide anything or lie about your gender , it was his misunderstanding

Well now , maybe he wants to treat you a bit... softer ?

Trey Clover

He isn't terrified by the gender , he is terrified by the way he saw it : Wet clothes , squishy big things under your shirt with a visible color...

He sweats at even saying it by word he wasn't ; he wasn't expecting that at all

He tries to hide his blush but that doesn't really work ; everyone knows that Trey isn't one to blush easily

He decides that it's better to skip the class now ( His eyes need some fresh air) . Just a few hours away , and he seems to be already used to it

He has to admit that it's somehow creepy to see the guy who you always liked having around is actually a girl , but he decides to pretend that he already knew it

Male or female , you're the same to him . The lovely and adorable (y/n) you always were

But still , this got him thinking...does he need to treat you like a girl sometimes ? Stuff that just girls do , say or like ?

Cater Diamond

He... notices the big deal when he's taking a rainy day selfie with you . He is making sure that you both look good but suddenly his eyes lay at the sight of your chest through his phone...

His eyes grow wider and he doesn't notice when he presses the button : The sound of his phone's flash almost made him drop it

You ask if he's alright but Cater just gives you a nervous laugh and say that the phone just slipped for a second . He neither shows you the pic you just took nor agrees on taking a second one when you ask him to

He leaves in pretext of picking his umbrella up but instead , runs to a corner where you couldn't see him : He brings that selfie from his gallery and zooms on your chest . He wants to make sure of what he just saw

Which one's worse ? The neon pink bra under your T-shirt or the... clearly visible tip of your nipple under it ? Damn you are laying your breasts on his hand in the pic...

He quickly saves it though his private albums . On the second thought , he sends all pictures he had from you to that folder as well

Well , he'll get used to it right? Perhaps he can now flirt more comfortably with you knowing that you're actually a girl . The only important thing for him is too make sure that no one ever finds out about photos he has on that private folder ; the one he keeps specifically for you

Deuce Spade

"E-eh??" Remember what happened with Eliza ? This is the second version of it . Even during his rage days ( Wild yellow hair and random fights with others) he lacked the ability to even say hi to a girl . And here he is now spending all those days together without knowing that you were a girl !??

His whole personality almost cracks for a second . All those dirty stuff other first years had shared about girls flashes before his eyes . He wasn't damn prepared -

He couldn't be any more thankful that you couldn't see the horrifying scenes and sounds through his mind at the moment- He just leaves before you could even see him blush

Ace doesn't stop teasing him though , late at the night inside Heartslabyul's , Ace is walking on his nerves asking him to tell what's wrong . Ace isn't the only curious one ; soon all his classmates too keep asking Deuce to say what is bothering him

Deuce has decided to keep his mouth shut until he comes over this fact on his own , and he's strong on it . There's no way that he'd let anyone recognize his anxiety with women

He knows his friends better than this and doesn't want to be dared to steal your underwear or poke your breasts in another round of truth or dare

Let's just...hope that things will soon get better for him or , perhaps you can be his chance to overcome his lack of skills with women ?

Ace Trappola

"Holy sh-" He then gets fired from the pe class for his impolite usage of words- ( School rules , right ?) Not that he cares though

Comparing to Deuce , he's a lot better and more experienced especially because he has been in a relationship before... which is both good and bad

The last time he got this close to any girls before you was with his ex-girlfriend ; and to be honest even that relationship didn't brought them as close as you two are now . The thought of going through similar things with a new one even though he no longer thinks about his ex ... that kinda hurts

Maybe he would've died to tell Deuce what he found out if old memories didn't haunt him . He isn't an awkward realizing your gender like Deuce is , but he can tell that it's kinda hard for him to deal with it . Mostly because of how close and dear you are to him now...

He finally realizes that he doesn't deserve carrying the shame and anxiety on his own and tells Deuce ; well at least calming Deuce down will make him pay least attention to his own problems

Leona Kingscholar

He almost chokes- He was standing in the corner without a single drop of water on his hair while you got too wet as if you took a shower with your clothes on

He is teasing you likr always again until he realizes a second color under your white clothes ... no . please don't be

He prefers to imagine that you're a guy having the kink of wearing feminine underwear . He isn't ready to accept that you're a girl and he still denies it after seeing the vibrantly visible bra with his own two eyes

God...he teased you , kicked you , laughted you off and literally stepped on you ; that's what he usually likes to treat others so..? But not a lady , never . He is raised better this to end up neglecting a lady's great level and worth

Now considering how he's been teasing you so far , what did you think of him..? Do you consider him an asshole who has no respect for women due to how he treated you ??

He is really stressed out and doesn't know what to do , he just takes off his own jacket and quickly comes to you , wrapping it around your wet body and hair and taking you to a warmer place . He keeps asking if you're alright ? Didn't you catch a cold ? Do you need a doctor ?

Leona doesn't know if your fascinated gaze means a yes or no , and it isn't going to help

He isn't going to explain himself right now , maybe give it some time ?

The only reason he treated you this casually was because he was comfortable with you and it was all...a way of showing admiration ?

Maybe it gets better when he explains himself

Ruggie Bucchi

His mouth drops open when he realizes the bra as you two were drying yourselves after the rain . (y/n) is a she...!?

He doubts , he would doubt it again if he even takes a closer look . Suddenly his body feels warmer and his cheeks get red . No way...

Ruggie barely talked to any girls other than his own family and even skipped conversations when girls were brought up , he isn't mentally prepared for it !

But now he is changing with you at the same room ?? Wait wait wait- He might act like a brat but he isn't a jerk

He leaves because he's sure that you need some privacy ; all though he still refuses to believe that you're a girl...

You never ever mentioned your gender in front of him and he never asked , but did anyone else know it except him ? He just wouldn't dare to ask

Well girl or not , he doesn't stop teasing you in general ; but also learns not to go too far since it's still hard for you to be wrapped in an all boy school...you need more support

Jack Howl

He doesn't mind going blind after seeing those nipples under your wet T-shirt . He first thought that they were a bit too big for a boy but...he soon realized that they weren't even for a boy-

He had to take a small look between your legs because he couldn't resist- he had to make sure . And NO ! He didn't see what he wished to see there

He still can't make sure ?? Those things usually proved someone being a girl but still , there is no way to make sure unless he asks you ; but how can he ? No way , he'll just melt down

He doesn't mention anything in front of you but tries indirectly bringing the issue of your gender up with Ace and Deuce : Didn't (y/n) tell you two about her schedule today?

" Her...?"

Well great , now Ace and Deuce have joined him on the ‘terrified of your gender’ army . The only way to make sure is either asking you or... stealing something that could prove it . Someone has to get inside your room but which one of them now...?

Azul Ashengrotto

He is vibing with the pleasant rain as it made today's pe sessions a bit better for him . He asks you to join him

He just takes his glasses off for a second to dry them and- BANG

The color of your bra was too visible that he could even see it without his glasses on

He immediately puts them on and takes a better look , well great now he can clearly see your breasts closely . How bad he wished that he went blind for a second...

You don't get why Azul seems to be studying your chest so you ask if something's wrong?

Azul is pulled out of his thoughts and embarrassment takes him over because you realized what he was staring at : Pathetic

Azul excuses himself telling you that he has to take his pills before he returns to his Octopus form and disappears

How dumb he could be not to realize it till now... Beside that - Why the hell didn't those two tall sticks ( a.k.a Floyd and Jade) realize it either !?

God God God...he keeps swallowing his eyes at the thought...

How can he get over the fact that he was being with a girl all this time...?

Floyd Leech

Well of course he is shocked , Shrimpy was supposed to be a guy but he actually is a little girl ? Meh , what a disappointment

Well , body is body to him so he isn't really shocked or freaked out to see , well , those things under your shirt

He might not be that fascinated , but still has doubts . While you two are taking a walk back to Ramshackle dorm , he just doesn't stop staring at your chest and doesn't mind you noticing him either

To be honest , he now seems to be liking it . You were just a kiddo he always enjoyed teasing but now that you're a girl...? How different would things be ? And would the way he treated you make you possibly... have those girlish feelings for him ? Sounds fun

While saying goodbye at your door he stops for a second to say something . You don't quite get what he asked but he knows better himself : " Random question but- are those seriously soft to squeeze ?"

Jade Leech

Just as Floyd , he doesn't mind you being a girl . He actually appreciates you even more now. Night Raven College isn't a place for weak people and still , to think that a small human girl like you could last this long here... Farewell , human beings can be really interesting he can tell

He gently offers you his coat and escorts you to a warmer place , telling you to change into something dry before you catch a cold

Well the first day is nothing different or weird , but the upcoming days prove how creepy he can be...

He doesn't mind popping up out of nowhere to tell you to choose underwears with a less noticable color at school and it just makes you melt ; not just because it's embarrassing to be told so but also because it proved that Jade is watching you

He does do some research on surface females to get to know the differences between what he expected you to be and what you really are better ; not that he has a complaint though

Jamil Viper

He exactly knows what he just saw there and - He can't help but to feel ashamed . For once he leaves without taking Kalim with him , he just forgot him a the moment

He now feels... angry . You never ever shared your gender but it's not like he ever expected you to be a girl . He feels lied to ; you didn't ever tell the truth but didn't lie either ; that bugs him even more because he doesn't know if he's mad at you or not

Well he now knows when someone you thought you know ends up being something totally different ; like the way Kalim saw who he really is...well that's really annoying to think of

Jamil ignores you for a few days until you come to ask why he's avoiding you . He insists that it's nothing all though it's obvious that it is-

Alright , a few days until he cools down . He wants to keep the distance till then

Knowing your gender often makes him feel ashamed of how casually he's been treating you . Well a lot of things are different when it's an all boy school , right ?

He doesn't know if he should act cooler with you from now or pretend that he never saw anything , he needs time to make up his mind

Kalim al Asim

He was giving you a towel to dry yourself when he recognized your clothes . He was actually thinking of bringing you some dry ones when he saw what he wished he didn't saw- Aaah why would you wear such a recognizable bra : " (y/n)..??"

He quickly pulls back and apologizes ; not that you know what he is apologizing for

He returns to Jamil and tells him to leave , he just can't face you right now

There at Scarabia , Kalim tells Jamil everything since he really needs to share some feelings . He asks Jamil if he knew about this and he certainly didn't

Kalim now keeps wondering... how hard might it be for you ? A girl sorrounded by all guys out there , do you feel safe ?

He now has decided to look after you more than he already did , he just doesn't want you feeling any sad or lonely because of your current situation

He always hated loneliness and that's why he needed Jamil around , now it's your turn to have Kalim around so you'll never be alone

Vil Schoenheit

Vil is well familiar with all beauty materials - including feminine underwear - so he quickly realizes both the unusual size of your chest and the vibrantly colored bra under your clothes . He wishes he hadn't

Bearing the fact that he was having a girl beside him all this time is already hard enough , but what makes it worse is what a terrible female he thinks you are now

You seriously do need a start over ! You are no girl if you're this ignorant toward your appearance even as it makes you look like a guy

He spends all night thinking of what he now should do with you . He does know how to manage guys but girls ? That won't be called something he had much experience on

He isn't feeling as comfortable as before with you yet , he decides to give you some lessons to at least pull you out of your non feminine self

He doesn't mind telling you that you have to do a lot more for yourself as you are a girl ; and he says it as if he knew it all this time

He isn't going to turn you into a princess , it's safer for you to remain something between male and female as you are stuck between all these untrustworthy guys , but it doesn't hold him back from giving you some chance to see your female self. He brings you wigs and puts on your makeup , telling you that you sometimes need to show up like this

He still needs some time to feel as comfortable as he used to with you , but spending time with you trying to have a start over is actually helping him to like you even more than he used to

Rook Hunt

Well congrats , for so long no one had ever succeeded to shock Rook like you did ! That's an improvement . He always makes sure not miss a single detail about those he has his eyes on ; yet he failed to even recognize your gender correctly until now

A bit of fascination won't hurt , right ? After all having a boy like Epel beside him makes it really confusing to specify male and female sometimes

To be honest , he now finds you pretty fragile and helpless : Bunny between the beasts

If a hunter like him didn't know it so far , then probably no one else knew it either . So that's his little secret now

This place's a considerably dangerous zone for a lady to step on , and Rook isn't planning on exposing you like this . He isn't a monster after all...

But having Rook of all people knowing your secret is already enough of torture , isn't it ?

Epel Felmier

I-I thought we were the same...???

This can't be true , this shouldn't be ! Please don't be , please , please , please

Epel looked up to you bot only as a reliable and strong friend but also as someone who goes through similar appearance problems as Epel himself did

You made him feel better that he wasn't the only one having problems with looking too similar to girls ; seems like he was wrong

Epel wasn't ever comfortable with getting close to girls , along becoming a friend of them . He even kept you closer than his other friends since the too of you could relate a lot he thought ; now what should he do ?

He is too embarrassed to even look into your eyes now , he even skips classes you two share and in summary , does anything to avoid you for a while

That is said that girls and boys can never be just friends and... that's frustrating

Now , could the two of you ever be as close as you used to be again?

Idia Shroud

Which is worse , realizing that he's been spending all his time with a girl over the past few months or seeing her wet breasts during the class ?Man , that looked just like those anime hentais one would find online...

Beside that , having your gender exposed makes him feel a bit unsafe about his relationship with you ; if even a simple thing such as gender could be different from what he was expecting you , then what greater differences would your reality have from the (y/n) you were into his eyes ?

Idia hardly ever gets to fully trust anyone and now he isn't sure if he could trust you anymore . Well yes gender might be no big deal compared to the fearful thoughts he is having at mind ; but it's enough to send him into his safe zone and stay away from you

His face turns red and hot whenever he thinks of that scene even when he's all alone in his bedroom , God he wasn't prepared-

Ortho finally forces him to tell what's bothering him and when he confesses , Ortho gets really excited . He keeps telling Idia that as a friend , he has to stay by your side specially because you may feel lonely being a girl all on your own . He reminds Idia of the fact that this is what friends do

He now feels sorry for abandoning you like a coward , but he has to admit that it's a bit hard for him to return the old friendship you two had . Well maybe just texting you instead of face to face interaction would be better ?

Malleus Draconia

uh..? A girl...? Child of man caught in an unknown world and... That's a female . You keep fascinating him over and over ever since he met you , it's just another surprise he can tell

He kinda loses all his focus during the pe class after he accidentally notices the unusual knobs popping under your T-shirt ; are you wearing something wrapped around your...chest ?

He first thinks that it may just be somewhat of a brand new clothing trend to wear feminine-like stuff ; but remembering how you never clearly stated your gender , he now understands how wrong he was

He thought that he had you under his watch pretty well , but he even failed to realize your gender correctly ; perhaps he should learn to do it better

Malleus isn't about to treat you any differently just because you ended up being a girl , all though he has to agree that it was a bit shocking . But in general , nothing about your relationship really seems to be gender related

You don't know his name and he didn't know your gender until now ; is this how karma works ? Well that'd be a bit unfair , gender was rather worthless compared to the fear his real identity might bring you

The only thing that may change now is him being more protective over you ; not that he underestimates you but rather because there's no way for you to be totally comfortable in a school filled with rebellious guys . He wants to make sure that his currently favorite human being won't get in much trouble because of that...

Lilia Vanrouge

Eh ? Through out his hundred-year life this would be the most shameful thing he got to face . You might think that he found it to be a disgrace to his long lasting life which is filled with honor and pride ; but in that case you may like to get to know the old man better

He doesn't like being thought of as a pervert ; but it doesn't mean that he didn't enjoy himself either. Naked figures or seductive girls aren't something he gets overly excited about , same goes for you . Well accidents like this can happen everyday , right ? But this one had something rather fun along with it :

From the direct yet neutral gaze he gave your chest , you immediately realized what he was looking at and you pulled back . Lilia didn't expect you to notice it so quickly , but the embarrassed face you gave him afterwards , that was priceless

He giggles softly at the thought , a shy and cute little girl . He isn't really a fan of boys that are overly cute or childish , but when it comes to little girls , that's another story

You had already caught his eyes by being the only human being caught in this school on your own . Well , to see how feeble and shy you sometimes could be , that reminded him of Silver

Now now , what should he do ? Playing the role of a small girl's parents or something ? Doesn't sound that bad

Sebek Zigvolt

Gasp

He's about to lose his mind - he feels like he has saw you totally naked or lurked into your privacy , he feels awful

He runs to another corner to cool down from what he saw - Damn- That scene doesn't get away from his eyes for a second

Well then , take deep breathes , it's cool , it's fine - it's gonna be fine

Sebek wouldn't dare talking to you for sometime after that . His cheeks get warmer whenever he sees you around , making him change his direction to avoid you

When you finally get him to talk to you , he breaks off- He starts apologizing . He swears not to ever peek on your body again and that he won't say a word from what he saw

You probably don't know what he is talking about , but you say okay to calm him down

Sebek isn't used to having girls around but now that he does , he should be really careful . He doesn't want you to think of him as a antisocial chick when it comes to women and he tries his best to be a gentleman in front of you . Man...he really does take it seriously

Silver

A... girl?... Silver's first reaction would be nothing different from blushing and turning back ; what else would you expect him to do ?

He's a simple guy , he doesn't overreact but doesn't feel totally comfortable either

He didn't ever even think of the possibility of you being a girl , he just isn't used to having anyone else than boys in NRC around . You did always look too cute for a guy but still , he didn't see this coming...

(y/n) is a girl...A girl , this thought gets looped inside his brain . He can't stop freaking out over it . It feels like he's been building a sand castle on water all this time and now he's watching it sink . His whole expectations of you seems to be ruined

It gets even worse when the figure of you dressed in a long beautiful dress , holding a brilliant crown of your flowers on your long silky hair haunts him on his dreams - Why on earth do you have to be so beautiful (y/n)..!?

Silver refuses to accept , but he's pretty soft when it comes to girls . He's pretty shy but to have a girl he has been liking for sometime close...his inner self is getting teased - in a pleasant way

He doesn't show up in front of you for a while , but he just can't get the thought of you out of his mind . From reality to dreams , seems like you're always in front of him . As if you really walked with him once upon a dream

[petersasteria]

drivers license - Tom Holland

Pairing: Tom x Singer!Reader Requested? Nah 3,561 words

I was going to write this when the song came out, but as you observed, i wasn't writing bc i wasn't happy anymore. but here it is. enjoy.

Tom || Main || Taglist

* * * *

“I want you to meet my friend. She’s super nice and stuff. Maybe she could sing the soundtrack of one of my short films!” Harry said happily. “Anyway, she’s an amazing singer and she’s inviting me to the recording studio tomorrow. Want to come?”

Harry looked at Tom and waited for his response. The eldest Holland brother opened his mouth to say something, but Sam entered the room and interrupted. “Y/N’s my friend first, you know. I introduced her to YOU.” Sam rolled his eyes. “Besides, I suggested for her to invite you guys. Thank me later.”

“Thank you.” Harry mocked. “So, will you come with me-”

“Us.” Sam corrected. “Will you come with US tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’ll come so both of you can shut up.” Tom laughed before scrolling through his phone again.

Tomorrow came and the three Hollands went to the recording studio where you were currently at. When they got there, you were in the booth recording your song which will be on your first EP. You were just starting in the music industry and you were still testing the waters and finding your sound.

The three men sat down on the couch and listened to you. It was safe to say that Tom immediately fell in love with your voice and he made a mental note to compliment your voice for when you’re done recording. After recording two songs, you were finally taking your break. As soon as you stepped out of the recording booth, Sam ran up to you and engulfed you in a tight hug.

“I missed you! You sounded amazing!” Sam said giddily. He was really happy and really proud of you.

“Thank you!” You said gratefully with a huge smile on your face. Sam was your first ever friend and he was your first audience. Needless to say, his opinions matter to you the most. He was more supportive than your family will ever be.

“I can’t believe my Christine will be doing great things on her own now.” Sam pouted. He called you ‘Christine’ and you earned that nickname because of Phantom of the Opera. You were his Christine and he was your Phantom. It was perfect.

“But I’ll always stay the same, Sam.” You said in pure honesty. You looked over his shoulder and saw two of his brothers.

“Hi, Harry!” You waved, recognizing his curly hair despite only meeting him five times. Harry waved back and that left Tom. He stood up and walked towards you and Sam to formally introduce himself.

“Hi, I’m Tom; Sam’s older brother.” He smiled sweetly. He offered his hand for you to shake and you gladly took it and gave it a firm shake.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Y/N.” You smiled before letting go of his hand.

“Your voice is just wow! You have a gift.” Tom complimented which made you shy. “Thank you.” You said sheepishly.

Sam cleared his throat, “So, lunch?”

The four of you had lunch at a small chicken wing restaurant. It was cheap, hidden, and there were only five other customers which was great. You talked about so many things and eventually, Tom asked about your friendship with Sam.

“Wait, how did you and Sam meet?” Tom asked, taking a bite of his chicken wing. You took a sip of your drink and swallowed your food before answering.

“I was homeschooled my whole life and when I told my mum that I wanted to enroll in a random course just to know what it feels like to have classmates, she enrolled me in a culinary course. Let’s just say that I’m surprised that I passed!” You and Sam laughed as you thought about the shit both of you did.

“We sat next to each other and we were cooking partners. She was so awkward!” Sam laughed, wiping a tear that escaped from his eye. “But I’m glad she was put in the seat next to me because if not, I wouldn’t have gotten to know her. I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Same.” You nodded in agreement. “Sam’s my best friend in the whole world and I honestly wouldn’t know what to do without him. He’s my rock.”

Sam turned his head to look at you and smiled, “Same.”

“Ugh, just date already!” Harry said with his mouth full. He even rolled his eyes in the process.

“Ugh, just swallow already!” Sam mocked.

“That’s what she said.” You giggled. The table erupted with laughter and you were happy that you got to meet new people, thanks to Sam.

“I meant his food!” Sam breathed.

“It sounded wrong, though.” Tom chuckled.

“Very.” Harry said with a playful look on his face.

After lunch, Sam told you that they had to go home already. You were visibly upset because you haven’t seen your best friend in such a long time and you had so much fun with his brothers. It’s true what they say; time flies by when you’re having fun.

“I’ll call you tonight.” You told Sam. He nodded and said, “I shall wait for your call, then.” You hugged him and hugged Harry right after.

“It was nice seeing you again, Y/N!” Harry exclaimed before pulling away from the hug. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Okay.” You nodded, already excited for your next meeting. You turned to hug Tom and not only did he hug you, but he also kissed your cheek which surprised you, Sam and Harry.

“I’d love to hang out with you again.” Tom said after hugging you. “But without these two divs.” He added earning a slap on the arm from each boy.

You quickly glanced at Sam and he just nodded for you to go. With that go signal, you turned to Tom and said, “Okay! I’ll give you my number and just text me later.”

Tom ended up texting you that night and he asked you out on a date. One date turned into two and two dates turned into three until both of you went on so many dates now. Despite the four year age gap, you two seemed to click. You didn’t have a label yet, though.

It all changed one night.

It was midnight and Tom decided that it’ll be fun to go on a spontaneous road trip. He picked you up and now you were on the road going God knows where. It was random, but it was really fun. Your parents were out of town, so you were confident in going with Tom on his road trip.

Both of your windows were down and you put your hand out to feel the wind. It was a great feeling. Tom was looking at you from time to time and he was smiling to himself. He stopped at a red light and you brought your hand back in again despite the fact that there were no cars around.

“I have a question.” Tom said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah?”

“Will you be my girlfriend?” He asked before driving again as the light turned green. You were surprised with his question and even more so when he started driving again.

Tom looked at you and saw your shocked face before turning to look at the road again. “I mean, you don’t have to answer now. Like, take your time. I just asked because I really li-”

“Yes.” You finally answered after being silent. He stepped on the brakes in shock and said, “What?”

“Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.” You grinned. He chuckled and shook his head in disbelief, “Wow. The most amazing girl in the world is finally my girlfriend. It’s a great day already.”

That day was the start of a new chapter for both of you. Sam and Harry knew it would happen eventually. Harry was really happy, but Sam felt as though he was in between something; he was torn in between something. Little did he know, his hunch was right and he’ll soon find out why.

Tom was a great boyfriend. He made sure to think about your feelings before doing or saying anything, he made sure to include you on things because he knew you didn’t want to feel left out, he made sure to give you space when you would write songs, he picks you up all the time because you don’t know how to drive yet, but he didn’t mind; he loved it. Tom always told you that he loved you, he would send you memes that he knew would make your day, he tells you cheesy pick up lines and he would tell you jokes that catered to your humor which you greatly appreciated. In your eyes, he was perfect; he was your home.

For you, Tom was the one. He was the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with and he told you the same thing. He said that when the time was right, he would propose and both of you would get married and he would give you the family you always wanted because your family didn’t really care about you and he hated that. You deserved the world and he promised you that both of you would have a family that’s so much different than yours.

Speaking of family, the Hollands loved you. They became your family. You and Nikki would have tea together and just gossip about things. You and Dom would joke around and Paddy would always challenge you in football. Harry just loved your presence and it came to a point where you would be his model whenever he wanted to take pictures. Tom would always whine and ask why Harry never asked him and Harry would say, “You’re the least interesting to look at.”

“Excuse me, what?!” Tom replied, pretending to be hurt. He knew Harry was just joking and quoting Kim Kardashian. “I’m the most handsome guy here.”

“Okay, Shrek.” Harry shrugged and continued taking your pictures.

Regardless of the sinking feeling that he felt, Sam was still happy that you found happiness in dating his brother. He did give you a go signal, after all.

Of course, all good things come to an end. In this case, your end came after dating for two years.

Tom was away filming for yet another movie and something in your gut told you that something was extremely wrong. You weren’t the jealous type, but every time you would FaceTime Tom, everything was off. The vibe was different and you didn’t like it.

The bad feelings you have solidified when it was revealed that Tom was starring in a film with a blonde girl who was the same age as him and she was gorgeous. You always felt that Tom might leave you for her and when you told Tom that, he assured you that nothing was going on and that you were crazy for even thinking about it.

It got to a point where both of you would always argue because of it. It got to a point where both of you avoided each other for a few days until Tom got back. He was outside your house and he texted for you to come and meet him by his car. You did and you didn’t know what to say. It was your first relationship after all.

Tom looked at you with his hands in his pockets, “I don’t think we should go on anymore.”

“What?” You asked, confused.

“We’re done, Y/N. It’s just not working anymore.” Tom explained. “You don’t trust me and we’re always fighting.”

“Wait, we’re not going to talk about this?” You asked him. He just shook his head. “So you’re willing to throw two years down the drain?”

“It’s just two years, Y/N. Get a grip, it’s not a divorce.” Tom huffed. “I have to go.” With that, he got in his car and drove away, leaving you standing there confused and hurt and feeling different kinds of emotions.

You figured that everything was just a nightmare and that when you wake up the next day, everything’s fine. Of course, you were wrong. When you woke up the next day, Tom blocked your number and on social media and it broke your heart. Then when you went on Twitter, Tom Holland was trending because apparently, he’s dating the blonde girl he told you not to worry about. You were still in denial, but when you called Sam, he just told you not to bother his brother.

“It’s true, isn’t it? He left me for her.” You said with a hoarse voice. Sam was silent on the other line. You could only hear his breathing. “Hello?” You called out.

“Y/N, I have to go.” Sam said softly.

You bitterly chuckled, “I lost him and now, I lost you. This is fun.”

“It’s not like that. I just don’t want to get in the middle of-”

“It’s okay, I get it. He’s your brother. Don’t be sorry or anything. Thanks for the years of friendship, Sam. I’ll forever treasure it. Thank you, truly.” You said before hanging up, not waiting for him to respond. Unbeknownst to you, Sam was extremely hurt for being part of the reason why you’re hurting. He removed the phone from his ear and looked at it. Tom cleared his throat causing Sam to look at him.

“Was that Y/N?” Tom asked. Sam nodded. “What did she say? What did you tell her?” Tom asked again.

“I told her not to bother you and just like that, our friendship is over. So, I hope you’re happy.” Sam frowned as tears clouded his vision.

Tom scoffed, “You don’t need her. You have so many friends. Plus, you have me. Anyway, get dressed. We’re going to the pub.” Tom left Sam’s room. Sam sighed and wiped his tears. He felt terrible.

As for you, in the span of twenty-four hours, you lost your best friend and the man you loved most in the whole world.

You’re currently crying tears of joy because your new song played on the radio and it’s your first time hearing it. Your whole team was really proud of you and they were your new friends and family now. Ever since your break up with Tom, they were there for you. They helped you get back on your feet until you were ready to write another song.

The said song is now playing on the radio and is being streamed by millions.

“Congrats, Y/N!” Your manager, Anya, said. “We’re all so proud of you!”

“Thank you.” You sniffed and wiped your tears.

Your song received good reviews and it’s included in Billboard’s Top 100. Every talk show host wanted you on their show for you to perform your hit single. Everyone wanted to talk to you about the song. Anya made it all happen. You were booked left and right and all the blessings were just coming in. You were extremely happy.

On the other hand, Tom knew the song was about him and it annoyed him because everywhere he went, your song was playing. Even Sam plays it a lot. It was clear that Sam missed you, but he made his bed and he has to lay in it.

“Guess what.” Harry said.

“What?” Tom asked.

“Y/N’s nominated for an award and she’s going to the award show you’re going to.” Harry announced which made Tom groan. “Also, people somehow figured out that the song is about you and now they’re assuming things and they want to know the story, especially your side.” Harry added.

“Easy.” Sam piped up. “Just tell them you left her for another girl and you dated the said girl right after you broke up with Y/N.”

“Shut up, Sam.” Tom hissed. Sam looked at Tom with a blank expression and said, “You don’t have the right to be angry after what you did to her.”

“Why are you defending her now? Why not a few months ago when it was still fresh?” Tom retorted.

“Because I didn’t want to get in the middle of your mess and I still care about her. Unlike you, I can’t just throw years of friendship away.” Sam said before leaving the living room.

“Yikes.” Harry said after Sam left. “Anyway, you have to act like it doesn’t bother you, so it’s not an issue.”

The day of the awards show finally came and you were nervous. It was your first time performing for an extremely huge audience and it made you anxious. The red carpet was all a blur and at one point you saw Sam and both of you made eye contact. You gave him a tight-lipped smile and he did the same. What he did still hurts you, but you wanted to let go of that part of your life now.

When it was your time to perform, your phone buzzed and a notification from a number appeared. You have deleted Sam’s contact number, but you memorized his number in case of emergencies.

“Good luck on your performance, my Christine. I’m proud of you.” He wrote.

You smiled a bit before locking your phone and giving it to your manager. Somehow, it was comforting to know that Sam still had your number and that he was still supporting you despite what happened. You walked on stage and began singing your heart out. The crowd loved it and it made you happy.

“She’s so good!” Sam exclaimed as he clapped for you.

“Please, she sounds like the other artists here. She’s not special.” Tom said as he plastered a fake smile on his face. Harry scoffed and said, “Yeah, right. You fell in love with her voice the first time you met her. Don’t lie.”

Tom never responded to that and kept his mouth shut.

An hour later, the category you were nominated for was up and it made you nervous. You believed you weren’t going to win because the other nominees were well known singers. But for some miracle, you won and the camera panned to Tom to see his reaction.

He wore a fake smile as he clapped. It was awkward. It was even more awkward when you walked past him and Sam stood up to grab your hand to say a quick ‘congrats’ which you thanked him for before walking to the stage to accept your first award ever.

“Wow, I can’t believe this. I want to thank my whole team for being so supportive and patient with me!” You smiled as you accepted the award. “Thank you to the amazing fans for their undying love and support. I wouldn’t have done it without you guys.”

“Lastly, I want to thank the guy who inspired the song.” You said as the camera panned to Tom again. “You know who you are and without you, there would be no songs or albums or EPs. You were the soundtrack of my love life and I’m beginning to accept that you’re not that person anymore. Thank you for everything and I hope that with this song, I can finally let go and start fresh.”

“Thank you again!” You said before leaving the stage. The people clapped for you except for Tom who just sat there with an expression no one could read.

You never interacted with Tom or his family the whole night and somehow, you were grateful for that. You never got a text from Sam anymore, but you did get a text from Tom’s new number a few days later asking for you two to meet in the place where you went on the spontaneous road trip to God knows where.

You drove up there with your new car and when you arrived, Tom was already there waiting for you. You parked and got out of the car before walking towards him.

“Hello.” You said, breaking the silence.

“Hi.” He said. “I figured we need to talk for closure.”

“Ahh. Yes, please.” You nodded.

“I don’t know where to start.” Tom admitted.

“Maybe start with the reason why you just left me.” You said bluntly.

“I just didn’t feel the spark anymore, okay? I grew feelings for someone else and I wanted to do it right without cheating, so I broke up with you and-”

“And got together with her the next day.” You finished for him. “Amazing, Tom. Really.” He didn’t say anything else anymore and you nodded and took this as your cue to leave. But before that you called out to him. He turned to look at you and you said, “Just know that I never lacked in our relationship. I’m just sorry that I actually believed that you were the one for me and I’m sorry that I believed what you said. I wish you all the best, Thomas. I do. You’re a great actor and I know your own blessings are still coming in.”

“Thank you.” He said. “You’re a great singer.”

You gave him a small smile and got in your car and drove away. The drive back hits differently because you remembered laughing with Tom as if the road trip happened yesterday, but it didn’t. You shook off the thoughts with a chuckle and just kept driving. You were finally letting go to start a new chapter in your life.

* * * *

who wants to see the soc med of this?

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐓𝐎𝐌 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @blueleatherbag @cocoamoonmalfoy @thatforgottenangel @parkerpeter24 @turtoix @slutforsr @givebuckyhisplumsnow @buckys-little-hoe @runawayolives @chewymoustachio @hollandsrecs @just-here-to-escape-from-reality @yourstrulyamour @juliediggory @lharrietg @alexx-stancati @rumplebutterbaby @dummiesshort @spideyspeaches @thevelvetseries @buckymylove @quxxnxfhxll @marvelsimps @dreamy-clousds @bora-world @hunnybunimdun @supred12

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓: @holland-styles @trustfundparker @calltothewild @felicityparkers @hufflepuffprincess24 @tommysparker @justasmisunderstoodasloki @quaksonhehe @call-me-baby-gir1 @itstaskeen @theonly1outof-a-billion @lost-in-the-stars03 @justafangirlduh @piscesparker @speedymaximoff @miraclesoflove @lexirv @blairscott @getbywithasmile @pqrkerr @lavender-writer @blackbat2020 @hoodpankow

[dreamii-yume]

I got something for the sk8er boi, having sex while live filming for his Onlyfans cause the b-day was feeling possessive

He is our sケイト boi.

At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a good idea. Cater had always been one of the eccentric seniors in the academy, always getting himself into trouble for a quick selfie and people have to pull him out of it every time. You could scold him, sure, but in the end, a playful apology with some hugs and kisses are enough to make your heart soft. Repeat that cycle over and over again, you just eventually got used to his idiotic but lovable ass, he’s just that kind of person.

Or at least, that’s what you thought but...

“Come on, (Y/N)-chan~! It’ll be fun I promise!”

You knew he had an account like that and yeah, it’s weird to think about when you’re about to fall asleep sometimes but you supposed it was whatever. Cater could tell you that he’s accessing a black market to buy human organs but at this point, you might’ve done nothing but bat an eye at it and tell him to do whatever he wants. It’s not like your strong enough to even prevent him from doing stuff like this anyway. But it’s a different story when he asks you participate alongside with him.

“Please~” He begs and begs, and normally you really wouldn’t do it, you still can’t even believe that he would ask something like this in the first place! You, of all people!

“N-No, I don’t think this is appropriate...” You whispered, but your voice trails off as Cater leans in closer. This is bad, he had always been that one guy who mastered the ultimate puppy-eyes that could charm anyone to do whatever he wants! You were no exception to that charm, in fact, you’re very weak against it. However, to add more salt to your already damaged pride, it was this bitch’s birthday! What kind of person decides to ask for this as a birthday gift!?

But the fact that you’re actually in here, covering your eyes from the burning stare of the camera before you, it shows that you have caved in eventually.

Naked from head to toe, you sat on Cater’s lap with a flushed face with his hand roaming around you, groping any flesh that they could come in contact with. With what you assumed to be your face as red as a tomato, your hands carried the role of protecting your eyes and your lips quavered as you felt one of your breast getting fondled with your nipples rolling around his fingers. You gasped and moan but tries to keep it at a minimum, it proved to be a difficult task however, as Cater’s other hand were in between your legs. “Mm...Hey, (Y/N)-chan...You don’t have to be shy.” He whispered, but not before suckling on your neck to leave a bluish mark. He then grabbed your wrist, forcefully pulling them apart so you could see the shame in you. “If everyone can see you for what you are right now, then don’t you think you deserve to look at them too?”

Your eyes to twitched as Cater opened your legs to show your little dripping pussy to everyone. At the corner of your eyes, you can see the live comments from here scrolling up in an incredible pace and you dread to think that some of them may be someone you know. “See~? Everyone’s so excited!” Cater cheerfully said and you shivered as his hand moves to rub on your slit. “...And I don’t blame them. They’re not the only ones who’s excited about all of this after all.”

Looking down, you widened your eyes as you saw his dick just beneath you, excited and eager to enter your hole. “N-No way...” You said, glancing at Cater from behind in a nervous manner. “T-There’s no way...It can fit inside...”

Cater only gave you a close-eyed smile. “What are you talking about~? Of course, it will! We’ll make it work!” He said, which only made you gulp down. Holding you by both thighs, you squeaked as he began to position his cock right at your weeping entrance. You began to breathe heavily, feeling Cater leaning closer to you by the ear once again. He bit the shell of that same ear, making you shudder. “Just leave it all to Cay-kun~”

And with a hitched breath and a squeak from you, he lowered you down and you immediately felt his snake going up inside you. You yelped out, trying to get used to the overwhelming pressure on your stomach and covered your mouth with your eyes shut tight. It hurts, Cater was forcing his girth all inside, slowly but impatiently until a final moan from you sealed it all and finally sheathed himself inside. You feel light headed with how surreal it felt and just barely, you saw yourself in his computer monitor. Legs spread out with Cater’s cock in you, the comments were still as crazy as ever which just filled you with even more embarrassment.

“Ha...There you go, it’s not too bad, right?” Cater chuckled in your attempt to cover your heavy-breathing self. He gulped, nuzzling on the side of your neck. “It feels good, (Y/N)-chan. Just relax and I’ll do all the moving from here, okay?”

You didn’t respond, but anticipated the moment he moved instead. You squeaked as you felt your walls contract due to having a foreign object banging against it over and over again. As time went on however, the pain eases up little by little to the point that it doesn’t hurt as much as before anymore. It was uncomfortable, sure, but that was probably because you weren’t use to Cater’s movement yet. Which you don’t find possible actually, considering he’s been thrusting inside you faster and faster.

Soon, the feeling slowly transforms into that of a pleasing sensation, one that you fear may be the reason why people gets addicted to something. You can’t control your moans anymore, the cock banging on the entrance of your womb was just too stimulating that you can’t focus on anything else. “C-Cater...!” You moaned his name as you can feel a knot in your stomach. “E-Everyone...Everyone is...Watching...!”

“Mm, that’s right~! Everyone can see you right now!” Cater confirmed which didn’t help as you began to whimper, the embarrassment getting you close to tears. Cater laughed, easing your state as he gave you a hug, whilst continue on grinding his hips against you. “Aww, don’t worry, Baby~ They won’t judge you!”

“Come on, I’ll wipe those tears away for you. We can’t have your cute face all swollen now, right?” He said, grabbing your wrist and raising them up. “How about giving them a peace sign? You’re feeling good, aren’t you? You have to relay that to your audience!”

“P-Peace...Sign...?”

“That’s right...!” You yelped out, louder than usual as Cater pounded against you with an extra punch. You cried at the rough action, but it didn’t stop your senior from doing it again and not stopping. A few more times and it already got you rolling your eyes upward and your tongue out as he rearranges your gut. “Come on, do it! Everyone will love it, Darling!”

“Nngh...!” You whimpered, as you weakly pulled out both your fingers in a peace sign, just like he said. The comments boomed once again.

Cater laughed whole-heartedly, gripping your thighs tighter and spreading them for everyone to see how battered your pussy looks. Soon, you felt an intense orgasm bursting out of you, nearly soaking the camera but Cater continued on abusing your cunt. You moaned out loud, bouncing in a speed that reached beyond human comprehension. Widening your eyes, you felt as if Cater had finally reached his high and thrust so deep inside you that your breath knocks off. With that, you felt a huge flow inside you and realized that he had finally came into a release.

Exhausted, you practically collapsed limplessly into Cater’s arms, who holds you tightly with a cheerful smile on his face. “...W-Whew...” He said, panting and looked over at the monitor in which his audience were still actively watching. “That felt good, huh? I told you, it’s better to do it with everyone watching!”

You groaned, puffing your cheeks, you honestly couldn’t see his point at all. All you felt was shame. But then again, you really can’t imagine Cater of all people to have a speck of shame in him. He could only laugh as he continues to read the comments. “See? Everyone is saying how cute you are! That they’re jealous and wants to be with you too!” He said with a smile.

“T-That’s...” You paled, hoping that this senior of yours won’t actually think of selling you out.

“But too bad~!” However, Cater hugged you tight, with the same laid-back smile but somehow, this embrace felt a lot more possessive than usual. His eyes looked dead serious as well, and is practically glaring at the camera. “(Y/N)-chan is exclusive to only me. She’s already mine, so stay the hell away, Bastards.”

Widening your eyes at the scary show of affection you received, Cater went back to his happy-go-lucky attitude and waved at the camera. “Well then, thank you for watching!” He said, sticking out his tongue as if he was taunting his own audience.

At first glance, this doesn’t seem like a good idea at all, but now that you’ve actually tried it, you can finally conclude...That this still wasn’t a good idea after all.

Yeah...Yume has no idea how to run an OnlyFans account too.

[twinklelilstarkey]

Secret - Rafe Cameron

[Requested]

Words: 3.9k+

Type: Fluff & Smut

Summary: Pogue!Y/N and Rafe have been dating for over a year and she has been keeping it a secret ever since.

Warnings: Fem!Reader. Quite bad writing, if you’re expecting an amazing smut, I’m sorry in advance. Mentions of Alcohol. Mentions of cheating (Sarah & Topper). IF YOU ARE MINOR, PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS!!

DO NOT REPOST, REWRITE OR TRANSLATE ANY OF MY WORK!

Part 2

Imagine how your life would be if you were a pogue and worked at a restaurant part time (which also does cater for many events in the island) yet dated a member of the richest family in the whole Outer Banks.

Now, that would be the big talk of the island, right?

Unless they didn’t know a thing.

And that is your reality. Nobody knows that you date Rafe, and you’re quite proud of how you two have been able to hide every single interaction.

Yes, there were very close calls a few times, but there was never once a day where you two were close to being caught.

Working as a waitress and caterer for most of the Cameron’s events was always a good enough justification for the two of you to be talking. So, nobody suspected a thing.

Not even Sarah. And not only are you insanely close (which is also bad for your friendship with the pogues), you don’t even know how many times you’ve slept over.

She never cared enough for her brother to know who sleeps with in his bed, so that worked in your favor as well.

“Wait, mom” You say while dragging the white box over in the back of your family’s car, “Weren’t we supposed to take the sliders in two boxes instead of a big one?”

As your mom studied you while deep in thought to check if you’re right, you lean on the side of the car as your phone starts to vibrate on your back pocket.

You pull it out to check who it is, and you decide to ignore it since it’s JJ asking if there’s any scraps from the food you’re taking to the Midsummers’ event.

“I think Rose told me yesterday by the phone that it could be one box” Your mom says, “We just have to be careful so that they don’t ‘look smushed’”

You grin at the sight of your mom air quoting the Rose’s words with a small annoyed look. Not that your mom doesn’t like Rose. She can’t, she’s her biggest client. And also gives amazing tips at the end of each event. But she is indeed annoying.

“That’s fine then” You say while shrugging.

“Can you go grab the last box while I go through everything?”

“Yeah, of course”

You run back in the house and go in the kitchen to get the last white box filled to the top with food. You don’t even know what you’re carrying sometimes.

You do have the curiosity to peek and check the delicious, yet cold food that your mom and her coworkers prepared. But ever since you tried to peek at the deserts and instead you saw a bunch of uncooked marinated meat. You never had the desire to do it again.

The disappointment was just too big.

You close the trunk once the last box is well put away and secured and walk all the way back to the driver’s seat.

“You have all the lists with you, right?” You check with your mom before driving off.

“Yes, Y/N. I will not forget them again”

(…)

“Rose, my dear, how are you?” Your mom asks right as she spots the blonde woman standing at the front of the mansion.

“I’m great, how are you?” Rose answers with a slightly less excited tone.

You jump out of the car as two men start walking towards it to help carrying everything to the back, where the event is going to take place.

“Y/N, I didn’t even see you there” Rose says as you open the trunk.

You look up at her and give her a small smile, followed by a whispered ‘hi’. You tell the workers where to take the white boxes with the desserts and you grab one with the raw meat (to be grilled later).

“Sarah is in the back, helping with the last decorations, if you want to go talk to her” Rose tells you as you walk past her, and you give her another small smile.

“Thank you”

You walk in the mansion and start to make your way to the backyard, finding Sarah standing on top of a ladder.

“Y/N!” She shouts as you walk out to stand beside her ladder, “What’s in the box?”

“Just… You know…” You start while looking up at her, “Food”

“Oh, come on! Let me just peek!”

“Nop”

You walk away from Sarah as she almost throws herself off the ladder to reach you faster. You make your way over to Heyward, Pope’s dad, but also one of the best cooks in all the rich events.

“I brough you the meats” You say with a playful tone as you’re close enough for him to hear you.

“Thank you, sweetheart” He says with a smile, finding what you said quite funny.

“Oh” Sarah says as she gets close to you, “It’s raw meat? I almost fell off of there and ran this whole backyard for raw meat?”

“Yes, Sarah Cameron” You say with a smile, “You sure did”

Once Heyward is done with storing the meat close to the griller, you turn back to the house, in hopes to get back to work, and Sarah lays her arm over your shoulders.

“How’s your day going?” She asks you.

“Going well, even though I would’ve preferred to stay home and watch a show on Netflix” You admit as you walk up the porch, “What about you?”

“It’s going great, I’m actually excited to this year’s Midsummers. Are you going to stay here the whole night?”

“As a worker, yeah”

“What? But I want to have some fun with you” Sarah says, sounding deeply saddened, “Can we at least share a drink? Like the old days” (old days aka last year)

“At the back, with all the waiters. Sure” You say with a smile.

Sarah groans loudly beside you as you keep walking towards the front door to look for your mom.

“Where’s the rest of your family?” You ask Sarah.

“Getting ready at home. Dad’s going to get here later than everyone since Rose still has to go home and change. Rafe, I believe, is coming in with the guys. And Wheezie… I have no idea, honestly”

“Oh okay”

“Why? Are you choosing me over one of my siblings?” She asks playfully.

“I mean…” You start, making her glare at you, “Wheezie is superior out of all of you”

Sarah gasps loudly but soon erupts into laugher as she almost chokes in her own spit. Once she regains her energy and composure, she speaks again.

“At least you didn’t say Rafe”

You breathe in at her words, holding back any physical way to show your distress over them and smile a bit.

“Yeah”

(…)

Two hours went by and the once empty mansion is now filled with all the rich families from the island. You have spent most of your time checking on all the boxes of food and other things, such as the small bags that each guest will take home (filled with seasonal dried flowers and overly expensive snacks).

Rose has always been a fan of these small bags, which means that she’s also overly obsessed with them being perfect and just like she imagined them.

And yes, you are just one of the caters, but since your mom is friends with Rose, your services are also brought up and offered in conversations many times as a ‘thank you for choosing us’.

You’re quickly surrounded with people wearing expensive, yet beautiful, dresses and suits.

Some of them mistaking you for a waitress and requesting drinks, in which you answered with a ‘sure’ before running to nearest waiter.

You’re wearing a white t-shirt tucked in your light purple cargo pants (color picked by Rose). The logo of your mom’s business is printed on the back of your shirt. And even with that, it still makes you stand out as much as the other colorful guests.

“Take this to the back, please” You hear someone say to the team of waiters behind you.

You snap back to reality and restart counting the bags laying on the table. As soon as you reach the last five, a wave of clapper fills your ears.

You look over your shoulder and the Cameron family walks down the white porch confidently.

Your eyes travel from Rose, all the away over to Wheezie, admiring the floral dress that her mom had chosen for her.

Rafe walks out behind Sarah, his eyes glued to the ground, ignoring the clapping around him (probably finding it an exaggeration). You hold your gasp at the sight of how amazing he looks, and before you could admire him for any longer, your mom screams for you.

“Y/N” Your mom calls, and you look back at her, “Can you give your opinion on something?”

You walk over to her, looking at the many drinks that are stored with the marinated meats.

“Don’t you think that this way too much alcohol for just the food that we’re doing out here?”

“Yeah, but Heyward might need more than we think” You say while shrugging, “You know how he is with his recipes”

She nods before answering.

“I’m starting to think his big secret ingredient is just alcohol. We’re just too drunk to taste it”

You roll your eyes at your mom’s dry joke and she chuckles at your expression.

“Sarah! Hi, sweetheart” Your mom says, looking at the person behind you.

“Hi, Mrs. Y/L/N. How’s everything going so far?” Sarah asks with a smile, being as cheerful and nice as your mother.

“Going great. You look amazing, by the way”

“Oh, why, thank you”

You stay in the middle of the conversation for a little bit more and your eyes travel through the guests, trying to see if someone needs something.

You find Rafe leaning back on the railing of the porch while talking to Kelce, Topper and two other friends; he looks somewhat entertained, which surprised you.

“Can I steal Y/N for a minute?” Sarah asks.

“Of course, she has done so much work so far. She’s free to go” Your mom answers.

Sarah pulls you by the hand with her to the middle of the party and starts taking you inside of the house.

“I need to tell you something very important” She says to you.

“A new gossip?”

“No. A new update in my life”

You two walk faster up the porch and you slow down, letting go of Sarah’s hand, when Kie notices you.

“Hi” She says with a smile.

You two share a small and quick hug and Sarah stands by you awkwardly, not wanting to disrupt your moment with her ex best friend. Kie looks her way and her eyebrows lift in annoyance.

“Will you be working all night?” She asks and you nod, “That’s a bummer, I wanted to hang out with you more”

“Me too. Once I find another free time tonight, I’ll try to find you”

“I’ll wait for that” She says with a smile, “Now go, I’m sure she needs to talk to you”

You look back at Sarah, who isn’t even bothering enough to give the dirty look back, and you grab her hand again, as a way to say, ‘let’s go’.

You two walk past the guys, that didn’t even notice you (or at least that’s what you think), and go find somewhere quiet to talk.

“Please don’t judge me for what I’m going to say to you” She starts, “It’s something very recent and unexpected”

Once you nod, she blurs it all out.

“John B?” You ask with a confused look, “You’re dating John B?”

“Not dating-dating” She corrects, “We’re… something”

“So, almost dating” You conclude, and she sighs, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just shocked. But why now? Didn’t he work for your dad for years?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t exactly know him at the time” She explains, “You’re not mad at me, are you?”

“Of course not,” You say, and she sighs in relief. “But, Sarah- What about Topper?”

“I’ll break up with him”

Those words hit you like a train almost. Over the year you’ve been dating Rafe, Topper and you have started an amazing friendship. He would always help you find excuses when you would be almost found with Rafe, or something of the sort.

And one thing you know about him, is how much he actually cares for Sarah.

Not that you want to pressure Sarah into continuing a relationship with Top just because you’re friends with him. Of course not. You just think he deserves a good explanation on why everything is going on, and not just a simple ‘I don’t want to date you anymore’. And Sarah is extremely bad at that.

But yeah, you don’t know what is going on in their relationship, therefore, you can’t judge Sarah’s actions all that much.

“You won’t tell him, right?” Sarah asks you, snapping you back to reality, “I know you two are friends but, I want to be the one telling him”

“Of course. I won’t say a thing”

(…)

“Y/N!” You hear someone scream from behind you, “I’ve missed you”

You look at the person, to find Topper, exactly where he was previously with Rafe and Kelce. But this time, he’s only with Kelce.

“I’ve missed you too” You say with a small smile, walking towards them, “Where’s Rafe?”

“Getting a drink, I think”

Topper lays his arm over your shoulders and pulls you in closer to him.

“How’s the event going for you?” He asks.

“Fantastic” You sarcastically answer.

“It’s not going that well for us either” Kelce adds, “These events are always so boring”

You agree with him with a nod and someone appears next to you, Rafe. You eye him up and down, admiring the suit that was chosen for him, and he looks down at you.

“Shouldn’t you be working, Y/L/N?” He asks teasingly and Topper chuckles beside you.

“Fuck off, would you?”

A smile appears in his face and he looks up to look through the large amount of people.

“Where’s my sister?” He asks when looking back down.

You look at him confused.

“Drinking somewhere, why?”

“Inside?” He asks and you look at Topper and Kelce even more confused, trying to find some answers for his questions.

“Yes?”

“Can you show me?”

You blink at him a few times in silence while looking at him and slowly nod. You lean way from Topper and start walking towards the door you just walked off.

“Have fuuuun” Kelce sings and you look back at him.

Something in your mind clicks and you feel like the dumbest person alive. You look back at Rafe and he’s straight up laughing at your dumbfounded face.

“Oh my god” You whisper to yourself and keep walking.

You two walk back inside the room, filled with a lot of waiters chaotically working and some richer parents having their drink in the silence.

Some look up at Rafe and recognized him. They tried to start a conversation, which never goes past ‘hi’, but nothing that they’re used to getting for the young adult/teen rich kids.

His eyes stay glued on the ground as you two walk, sometimes carelessly looking up at your ass, which looks marvelous in those pants.  

“Upstairs” He says so low that you almost don’t even hear him.

You two walk quickly up the stairs and as soon as you start making your way to one of the many empty rooms in the mansion.

Rafe’s arm circles your waist and pulls you against him as he holds your face with his other hand, pressing kisses all over your face.

Your giggles fill the hallway, echoing through the walls, and he makes a turn so the two of you enter a room. As he struggles to open the door, you turn around in his arms and smile up at him. He smiles back and pushes you in the room.

The door closes behind him and your lips touch right on that same second.

Right outside of the door and at the top of the stairs stands a lost JJ, looking for Sarah so he can finally give John B’s little note.

Or should he say Vlad?

They’re weird.

Rafe pulls your t-shirt from inside your pants and his hands attach to your skin under it. Goosebumps erupt through your skin as his cold skin touch yours. You get rid of his bowtie in a quick tug and start unbuttoning the first buttons of his dress shirt.

JJ walks through the hallways, kicking the ground in boredom, and looks at all the closed doors.

Should he peek inside each one?

But there are so many.

Rafe’s expensive blazer hits the ground and he picks you up once you pull away from the kiss. He sits you on top of the desk and pulls away to help you take off your shoes.

As they hit the ground loudly, your hands clasp into his cheeks and you pull him for another soft kiss.

Rafe smiles into the kiss and pushes you to lay down on the desk. He throws the unused notebooks, pens and blank books onto the ground, making you chuckle at his desperation.

JJ lifts his head at the loud noise and looks through the closed doors confused.

What in the hell was that?

“JJ?” Kie asks and JJ jumps at the sudden sound.

“Jesus Christ” He says while laying his hand over his chest.

“What are you doing here?”

He can’t tell her that he’s here to give something to Sarah. Especially that that something was given to him by John B.

“Uhm… Looking for…” He starts, itching the back of his head, “Pope and Y/N”

“Oh, Pope is with his dad in the backyard and I’m also looking for Y/N”

JJ nods at her words while biting the inside of his cheek and Kiara continues to stare, expecting him to say something else.

Once you unbutton the last button of his shirt, your hands move over to Rafe’s abs and up his chest softly. His kisses on your neck are slow and loving, his hands do most of the work, getting rid of your clothes.

As the zipper of your pants is heard, he moves up to kiss your lips again. His hand slides in your pants and underwear and you moan into the kiss.

“Why are you up here?” JJ asks.

“Looking for Y/N?” Kie answers.

Didn’t she just tell him that?

“Right. Of course,”

Rafe’s finger moves in circular motions over your clit and you moan louder as he does it. He pulls away from the kiss and smirks down at you as he also moves his hands away.

As you were getting ready to protest your distress, he grabs the top of your pants and tugs them down with your underwear.

Once they hit the floor, you ‘help’ him unbutton his pants and they easily fall down when past his thighs. You lick your lips and Rafe pulls you back to your laying position.

“As much as I would love you if you did that. We don’t have much time” He whispers into your lips and you nod.

Your shirt had fallen down from you sitting up, so it covered most of your naked body, but Rafe was quick to lay you back and get a grip onto your hips, bringing them right to the end of the table.

You gasp loudly at the feeling of his boxers against you and before he stands up, he moves down and presses a wet kiss on the inside of your thigh.

He stands back up and you wrap your legs around his hips so he can come closer. He smiles down at you and positions his hands on top of the elastic of his boxers, making you bite your lip at the simple sigh of his bulge.

“Maybe we should go check downstairs, this is empty” Kie says, noticing that JJ won’t say anything else.

“How do you know? All the doors are closed”

“Well, I don’t see Y/N closing herself in a room when she’s working” She says, “Let’s go”

JJ nods and as soon as Kie turns around, he starts following her back to the stairs.

On half of their back down, Sarah appears, very much to JJ’s relief but Kie’s annoyance.

“What were you two doing upstairs?” She asks.

“Nothing you deserve to know” Kie answers.

Sarah rolls her eyes and continues to go up the stairs as Kie mocks her voice and movements while making her way down them. JJ uses their hatred to his advantage and in a quick movement shoves the small piece of paper in Sarah’s hand.

“Oh fuck, Rafe” You moan out loud, back arching in pleasure as Rafe hisses out loud.

Rafe thrusts into you once more, slowly picking up his pace. His eyes move from down to your face. He brings one of his hands up and covers your mouth, before speeding up.

You moan into his hand and grip into his wrist, closing your eyes.

“Open your eyes baby, come on” Rafe says in a deep voice and you do as told.

His hand moves down over your neck and as soon as he wraps his hand around it, a malicious smile grows on his face.

“What is this?” Sarah asks to JJ.

“Vlad told me to give this to you” He answers, winking at her and running off to follow Kie out of there.

Sarah opens the piece of paper confused yet excited and smiles down at it.

She continues to walk upstairs discreetly, planning on just to go check on her makeup in the bathroom before going to see John B.

And as she continues to make her way up the stairs, her big and white flowy dress is noticeable enough.

“Fuck-” Rafe whispers and your grip intensifies on his arm.

The pleasure was getting easily out of control for you, and as soon he lifts his other hand off your hip and brings it down, starting to play with your clit. Bringing you over the moon.

“Rafe- Clos-” You try to say out loud but fail horribly with not only the pleasure but also the pressure on your neck.

“Come for me, baby”

His words were literally the only thing that you needed, his hand moves away from your throat and covers your mouth, letting air back into your lungs but isolating your possible sounds.

The pleasure hits you with an amazing strength, erupting all through your body. Your eyes roll back with the intense feeling and Rafe groans loudly at how tight you feel.

Sarah walks down the hallway without a care in the world, in hopes that she’ll find the bathroom, she had found last year, quickly.

“Sarah! What are you doing here?!” Topper shouts from the other side of the hallway.

She looks back at him, annoyed expression over her face at the unnecessary volume.

“Do you have to scream?!” She screams back just as loud.

Rafe groans against the crook of your neck as he comes off his high, the only thing you two could hear was both of you heavily breathing.

Your fingers run through Rafe’s hair as he places sweet kisses from your neck to your lips.

“What are you doing up here?” Topper’s voice sounds from the hallway.

The two of you quickly sit up as a reflex and look at each other with widen eyes.

You are fucked.

- - - - - 

Quite literally. I’m so sorry that this smut is so trash! I’m actually trying, I promise. I’m just not a natural, I guess.

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LUNATIC PARADE ;; Shuu Route ー Chapter 3

Monologue

“To heal Riegel-san’s heart,

broken and closed off to others

from losing his beloved.”

That was the goal we set in mind,

when preparing for this party.

I want it to be held at a place,

where Riegel-san would be able to relive,

vivid memories of himself and his late wife.

I am willing to go through great lengths,

to accomplish thisーー

ー The scene starts in the hotel room

Yui: ( First things first, we need to secure a venue. )

Shuu-san.

About the party venue, don’t you think we should hold it somewhere memorable to Riegel-san and his wife?

Shuu: Yeah...In that case, it’d have to be on a gondola, no?

Yui: On a...gondola...?

Shuu: If the information we gathered through the Familiars is correct, that is where Riegel and his wife tied the knot.

Coincidentally, it happened during the Parade as well.

If you want to make it memorable, now’s the perfect time, no?

Yui: You’re right...! I’ll go negotiate right away. Please wait here!

Shuu: ...Oi, hold your horses.

ー Shuu approaches her

Shuu: You’re going by yourself?

Yui: Um...Knowing you, I figured you’d rather not move...

Shuu: Yeah, I don’t. It’s a drag after all.

But...I’ll make an effort for you. (1)

Yui: Are you sure?

Shuu: Yeah. Let’s get going before I change my mind.

ー The scene shifts to the gondola docks

Yui: ( The reflection of the light on the water makes the surface glitter...How lovely. )

I’m sure meeting each other at such a lovely place must have made for a wonderful memory.

Shuu: ーー Well my bad that our meeting wasn’t all that ‘lovely’.

At first, you were just terrified the whole time after all.

Yui: T-That’s, well...You’re right, but...

Right now, I consider all of them good memories.

Shuu: Well, I guess that works. Haha...

ーー Anyway.

If we want to use this place as our party venue, we have to talk to the gondolier in the back.

Yui: Yes, I know.

( Here goes nothing! I’ll try and ask him. )

ー Yui approaches the gondolier

Gondolier B: Welcome! A ride for two?

Yui: Ah...Oh. 

I’m sorry. Actually, we came here to ask for a favor...

Gondolier B: A favor...?

Yui: Yes. 

You see, we are hoping to hold a party and...

We would love to organize it here.

Gondolier B: Eeh!? A party, right here!?

Yui: Yes. We want to hold it here no matter what.

Gondolier B: That’s easy for you to say, but the Parade is when we get most of our customers and when most of the money comes in.

I can’t just easily give you permission to use it.

Yui: Right...

( I guess we’re being pretty unreasonable. )

( However, I can’t imagine Riegel-san would prefer any other place over this one. I wonder if there’s really nothing that can be done...? )

Gondolier B: My bad, but we’re expecting a lot of people today as well. So I’d like to ask you to hurry up and leaーー

Shuu: ...Pwaah.

Gondolier B: ...! Y-You are...Karlheinz-sama’s...!

Geez! You should have told me that sooner!

Gotcha! Go ahead and organize whatever you want on the gondolas! My bad for being so unwilling earlier.

So...Please give my best regards to your Father.

Shuu: If I feel like it, I guess.

Yui: ( ...W-Wow...I’m not sure if I should say I saw this coming or what. )

*TIMESKIP*

Shuu: Haah...That concludes it for the venue.

So, what’s next on the list?

Yui: Um...

We can’t hold a party without food and drinks, huh?

It’d be nice if we could rely on the hotel as our main catering service but...

I’d also love to prepare a specific dish which was his wife’s favorite.

Shuu: If I recall correctly, the report we got from the Familiars described her as having a sweet tooth.

Yui: Exactly. For example, she was particularly fond of what we’d call a ‘Galette de Rois’ in the human world...

How about we go to a sweets shop which might be able to make it for us?

Shuu: ...I’m not too thrilled about this, but sure.

Yui : ( Fufu, I’m glad he’s still willing to come with me despite his complaints. )

ー The scene shifts to the Sweets Shop ‘Saphir’

Female Vampire A: Woah, looks delicious! As to be expected from Saphir, the number one sweets shop in the Demon World!

Female Vampire B: I don’t even know where to look first. I want to try them all...

Female Vampire C: In that case, we’ll just have to buy the entire line-up and take them home with us~

Yui: ( Wow...This place is packed with people...Just getting around the store seems difficult... )

Shuu: ...

I’m leaving the rest up to you. I’ll be...resting in the back.

ー Shuu walks away

Yui: ( Ah...He retreated to the eat-in area.... )

( Actually, I do feel a little bad for forcing him to be amongst such a large crowd. )

( I hope I can talk to a member of the staff soon... )

*Thud thud*

???: Hey, you! Move aside, move aside! Coming through with the cake!

Female Vampire A: Ah, it’s the owner! This scent...Aah, irresistible~ 

Yui: ( So that guy’s the owner! Okay, I should try and have a word with him...! )

U-Um! Excuse me!

Sweets shop owner: Hm? What do you want? I’m in a rush, so move aside!

Yui: I’d like to have a small talk with you! There’s a dessert I’d like to order by the final day of the Parade...

Sweets shop owner: An order by the end of the Parade? Not happening. Right now we are especially busy, I can use all the help I can get. (2)

Aah, so busy! I don’t know what to do first!!

Yui: ( No way... )

I-In that case...

Let me help out! I’ll try my hardest!

Sweets shop owner: No, no! There’s no way I canーー

ー More and more customers come in

Sweets shop owner: Hey, you! If you’re willing to help, then get to it!

In regards to what you asked earlier, depending on it, I might consider it.

Yui: Eh? Y-Yes! Understood...!

( I-I just have to give it my all for now! )

*TIMESKIP*

Female Vampire D: Please give me three more of these cakes.

Yui: Y-Yes!

Female Vampire E: Excuse me!? It was my turn first! Give me four of these first!

Yui: ( O-Oh no! It’s super busy...! )

Shuu: Nn...

Pwaah...

Yui: ( Ah...Seems like Shuu-san’s awake. )

ー Shuu walks over

Shuu: ...What are you doing?

Yui: As you can see, I’m helping out in the shop.

Female Vampire A: Hey, miss staff member! You’re in the way!

*Thud*

Yui: Wah!

*SHATTER*

Yui: ( Aah!? The plate broke! )

Shuu: Helping out? Like this?

Yui: ( Uu...E-Either way, I better clean up! )

ー Yui cleans up the shards

Shuu: Good grief...I can’t watch this...

Yui: ( Huh? Where is Shuu-san going...? )

Female Vampire A: Hmー If possible, I’d like at least one pie which isn’t too overly sweet...

But I have no idea which one to pick...

Shuu: ...In that case, I would recommend this. Not only does it cut back on the sugar, in turn it allows for the natural sweetness of the fruits to shine.

Female Vampire A: Oh dear, you seem very knowledgeable.

Yui: ( Wow... )

Female Vampire A: Right...In that case, I’ll take your recommendation and buy this one.

Shuu: You’re welcome.

ー Shuu returns to Yui’s side

Shuu: Well...There you have it.

Yui: You’re amazing, Shuu-san! The customer was delighted as well!

Shuu: Let me tell you, I’m not doing that a second tiーー

ー More customers approach them

Female Vampire B: We heard there’s a clerk who is especially knowledgeable on cakes here, but who could it be?

Female Vampire C: Anyway, I want to get a recommendation as well~?

Female Vampire D: Could it be the young man standing there!?

Female Vampire E: It has to be!

Yui: ( Ah...They found us. )

Shuu: ...

Seems like...I won’t be able to go for another nap.

Yui: ( Ahaha... )

*TIMESKIP*

Sweets shop owner: Honestly! Thank you so much for today! You helped me out a ton!

I don’t want to simply call this a way to return the favor so...

Please allow me to accept your request from earlier.

Yui: A-Are you sure?

Sweets shop owner: Yeah!

Doesn’t matter when you want it, I’ll make sure to fulfill my duty as the owner of this shop!

Yui: ( Hooray! )

Sweets shop owner: So? What kind of sweet treat is it?

Yui: Umーー

ー Yui explains

Sweets shop owner: I understand what you want very well.

You’ll have something to look forward to on the final day of the Parade!

Yui: Thank you very much!

ー The scene shifts back to the main street

Yui: It’s all thanks to you, Shuu-san! Thank you so much

Shuu: That was the first and final time I’ve done that, okay? ...Haah...

ーー So? What should we do next? We’re not done with all preparations, are we?

Yui: Um, I was thinking we should tackle the decorations for the gondola next.

Since we actually get to use it, I figured we might as well dress it up nicely.

Shuu: In that case...Reine de Aji’s shop could work, right?

Yui: Reine de Aji...?

Shuu: You’ll understand once we get there. Follow me.

Yui: ( ...? )

ー The scene shifts to general store Reine De Aji

Yui: ( Waah! There’s so many beautiful decorations out on display...! )

( I don’t know where to look first. )

How do you think we should decorate, Shuu-san?

Shuu: Anything works. I don’t really have a specific preference.

But well, personally, rather than the decorationsーー

*Thud*

Yui: ( Ah...They’re even selling antique violins. )

Shuu: I believe the music is what makes or breaks a party.

Yui: You might have a point.

Ah...Since it’s such a good opportunity, how about you play one song as well?

Shuu: No. Too much work.

Yui: ( Ahaha, I figured he’d say that... )

...I’d love to hear you play since it’s been so long though.

Shuu: ...

Yui: Is that too much to ask?

Shuu: Haah...Just a little, okay?

*Thud*

Shuu: ...

ー He starts playing the violin

Yui: ( What a beautiful melody... )

*THUD*

Shuu: ...Who’s there?

???: ...

Shuu: Aji, is that you?

Yui: ( So this is Aji-san. )

Reine de Aji: ...What exactly brings the eldest Sakamaki to my establishment?

Shuu: I don’t owe you an explanation. It’s none of your business, is it?

Reine de Aji: Hmph...If you don’t feel like answering my question, then I don’t feel like selling you anything either.

Yui: ( O-Oh no...! )

Aji-san! We’re actually planning to hold a party for a certain someone...

We came here to purchase the necessary decorations.

Reine de Aji: ...I see...

Well, in that case, you made the right choice by coming to my store.

After all, my line-up is rather extensive. On top of that...

I have a great offer.

*Rustle*

Reine de Aji: Voila.

Yui: A locket pendant...?

Reine de Aji: It’s not just your regular old pendant.

It’s a bewitched object which makes the wearer take the appearance of the person whose picture is put inside the locket.

Yui: W-Wow!

( Then...If we were to put a picture of Riegel-san’s wife inside...! )

Reine de Aji: Well then, this isn’t a demonstration. Better put it away again...

Yui: Ah! P-Please, wait! Could you please let us borrow that pendant?

Reine de Aji: This?

You make it sound so easy, but...

Yui: Is it too much to ask...?

Reine de Aji: ...

Under one condition.

In return for borrowing this pendant, you have to show me something good.

Yui: ...Entertain me...?

Reine de Aji: If no, it’s a no-deal. What will you do?

Yui: P-Please let me! I’ll try my best!

ー The scene shifts to Aizen Alleyway

Yui: ( I replied in the spur of the moment but... )

What do you think we could do to please Aji-san?

Shuu: ...

Yui: Shuu-san?

Shuu: Say...Do we even really need that pendant anyway?

Yui: ( Seems like he’s not too happy about the idea. But... )

I’m sure it’d make Riegel-san happy.

Shuu: ...

...Well, if you insist, fine.

Anyway, let’s try asking the people in town about whatever may catch Aji’s attention.

Yui: Y-Yes...!

ー The scene shifts to the main street

Male Vampire A: Hm...You’re kind of catching me off guard with the sudden question.

Yui: Anything will do. No matter how trivial...

Male Vampire A: ...

Yui: ...Ugh.

Male Vampire A: I’m sorry, I don’t know. Please ask someone else.

Yui: ...Okay...Thank you very much.

Male Vampire A: Bye.

ー The Vampire walks away

Shuu: ...That was our tenth try...What will you do? Give up already?

Yui: ...No. Why don’t we test our luck somewhere else? If we do, I’m sure we’ll...

( Gotta keep trying and not give up! )

ー The scene shifts to the wagon area

Yui: ( It’s even more crowded than earlier. One of these people might know something. )

( Okay...! I’ll try asking that person over there first. )

Excuse me...! I’d like to ask something...

Male Vampire B: ...Oh dear, what could that be?

Yui: Do you happen to know the person who runs a store over in the other street called Aji-san?

Male Vampire B: I do know her.

Yui: Actually, we want to make her happy somehow and...We were wondering if you knew any good ways to do so?

Male Vampire B: ...

...Hmー...

Yui: ( This time for sure...! )

Male Vampire B: My apologies, I doubt I’ll be of much help.

Yui: ...I see...

Male Vampire B: ...

If I had to name something I know about her...The only thing I could tell you is that she enjoys flora.

Yui: ...Flora...You say?

Male Vampire B: Yes. ...Oh, I made plans to meet up with someone, so you’ll have to excuse me now.

ー The Vampire walks away

Yui: T-Thank you very much!

( Flora, huh...? )

Yui: Um, Shuu-san? Why don’t we try giving her a plant she might like?

Shuu: ...I’m not sure. I can’t tell you whether that’ll actually please her or not.

Yui: But I don’t think we have much other choice but to rely on the information we just got...

Are there any stores selling plants nearby?

Shuu: I mean, there are, I guess.

Yui: ( Okay...! Let’s go take a look! )

ー The scene shifts to the garden store

Yui: This is the place...

( There’s so many plants I’ve never seen before! Guess I should have expected as much from the Demon World... )

...Amazing...

Shuu: Not really. They’ve only got plants which are commonly seen around the Demon World. I doubt any of these will please Aji-san.

In short...I feel as if we’re only wasting our time here?

Yui: S-Sorry...

( Hm...What a shame. Seems like we’re back to square one. )

???: ...Hm? Are you customers, perhaps? Welcome.

I’m the owner, so if you are looking for something, please ask away.

Yui: Thank you very much.

Garden store owner: My extensive knowledge on the flowers which grow in the Demon World is the one thing I pride myself on.

Yui: ...I see. In that case...

Which flower would make a person the happiest if they were to receive it as a gift?

Garden store owner: Everyone has different tastes.

But...A flower which can please everyone, can only be ‘that’.

Yui: ‘That’?

Garden store owner: Exactly. ‘That’ flower which only blooms in the mountains.

Yui: Only grows in the mountains...Then where exactly are these mountains?

Garden store owner: Don’t tell me...You want to go pluck one?

Yui: If it’s a flower which can make any person happy, then I’d like to if possible.

Garden store owner: I see.

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I doubt it’ll work out.

...Well, I’m sure you’ll find out once you reach the mountains. I don’t mind drawing you a map.

Yui: ( I wonder what he means? )

ー The scene shifts the entrance of the mines

Yui: ( Um...I’m pretty sure we have to go right here...Then left at the next corner... )

ー The scene shifts to an underground lake

Shuu: Oi...We’re still not there yet?

Yui: P-Please wait. I’m pretty sure we’ve reached our destination...

According to the map, there should be a cave closeby.

Shuu: A cave?

Couldn’t it be that one over there?

Yui: Ah...!

Shuu: Good grief...You’re getting way too caught up in the map instead of actually looking at your surroundings.

Well, that being said, I’d rather not get ourselves lost again from walking around aimlessly.

Come on, let’s get going already.

Yui: Y-Yes!

ー The scene shifts to the Selenite Crystal Cave

Yui: ( Wow, it’s glittering somehow... )

What are these...?

Shuu: Selenite, right? Seems like the entire cave is made up from them.

Yui: ...I see...

Shuu: Oi, this isn’t the time to be captivated by them. Let’s look for the thing we came for.

Yui: Right.

( The shop owner didn’t tell us anything about the actual flower, did he? )

( ‘You’ll be able to tell straight away’ is the only hint we have... )

...Um...

*Flash*

Yui: ( ...? )

*Flash*

Yui: ( I’m not...imagining this, right? )

Shuu: ...Oi. Don’t you think that could be it? There’s been flashing lights coming from the back.

Yui: Let’s go look.

Monologue

What we found at the end of the path,

was a mysterious flower.

Covering the whole surrounding area,

they spread a warm light across,

shining amidst the dark like fireflies.

Their beauty is simply out of this world.

I subconsciously extended my hand towards the stem.

Howeverーー

*WOOSH*

Yui: ( I-It disappeared... )

Shuu: This must be the Ghost Flower.

Yui: Ghost Flower?

Shuu: Yeah, just like actual ghosts, you aren’t able to touch them.

Yui: ( So that’s why it vanished. )

( But...It was really pretty. I think I understand why anyone would be happy to see these flowers. )

( I’m sure Aji-san as well... )

...Um, Shuu-san? Can’t we get this flower to Aji-san’s store somehow?

Shuu: ...Haah...

Doesn’t seem like you’ll give up any time soon, so why don’t you try out some things?

Yui: ( Um...He’s basically saying he’ll stay here with me for now, right...? )

( F-For now, I’ll just try anything which comes to mind! )

*TIMESKIP*

*WOOSH*

Yui: Aah...Another fail...

( No matter how gently I touch them, it’s no use. Trying to pluck them from a different angle didn’t work either. )

( I guess it really is impossible... )

Shuu: ...

Yui: ( Shuu-san appears to be listening to music, but he seems bored. )

( But...There’s one more thing I’d like to try. )

( They disappear upon contact...So basically I have to avoid touching them, right? )

( I wonder if digging them up together with the soil would work then? )

( It’s all or nothing...Here goes...! )

*Thud thud*

Yui: ...! Shuu-san, look! The flower didn’t vanish...!

Shuu: Looks like it.

Yui: We can take it back with us to Aji-san’s store like this...! Aah, I’m so glad!

Shuu: ...

No, it’s too early to rejoice.

Try waiting a little like that.

Yui: ...?

*TIMESKIP*

Yui: ( I wonder how long I should wait? I’d guess about five minutes have passed by now. )

Shuu-san, what’s the point of thiーー

*WOOSH*

Yui: Ah!

Shuu: ...I knew it.

I figured that if all you had to do was scoop it out with soil and all, then the people from the garden shop would have long been doing that.

Yui: You...do have a point...

( There’s no way we can make it back to Aji-san’s shop in just five minutes. )

I wonder if it’s really impossible...

Shuu: ...No, that’s not true either.

Yui: Eh...?

Shuu: Let me ask you once more. ...You really want to borrow the pendant, right?

Yui: Well...Of course!

Shuu: Okay then.

ーー Oi. Dig out that ghost flower from the ground once more.

Yui: S-Sure.

( What could he be thinking? Anyway, I’ll just put faith in Shuu-san for now... )

*Thud thud*

Yui: Done.

Shuu: Okay. Now I just have to do this...

Yui: ( Why did he pick up a pebble...? )

Shuu: Thereーー!

*Swoosh*

*Thud*

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Yui: Wah!? B-Bats!?

( They were startled by the sound of the rock and jumped out! Where did this many of them even come fromーー!? )

*Rustle*

Yui: Shuu-san!? What is this about...!?

Shuu: They can carry us to Aji’s store in under five minutes.

Yui: I seeーー

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Yui: ...Wait, eeeeeh!?

Shuu: Wake me up when we’ve arrived.

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Shuu: ...

Yui: ( Geez, Shuu... )

( O-Okay! I have to just let myself be carried. )

Monologue

I made up my resolve.

And decided to keep still,

as I let the bats carry me.

When taking a quick glance at the ground below,

I could see,

the ongoing Parade.

If I hadn’t gotten my heart stolen, then perhaps right now, 

Shuu-san and I would also beーー

Such thoughts flashed through the back of my mind.

I shake my head, getting rid of those thoughts,

while continuing to pray,

that the Ghost Flower in my hands would not disappear.

ー The scene shifts to Reine de Aji’s store

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Yui: ( W-We somehow got here before the Ghost Flower vanished. )

Shuu-san! Wake up, please! We’re here!!

Shuu: Nn...Pwaah...

That’s pretty fast. I wouldn’t have minded snoozing for a little longer...

Yui: More importantly, we should hurry up and find Aji-sanーー

*Flap flap flap flap flap*

Reine de Aji: W-What is this ruckus about!?

Yui: Ah, Aji-san!

Reine de Aji: You lot...! Are you trying to destroy my shop out of spite for not getting the pendant!?

Yui: N-No!

Take a look at this, please! We wanted to make you happy, so...

Reine de Aji: T-This is...Could it be, a Ghost Flower...?

The legendary flower, and the one flower in this world I had yet to see...

*WOOSH*

Yui: ( Aah, it vanished... )

Reine de Aji: ...

Yui: ( Oh no. The shop’s a mess because of the bats... )

( I guess...We failed to please her... )

Reine de Aji: That wasn’t an illusion just now, it was an actual Ghost Flower. I...

I’ve always wanted to see it here in my store, even if only once.

You did all of this just for me?

Yui: I just thought it’d be nice if it would make you happy...But I’m sorry you were only able to see it for such a short time.

Reine de Aji: Don’t sweat it. You made me plenty happy.

Furthermore, the fact they wither is exactly what makes flowers so beautiful.

ーー Thank you. I’m very pleased.

Yui: ( T-Thank god! Then... )

Reine de Aji: As promised...

*Cling*

Reine de Aji: I’ll lend you this pendant.

Yui: T-Thank you very much!

( We did it! )

Reine de Aji: Hey, you...Sakamaki.

Shuu: ...

Reine de Aji: I’ve written you guys off as lost causes for the longest time.

But you did all of this to make me happy. Especially this young lady over here.

...She’s quite the catch.

You chose your partner well. I suppose we should have expected as much from the eldest son of the family.

Shuu: Thank you.

Yui: ( I guess...she complimented me? It’s a little embarrassing but I’m happy. )

ー The scene shifts back to the hotel

*Cling*

Yui: ( If you put a picture inside this locket and put the necklace on, you can turn into that person...Huh? )

( Reevaluating it, it really is a mysterious thing. )

Anyway...We can hold the party without any trouble now.

Shuu: Yeah.

But...You’re forgetting one important thing.

Yui: Important...?

( What could that be? )

We’ve settled on the location, the cake and even got a surprise prepared...Which leaves...

Shuu: ...

Yui: Which leaves...?

Shuu: ...

Yui: U-Um...What do we still have left to do exactly?

Shuu: Good grief...

ー Shuu steps closer

Shuu: ーー Show your gratitude.

Yui: Excuse me?

Shuu: Show your gratitude to me.

Who’s to thank for making it this far into the preparations?

Yui: ( S-Starting with the gondola, I guess none of this would have been possible if Shuu-san hadn’t been there with me. )

Shuu-san, thank you so much for today.

I’m sorry for not saying this sooner.

Shuu: Just words won’t suffice.

In that case, let’s see...I wonder what I should ask from you instead?

I guess I should pose you the question for once.

Yui: U-Um...

( ...Something I can do... ) 

Selection

→ Give him a massage (☾)

Yui: ...Ah, right!

How about...a massage?

Shuu: A massage...

Yui: ( Uu, I feel like he’s appalled. )

I figured you must be exhausted, so I thought it wasn’t a bad idea...

Shuu: Haha...I guess it wouldn’t be bad every once in a while. Guess I’ll let you do your thing then.

Yui: Y-Yes...

*Rustle rustle*

Shuu: ...Oi. You can’t call that a massage. Put in a little more effort.

Yui: Okay.

*Rustle rustle*

Shuu: ...Phew...

*Rustle rustle*

→ Write him a letter of gratitude

Yui: In that case...How about I write you a letter of gratitude?

We can frame it and hang it on the wall at the manor, for example...

Shuu: ...

Yui: ( H-He looks disappointed. )

Shuu: Haah...Guess I’ll take the sentiment at least.

Yui: Yes...

( I guess it would have been way better to offer him a massage or something... )

( I’ll do that next time. )

*TIMESKIP*

Yui: ( Anyway...I’m glad preparations for the party went smoothly. )

( Ah...But... )

( Shuu-san didn’t seem too stoked about the idea of the pendant. )

( I wonder why? )

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

Translation notes

(1) The てやる or ‘te-yaru’ construction implies that he is doing something for the sake of someone else. 

(2) Literally he says ‘I’d even be willing to accept help from a cat’. This idiom is used when someone is so busy, they will accept any help, even from someone who might not be the best.

← RETURN TO CHAPTER 2

→ PROCEED WITH MAIN STORY [CHAPTER 4]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #1 [W/ SUBARU]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #2 [W/ RUKI]

→ SUB-SCENARIO #3 [W/ KOU]

[misslilli]

Whelp, with yesterday we're back at school. Teaching first grade is hard, man 😂 Thank you guys, again, for going on this adventure with me :)

Felix Felicis

MSR. AU. PG-13. | tagging @today-in-fic | read on AO3

Chapter 17 - The Mulder Boys's Birthday Bash

[ DS ]

The Saturday of the Mulder Boys’s Birthday Bash, I find myself standing in front of my closet with the girls, frowning at my selection of dresses. “What about this one?” Holly fingers a yellow sundress.

“Nah, it’s pretty but she looks like she’s going to church in that one.” Sarah tugs on a dress with a daisy print on it.

“Are you joking? That one’s even more Virgin Mary than the yellow one!”

Alex reaches into my closet and pulls out a navy two-piece dress I bought on a whim a few years back, but have never worn since then. “How about this one?”

“A, that’s perfect! It’s classy, yet sexy, just what we’re going for!” Sarah shoves me towards my bathroom. “Go try it on, D! And wear those nude heels with it.” I take the dress out of Alex’s arms and the shoes from Sarah and change into the outfit quickly. The straps drape across my arms just below my shoulders and it’s low cut just enough for my comfort. My cross necklace gleams against my skin and I decide to keep it on for tonight. Since it’s a two-piece, there’s just a sliver of skin visible between the top and the skirt, which flares out and swishes around my knees.

Slipping on my heels I step outside and the girls gasp in unison. “Yes, that’s the one! How does it feel D?” Holly pulls me over and I twirl in front of the full-length mirror, smiling as the skirt billows out around my legs.

“It’s beautiful, I love it. Thanks, girls!”

“The Mulder boys won’t know what hit ‘em when you show up wearing that!” Sarah winks at me suggestively and I roll my eyes at her.

“You know exactly that that’s not why I’m wearing it!”

Now it’s Sarah’s turn to roll her eyes. “Yeah sure, just keep telling yourself that…”

“Come on guys, we’re already unfashionably late. I’ll just call us a cab, are you ready?”

I grab a shawl against the cold and my purse before we make our way downstairs to wait for the cab. When we arrive at the house, we can already hear faint party noises from the backyard and my heart’s beating hard against my chest when we walk up the front walkway to ring the doorbell. My gaze wanders around the front of the house, the glass veranda on the right catching my eye. It’s completely different from our beach house, but it’s beautiful all the same.

The door opens to reveal Principal Skinner with a glass of whiskey in his hand and he holds the door open for us. “Hello ladies, come on in! You look extraordinarily beautiful tonight! Follow me, the party’s out back in the yard.”

He leads us through the house and I notice that it’s got polished hardwood floors and is furnished with antiques, giving it a cozy feel. We walk past the glass veranda which houses the dining room on the right and the living room with a massive couch to the left, which opens into the kitchen. The wooden staircase to the first floor is tucked away in the back. Skinner points us to the bathroom as we walk past it before we step outside onto the back porch and my breath catches in my chest.

They really went all out on this party, there’s string lights twinkling all around the hedge and in the trees, catered food and a bar in one corner, round tables in the middle and a massive dancefloor with a DJ in the other corner. Holly whistles through her teeth. “Man, they sure know how to live it up. Why are our parties never this nice? Jesus, I think they invited half the town for this.”

“Well, that’s on me I guess, they don’t know many people around here yet so I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to make new acquaintances,” Principal Skinner admits but I’m only half listening because my eyes are too busy scanning the crowd. Sarah nudges my hip and tilts her head over to the bar and I’m embarrassed that she knows exactly who I was looking for. There he is, deep in conversation with Skinner’s wife, laughing at something she said.

He’s wearing a dark blue suit with a white dress shirt and a crimson tie and while the sight of him in a plain t-shirt with jeans are enough to make my heart skip a beat, him in that suit is going to give me a heart attack.

“Would you look at that D, you color coordinated, matchsiiiesss.” Holly whispers in my ear and I give her a pointed look.

“Shut up, Holly!” I hiss at her.

Just then, he looks over at us standing on the elevated porch and I can practically feel the slight burn his eyes leave as they travel up and down my body, giving me the once over. I hope he has a defibrillator. He flashes us a smile and raises his hand in a small wave, then continues his conversation with Arlene Skinner.

“Come on, girls, let’s put the presents on the gift table and get something to eat and drink.” ‘Eat, drink and be merry for today you may die.’

At the bar we sidestep the wine for now, since we haven’t eaten yet and I don’t want to embarrass myself by getting tipsy and stumbling over my heels. With my luck, I’ll just faceplant at a certain someone’s feet. ‘Huh, maybe he’ll catch me in those strong arms of his, though, if you’re really lucky…‘

When he spots our little circle, Felix comes over to us wearing a boy version of his dad’s suit, only with short dress pants and sneakers better suited for running around with the other kids. He’s tugging a tall woman along, with wavy brown hair and a kind face that seems somewhat familiar, but I’m not sure where to place her. His face is flushed and he beams at us happily.

“You came!”

“Of course we came, happy birthday Felix!” Sarah raises her glass to him and we all chime in with our Happy birthdays. The woman he came over with also raises her glass and ruffles his hair affectionately.

“This is my teacher Miss Anderson, and Miss Carter and Miss Spencer and Miss Scully,” he introduces us while the woman takes her turn shaking our hands. She regards me curiously and her lips curve into a smile.

“I’m Sam, Fox’s sister and Felix’s favorite aunt!” His sister, that’s why her face seemed so familiar. “So you’re the enigmatic Miss Scully I’ve heard so much about. It’s so nice to finally meet you!” She notices the surprised look on my face. “Only good things, I promise. Felix won’t shut up about you when we talk on the phone.” I laugh, mostly because of the exasperated look Felix gives his aunt at revealing his secret.

“Glad to hear it, we’re having a lot of fun with him during recess! Nice to meet you, Sam. I really like your dress, did you get it around here?”

“Thanks, but no, I got it back in LA, I’m only visiting for a couple of days, I just couldn’t miss my two handsome boys’s birthday bash!”

“Handsome, huh? You spoil me sis!” Her brother has snuck up behind her, throwing his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side and planting a kiss on her cheek. “Hi ladies, thanks for coming, you look very lovely today!” We raise our glasses to him as well, wishing him a happy birthday and my drink spills over a little in my shaky hand. I pray that no one notices.

“Sam I’m so sorry to drag you away, but can you help me out and check if everything’s alright with the caterers?” They excuse themselves and we decide it’s time for us to check out what said caterers have prepared, our stomachs already rumbling. Hopefully, the butterflies in my stomach will make room.

----------

[ Sam ]

After checking with the caterers inside, I return to the party, standing on the back porch to watch everyone have a good time and I’m secretly a little proud of myself. Planning the party from all the way across the country had been stressful to say the least, but it turned out great. My gaze wanders around the tables and it catches on the tiny red-head and her three friends, who seem to be having a great time, laughing and chatting at their table.

I’ve heard many stories from Felix over the last few weeks but what surprised me the most was the way my brother looks at her. When I saw the way his whole face lit up when she walked in, I realized that Felix was not the only one taken with Miss Scully. She’s not his usual type - not that she’s not pretty, she is, very much so - but she’s actually nice. A vast improvement from the piece of work that’s his ex-wife, let me tell you. I wonder if he’s thought about asking her out yet.

----------

[ DS ]

After dinner, we’re treated to another visit from the little Mulder, who’s breathless from the game of tag with his friends. “Hey Felix! Are you having a good time?” He nods enthusiastically, trying hard to catch his breath.

“Yeah, auntie Sam did a really good job! I can’t wait for my cake, she said it’s really huuuge! And the DJ is playing aaaall my favorite songs, too!”

Suddenly shy, he shuffles his feet a bit and then, gathering all his courage, he looks up at me and holds out a tiny hand. “Miss Scully, will you dance with me?”

“Of course, birthday boy, come on.”

----------

[ Sam ]

Once I’m finished making another round of checking that everything’s running smoothly, I spot my brother standing at the bottom of the stairs, watching the party. Stopping on the last step, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my chin on his shoulder. “Great party, huh?”

“Yeah, you did a pretty good job sis. And Skinner’s managed to gather up quite a crowd. Almost everyone’s here tonight!”

“You know what I think? You’d be just as happy if it were only you and one other special guest here tonight.” He turns his head a little, frowning.

“What?” I motion my head to the woman who’s currently talking to Felix at her table. “Aah. Is it that obvious?” I snort derisively

“Are you kidding me, bro? I’ve known you all my life, I can see the hearts in your eyes from a mile down the road. Have you asked her out yet?”

“No… I’m so nervous around her I can barely string more than a few coherent words together. She probably thinks I’m a huge idiot. I asked her if she believes in aliens, Sam!” We watch as Felix holds his hand out to her, asking her to dance with him. He’s so cute I can barely stand it.

“I’m sure that’s not true. You should take a page out of your son’s book though, boy’s got game!” My brother laughs as the somewhat mismatched pair sways on the dancefloor.

I release him from my embrace, an idea popping into my head. “You should go and cut in.” Now he fully turns to me and looks at me like I’m crazy.

“What? No…” He’s making his panic face.

“What yes! Carpe diem, right now!” I give him a gentle shove in the direction of the dancefloor. “Go! I’ll handle the music.”

----------

[ DS ]

Of course, I can’t say no to the little charmer and we make our way to the dancefloor and I sway with Felix in time to the music, twirling him around until he giggles.

“You look really handsome tonight, Felix!”

He smiles shyly and narrowly avoids stepping on my shoes. “Thank you! You look really beautiful too.”

“You’re absolutely right, son. Mind if I cut in?” A tingle shoots up my spine at the sound of his voice and Felix nods, stepping back. His dad holds out his hand to me. “A dance for the other birthday boy?”

“Well technically, it’s not your birthday for a few days.” I tease him, but I slip my hand into his and he spins me against him, wrapping his right arm around my waist, clasping my left hand in his tightly. The DJ fades into a new song and I groan inwardly as Sonny and Cher’s “I got you babe!” starts droning from the speakers. We sway for a few beats before he whips me across the dancefloor in a quick waltz. Over his shoulder I can see countless pairs of eyes following us but for once, tonight, I don’t care because all I can feel is the burn of his fingers resting on the sliver of exposed skin of my waist and the tickle of the hair at the back of his neck against my hand. God, this guy can waltz.

On the last few notes, he twirls me out with a grin on his face, tugging on my hand to bring me back in and then he dips me back for the grand finale. Dips me. The move takes me by surprise and I laugh, breathless when he brings me upright again.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to dip your lady in a waltz!” I realize my Freudian slip a fraction of a second too late. ‘Your lady? What the heck, Dana.’

He just shrugs nonchalantly, still grinning. “If I fancy to dip my lady, I will dip my lady! Thank you for this dance, Miss Scully!” He bows his head and I chuckle, curtsying. “The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Mulder!” ‘Who ARE you?’

We step off the dancefloor and I return to our table, sitting down still a little bit out of breath, only to be met with three incredulous stares. ‘Here we go, 3, 2, 1…’

“What was that, D?” Holly.

“Oh my God, the two of you on the dancefloor!” Sarah.

“That was incredible!” Alex.

I shrug, picking up my glass, but I can’t hide the blush on my face and smile around my straw. “Mr. Mulder can waltz.” I’ll never live this down.

Sometime after the birthday cakes came out, Felix appears at my side again and leans against me heavily. I can tell he’s coming down from his sugar-high. “Miss Scully, remember how I told you about the encyclopedia on butterflies?”

“Yeah I do, what about it?”

“Would you like to see it?” He looks up at me hopefully and I agree, glad to get away from the action for a while.

“Okay, come on!” Together we climb the steps to the back porch and he tugs me inside into the living room where we sit down on the couch. I can finally slip off my heels while Felix runs to get the encyclopedia and after returning, places it on my lap curling up into my side. He opens the heavy book and shows me his favorite butterflies, explaining in great detail what’s so special about it.

His voice gets more and more quiet with each new butterfly until he stops talking altogether and looking down I realize that he fell asleep, completely wiped. Coming off my own sugar high, I scoot down lower into the cushions and lean my head back against the back, closing my eyes. Just for a second.

[the-tiger-with-a-computer]

Twisted Wonderland NoSleep Au

Heartslabyul Part 3

Recap: After getting the chestnuts needed to make the apology tart the group now meets up with Trey in the kitchen.

Grim: We got the chestnuts. Now we can make a delicious tart.

Trey: We still have to peel them you know. It will be a challenge, but I know we can do it.

After peeling all the chestnuts Trey tricked basically everyone but Yuu and Cater into thinking that oyster sauce was needed for the tart. Then Trey released that he made to much marrow paste. So it was up to Yuu, Grim, and Deuce to go to the school store to buy the ingredients to make more whipped cream. The following happens:

Deuce: Wow, this place is amazing. Do you think this place actually sells the items we need?

Yuu: I believe so. I mean, back home it was pretty common for all types of stores to carry items like protection charms, bleach, scrubbers, and especially religious items.

Deuce: I can kinda understand the charms and religious items part. But why carry bleach and scrubbers?

Yuu: In case someone gets killed.

Deuce was about to ask Yuu to elaborate when Sam, the owner of the school store, came in to welcome Deuce and Yuu.

Sam: Hey, my lost little demons, how goes it? Welcome to Mr.S ‘s Mystery Shop. What can I do for you today? A charm for uncharted lands? Mummy of an ancient king? Or how about some cursed tarot cards?

Deuce: We’d like the things written here.

Grim: And some cans of tuna.

Yuu: We have enough tuna back at the dorm, we don’t need anymore anytime soon. Anyway, got any protection charms?

Deuce: No. No tuna or protection charms. Let’s just get the things we came here to get.

Sam: What what? Whipped cream, eggs… Oh! A nice sweet line-up. Ok! Coming right up.

Deuce: Wow, he really does have them.

Yuu: Well, the school store does need to have everything a student would need. And then some.

Sam: Sorry ‘bout the wait. It’s a bit heavy, you got it? If you order now you can get a 1/100 size floating platter to carry your purchases for 30% off.

Grim: What’s that? Sounds cool!

Deuce: We’re good. Thank you. It’s time to go.

Grim: But I wanna hang around more.

Yuu: If we hurry, Trey might let us eat something sweet.

Grim: Then what are we waiting for! Let’s get a move on!

Sam: Make sure to come by again!

*However as Yuu left with Deuce and Grim Sam couldn’t help but wonder about the new student. After what he has heard about their homeworld from Crowley sparked curiosity in both him and his friends. If what he thinks is true. Then Yuu might have come from a much darker world then his friends.*

On the way back to the kitchen Deuce offered to carry Yuu’s bag for them. When Yuu said that it was all right Deuce insisted saying that he was used to carrying heavy things as he would help his mom carry groceries. And since he was the only boy, he would be stuck doing anything requiring strength.

Deuce: Ah, I’ve just been talking about myself.

Yuu: Well I think that helping your family is a wonderful thing. Where I’m from, family is very important and to betray their trust would be to go against everything that both monsters and humans believe in. Helping your family, and anyone you see as family, is considered a very honorable thing to do. To do them harm is considered one of the worst things a human can do.

Deuce: Wow. You must miss them very much then. But, the thing is…. I always made my mom…

Before Deuce could finish his sentence he bumped into someone, breaking some eggs in the process.

Grim: Ahh! The eggs!

Deuce: $h*t, half of the eggs are destroyed! There’s egg all over the bag!

Delinquent A: Hey you! Watch where you’re… wait… You’re the fools who wreaked the egg in my carbonara earlier.

Delinquent B: It’s you guys again. You can’t catch a break!

Deuce: You were the ones who jumped out from behind the corner. At lunch, it wasn’t like you couldn’t eat the egg anymore but you still came to pick a fight… Just now, you destroyed half our eggs.

Grim: Yeah, that’s right.

Delinquent A: And? You sayin’ it’s our fault?

*Yuu, knowing that this will not end well, and with no way to defuse the situation stepped away from them. But at the same time they were ready to step in and help Deuce if it came to that.*

Deuce: Yes. Please pay for the eggs. And please apologize to the chickens too.

Delinquent B: Hmmm? You’re getting all worked up over eggs.

Delinquent A: They didn’t hit the ground right? Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Delinquent B: We saved you the trouble of breaking them.

Yuu could stand by no longer and decided to step in. After all, they had enough of these two boys nonsense.

Yuu: Well, you did damage what we payed for. I expect to at least be paid back in the amount the broken eggs cost. Think you can do that?

Delinquent A: Don’t think you can boss us around, just because we broke a few eggs!

Yuu: This is more than just about a few eggs. As I recall you two have been causing quite a bit of trouble as of late. Would be a shame if the principal knew of your antics.

*This was very much true as Yuu had used the ghost camera to take pictures of both the good and the bad. Let’s just say that Yuu had quite a bit of dirt on these two in particular*

Delinquent B: Is that a threat I hear?

Yuu: A warning actually.

Delinquent A: Looks like we need to teach these two a lesson.

Deuce: HEY! You don’t get to make decisions for us! These eggs… instead of becoming a chick they were gonna make us a delicious tart!! And you sure as he!! wouldn’t EVER hurt my friends! You get it! Huh!?

Delinquent B: What’s this guy’s problem all the sudden!?

Deuce: If you don’t wanna pay for the six eggs you broke… I’ll just punch you six times instead.

Delinquent A: Whaaaaa!?

Yuu: Time to fight!

Deuce: Grit your teeth a$$ho!e$!!

Let’s just say that the two never stood a chance. With Deuce’s experience in fights and Yuu’s self-defense training, they wiped the floor with the two delinquents.

Delinquent A: T-these two are straight-up mad! That wasn’t just six hits! Lair!

Yuu: OH! So you want some more huh!?

Delinquent B: Let’s get the he!! out of here! I’m sorry to all chickens!

Deuce: Apologize 100 times next you eat eggs! Dumb@$$e$!!

Grim: Wow!

Deuce: Huff, huff… Ugh!!

Grim: What just happened?

Deuce: …I screwed up… I vowed that I would definitely be a honor student this time…! In middle school, all I ever did was screw around… I constantly skipped school and spent my day getting into fights. I disrespected my teachers, hung around sketchy upperclassman, and bleached my hair to death. Even ran around all over the place riding a magical wheel. I was a terrible person that went as far as to use magic to lord over those that couldn’t.

Grim: Just now you went full on bad boy on those guys!

Deuce: Then one night... I saw my mom hiding away in tears as she called my grandma. "Was the I raised him wrong? Would it have been better if he had both parents?" She was wrong. Mom never did anything wrong. It was all me! So when the carriage from Night Raven College came to get me... My mom was so happy and I don't want to make her cry again. This time. I'm going to be an honor student my mom can be proud of. Then I do this... $hit!

Grim: But, y'know... Does being an honor student mean you have to grin and bare everything?

Deuce: Huh?

Grim: Those delinquents deserved another 10 punches if you ask me! You and Yuu fought them off before I could, though.

Yuu: I think that your mom would be proud that you are trying to be a better student. In my eyes, you are doing a lot better than back then.

Deuce: You guys...

Yuu: Even honor students get mad too.

Deuce: Really? ...Heh heh. May those baby chicks rest in peace.

Yuu: There is something that I need to tell you.

Deuce: What do you mean?

Yuu: The eggs that we bought will never turn into chicks as they were never fertilized.

Deuce: WHAT?!? You've gotta be kidding!?

Back at the kitchen, they gave the ingredients to Trey who then proceeded to finish making the tart. Which turned out to be amazing and looked really good.

Ace: Did something happen while you were out shopping?

Yuu: Chick shock...

Deuce: For 16 years... I believed that...

Ace: Making sweets takes so much time. I'm exhausted...

Cater: Good work! Is the tart finished? The decorations look super cute! It's totally magicam-gramble! Let me take a pic.

Ace: Ah! What'd you come here for?

Cater: I came by to check on my cute underclassmen, working so hard. Ahaha, you look beat!

Trey: Things you aren't used to tire you out quick. So when you're tired you need to eat something sweet. Go ahead and try the mont blanc we made.

Everyone: Yay!

Yuu: Are you sure?

Trey: It's fine.

Ace: Cater, you did come here just in time to eat the tart!

Yuu: Almost like you planned it.

Cater: Just a coincidence I promise.

Grim: Waaahaaa... It smells so deliciously sweet. The chestnuts on top are glossy while the cream underneath is so fluffy! Let's eat!

Yuu: Please don't eat it all. We still need a tart for the Unbirthday Party.

Grim: I know

Ace: Ah! Holy crap!

Cater: So good!

Deuce: Amazing... It's like what you get in stores.

Grim: It's not overly sweet but still has a richness to it! It's like a garden of chestnuts in my mouth!

Yuu: It's amazing! I definitely think that Riddle will love this.

Trey: Thank you.

Cater: Oh yeah. Hey Trey, do the thing.

Trey: The thing? ...Oh, that. So what are your favorite foods?

Ace: Mine's cherry pie and hamburgers.

Grim: My number one is canned tuna. And cheese omurice, and grilled meat, and pudding!

Deuce: If I have to pick, omurice, I guess.

Yuu: Mine would have to be breaded shrimp.

Cater: And mine is grilled lamb with diablo sauce.

Trey: Alright here we go, ... Doodle Suit!

There was a sound, a flash, and then nothing.

Deuce: ...? This is?

Trey: Now take another bite of the mont blanc.

Ace: Hm? Hmmmmm? This is... mont blanc but it tastes like cherry pie!

Grim: It tastes like canned tuna! *Chomp chomp* Ohh, now it's cheese omurice! And grilled chicken, *munch munch*, and pudding!

Yuu: Wow! It really does taste like breaded shrimp!

Cater: Isn't it fun? If you did this while having tea with a girl, they'd be super impressed!

Deuce: It's amazing. Is changing the flavor of food your unique magic, Trey?

Trey: Actually, it's magic that "overwrites a component". So not just taste, but I can also overwrite the color or scent or really anything. The overwrite only lasts a short time so that's why it's like a doodle or scribble. That's why I've named this magic "doodle" since it's not permanent.

Grim: With your "Doodle Suit" my dream of all you can eat canned tuna isn't just a dream. It's so much better than the magic Riddle uses to bully people.

Trey: No... My magic is nothing more than child's play when compared to Riddle's He's on a different level. ...It's getting late. Let's go home and give Riddle the tart tomorrow. Tomorrow is the Unbirthday Party. Don't be late.

Yuu: Hang on. Do you have a book of the rules?

Trey: Yeah, why?

Yuu: I want to make sure that there is nothing against a mont blanc at an Unbirthday Party.

Cater: Good thinking Yuu.

Ace: So, did you find anything Yuu?

Yuu: Here we are. Rule Number 562: Refrain from bringing marron tarts for the Unbirthday Party."

Trey: Wow, I almost missed that one. Good thing Yuu double-checked the rules.

Yuu: It's kinda a talent of mine. Knowing the rules and when a rule applies to a situation or not. It's weird, I know.

Cater: Far from it. If you hadn't checked then Riddle would have most likely been furious.

Ace: Yuu, I owe you one.

Yuu: Then I think that we should keep the tart in the kitchen, explain ourselves to Riddle and hope that he takes the collar off of Ace.

Ace: One more thing. Yuu, can you let me sleep over again? My cruel upperclassmen aren't going to let me in the dorm!

Cater: Wow. So prickly!

Deuce: Ace, don't force Yuu to spoil you too much.

Grim: Yeah! You gotta pay to stay! 10 cans of tuna!

Ace: What! Are you telling me to sleep outside?

Yuu: No, no. Ace, you can stay but now you owe me two favors.

Ace: Fine by me! Thank Yuu!

Trey: Deuce, why don't you stay in their dorm to keep an eye on Ace? As the vice dorm leader, I give you permission.

Cater: Trey, aren't you spoiling the newbies. I'm jelly. Yuu, can I go too?

Yuu: I don't think so. The dorm needs some intense TLC and I'm pretty sure that you're needed in the dorm.

Cater: Tch. Bringin' me down.

Trey: Yuu, I'm sorry about forcing those two on you. We're counting on you tomorrow.

Yuu: It's fine and I will be sure that they are on their best behavior tomorrow.

Ace: Tomorrow is the Unbirthday Party. This damn collar is definitely coming off! Just you watch, Riddle.

As Yuu, Ace, Grim, and Deuce made their way to the dorm Yuu coudn't help but feel as if something was very wrong in the dorm. And that Riddle was in great danger, but from what?

That is where I will end this chapter and the next will continue to the morning of the Unbirthday Party. Until then, hope everyone is doing ok.

[cheesy-cakey]

You Are Mine

Cater X Yandere reader

[Mentions of murder, obsession, brainwashing, and cannibalism]

3rd POV

It was a normal day at NRC and our one and only Cater Diamond is in the rose Maze painting roses.

But it was unknown to him that a certain girl was watching him from afar

Y/N Pinka, the younger sister of Alchemi Pinka or in other words Che'nya.

She was watching the boy with affectionate eyes. Longingly watching.

She had fallen in love with Cater the moments she saw him.

She knew that they were meant to be.

-flashback-

Y/N was out to visit her brother at his at his school but just as she arrived she saw him go out and so she followed him

She used her unique magic "Guess who" which allows her to alter her appearance to almost anything. Let it be an object. A person. Or nothing at all. Though the more complex it is the harder to keep its form

She followed her brother as she realized he was going to NRC.

She continuously followed her brother to see what kind of fun he's up to.

He went to an unbirthday party at the Heartslabyul dorm. Where his childhood friends were.

And that's where she saw him.

His vibrant orange hair.

His enchanting forest green eyes.

The girl was absolutely mesmerized.

She took in every last detail of his appearance.

"I need to get closer. I need to take in every last detail" she muttered then she got an idea

She snuck up behind Che'nya and pounced on him. Hugging him from behind as she wrapped her arms around his neck

"Hello meow dear brother~" she said as she hugged him closer with a smile

"Nya? Y/N what are you doing here?" Che'nya asked with a cheeky smile

The girl got off and her tail started swinging around

"I wanted to visit mew, but you seem to have decided to attend an unbirthday party. So I followed!" She said as she turned to the others

"I am Y/N Pinka. I'm purr-leased to meet ya!" Y/N said enthusiastically

"It's nice to see you again Y/N" Trey said

"You really need to keep your brother in check" Riddle told Y/N

"I don't see a reason why" she said

"Anyways who are you?" The girl asked

"I'm Ace Trappola"

"My name is Deuce Spade"

"I'm the great Grim! And this is my henchman-" a pretty girl cutted the cat off

"I'm Yuumi"

"Oh and I'm Cater Diamond it's nice to meet you"

Cater Diamond.

That name stuck to her.

She could never forget it.

Since that day.

She changed.

-end of flashback-

Even her brother noticed her change

And it worried him.

And that's saying a lot since it's Che'nya.

She watched him every single day.

She started missing classes.

Her grades started to falter.

Everyone was worried.

What was going on with their precious Y/N.

They didn't know until.

Che'nya POV

I'm starting to worry for my little sister.

Sure she wasn't one to actually take her classes seriously.

But she never had a failing grades before.

And now she started disappearing more often.

Even the people in her school don't know where she goes.

My parents told me to go see if she was alright.

Since I'm the one closest to her in our family. We're worried for her.

I knocked on the door but no one answered

"Is she out again?" I muttered

"I'm coming in" I said as I opened the door

I looked to see Cater....

Wait no.

That's not Cater.

That's Y/N.

She was looking at the mirror as Cater touching the reflection in front of her

The look in her eyes.

I don't like it

"How enchanting. I can't stop looking at these green eyes" she said to herself eyes glued to her reflection

"Y/N what's the meowning of this?" I asked

She flinched as she realized I was here

"Brother!? When did mew get here!? I thought I told you to knock!?" She yelled at me as she turned back

"I did knock. Now tell meow. What are you doing" I asked again

"I guess the cats out the bag huh?" She said looking down

I then looked at her room.

And realized that almost every inch of her wall was plastered of pictures of Cater.

"Do you like it brother? Isn't he just gorgeous? Look at those forest green eyes. His vibrant orange hair. It's all so wonderful!" She said with a smile on her face. But that wasn't the smile everyone grew to love

"Y/N what's all this" I trembled at the sight of my sister

"I want him. From a single strand of his hair to the tip of his toe nail!" (Ngl I gagged writing that)

"Y/N this is too much! What's with this!?"

"Brother could mew blame me when someone is this perfect? His looks, his demeanor, his scent. All of it is perfect. I want him. Please brother I beg of you. Help me" she asked as her eyes were full of obsession and affection toward Cater

"No Y/N! You're going too far! Stop this! You're failing in school! Mom and dad are worried sick! And you keep disappearing off to who knows wh-" then it hit me

"You've been going to NRC haven't you" I said

She stayed silent

"You've been going to NRC to spy on Cater haven't you!" I yelled

She continued to stay silent

"Y/N this is too much! Are mew really going to ruin yourself for him!?" I asked

"What I do is none of your business brother! What I become is not your choice! I dictate what I want to do and you can't stop me!" She yelled

"Of course it's my business! I'm meow brother!"

"Shut up! mew wouldn't get it! You think you know it all! But you don't know how I feel about Cater! I love him and nothing can stop me!"

"Even if he's off the market?" I asked

"W-what?" She stuttered

"Cater had been dating Yuumi for the past month now. Are you still going to go after him?" I asked

I saw the heart break in her eyes.

Like everything she had built up just crumbled Infront of her

"No... You're lying"

"No I'm not Y/N"

She looked down, her ears and tail drooped and stayed silent

Before she spoke

"Get out"

"Y/N"

"GET THE FUCK OUT YOU HEAR ME!" she yelled as she pushed me out and slammed the door shut

"Open the damn door Y/N! We're not done talking!" I yelled as I bang on the door

Eventually I stopped cause I knew it was hopeless

"Y/N needs to stop. It's driving her mad"

Y/N POV

No

No

No

No no no no

"No!" I yelled as I threw a vase at the wall shattering it

I then started to break down crying

"Why.... Just why!? It's not fair! Didn't get a chance to get to know him! Yet someone else already...." I sobbed

I then looked at the mirror. I then shifted into Cater.

I touched the mirror as tears fell from my eyes

"Cater. Cater Diamond"

3rd POV

A week had passed and Y/N hadn't come out of her room

They pried the door open since no one answered and all the food that was taken to her was left untouched

Once they opened it they saw something that made their hearts shatter

They saw their precious Y/N

Dead on the floor gripping onto a picture of Cater.

This sight absolutely broke Che'nya.

He should've tried harder to help get Y/N out from her delusional state

But now he lost his little sister.

The sister he cherished so much.

But for some reason.

It didn't hurt as much as he thought it would.

-time skip-

A funeral was held for her.

They invited the people she met at the unbirthday

"I'm sorry for you're loss Che'nya" Ace said

"I can't believe it. She's gone" Riddle said as he tried to hold back tears. Key word TRIED

"Why. Why did she die Che'nya" Trey asked

"She- she got depressed. But I'd rather not say the reason why" Che'nya explained. But he didn't want to say it was because she was heartbroken from Cater

Cater looked at her in her coffin

For some reason this hurted him a lot

He never really got to know Y/N that much. But this hurted him a lot for some reason.

"Cater, are you alright?" Yuumi asked

"Y-yeah I'm fine" he replied smiling at Yuumi

"If you're not feeling well we can go back" she said

"T-that would be nice" he said as he went to the group

"I'm going to head out first. I'm sorry for you're loss" Cater said

"Of course thank you"

"I'm going as well. I apologize for your loss" Yuumi said with a soft smile

This sent a tingle down Che'nya spine

-time skip-

Riddle and Trey went to the Pinka residence to talk with him

"What do you mean? Cater and Yuumi disappeared?" Che'nya questioned

"Yeah. After they left after the funeral they never came back" Trey said

"This just doesn't make sense" Riddle said

They kept thinking and thinking. Till something hit Che'nya

The smile

The smile Yuumi gave him

It's the same smile on Y/N's face that everyone loved

"Y/N!" Che'nya yelled as he rushed to her room

"Che'nya!" The two yelled as they followed him

Che'nya started rummaging through her room

"Che'nya what's going o-" Riddle stopped as he saw her room

"W-whats all this?" Trey questioned shocked at the sight

"The reason Y/N got depressed was because she was broken from the mews that Cater was already taken" Che'nya explained as he continued to go through her things eventually finding something

Che'nya trembled. Tears spilling. But also speechless

"Che'nya? Are you alright" Trey asked as they went closer to him

"What's tha-" Riddle stopped as he saw what Che'nya found

It was a bloody knife.

And a map with markings

"We need to go here" Che'nya rushed to go to the marked location

"Che'nya! Wait for us!"

-at the location-

They were now in a remote location. With a well prepared house.

A garden of fruits and vegetables.

By a lake.

And in the garden.

Was no other than Y/N Pinka

"Y-Y/N?" Che'nya stuttered

This caught the girls attention so she looked up and froze

"Ch-Che'nya? Riddle? Trey? W-what are you guys doing here?" The girl asked

"No- what are you doing here!?" Che'nya yelled

"That's none of your business!" She yelled

"It is! You were dead weren't you!? We buried your corpse!"

She went silent

"Haha. Ahahahahaha! You think that ugly fucking corpse was me? You don't know me that well after all dear brother." She said as the look in her eyes changed

"W-what do you mean Y/N?" Riddle stuttered

"My unique magic doesn't only change my appearance. But change the appearance of ANYTHING. I could change the appearance of Riddle to Trey. A cup into you brother. But most of all change the ugly corpse of Yuumi into an elegant one of me!" She explained

"T-the corpse of who?" Trey asked

"Oops. Looks like I accidentally spilled. I killed Yuumi three days into my isolation. That gave me enough time to adapt into becoming her for the time being"

"So you mean. The one at your funeral"

"The corpse you buried was no other than your precious Yuumi" she smiled psychotically

"Why!? Why did you do this!?" Trey asked

"Cause she took what was supposed to be mine!"

"What?"

"She took Cater before I even had the chance! So when we left the funeral. I took him"

"Y/N? Love who are you talking to?" A voice from the inside asked

Out walked Cater.

Looking the same.

But his eyes.

We're dull.

"No one important dear! I'll be right back in!"

"Alright. Be quick dinner is gonna get cold" Cater then went back inside

"What did you do to Cater Y/N" Che'nya hissed

"Nothing much. Just. Brainwashed him. He's mine. I love him and now" she stopped and smiled

"He loves me"

They froze

"You're not getting away with this sis. You're going to pay for your mistakes"

"Awhh too bad" the girl said as she pulled something out

"I don't leave witnesses" she held the knife as she disappeared

-inside the house-

"I'm back dear!"

"What took you so long Y/N?" Cater asked

"I found some prey! Here" she said handing Cater a basket full of meat (I feel like throwing up)

"Alright I'll put these in the fridge"

Cater then came back to see Y/N sitting on the couch

He went and hugged Y/N

"Cater, dear, do you love me?" She asked

"Of course. I.... Love you" he said

"Do you love me?" He asked

"I do and always will" she said as she kissed Cater

The kiss was deep between them

It was passionate.

But also empty.

They stopped and held each other

"I will always love you" she said

"I'm yours" she stated

And Your Mine

[hellfire-munson]

Looking Up Luke x Reader Pt 1

Pairings: Luke x Reader (Briefly at the end), Julie x BestFriend! Reader

 Warnings: Fluff, Brief mention of sad memories.

Word count: 2211

This is My first post so bare with me. I’ll get better at the edits and stuff as I learn my way around Tumblr. I also took inspiration from Paramore and the reader was strongly based on Hayley Williams in my mind but you can make her in your image. I don't own Paramore or their music. The song I took inspiration from is Looking Up.

     “Jules, you and Flynn are coming tonight, right?” You ask while you and your best friend throw you school books in your locker after your last period. Julie looks over and smiles at you.

     “Of course! The boys were wanting to tag along especially after I told them how you were in a band of your own. They wanted to know why you denied their offer after Luke heard you shred the guitar solo during that one rehearsal.” She says.

      “If he thought I was shredding that guitar, just wait till they see what I really got going on. Right now all they know and all anyone knows and thinks is I play guitar for the band. Also Luke wanted me to join so he could see me everyday.” You smile.

      “Wait, Jackie walked?!” She screamed excitedly.

      “Yeah, after her and I got into this huge argument about the upcoming shows and letting me actually sing vocals for MY songs she walked away, and someone had to take her place. I wrote this new song we are going to play tonight, you’re going to love it.” You smile at her.

      “Y/N this is amazing! Our mom’s would be so proud of us.” She smiles longingly.

     “Maybe we could collaborate one day, I know you’re a bit more popish than what Paramore is but we could make something work!” You smile at her. She jumps up and down loving the idea of the whole thing.

    “Yes! That would be amazing! Let's head home, we have to get ready for tonight. Oh how will we get in? I thought the venue sold out in minutes?” She asks turning to look at you as you two walk through the doors to your car. You pulled 5 vip lanyards out of your bag and handed them to her.

    “I got you covered girl, don’t worry.” You smile unlocking the door. The drive back to your house was filled with you blasting all your bands old songs and singing along. You were lucky enough to live in the same neighborhood as Julie and the boys so you often carpooled to school but the boys had things to do after school before the show so they went their separate ways. Julie was trying to help you choose your clothes for tonight but with you two being so entirely polar opposite it was hard. If anyone was to help you it should have been Luke since you two share almost the same fashion sense with a hint of Reggie mixed in. You eventually settled for an old cut up Sunset Curve shirt you “borrowed” from Luke with a lace bra underneath and you paired that with your highwaisted, ripped black skinny jeans and your studded Doc Martens. What you decided to do with your hair and makeup will come to you once you hit the venue. You gathered your things to pack into the car while Julie made some final accessory details to your look. She handed you your chain to attach to your jeans along with an assortment of rings and bracelets. Everything was looking perfect for your first big performance as the lead singer.

    “Okay, I gotta head to the venue for soundcheck. You, Flynn and the boys should be there around 6, the show starts at 7:00.” You smile, dropping her off at her house. You see the boys sitting in the garage waving at you. You smile and wave back before backing out of Molina's driveway and head towards The Orpheum.

           Soundcheck went perfectly and it left a little time to grab a light snack before you had to get ready. You knew not to go to the street dogs stand after the incident with the boys that ended their lives 25 years ago before they met Julie and you and somehow were brought back by the two of you. Your drummer’s  girlfriend decided to have catering come out with healthy choices which you were enjoying as we speak. Heading back to your dressing room the security guard stopped you saying there was a group of people here to see the band.

    “Oh that’s my friends from school, you can let them on back. Thanks Alan!” You smile popping a strawberry in your mouth.

     “You didn’t tell me you were playing the Orpheum!” You hear Flynn yell causing you to turn around with a piece of cantaloupe hanging out of your mouth.

     “Well you didn’t ask.” You say chewing the part that was in your mouth.

“Okay smartass. Also when did you change your hair color?” She asks pointing to your now orange hair. You smile slyly at her.

      “I did last night, but I wore it up in a hat today so people didn’t see it until now.” You say getting up to hug your friends. The boys are just standing at the door staring at you.

    “I don’t bite, you can come in.” You joke ushering them in.

“You’re playing the Orpheum tonight Y/N how does it feel to make it big?” Alex asks.

     “I’m not sure yet, maybe I’ll know after the show. Which speaking of that when you guys head down to the floor just find Alan and he’ll take you to the spot that’s reserved for you guys.” You smile at them.

    “Your hair is so bright.” Is all Reggie can say making everyone burst out laughing.

    “I can’t wait to see you shred the stage tonight. That day at rehearsal when you and Julie were goofing off… Holy shit, that was sick!” Luke says jumping up and down.

     “It runs in the family to be honest. Our moms were in a band when they were our age and my dad is a world known rockstar so I learned at a young age.” You smile winking at Julie.

     “Well we should start heading down so you can get ready. We are going to dinner after this to celebrate just so you know.” Julie says smiling at you. Once they left you started getting ready to meet up with your band to do your before show ritual handshake.

    “All right guys, this is the Orpheum. The place is packed with execs. This will be our big break. Let’s rock it!” Andrew says putting his hand in the middle as the rest of you follow. The opening band finishes their set signaling your time to go. The band runs out causing the crowd to erupt in screams of your name. You stay back to surprise everyone as they begin playing your new song.

    “Los Angeles! Are you ready!” You scream from backstage as the beat picks up.

Things are looking up, oh finally!

I thought I'd never see the day

When you smile at me.

We always pull through, oh when we try,

I'm always wrong but you're never right.

Oh you're never right!

       You run out causing everyone to scream as you work the stage to the music. Luke, Flynn and the boys look up in awe hearing your voice for the first time. The way you rocked out was breathtaking to Luke.

Honestly, can you believe

We crossed the world while it's asleep?

I'd never trade it in, 'cause I've always wanted this!

And it's not a dream anymore!

No. It's not a dream anymore!

It's worth fighting for.

     You interacted with the audience as you sang the lyrics. You shot a wink over at Luke when you noticed his jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Julie looked over at him and knew right then and there he has fallen in love with you even more than he already was. She smiled at her bandmate. She saw the smile break across his face as he began banging his head to the beat.

Could have given up so easily

I was a few cheap shots away from the end of me

Taken for granted, almost everything that I would have died for

Just yesterday,

Just yesterday

Honestly, can you believe

We crossed the world while it's asleep?

I'd never trade it in, 'cause I've always wanted this!

It's not a dream anymore!

Oh. It's not a dream anymore!

It's worth fighting for.

     You interacted with your bandmates as they played their instruments, dancing around the stage as you had the time of your life. Jumping and head banging with your guitarist.

God knows the world doesn't need another band, (whoa, whoa!)

But what a waste it would've been! (whoa, whoa!)

I can't believe we almost hung it up (whoa, whoa!)

We're just getting started (whoa, whoa!)

Honestly, can you believe

We crossed the world while it's asleep?

I'd never trade it in, 'cause I've always wanted this!

It's not a dream anymore!

Oh. It's not a dream anymore!

It's worth fighting for.

        You stood there smiling, taking a breath letting the crowd think you were done before you jumped off the drum stage singing the final line of the song.

I can't believe we almost hung it up!(whoa whoa)

We're just getting started! (whoa whoa)

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

       You dropped to your knees as you held the final verse as the lights went out sending the crowd into a fit of cheers and screams. You smile to yourself as you hold the microphone in your lap. The lights come back on letting you see the crowd still cheering you on. The surreal feeling you had was causing your heart to sing and you were pretty sure you saw a sign off in the distance of the audience that let you know your mother was proud of you. Composing yourself, you finished the night with 6 more songs.

    “Thank you guys for coming out to support a small band from this sleepless city. We are Paramore! Good night!” You said before running off backstage. You are met with your friends and a very starstruck Luke.

    “Oh my god! That was amazing! I mean we knew you could sing but that was epic! Why haven’t you fronted before?” Flynn asks.

    “Jackie wouldn’t let me. The band was my idea back when I was slowly getting back into music but I was still wanting to stay back and play. I wrote all the songs and let her sing them. When I finally said I was ready for a shot she threw a fit and when the rest of the band sided with me she walked.” You say taking a swig of water.

    “So this is why you refused to join us?” Alex asks.

    “That and your style isn’t my style of music. It’s to pop centric but I told Julie there might be a chance of collaboration in the future.” You smile seeing Reggie get excited about the idea.

    “And then we can do a country album!” He yells causing your bandmates to start laughing at your reactions. During your laughter you didn’t see a man dressed very businessy walk in.

    “Y/N…” Julie says tapping your shoulder pointing to the doorway.

    “Oh, hi!” You say walking over with your band to meet the man.

   “I’m Eric from Capitol records. Are you Y/N?” He asks.

   “Um, y-yeah I am.” You say reaching out to shake his hand. Your friends are eavesdropping behind you while pretending to hold a conversation of their own.

    “I’ve seen many bands here, I’ve scouted some of the biggest names in music but the energy you displayed tonight is something we’ve never seen but have been looking for, for our label. Capitol records would be happy to have you join. Here’s my card. Give me a call and we will set up a meeting with the head of the label and get you signed.” He says handing you his card.

    “Oh my, wow! Thank you. Also if you don’t mind me spreading the word but I know of another you might be interested in. I’ll send you their latest video if you’re up for it.” You smile sneaking a look over at your friend and her bandmates.

    “Of course, we are always looking for new talents.” He says before exiting the room.

    “Was that?! YES!” You scream jumping into Luke’s arms. Everyone starts dancing around cheering.

    “We are being signed to Capitol Records!” You yell into the air as Luke holds you close to him. His eyes never leave your smiling face. He throws caution to the wind when you look back at him and he crashes his lips onto yours making everyone stop and gasp.

    “Well it's about damn time!” Alex shouts as you two pull away.

    “Well damn Patterson, if that’s what I get for getting signed I wonder what I’ll get after I tell you I sent your video to him as well.” You smile.

   “YOU DID WHAT?!” The band screams together.

   “We’re all getting signed.” You smile.

    “I’m going to marry this girl.” Luke says kissing you once more with more passion than the first. Everything was falling perfectly into place and you couldn’t wait to see what the future holds for you all.

I don't know how good this is, it sounded good and looked good when I was writing so I’m throwing caution to the wind and going for it. 

@parkeret​ I promised I’d tag you in my first one, I hope it doesn't suck!

@issaxcharlie thank you for also pushing me to do this as well!

@cookiebuba

[kageruna]

☆.｡.:* Kenma, Oikawa, and Tendou comforting their s/o .｡.:*☆

Warnings: Stress (school stress), anxiety, and friendship struggles (this one directly relates to me so I’m sorry if you can’t enjoy it TwT)

Genre: Fluff, some angst

Reader: Gender neutral

A/n: I’ve been going through some stuff regarding school, friendship, etc. and wrote out these headcanons to make myself feel better TwT. If you’re going through something like this, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you want to talk about it!! I would love to help anyone who’s in need feel at least a little bit better <3

Kozume Kenma

➷ this week has been a really rough week in school

➷ and when i say really rough week, i mean really rough week

➷ you’ve been getting tons more homework than you usually get and there’s been a lot more projects and in-class essays that you had to work on/study for

➷ by the end of the week, you’re basically ready to sleep for 18 hours straight and not care about school or homework for a month

➷ it’s been really stressful

➷ a certain someone, however, noticed what you were going through and saw how much you’ve been struggling

➷ yes, his name is kozume kenma and he is your lovely boyfriend

➷ he’s in a different class/level as you so he didn’t get the assignments you had and received less work than you did that week

➷ every time you guys met up either before school, during lunch, or after school, he noticed the bags under your eyes and the look of absolute exhaustion in your eyes

➷ he felt terrible because he wanted to take that stressed look off of your face but no matter what he did, you seemed to still be struggling a lot

➷ so on friday after school, he organized a little stress-relieving hang out without you knowing

➷ you guys usually went to your own houses to change out of your school uniform and drop off your school bags before going to each other’s houses so you first went back to your own house before going to kenma’s

➷ he first made it seem like you guys were just going to hang out and cuddle or something but to your surprise, when you walked into his house, there were bowls of your favorite snacks and a faint smell of your favorite scented candle wafting through his home

➷ you widened your eyes when you first walked in and the little anxious smile on kenma’s face was ADORABLE

➷ you immediately hugged him and though he was shocked, he immediately wrapped his arms around you and squeezed you tightly

➷ “i know you’ve been really stressed out lately so i wanted you to relax today and to let go of it all”

➷ you damn near cried because you really didn’t think your game-loving introverted boyfriend would do something this caring for you

➷ he led you to the sofa where there were a bunch of blankets and snacks laid out in front of it with the tv pointer already hovering over your favorite show

➷ once you both sat down, he immediately wrapped his arms around you and pulled you into his chest to cuddle while also reaching to grab a blanket to drape it over you two

➷ it was honestly really rare how forward and affectionate he was but he’s doing this all for you and that made your heart positively melt

➷ he started your favorite show and let you settle down with a bowl of your favorite snack in your guys’ laps

➷ this little surprise was just the thing you needed and you can’t believe how absolutely lucky you are to have such a caring boyfriend like kenma <3

Oikawa Tooru

➷ today was,,,, not a great day to put it frankly

➷ you forgot your pencil for the test you had in your first class (you even showed up late to it too!), you accidentally took a book from your own personal stack instead of the needed textbook, you forgot your lunch at home, and you also accidentally got your shoes wet because there was a puddle next to the outdoor water fountain

➷ today was a terrible day

➷ on top of that, your boyfriend kept on getting distracted with different volleyball regimes he was looking at and interrupted your conversation twice because of his fangirls

➷ not even your closest friends could turn your frown upside down

➷ honestly, once school ended, you were ready to just go straight home without talking to anyone and read comfort books and listen to music that calmed you down

➷ however, before you could leave the school campus, oikawa ran up to you to ask if you wanted to hang out and go to the park and have a nice cup of hot chocolate while you’re at it

➷ at first you were confused because didn’t he have volleyball practice?? the same thing that caused him to get distracted from you??

➷ but then you remembered that it was only the first day of the week and his team didn’t have practices on mondays

➷ you first tried to refuse because i mean he was also one of the reasons why you were upset!!

➷ but he kept on whining and begging you to join him for a stroll in the park so you were basically forced to join him he’s so whiny and spoiled oh my god 🙄

➷ little did you know, he actually did notice you were in a bad mood and was actually trying to make you feel better by taking you out on a date

➷ sure, he did get carried away and didn’t necessarily cater to what you might’ve wanted from him but nobody is perfect!! he makes mistakes and isn’t a perfect person all the time too

➷ he wanted to make it up to you and take the other struggles you faced today off of your shoulders

➷ he grabbed your hand and led you to the little cafe next to the park to get yourselves some hot chocolate. he of course paid for you even though you downright refused but hey he’s just trying to make you feel better!!

➷ after you guys got your hot chocolate and headed towards the park, you started feeling a bit better

➷ the hot chocolate was of course warm and absolutely divine but you also noticed how no matter what, oikawa didn’t take his attention off of you and didn’t even talk about the things that annoyed you before like volleyball or his fangirls

➷ he was putting in effort to make you feel better and it warmed your heart 🥺

➷ as you guys walked around the park, he scooched you closer to him so that you guys could snuggle into each other’s warmth

➷ it was really sweet and the cup of hot cocoa made it sweeter <3

➷ when you occasionally looked up to him while having your conversation, he had the softest smile on his face which made you absolutely melt

➷ it felt so nice to have your boyfriend give you the attention you needed and to make you feel better after the hellish day of school and life

➷ and he felt so happy to have such a lovely s/o to spend these simple but sweet moments with and to be able to be there when you needed him <333

Tendou Satori

➷ your friends,,,, yes your fun, loving, and absolutely precious friends

➷ they’ve been with you through thick and thin and you seriously would do anything for them

➷ but if that’s so, why would you feel so hesitant on loving them???

➷ they haven’t done a major thing that would cause you to hate them

➷ all you remember are those little lingering thoughts of anxiety and sadness that are most likely normal in every friendship no matter what

➷ how did it come to the point where you don’t know if you can spend the time and energy loving them as much as you used to???

➷ you’ve been dwelling on this for the past month or so and honestly, it came to the point where your friends along with your boyfriend could tell that something was up with you

➷ whenever they asked, you always responded with a lame excuse and even though sometimes it worked, a lot of the times they still had their doubts

➷ you still tried to act mostly normal with your friends and tried to act like there was nothing wrong with how you viewed them but day by day it was getting harder to come to terms with how you felt and if you really believed you loved them as much as you said you did

➷ it even came to the point where you started distancing yourself from them a little bit to come to terms with how you felt and to give yourself a break

➷ tendou was the most keen of your struggles and tried to read you to see if he could figure out the problem but even if he got it right, you would always deny it and say it was nothing

➷ today, he had enough of your evasive behavior and was determined to get to the bottom of whatever you were feeling

➷ of course he wanted to make you feel better but at the same time, he felt lonely and even started to partially blame your off behavior on himself

➷ i mean how could he not when you acted more hesitant about everything??

➷ the school day went about mostly normal and nothing out of the ordinary happened but while you were hanging out with your friends, tendou was trying to find ways on how to directly confront you

➷ by the end of the school day, he made up his mind and decided to just lead you to his dorm to have a heart to heart without any distractions

➷ so once school ended, tendou immediately told you that he wanted to hang out at his dorm that day and you quickly obliged though you were slightly shocked at how determined he was for such a simple thing

➷ he led you to his dorm and once you both settled into his bed while cuddling, he immediately cut to the chase

➷ “why have you been really hesitant lately? what happened?? did i do something to make you upset somehow?? and don’t try to evade it too, i want the true answer without any sugar coating”

➷ at first, you widened your eyes and took a bit of time to collect your thoughts. tendou waited patiently with his arms still wrapped around you in a comforting embrace

➷ he squeezed you a bit sometimes just to remind you that he was there and that he wouldn’t mind waiting for a long time for your answer

➷ once you gathered your thoughts, you started talking about how you felt about your friends. not the way you would describe them normally but the way you truly felt about them. the weird, lonely, almost heart-breaking feeling you felt since a while ago that you never bothered to mention

➷ he stayed quiet and listened while you vented and explained what you were going through and how you were truly feeling

➷ he slightly chuckled when you hurriedly told him that he wasn’t part of the problem and that he was as perfect as he could possibly be

➷ he squeezed you tightly and kissed the top of your head for that but let you carry on

➷ once you finished talking, there were little streams of tears running down your face with your boyfriend trying to wipe them away and comfort you as best as he could

➷ he didn’t know how exactly to deal with this because he never personally went through something like it but he made sure you knew that he was going to be there with you no matter what and that he would be a safe space whenever you needed someone

➷ his loving words and embrace made you cry harder as you felt a huge weight lift off of your chest once you finally talked about how you were feeling to someone, especially your boyfriend

➷ if he hadn’t been there for you and forced you to talk about how you felt, you truly wouldn’t have known what you would do and if you would eventually break later on

➷ you truly felt like the luckiest person alive with his arms wrapped around your warm body

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