#i get a little overwhelmed when coming back and having missed sl much

[seariii]

"maybe I shouldn't have gone to sleep" .... Sigh.... No, it's good you got some rest, you couldn't even type and nothing was registering in your brain anymore

[outsideratheart]

First Impressions (Alexia Putellas x reader)

A/N: Chapter 1 of the Legacy Series.

For most people the wave of Spanish air they feel when they step off the plane is warm and welcoming but for you it feels like thick smoke and every breathe you take makes it harder to breathe. The last time you came to Barcelona lead to the worse day of your life and since then the place your parents called home was nothing than a reminder of what you have lost. It is because of this that you hadn’t stepped foot in Catalonian city since.

Upon entering arrivals you are met with your driver holding a board with only your first name on it.

“Miss Y/N” the driver extended his hand.

“Just the one name, I feel like Adele” you joked. 

The drive only took thirty minutes which you found impressive considering it was game day for a women’s football team of Barcelona. You looked anywhere but outside the window as you pulled up to the stadium. You could hear the fans before you opened the door, the sound and sight of them made you overwhelmed.

“Here, I thought you might want this” the man in the driver’s seat passes you a cap “your mother said you would forget to bring one”

You hated being predictable, you much preferred to keep people on their toes but in that moment you are grateful that your mother knew you so well.

“Do you want me to do a lap of the car park?”

“No, I just need a minute”

It’s just a football game. You’re here a fan, it doesn’t have to be anything more.

Following the signs to the family section you are sure to dip your head as people pass by. Sure it would have been easier to get private seats but then you would have to had let the club know you were coming and no way could you have gotten away without having a meeting with them, especially with the news your manager had given them a couple of weeks ago.

Once in your seat you notice a girl sitting next to you, she looked weirdly familiar but you know that you had never met her before. It is only when you watch the player’s come out for their warm ups to put 2 and 2 together. The girl had a striking resemblance to the player whose name was on the back of most fan’s shirts.

“Hola” The girl next to you says “I haven’t seen you at a game before. Are you here supporting a family member?” 

“Hi. No, I’m not. I’m a friend of Lieke Martens”

“Are you a Barcelona fan?” 

You could tell the girl was being polite but you just wanted to watch the game. You didn’t want anyone to know you were in the city and the more you talk to her, the more likely she is to recognise you.

“They’re a family team” 

“You’re from here?” The brunette wouldn’t have guessed. You’re dutch accent wasn’t overly strong but you definitely didn’t have a Spanish tone.

“The Netherlands”

“You’re Dutch. That makes sense if you know Lieke”

Ok so she didn’t recognise you, maybe she didn’t watch any football games other than her sisters.

“I’m Alba. Alexia’s sister” 

“Y/N. It’s a pleasure to meet you Alba”

“Just Y/N”

You only hum in response. She may not know you’re a football player but there’s no way she wouldn’t know your last name.

The younger Putellas lets you watch the game in peace. It is only when you react badly to one of the ref’s calls does she begin to pay attention to what you are saying and the way you are saying it. You hear her say your name followed by a tap on the shoulder but when you turn to face her you see that she is joined by an older woman. The way the look in her eyes changes let you know that she knows more about football than her youngest daughter does.

“Is this your first time here?” To anyone else it might be a weird first question to ask. Not what is your name, not how are you.

You can feel your palms get sweaty as a lump forms in your throat, one that you are quickly to swallow. When words fail you, you can only nod in response. 

“Mama, this is Y/N. She is a friend of Lieke’s”

“A friend of Lieke’s” it’s the way the woman phrases her sentence that makes you feel a little bit guilty.

You shrug your shoulders slightly, a small smirk tugs at your lips.

“That’s what I said. She does know a lot about football though, she acts like Ale does when she watches a game at home”

You can tell that Eli want’s to say ‘that’s because she is considered football royalty’ but she bites her tongue.

The rest of the game goes in favour of the home side with them going on to win 5-1. A result which doesn’t come as a shock to anyone, yourself included but you don’t hang around for the final whistle. When the 4 minutes injury time gets announced you figure it the perfect time to make your exit.

“You’re leaving?” Alba says at you stand up.

“It’s easier to beat traffic this way. It really was nice to meet you Alba and—“

“Mama you never introduced yourself. This is Eli. Mama this is—“

“I know who she is” her words earn a look from both you and Alba although both for a different reason “Will we be seeing you back here soon?”

The older woman wasn’t stupid.

“I’m not sure” it was an honest answer. You has a decision to make this summer, one which could lead to you to calling the city your father loved home just as he once did.

“Well I hope I do and I know Alexia does too”

“Mama she hasn’t met Alexia”

You can see that Alba has questions but you couldn’t stay to answer them, you wasn’t ready yet. 

Once again you say your goodbyes but just as you leave to turn back.

“If you happen to see Lieke tell her I’ll meet her at 9”

“I will” Eli says.

Alba looks back and forth between you and her mother wondering what she is missing.

The two of them wait in the car park for Alexia to come out and sure enough the dutch woman is by her side. What you wasn’t aware of is that you had been recognised by the team as the walked back into the locker room at halftime. They had heard the rumours but up until this moment that’s all they had been. Now though they wondered what the true nature of your visit was and if it meant something big was coming.

“So it was Y/N in stands with Alba?” Alexia asks Lieke.

“Alexia” the dutch woman warned her “She came here as a friend nothing more”

“But it could be more. You’ve heard what they’re saying”

They approach their cars which are parked next to each other. The captain hugs her mother and sister, both of them congratulating her on a good game and an excellent season as this was the last game.

“Lieke, Y/N asked me to tell you she’ll meet you at 9” as promised Eli passes on your message.

“She’s staying in the city but she hasn’t been back si—“

“She is leaving tonight but we are going for dinner. I’ll text you the address ss and if you happen to be close then I’ll introduce you”

“Vale”

“Alexia” Lieke turns to her captain “don’t bring up the rumours. As you said it’s been a while since she’s been here and she doesn’t want to talk about football”

You and Lieke have known each other for years as joining the senior Netherlands team at the same time. She knew that her captain was a big fan of yours and the prospect of you joining Barcelona was very exciting but you were very private and she could only hope her friend would respect that.

She would find out a couple of hours later that once Alexia has something on her mind then she had to voice her opinion no matter how many times she was warned otherwise. It is why when she arrived at the restaurant with a couple of the girls, albeit half an hour later than she was told, Alexia eyes search for you the moment she walks through the door but settles when she sees Lieke knowing that you won’t be far away.

Lieke watches as Alexia fidgets in her seat and cannot help it as small chuckle escapes her lips. Her captain was nervous and you weren’t even in eyesight. 

“Not that I don’t like your company but where’s Y/N?” Alexia asks your national team mate.

“First of all you’re late Y/N is settling the bill although according to her she went to the bathroom”

“You said 9”

“and it’s 9:30. The Spanish may have a habit of being late but the Dutch are punctual”

Alexia turns around as she hears your voice get closer and closer. When you take a seat opposite her she is a loss for words. 

“This a such a coincidence” you turn your attention to Lieke who you can tell feels a little bit guilty.

“Yours definitely wasn’t a face I expected to see in the stands today” 

It was small talk and you hated small talk especially now because you could tell what it was leading up to.

“What can I say, I have a few days off so I thought I would come see Lieke before I fly to England”

“England?” Lieke asks. As far as she was aware you were flying back to Amsterdam.

“Viv invited me to an arsenal game”

“So you’re checking out potential teams”

There is was and it took less than ten minutes. You gave Lieke a look and in turn she mouthed an apology. She truly believed that Alexia would at least wait a bit before bringing it up. 

Your move, your future, anything than included you moving away from home made you anxious and even though you had met these girls on the pitch you didn’t know them off it and this wasn’t a topic you discussed with strangers. It also didn’t help that Joan Laporta had been pestering you for the past couple of weeks and hearing Alexia try to pry you for information made you feel like they were in on it together.

“I’m visiting friends Alexia and I don’t talk business with people I don’t know”

Your response changed the energy at the table but still Alexia’s eyes never left you.

“C’mon Y/N, playing for Barcelona is your birth right. You belong here and the team would be lucky to have you. Imagine the fans, how happy they would be to wear a Barcelona shirt with —“

“Alexia, can’t you see you’re making her feel uncomfortable” Aitana whispers to her captain.

The young Catalonian was the only one at the table apart from Lieke that you would consider a friend. She has worked with the foundation for years, even coming to Amsterdam to do a few workshops there. In this time she never asked you about your father and you would never be able to thank her enough for that.

“Aitana it’s fine. She’s like most people I meet, she just wants me for my last name”

It was a sentence you said with a heavy heart and although you tried to play it off, everyone could hear the waver in your tone.

“Y/N I—“ Alexia instantly regrets what she has said.

“Listen Alexia, I like you up and until now you haven’t given me a reason not to. When Lieke first joined Barcelona she was nervous but she told me you welcomed her into the club and made her feel at home so I know you’re a good person. I don’t want to argue with you so let’s start fresh”

The brunette thanks the higher powers that she hasn’t put an end to this friendship before it even had the chance to begin.

“Start fresh, ok. I’m Alexia Putellas”

The table sniffles back laughter at the formality of their captain.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Y/N Cruyff”

[babbushka]

HELLO!! So happy Sinday is up! Could I request a fic where an officer/general is flirting/thinking about the Empress, and Dom!Kylo gets jealous/mad?? I’m totally chill if you don’t want to :) thanks so much! -Salem

hi there! I saw your posts about the throne sex with supreme leader Kylo, and absolutely love it. I was wondering if I could request a one shot/Drabble/head cannon (whatever you want) about throne sex/cockwarming? Totally okay if not! Thanks so much.

Hi there! I’m so glad you’re opening up Sinday again!! I was wondering if I could request something with a jealous! Sub! SL Kylo Ren and his empress? Thanks so much :)

(1.6k, Violence [straight up murder but only in the first bit!], NSFW [finger-fucking, force-fucking, throne sex, cockwarming, dirty talk], possessive behavior, big jealous evil Kylo)

You had thought, that the meeting was going well. Well enough anyway, everyone perfectly civil. A lot had been discussed, much had been agreed upon and plans were approved. Things would start to happen now, an expansion of the Order would begin, and with it Kylo’s rule.

With it, your rule.

You were present at the meeting of course, you’re present at all of the ones that you can attend when you’re home on the starship. It looked as if it was about ready to come to a close, when suddenly and seemingly without any provocation, one of the senior officers begins to choke.

Eyes snapping to Kylo immediately, you’re ready to ask him what’s wrong when you see the look on his face. It’s a look you haven’t seen in a long time, one of pure unbridled anger, rage. The room thrums around you, the Force singing, pressure on your inner ears making them pop, with how angry he is. The General chokes and sputters, his face beet red, the veins in his neck bulging out so hard you’re sure they’re bound to burst. He flails, legs kicking out from under him, and everyone watches with ramrod stiff backs, not daring to make a move, not daring to take one single breath.

Freezing him in place, Kylo rises from his throne, descends the few steps until he’s at the same level as the other senior officers. Kylo grabs the old General’s face, forcibly turns his gaze to look at you.

“Take a long look,” His voice is dark, otherworldly, the Dark Side of the Force flowing through him as his grip on the General’s jaw is so tight that it cracks, snaps, and the General screams. “It’s the last one you’ll ever have.”

With that, the man’s scream is silenced, and his body crumples to the floor.

“Out, all of you.” Kylo snaps, energy crackling around his gloves, sparks snapping as his hands clench and unclench out of fists.

The officers file out, carrying the body of the General with them. Kylo doesn’t care what happens to him, he can be thrown out of an airlock and he wouldn’t be missed. The Force is still crackling around Kylo, even as he storms back to the throne, sits down harshly against the brutalist architecture of the thing.

“Come here.” He pats his thigh a little aggressively, and you can’t deny the way your pussy clenches from the anger, the heat in his voice.

You are almost always in control, but in moments like these, Kylo truly was the Supreme Leader, and you had no desire to disobey him. Straddling his thighs, you slink your body against him, curling and curving your shoulders in to cover him in a cage of your body, your lips pressing small kisses to his neck and jaw.

“Talk to me.” You whisper, wanting to know what the hell happened.

You should’ve expected the answer, but it still makes you warm with pride when he tells you, “He – I – he was thinking about you. They don’t get to think about you like that.”

“Like how?” You rub his chest, the thick padded material of his tunic only enhancing his already massively wide frame.

“Naked, subservient, suppliant.” Sparks snap and fly as the lights give out in the ceiling above you, the room starts to shake, his anger returning and manifesting in electrical failures as the surge of energy rips through the throne room. “Not on my fucking watch. Not in this galaxy or any other. Show me your cunt.”

You do as he tells you, lifting up the fabric of your dress’ skirt. You’re wearing comfortable underwear, and a pair of invisible hands tears them straight through, exposing your soaked pussy to the electric air around you.

Almost immediately, he’s biting off his glove and roughly thrusting three big fingers inside your pussy, making you breathe out quick little gasps to accommodate the stretch. He’s got his eyes trained on it, determined and focused, watching his fingers disappear into you, feeling the tight hot wetness of your walls around him.

“Thank you Kylo, you’re so good to me, protecting me like this.” You moan, your pussy dripping for him. You loved it, loved when he killed for you, loved when he let his possessive streak break through the carefully curated calm he operated under. There was something wild and dangerous and primally attractive about him when he snaps, and you never cease to appreciate when he snaps on your behalf.

“You’re mine.” Kylo growls, reading your thoughts, thrusting his fingers in a little harder.

“All yours, claim me, show them all just how much I belong to you.” You stretch your neck for him, and he latches his mouth to your pulse point, sucking and breaking the blood vessels in your skin to leave dark marks in his wake.

He fucks you fast and hard with his fingers, the squelch of your cunt echoing across the throne room. Kylo leans back, his legs spread under you, the Force holding you up. You can feel the tendrils of it, the wisps of untethered energy snaking around your body, and you welcome it gladly. It sings, and so does the bond you share with Kylo, pulsing and throbbing like your pussy on his fingers.

“I’m the only one that gets to do this.” Kylo seethes, jaw clenched so tightly, the possessive jealousy flaring up, only growing stronger, stoking hot hot hotter, “That gets to feel you like this.”

“Yes, yes Kylo, only you -- only yours.” You gasp and moan and writhe on his body, your legs spreading as far as they can go to allow him better access, your hips widening, body relaxing for him to take those fingers deeper.

“I’ll kill them, every last one of them who dares to disrespect you that way, who dares to think even for a moment they can have you the way I do.” Kylo’s eyes are frantic with lust and love and power, power so rich and deep that it makes you moan.

“More Kylo, give me more.” You egg him on, encourage him, hips gyrating and grinding down onto his hand.

“I’ll kill them!” Kylo shouts, all his energy pent up with nowhere to go, and you immediately tangle your hands in his hair, kissing him.

Your bodies move together in time, and soon you’re overwhelmed with the feeling of him, overwhelmed with how he’s electrifying you from the inside out.

“I’m going to come, do you – should I wait until you’re in me?” You pant, forcing your eyes open even though your vision is blinded by pleasure, spots and stars beginning to creep across your gaze.

“No, come on my fingers I want to watch you fall apart.” Kylo shakes and the room shakes around you, anything that isn’t bolted down goes flying as he kisses you harshly, tears welling up in his eyes, “You’re so beautiful, the most beautiful creature in the universe.”

“Kylo!” You gasp then, because you feel something shoving its way up through you, reaching the very deepest parts of your pleasure, alighting all your nerves, and you cry, sobbing around the stimulation, how good it is, how pure, “Kylo the-the Force – I – ”

“Shh, I know, do you want it? It wants to protect you just like I do, it’ll do anything for you just like I will.” Kylo’s almost deranged with his love for you, he caresses your cheek with a trembling hand as his other hand busies itself with your clit, your whole body convulsing in his lap as the Force fucks you fast and hard. “Do you want it?”

“Yes,” You wail, “I want it, I want you, Kylo – yes!”

It explodes through your nerves, every single cell of your body crashing with pleasure, and you scream his name, over and over again, just from his fingers and the extension of the universe that he wields, that he fucks you with until you’re a sobbing trembling mess. You come, gushing hard on his hand, until the sloppy slick feeling of his knuckles against your walls pulls away, and you’re gulping down breaths with the biggest, blissed out grin on your face.

With your body pliant and soft, he pulls his cock out. It takes a minute or two because of all the fasteners of his trousers, but it’s hard and angry just like him. You settle down on top of it easily, your pussy perfectly stretched and well fucked enough to take it without any effort, and you cry against his neck, pleasure dancing through your bones still.

“You’re going to sit here, just like this.” Kylo turns his face to kiss you, to kiss up your hot tears, to caress you and calm you and bring you back down from this high he’s given you. “And everyone who comes in is going to see what a perfect woman you are, and I’m going to come in you all day, until you’re filled to the brim, and everyone will know it’s my come.”

His voice is gentle and soft, he’s no longer angry, having gotten it all out through your orgasm.

“Yes.” You agree, cozying up against his chest, resting your head against his shoulder, your arms limp and loose around his neck, as love pounds through your Force bond, a constant feedback loop of adoration and reverence, so much that you can’t tell what comes from you or what comes from Kylo.

It doesn’t matter where it comes from, as long as everyone knows where it ends – with the two of you together, “Yes they will.”

[reeesea]

Something Sweet: Part Nine

~something special~

one ~ two ~ three ~ four ~ five ~ six ~ seven ~ eight ~ nine

pairing: minsung, han jisung/lee minho

warning: mild language, brief depiction of anxiety

words: 3.3k

summary:  3RACHA debuts and they take over the world obviously, and minsung get softer somehow

a/n: literally always shook when I come back and someone has liked one of these chapter. But I’m so thankful to anyone whose read this <3

ao3 link

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The dancing trio’s apartment was cleaned and tidied up more than it probably had been in months. The three roommates had luckily found the time to tackle the figurative ocean that was their floor and the piles of clothes, books and shoes that littered it. All in all it was objectively not a large amount of mass but on the minimal square footage they had it made the already tiny space unbearably claustrophobic.  

The living room screen had been flooded up and placed against the wall for the special occasion, allowing the window above Felix's bed to actually stream in light to the rest of the room. Doing a bit of moving around of the furniture had been tiring but it allowed the space to open up and feel a little less like they were stuck living in a small cave, as Hyunjin had put it. Out of all of them Hyunjin had been very invested in the interior design of the room, while Felix and Minho merely humored him, to get the space clean as quick as they could, despite Hyunjins particularities.  

The evening had found them settled to enjoy their newly tidied space with a watch party of 3RACHA’s scheduled debut stage.  

Knock. Knock. Knock. 

“Jinnie, will you get the door by chance.” Minho yelled from the stove. He was busy trying to cook up their rabokki, since a hungry Felix mentioned his craving for comfort food after his audition that morning. 

Getting up, the lanky blonde wandered to the door. “Hyung, were you expecting anyone?” Without an answer he jiggled the knob of their door to coax the door into opening, not bothering to check the peephole as it was nothing more than a literal hole in the door that they had taped over when they moved in. 

“OH hey Hyun-”  Slam.  

A whole Kim Seungmin was standing on the other side of their door, and to say Hyunjin was unprepared to face his long standing university crush of two years is an understatement. 

“HYUNG!!!”

“Yes Jinnie~” 

“Did you just sl-” Minho’s voice was full of a teasing lilt, Felix’s was just simply confused at the loud door slam.

“WERE YOU GOING TO MENTION YOU INVITED KIM SEUNGMIN OVER TO OURS, OR WAS I JUST MEANT TO HAVE HEART ATTACK AND SPEND THE REST OF THE NIGHT A NERVOUS WRECK” 

“Well I invited him over because we are work husbands, but I also had hoped you would actually talk to the boy you've been anonymously pinning over since freshman year” 

“Don't worry Jinnie Suengmin is so nice! And if you're nervous I'll hold your hand.” Felix did cute grabby hands from the couch.

“Lix that kinda defeats the-”

“Hwang Hyunjin, open the door for our guest before I have to kick your cowardly ass.”

Okay Ow. Hurtful! 

Hyunjin knew he was right though and opened the door to a rather alarmed and confused Seungmin.

“Oh hey Hyunjin I thought that was you, I was afraid I had gotten the wrong apartment number.” His smile was so gentle that Hyunjin’s soul may have left his body. 

“Yeah. Nope, I mean yes this is the right place. Come on in! Sorry about slamming it earlier we have some janky door hinges.” Felix giggled and earned him a death glare from the long haired blondie. 

“Oh no problem! I’ve had to deal with my fair share of goofy doors at SU.” Of course Hyunjin nodded, completely understanding, even if he himself had never lived on Seoul University's campus. 

Hyunjin knew Suengmin had spent time as a resident adviser for the dorms. He also knew that he was a business and photography double major, also his current favorite restaurant, cafe, and book. Also not to mention that he was most obviously spending the summer as Minho’s co-worker. Hyunjin had done his fair share of social media stalking to learn more about the boy he had spent a long ass time pining over, as Felix puts it. It definitely wasn't one of his proudest moments, but he couldn't help but admire Seungmin after meeting him during their first year orientation. 

Opportunities to talk to Seungmin were rare, as their majors did not generally intercept plus Hyunjin’s general fear of speaking to the other. It seems Minho, being the attentive hyung he is, found the perfect opportunity for Hyunjin to actually get to know him. Without telling or mentioning it to the now flustered dancer. Damn him. 

“Glad you could make it Seungmo~” 

“God, I told you not to call me that.” Suengmin delivered his usual sarcastic banter toward the older, Felix laughed to himself, quite enjoying watching the drama unfold in front of him. 

“But of course I cant miss a good watch party.”

Although red in the face and ears glowing red from sitting next to Seungmin on their couch, Hyunijin feels light at the atmosphere around him, and smiles fondly toward them. Felix’s whispered “whipped” resulted in a kick to the shins. Minho brought a pot of noodles, rice cakes, cheese, and other toppings to their coffee table. Felix practically let out an inhuman squeal as he moved to grab some of the steaming noodles. 

“Suen-min does aht mean you like thee Racha?”

“Lix chew your food first you fool.” Felix takes a minute to slurp up and finish chewing before restating his questions, but Seungmin responds readily some how understanding the incoherency of the freckled pixie boy.

“Oh Yeah! Vaguely, one of my old friends from high school is Changbin’s brother. So he practically forced me to listen to all their music whenever they released new tracks. I’m really happy for them, but can't say I know much about them as a group other than recognizing a few songs'' 

“Really? That's so cool, I didn't know he had a brother.” 

“We literally met him Felix.” Hyunjin can't help but tease the other for his starstruck state when they first met 3RACHA. 

“He was too distracted by Chan’s smile and Changbin’s biceps to remember that.” Minho smirked.

“Shut it Hyung!” Felix threw a pillow at the older, sending the rest of them into a fit of giggles. 

“You can’t say anything Min-hyung, you're literally Jisung’s boyfriend.”

“I knew it!” Seungmin shouted accusingly. 

“STOP, No god he is not my boyfriend.” 

“Last Friday suggests differently~” Felix ever so casually mentions with a suggestive eyebrow wiggle. Seungmin’s eyebrows were raised at his hyung.

“Yeah hyung, you practically never let go of his hand all night.” Hyunjin smirked at his hyung, taking some form of embarrassment revenge on the older.

“Oh my god your kidding! Hyunjinnie you have to tell me everything.” And of course being the whipped man he was, he did, much to Minho’s despair, gladly fueling the other with material to tease thier hyung.

---

“Okay! Everyone! Shut up! ITS STARTING!!!” Even though no one was speaking they all unanimously agreed to comply with Felix’s outburst. The screen showed the hosts speaking from cue cards before a heavy back track flooded the speakers of their small TV. 3RACHA flashed across the screen as did the members' concept images. Felix had already squealed over them earlier in the week when they were posted on instagram (Minho did too but in his room privately). Still the images hit differently as they were broadcasted on television for the whole country and world to see. 

CB97… SpearB… J.One…

Their photos completely embodied their personas and it sent a chill down Minho’s spine in anticipation. The whole world was about to witness the electricity that was 3RACHA performing. 

The scene transitioned into a red lit stage and the three rappers standing in the center of it. The crowd's cheers faded as the beat entered. Heavy bass hitting an addicting rhythm that anyone listening could feel in every part of their chest. And of course because Minho was an unlucky bastard, and Jisung’s rap was first. 

The round cheeked boy with an innocent glint to his eyes and a heart shaped gummy smile was instead replaced with some monster of a man on stage. He hadn't seen them perform since him and Jisung had first met at the Sweet Lotus, and all the memories of J.One and his charismatic flow took over his senses immediately. J.One was on stage in front of him, using every once of his dangerously charming voice to bring in every single viewer’s attention. He uses his tone playfully and masterfully (just to play with his heart apparently, Minho thinks). It wasn't until Jisung ends his verse with a practically growled “zone”, and Chan takes over for the chorus, that Minho realizes he hadn’t been breathing. 

Not that CB97 or SpearB’s verse were going to give him any form of a break either. Chan’s part practically demanded your full attention, practically commanding the viewer to a call to action. Changbins part came in gently but built up to a point where his tone and verse exploded. Booming syllabus matching the booming 808s. The electricity was undeniable. The stage finished all of their voices joining in aggressively and with finality.

 A lone spotlight shone down on them revealing their intense and confident images. Ending fairies full of smirks and cocked eyebrows that left the audience screaming and cheering. 

“Holy shit.” Felix was the first to say anything, but even so they were all left speechless. After their performance of “Zone” no one could deny that they were something big. And Minho had absolutely no doubt in his mind that their three local rapper friends were about to take over the world. The screams from the TV and the cheers after each of their additional songs only solidified it. 

----

“3RACHA WORLD DOMINATION.”

Of course Minho was right, he always was, Jisung definitely knew that by now. But the headlines and the chart topping was all so new and overwhelming to the members it was hard to believe. 3RACHA had exploded practically overnight. Their debut stage had gone viral and hadn't left its place on trending pages in more than a few countries. 

Every day the 3RACHA boys had woken up to more insane news of their accomplishment. Their days are full of constant promo and show recordings for later broadcasts. Sana practically lived in their loft for the week. Their manager’s hours were somehow even longer than theirs and most hours where she was able to sleep it would be on the infamous couch.  

[Lee Minho hyungie]

2:45 pm

We watched your new performance last night!

You guys did amazing

I dont think I’ll ever get tired of listening to the album…

Of course the hectic week of 3RACHA’s debut and all of their new accolades were overwhelming, but Minho’s compliments seem to make Jisung’s heart stutter the most. He would never admit that he had been re-reading all of Minho's messages all week. Their correspondence was lacking due to mainly Jisung’s busy schedule, but the older had kept steady in his messages even if Jisung was largely unable to answer. Minho understood and instead would always send him motivational and supportive statements or goofy selfies of him in various fruit filters, never failing to give Jisung his smile back. 

The week had passed since their debut and Jisung couldn't help but feel light. The three of them had managed to nab some free/rest time for their weekend. Chan was thankfully already taking advantage of it, and had been knocked out asleep in his room since the morning. Changbin was spending some extra time in the complex’s gym, and Sana had finally been given the opportunity to go back to her own apartment to crash. He was so thankful for the small hardworking team he had found himself in. Jisung wanted to make the most of his time as well, and left their apartment for one of his impromptu strolls around the city. Jisung felt light.

----

Minho had taken an earlier shift, trading the weekend dinner wave for the never ending brunch crowd. Thankfully he had gathered a large stack of tips from the rich women tipsy enough from mimosas to slip him a few more percentage points into his pocket. His feet felt heavy from having to stand so long but thankfully he was able to stumble into an empty living room and relax, while the sun still sat comfortably in the sky, basking the room in a warm afternoon light. 

Minho was unwinding peacefully after enjoying his post work shower when his phone rang loudly next to him on the couch. 

[Jisungie is calling]

Jisung never calls him. Worry starts to nip at his insides as he moves to answer the call. 

“Jisung? Hey what's going on?” 

He can’t hear much on the other end but the sound of labored breathing signals that there was a living breathing boy on the other side of the line. 

“Did you mean to call me Sungie?”

“Ye-yes I did. I just needed to call…”Jisung’s voice trailed off, and Minho could hear the boy’s soft hiccups. Worry now rightfully settling to the base of his stomach. He approached the boy on the line gently. 

“Of course, did you need anything?” Jisung took a moment before answering.

“Hyung, I’m scared. There were so many of them outside, and I thought they didn't recognize me at first, but then they started calling my name and kept following me, and I got lost. I think I’m near your place, but i don't want them to find you and I don't wanna go back home. Channie would be so worried an-”

“Hey, hey it's okay baby. Just take a deep breath for me, yeah?” Minho couldn't help but let his protective instinct take over. Jisung was so fragile when he was scared, there isn't anything Minho would do to help him. Jsung was taking steady breaths in and out, and slowly they became more regular. The younger wasn’t crying but Minho didn’t want the other to get anywhere near that state still lost in the city.

“Can you tell me where you are Sung?”

“I-I’m in a convenience store, it's on a corner. I-i think there's a cafe across the street. I think I lost most of them but i'm afraid that there are more.” Minho was already slipping his shoes bringing an extra jacket with him, recognizing the store location. Jisung must mean that the reporters and more aggressive photographers had already tracked down the boys’ location. He lets his angry words for them die in his mouth, opting for a gentler response.

“That's good Sungie, I’m on the way it'll only be a few minutes. Do you want me to stay on the line?”

“Yes please.”

He sounded so small and afraid. It broke Minho’s heart “Okay baby, you wouldn't believe what happened at work today? Wanna hear about that?”

Minho heard something like an affirmative hum from the other side of the line. He kept the one-sided conversation steady so there was never silence. Talking about how Suengmin had somehow been stuck on server duty, and all of his unfortunate run-ins that come from a morning brunch shift. It was easy to keep the conversation light and the focus away from the stress or fear Jisung might be feeling. Minho keeps talking even as he is walking into the convenience store a few blocks from his apartment. 

He finds a startled Jisung practically crouching in on himself in the chip aisle. When Jisung’s eyes finally find him they are wide and stared with the beginnings of tears. Hanging up he holds out his arm, welcoming the other to come closer to him. 

“Hey there stranger, you can come to mine for tonight. That sound okay?” Jisung nods gladly and accepts the jacket Minho handed him, allowing for his obnoxiously orange shirt to be covered into something more inconspicuous. Huddling the sweet boy into his arms, Minho collects their favorite snacks from the shelves and a few ramen packs, and leads them out onto the street, and back to his apartment. The sun setting on the city and the night life awakening, they easily got lost in the crowd.

---

By the time Minho had allowed the worry to die down in his chest, Jisung was curled up in his small bed engulfed in a comforter. Minho had texted an extremely worried Chan about Jisung’s run in with the paparazzi. Jisung had spent a majority of the night not letting go of Minho’s arm, hand, side for even a moment. He remained relatively quiet the rest of the night but Minho was able to pull a few giggles out of the younger. 

Initially Minho was apprehensive about allowing Jisung into their tiny home, but as soon as the boy was in need, Minho’s reservations disappeared. As soon as they walk through the door, Jisungs shoulders relax. 

---

Jisung looked around at the small living room taking in the small bed in the corner and couch, the TV had been left on some mindless program when Minho had rushed to retrieve Jisung. The warm orange light from the setting sun filled the room, adn despite the cramped space and the boys’ overabundance of belongings, Jisung felt warm and at ease. The homey feeling of the apartment was something that he hadn't realized was foreign to him. Sure Jisung felt he had a rather close relationship with his bed back at the loft, but the environment of their place didn't quite compare to the very lived-in apartment he found himself in. 3RACHA had done thier fair share of moving around much to the will of Changbin or his parents, Jisung never minded it though, he was too thankful for their generosity. 

“I like your place Minho-hyung” It was the first time he had spoken since they arrived. Minho flashed him a relieved smile.

“My home is your home now then. Well mine and the other two mongrels' home is yours now too, but they're working late tonight so you're stuck with just me '' Jisung smiled. Minho couldn't help his heart from tugging. 

---

They had spent the night with instant ramen and an over abundance of snacks as they watched videos in Minho’s bed. Jisung fell asleep early, exhausted from his earlier tears and general low energy from the busy week’s drain. Minho moved to make sure Jisung was comfortable, before moving to get washed up for the night. He felt a small fist grab his shirt as he got up. 

“Where are you going?” Jisung had his wide puppy eyes on full display, apparently not asleep at all. 

“Just to wash up Sungie.”

“Will you come back to sleep with me after?” In any other situation the words may have seemed provocative, but with Jisungs sleepy gaze it was only endearing to Minho. Not like Minho would deny him a night in his arms anyway. 

“Of course baby, i'll be right back okay” Jisung let go of his shirt accepting his answer. Minho wasn’t a fool and could feel his heartbeat quicken with being so near to Jisung, but more than anything all he wanted to do was allow the younger to sleep in his arms as comfortably as possible. As soon as Minho rejoined the bed, Jisung had already moved to burrow his head into Minho's chest. If Minho could be even more endeared at the cuddly nature of Jisung, he was fully at the will of him now. 

He was a goner, but that wasn’t news to Minho when it came to his affection for the boy in his arms. Wrapping his arms around the younger's tiny waist he pressed a gentle kiss to the crown of his head. 

“Goodnight Jisung” 

I’ll always protect you.

---

one ~ two ~ three ~ four ~ five ~ six ~ seven ~ eight ~ nine

[jooneggs]

Rain, Forever | Namjoon ☁

⤑ Pairing: Namjoon x Reader ⤑ SUMMARY: Since the lack of rain and the coming of Winter, Namjoon hadn’t been the same. He didn’t seem to smile much and his grin never quite met his eyes. He’d lost passion for everything he once loved. Well..everything but art. Specifically that one black and white watercolour painting in the Seoul Art Gallery that resembles a lonely figure standing in the rain.. ⤑ Genre/AU: Fluff + Angst / non!idol Joon + alt!universe Joon ⤑ Warnings: The main component of this story mentions depression and suicidal ideation*, swearing, burglary, suffocation and a sprinkle of magic ⤑ Word count: 7.4k

⤑ Rating: +14

*This story, in no way, attempts to romanticize or idolize mental health issues. I can only say it comes from a personal perspective which is somewhat unique and subjective to every individual.

A/N: A song that touches the crest of my soul and speaks to so many others. I hope this helps, heals and warms many people who, like myself, miss the rain. 

☁

“I don’t know whether I should take you seriously or not..”

“C’mon it’ll be fun!”

“You’d better not make me regret this, Kim Namjoon.”

“As long as you trust me, it’ll be fine.”

It was October of last year and you and Namjoon had found yourselves in Haneul Park. 

Standing under the shelter of a bleak cafe, he had been tugging at your sleeve, urging you to run out into the open with him. But you hadn’t the slightest clue why you’d want to be anywhere else but under the shelter. It was cold enough in the cafe, but outside it was completely meek. It had been windy yet pleasant just an hour ago, but now the wind was just pelting rain drop after rain drop at the windows. 

In a light cardigan and an impractical corduroy skirt, you dreaded the prospect of having to run through the rain to get to your car. You’d taken shelter, narrowly avoiding the rain, and now you’d practically holed yourself up in the cafe after downing two mugs of tea and a triple chocolate cookie. Namjoon, however, was quite the opposite. For the past thirty minutes, his eyes had been glued to the window. Despite his lack of warm-clothes, he seemed more desperate than ever to get outside. While you had finished your cup of tea in just over ten minutes, he’d simply downed his, pouty cheeks sloshing with liquid before swallowing the beverage in one ecstatic gulp. 

Now he was standing right by the window to which you’d hesitantly joined him. The rain fell harder that day than it ever had before. Namjoon absolutely loved it. You never quite understood his thinking, but he’d always be willing to explain it to you. He’d said tt was the way the trees moved to the sound, the way the clouds gathered, watched, hovered over you, better than any shelter. It was the way the grass leaned, succumbing to its force, the way the pavement shimmered in its grasp. It was the way it felt to be amongst it all, like an unknown spectator, just a pair of eyes. It satisfied more than any drug could, oxytocin soaking through your pores, melding flesh and bone like a soldering iron. 

You wished you could feel just as excited about all these small droplets of h20; you were desperate to make sense of it. Especially when it came to Namjoon.

“Well..I do want to understand.” You spoke, leaning into his pull. At that he only tugged your sleeve further.

“C’mon then, Dew-Drop!”

He walked you toward the door with an overwhelming sense of eagerness. You thought yourself to be mad, but still your hand remained in his. 

“So we’re running to the car?”

“Running, walking, admiring the view; whatever you want to call it.” He said, pulling the door open, taking you with him.

“Ah!” You yelped as the first draft of rain lashed out on you “I’d much prefer to just run Joon.”

He couldn’t hear you though, almost dancing ahead. Namjoon was fervent in the rain; he always had been. You remembered meeting him like that, when you used to teach and he came in as a motivational speaker to talk about his career as a musician. 

After his speech, you’d been given the duty of cleaning the chairs in the school hall. Eager to finish, you began to stick them out in stacks in the courtyard, and that was when you saw him, far off in the distance, leaning against the rails of the basketball court, rain pouring down his face. 

Like the feeling you felt looking at him now, you were magnetized, curious.

“It’s fucking freezing!” You began, clenching at your sides, hopping on the spot “Can we run now?”

“You, miss l/n, are no fun.” He chimed.

“And you’re a polar bear!”

“An endearing term, but i find my pace akin to a cheetah.” He joked “Now chase me!”

Before you could blink, he had bolted across the grass, down towards the car park.

Now, you not only had to fight the rain, but focus on keeping up with your long-legged boyfriend. 

They say girls are good at multi-tasking - and they are - they just struggle with things like this because it involves the tedious process of thinking and being sensory-aware all the time; something which lengthy boys like Namjoon don’t take into account.

“A fucking polar bear isn’t this fast!″ You puffed, circling a bed of drooping flowers to further keep up with him,

As the rain pelted heavier, giddiness overcame you. You couldn’t help but laugh, thinking of yourself (merely a few years ago) watching this man, as a primary school teacher, from the playground - almost untouchable, unreal - now encouraging you to chase him, soaking wet, through the rain like lovestruck youth. 

“Catch me if you can.” He laughed.

☁

That was three months ago..

Today was March 13th. 2020.

Friday the 13th...

The balcony of your third floor apartment was glowing that day. As you sat on its cobblestone base, dusting your plant pots, you felt the sun cast warm rays on your neck.

Friday the 13th, that one day that came up so seldom, never seemed to hold any negative connotations for you. Every day you felt lucky: to have a quaint little flat, thriving plants, an endless supply of herbal tea at your feet, and of course Namjoon.

Right now you were tending to his favorite small bonsai, gently seated between two lucky bamboo plant pots, shaded by a leafy green hanging plant. You polished its black base, sprayed some water on its soil stones and gently trimmed any stray stalks growing from its arms. Namjoon had called him ‘peet’, an affectionate name that often made you forget that this plant was more an inanimate object than a human body with full-functioning organs. You were often reminded of this when he’d catch you in lengthy conversations, strewn across the balcony floor at night, bonsai leaves tickling your cheek as you tried to lean back further to watch the stars. But these plants were a huge healing tool for you; something that kept you occupied, just as well nourished as them, and excited to see how they’d blossom each day. 

Finishing off by cutting the last wandering stalk, you gently got to your feet and headed for the kitchen. Only 11am, you’d had your breakfast but felt slightly parched for a drink. Fortunately enough, when the clock struck 11.10 every day, you’d find yourself coincidentally hunched over a mug of steaming green tea; you knew there was no coincidence, just the pure, unrelenting fact that you loved the warm, floral taste it brought you. It gave you just the right amount of energy each day, and it was always a wonder to watch Namjoon puff his cheeks like a hamsters as he’d swallow a cup whole in one go. 

You’d left him asleep this morning, waking at 9am to grab some groceries and sort yourself out. You hadn’t disturbed him since, knowing he was a heavy sleeper and knowing he really needed some rest since working the past few weeks. Night after night he’d been slaving in front of a laptop, attempting to draft and file possible lyrics for his upcoming album. It wasn’t helping that his producer had him on a leash and under a constricting time limit. What could you do but give him the time and space he needed to get things done.

Sealing the kettle and the tea bags, you lifted Namjoon’s mug and carried it over to your bedroom.  Approaching the door, you listened carefully for the sound of snoring, aware that waking Namjoon wouldn’t do any good for the level of guilt you felt entering the room anyway.

When all you heard was silence, you decided to nudge the door open and slip through into a darker room.

 “Joon, I've made some tea for you.” You approached the bed and placed his mug on the bedside table, anchoring it away from him so he wouldn’t hit it off with his elbow when turning; he was clumsy like that. You watched as he shuffled in response to your entrance, the caramel of his skin sliding against the sheets as he adjusted his neck to gently turn to you

“Mmh Morning.” He yawned, his eyes forming crescent moons as they squeezed shut before opening to clear the haze from his vision. He was a beautiful little shape of a human, shrouded in cosy bedding as he watched you in the dim light.

“You coming out today Joon? I’ve got some exciting things up my sleeve.”

“I can’t..I'm sorry.” He replied, a certain lifelessness in his tone.

“Are you sure? I can make us some cake and we can go to some park. It’ll be nice.”

“I don’t feel like it.”

“Oh, okay..”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, no, it’s fine!” You whispered, bringing your palm to his cheek, feeling its heat coarse through your fingers. “We’ll try another day. Don’t feel bad about it at all. Have a nice rest Joon.”

With that, you slowly turned from him and made your way back out into the living space. You let a sigh wash over you and attempted to rejoice in the fact that at least you had a warm mug of tea ready for you. Swigging it down, you sat in silence, watching the outdoors from the distant balcony window. It was still just as bright outside, much brighter than the bedroom, clouded by dark curtains. You felt sad for Joon, powerless even. How badly you missed even the simple things like swigging tea with him. How long had it been since you’d done that?..

Too Long.

☁ 

The rest of the day painted itself in a slow and monotonous fashion. It wasn’t unbearable - you got things done - but it all seemed watered into the same actions, the same meaning, the same routine. 

It started with finishing your tea, slower than you had intended. Lost in monotonous thought, before you knew it, it had gone cold so you had ended up pouring the remaining portion down the sink. You then went on to finish the laundry, have lunch, check on your beloved plants, read a book, watch TV, yawn and sigh a countless number of times, and take a quick nap. 

Before you knew it, the room had darkened and the sky had taken on a delicious yellow tone. Before you knew it, the whole day had almost passed. 

You didn’t want to lie to yourself, this is the way the days had gone for the past few weeks. It was just you, the sun, a cup of tea and the rest of the world. Namjoon, every day, had been stuck in the bedroom, occasionally popping out each evening to say hello. Now that was something you had a problem with confronting. You felt it was appropriate for him to get some rest, especially after the few weeks he’d spent finishing up his work. But it had reached a turning point now. One which you didn’t know how to address.

You weren’t too happy about it, but Namjoon was clearly broken. Were you scared to face the extent of his unhappiness? You never wanted to see the one you loved so much feel so hollow. At least that’s how you assumed he felt. You’d felt a similiar emotion before, but never to the extent Namjoon was experiencing. How badly you just wanted to rip the shreds of dread from him like a stuffed toy, or hug him to death and fill him full of love, stitching him back up to like he’d been before. 

What could it be that made him feel like this? Perhaps it was nothing at all, just a fragrant aroma of unease that settled upon him - something he couldn’t shake off. When would you build up the courage to ask him? Talking to someone might free him from his bonds, but you couldn’t force him, you just couldn’t.

He had to be the one to make that choice.

Shifting on the sofa and taking a rather taxing stretch, you moved from your napping position and onto your feet. You stepped out onto the balcony, greeted by a golden radiant light, seating yourself on the heated stone floor, your feet nudging blooming plant pots.

You watched through the rustic balcony bars as the air grew wispy and chill around you, a harsh brick wall supporting the stability of your back. The clouds were starting to fade into the distance as stars pushed forth through the air. Was it time for another cup of tea yet? Probably. You felt spurred to go and get one.

“Morning.” 

“N-namjoon.” You turned in surprise from the gruff voice to be met with his tall figure slouched against the door frame. “Evening, sleepy-head.”

He yawned in response, ruffling that luscious hair of his that now seemed so tangled through his fingers. 

“Come sit down.”

Shuffling, he came to a seated position, one knee bobbing against yours, the other scraping the soil surface of his bonsai. Another yawn again, and his knee was now fully perched on your thigh, his back hunched over, shoulder nudging yours. You watched him as he shook out his tawny hair and took in his features in the setting sun. 

“What’s up?” You smiled, your hand resting on his leg.

“Wanted to see you, dewdrop.”

“If you aren’t the biggest charmer.” You grinned in response “I’ve been missing you all day.”

“Yeah..i know.” He whispered.

“Then what’s up? I’m always here for you Joon.”

He sighed, fingers now raking into his scalp. Moon pools, darkened and tenebrous sat under his eyes, his thick lips chapped and his face a starker cream against the fading light. You turned to him, watching more closely, waiting for him to open up, praying that he would just open up. 

“If you’re not ready that’s fine, i don’t -”

“No, no..I need to.” He shuffled nervously “I know things haven’t been the same since a few weeks ago. I’ve been pouring all my energy into my work and now I've been pouring it all into sleep and it feels like I've finally used up all my resources - like i’m at a dead end for solace, for what to do.” 

“It started a few weeks ago. Things were fine, then all of a sudden, it stopped raining. It was probably just one of those years where the weather just wanted to let up and stay sunny, but for me, it felt like the first. It really did feel like the first time it hadn’t rained. I didn’t know what to do. I was at a loss. All my fondest memories, all my comfort and all my shelter came from the rain - it was a thing I could not deny, and I'm still desperate to get it back.”

“I just..I wish it rains all day. Cuz i’d like someone to cry for me. Cuz then people wouldn’t stare at me. The umbrella would cover the sad face, people would be busy minding themselves. I felt like i just needed to stop, I needed to breathe a little slower because my life and my rap, they’re usually too fast.”

“Yeah..that’s it..”

He let out a strong exhale, letting the air around him encourage the entire earth to fall silent. With that breath, his hand found yours on his thigh, his fingers lacing into your own. A strong thumb pawed across your palm, pressing softly into the flesh, the ultimate grounding tool.

But it wasn’t you needing to be grounded, it really wasn’t. It was him, the friendly giant who had lost all hope and solace to the power of the rain.

“Thank you for telling me. Really thank you.” You squeezed his hand “It’s you i want to protect. If I could hang clouds in the sky and make it rain for you I would..you know that.”

“If only I could find something else to make me just as happy..”

“Hey..” You chirped, a thought springing to your head. “You know i checked on you this morning to see if maybe you wanted to do something? Well..maybe we could go to the Art Museum on the waterfront tomorrow?”

“Okay. Sure.”

“It might help. And maybe we could get a coffee as well and see if we bump into any visiting artists.”

He grinned at you, a sense of adoration and respect filling the lakes of his eyes and the hollows of his dimples. You smiled back, a slow and affectionate grin that you hoped could transcend from your heart, right into his to fix him completely.

“Cool. Well, lets get some dinner on and look forward to a beautiful tomorrow.”

☁ 

That night, with full stomach’s and a coruscating sunset washed over your bodies, you lay in your bed, arm in arm, the night falling into the next day. You slept on your side, your arms crossed over your chest. Namjoon rested behind you, his stomach against your back, hands set in the violin crests of your waist, his head latched against your neck. Perhaps this was the first time, you thought, in weeks that you’d layn like this. The past few days, you’d been laying in bed alone, or an oceans distance from Joon, leaving him to get the best rest possible without your heat leaching onto him. This felt nice. It felt so much more than natural. He smelt of vanilla, and long nights and restless days. It reminded you of the angel you’d met so long ago. 

The only thing you missed was his damp, fresh, rain water scent. 

☁ 

“Catch me if you can.” He laughed.

Running further down the hill of the park, you felt your feet race ahead of you, almost slipping, as you begged yourself to catch up to him. Oaks, maples, alders, zelkovas, and birches all fade into one collective tincture as Namjoon dominated your vision. Despite your distance, his smell, his touch and his colours blocked out all sensory notion and summoning around you. You would not be held by the bounds of nature, he was yours and you were his, and in this race all there was, was blank space and the two of you. 

“We’re nearly there!” He yelled again, bringing you from your thoughts.

“I’m -” You huffed. “I’m. So. Close.”

“Ah. So now it is about the race and not the rain. Perhaps you have a newfound love for it?”

In response, you slammed the brakes, watching him as he skipped into the car park, unlocking the doors to your vehicle and climbing in, beckoning you over. 

“In your dreams.”

☁ 

“For this week, to celebrate the Seoul Arts Festival, we are holding a two for one deal for all art lovers. Therefore, your ticket entry to the art museum is only half price! Enjoy your visit.” 

The gallery was lit with stars this afternoon. In awe, you walked through the reception and into the main hall to peer at the strings of golden paper in the shapes of stars decorating the ceiling and the walls. Clearly, this week was a week to be celebrated in the arts community. 

You hoped Namjoon felt as excited as you to spend this time with him and on such a special day. You watched him, a small smile poking at his cheeks, not giving away whether he was displeased or not. You took the nervous drum of his knee to be the latter. 

You always spent a lot of time in each room when you were with Joon. In love with his adoration for exhibitions, each time you joined him, you simply stuck to his side, viewing every single detail of every single painting. 

At first, you felt the visits to be somewhat taxing - much preferring living, breathing art such as himself. Eventually, however, you succumbed to his ways - finally realizing that all exhibits were living things with their own lives and stories behind all their individual brush strokes. Like most things, it was him who taught you that, with his silent yet ethereal way of just being and learning and loving.

“Okay..wow, so this is the central room for this real highlight exhibits.” You breathed, Namjoon echoed your awe with a slow nod. 

Now this was a room you felt you could really spend hours in. From Eunho, to Hye-Sok, to Eungro, to Jiho, you span around in a flurry of colour as you attempted to absorb the true joy of being amongst all this art at once. You knew Joon felt it too, immediately joining him by the first exhibit to gape at the thatched lines and geometry sitting on the canvas before him. You wondered how long he’d felt this way about the things before him: from paintings, to people, to the rain itself. Had he always been so sensitive and in-tune with his environment? Did he always care so much concerning the life buzzing around him?

After crowding around a few of the exhibits, you decided to head to the bathroom and grab a drink for the two of you. Almost ten minutes in, you’d realized you would probably need a drink to support your long and meticulous visit. Now was the perfect time to head off and grab one.

“Joon, I'm going to grab us a coffee, okay? Don’t go too far.” 

“You know i won’t.” He chuckled “This room is way too fascinating.”

Almost fifteen minutes later, and a large queue for the cafe, you hurried back to the central room with two piping cups of pure vanilla fuel. Walking through the doorway, you searched for him in the crowd, but to no avail. You’d told him to stay put, and you were convinced he would do so, but now he’d ran off, almost as if your exit was the perfect opportunity to get away from everything that bound him. It was the perfect inconvenience.

Walking through the room, you decided to take the door to the next section of the exhibit and see if he was there. Entering into a more low lit space, you squinted your eyes, looking for him in every corner of the room. After a short amount of time, you came across his figure, hunched by an exhibit in the far left hand corner. 

Positioned diagonally, you could see the features of his face in pure scrutiny. His eyes, wincing, paced back and forth across the painting, his teeth sandwiched between his lip, chewed at it gently. 

You’d watched him before like this, staring at paintings, watching life go by on the apartment balcony, tending to his plants, but it had never quite been like this. You stood there for (what?) ten to fifteen minutes, simply wondering when he would stop staring at the canvas..if he would move on. Was he waiting for you to join him? Was the painting simply that jaw-dropping?

“Joon..”

He turned in surprise, immediately standing straight. You smiled at his action, and approached him to look at the painting further. From a distance, in the dim light of the room, the painting was a monochromatic smudge with the tall figure of Namjoon shading its central half. Now, up close, it looked much different. 

A figure in a long white trench coat and cap stood in its centre. Beneath him, a flowing stream of black ink submerged the better half of his shoes, meandering forward through the painting and toward a large black hole hanging in the sky ahead. Black arcs of rain shot through the surrounding sky like hasten sparks, falling into the reflection of the figure wavering below in the light of the tenebrous stream. The painting, as a whole, had been crafted in monochromatic watercolour, its brush strokes melting down the canvas like tears to paper. It was a sad yet inspiring vision, you thought.

“It’s beautiful.” He answered, a tear pooling down his cheek. 

☁ 

That night you lay awake for a while. 

A long while.

At 9pm, you turned to your side, and slipped out of your bed to sit on the balcony. The weather was tinged with cold, but you brought a blanket to shawl across your shoulders and drape under your naked toes. 

You’d tried getting to sleep that night around 8pm. Joon had huddled against the corner of the sofa before bed and downed a mug of green tea, before watching you finish yours, lacing your hand with his and heading for dream-land. 

But as soon as you hit those warm, delicious covers, you knew there was something much more pressing calling your name. 

Ever since leaving the museum that afternoon, you couldn’t draw your mind from that watercolour painting. Like an obnoxious poster of propaganda, or an inviting store-front display, the picture sat in your mind, a prized possession, and mocked you your entire journey home. You thought about Joon’s face viewing the canvas, the time he spent simply looking at it and the silence and serenity that followed him afterward. 

He wanted the rain, he yearned for it, he called for it ever since its disappearance. You only realized this last night, once he opened up to you, but it had made sense. The long showers he took when you were distracted at the grocers and would come home to him singing away to the sound of the running water in the bathroom. The way you would sometimes wake just as he was heading to sleep and watch him kiss the sky goodnight with a certain desperation for the rain to come. Even the long, delicious sips he took of green tea, feeling the liquid wash down his throat and cleanse him of his doubt. It all made sense. 

He was waiting for the rain to answer him and it was that singular painting that seemed to pick up his call.

It was that realization, again, on the foot of your balcony at 9pm at night that made you stoop through the house, throw on your shoes and run back to the museum to bring home that painting.

Racing down cobblestone streets and narrow lanes, you found yourself driving all the way back to the museum with only yourself and the headlights of the car to guide you. 

All your life, you’d learnt better from the mistakes you’d made and soon realized it was best to follow a calling and take an opportunity when it came to you. Even if it ended up failing. This particular calling was stronger than ever, a migraine in your head, an instinct that screamed that there was more to this painting than what meets the eye. You knew it would help Namjoon.

On special events, the museum closed at the ripe hour of 10pm: in just fifteen minutes time. What on earth were you doing? You didn’t know. You would enter the museum, visit the catalyst that stuck itself in your mind and hopefully the answer would come to you.

Jumping out from the car, you ran toward the entrance, bursting through the doors like some crazed artist, desperate for information. 

A man halted you just as you were headed through to the main hall, his gentle touch on your shoulder. 

“Ma’am, this gallery is closing in ten minutes time.”

“I-i understand. I just need to take a look at one of your exhibits.”

He nodded, an uncertain look crossing his features “Of course..go ahead.”

And with that notice, you sped walk to the dim lit room without a single thought but of the canvas in your head.

“Good evening, this gallery will be closing in five minutes time. Can all remaining visitors please make their way to the exit on the lower floor. Thank you for visiting.”

With the echo of the final closing announcement following you into the dark exhibit room, you had to make a decision. A dangerous decision. 

With no rational thought, plan or hope in mind, you would decide to stay at the museum past its closing time. Searching the room, you peered for somewhere to hide. Unfortunately, galleries never really delivered in this particular apartment, often baring clean white walls and flat floorboards. In your case, frantically scouring the room, you had found an exhibit sitting on top of a white box with a possible way to unfold itself and hide you in it. With urgency, you got to your knees and tugged at the side of one of the corners, digging your nails in, in an attempt to open up one of the sides and slide inside. 

And just as if it really was your calling, one of the sides slid open - albeit with a tremendous screeching sound against the floor - but it still very much opened. With that, you were asking no questions, simply bending yourself into a rectangular shape and sliding back into the box, closing the side behind you. 

Now to wait.

For a few minutes, you sat in silence, wincing at a cramp in your ankle. Suddenly, you were hearing footsteps and jangling keys announcing themselves in the room. With a held breath, and extreme concentration, you sat rock solid as the steps circled, stopping occasionally to scent out a visitor, and continuing before finally click-clacking goodbye. If there was any time you thought you would be in need of an oxygen tank (surprisingly not in 50 years time) it was now. You were never one to break the rules or to find yourself being ridiculously spontaneous, so this was really a first. You felt on edge, yet devious and buzzing with an electric pulse of energy. It really was time for you to try something new, and for Joon to finally get his dose of happiness.

In a succession of fox-like footsteps, you peeled yourself from the box and made your way over to the painting. You thought, standing still, that the answer of what to do would just come to you. 

Certainly nothing had happened straight away, but you were definitely taken aback by the painting in this light. With only the back-up lighting on, a shadow was cast on the canvas before you, washing the monochromatic tone over in a blue haze. Things looked even sadder from this angle, but ever more fascinating. Almost unconsciously, you leaned forward and traced the painting with your finger, letting your palm slide flat against the cold canvas. So melancholy and so mysterious, the longer you stared, the more you fell. Before you could even comprehend your actions, you were again applying another hand to the canvas, feeling its ridges and bends. Slowly, you came closer to it, pushing forward past the small rope barrier to reach nearer in its gaze. 

Black, white, grey, it all melded into one in a romantic and tragic spiral of colour. Your eyes fell onto its detail, its strokes, its edges, and soon you couldn’t even tell what you were looking at anymore - simply a puddle of water absorbing your interest, absorbing all consciousness. 

☁

“Hello”

“Hello..”

“Are you okay?”

In a buttery, and gooey, and delicious state of silence a voice filled your ears. Slowly you felt your touch, your scent, your taste and everything return to you. You were a warm body on a cold floor, palms clawing roughly at its spongy surface. You were a clouded head, lost in direction, coming to your senses with the figure above you. 

Eyes squinting and pleading to open, you heard his voice again. It rang a deep, husky, baritone chill through your spine and reminded you of someone oh so familiar. As you squeezed your eyes open again, everything came into view. 

The figure above you was a tall, looming shadow. Dressed in a long white trench coat and cap, with loose trousers and messy black hair, he stared ominously into your eyes, confusion and worry painting the slight lines smudged across his face. 

It only took you a second, but before you knew it, you were free of numbness and doubt, standing to your feet and cradling the shadow in front of you. 

It was your Joon.

Well, it was him, but rather a slightly altered version of him. A small wedge of his collective person so to speak. In fact, to put it definitely, it was the figure that stood central in the watercolour painting. 

And now you were in the painting itself. Standing with him as if you’d never left the house, as if you hadn’t ever had a care in the world. But you most definitely had; in fact, the biggest question shrouding your brain was how on earth did you end up inside the canvas? Was this a dream?

“I’m sorry.” You whispered into his shoulder. 

“Hey, hey. It’s okay Dewdrop.” He replied, leaving you frozen with the familiar nickname. “I missed you.”

“Joon..” You mumbled, a hand lacing itself against his collarbone “Hey..this isn’t some weird calling is it? Or some nightmare that will leave me on my knees in penance?”

“No, no. I know this feels weird and I know this was the last place you expected to be in order to help the one you love..but it is. And you won’t be here forever, don’t worry, I just need to explain things.”

“Okay okay.” You nodded, pulling back from him to fully process the situation. 

Viewing him from such a close perspective, and viewing the strange yet ethereal world floating in your peripheral wasn’t even the weirdest thing. The weirdest thing was how quick you had been made to suddenly process this all, as if it were foreshadowed in the flecks of your bloodstream. 

Always one for make-believe and skipping class in favor of daydreaming dungeons & dragons, this would seem custom for you. And it was in a sense. Crossing that initial bridge of fear and the unfamiliar, you felt strangely calm in this new world’s clutch. 

“Y/n? Are you alright?”

“Sorry.” You pulled yourself from your sudden thoughts. “I was just..i’m just a bit taken aback that’s all.”

“It’s fine, honey. Come here, let’s walk.” 

In the still slight state of shock, you took his hand and walked. Before, the world feeling silent, you could now hear rain. Long flecks of it smashing against the ground like fireworks bouncing beyond the stratosphere. In some strange way -  like everything that had happened to you this evening - you felt calm. 

In the weeks it hadn’t rained, you forgot what it had felt like to hold Joon’s hand, to hug him, to really feel him near you. In the early hours of morning, you had missed his warmth, his feathery kisses, his pleasure that was true sin of the flesh. Feeling him here, being next to him now, you had a hope that his more unfortunate, lonesome counterpart would soon be reunited with his true-self again.

“It was a few weeks ago, when the rain halted all action. When the skies fell to rest. A part of me left and found itself here, a strange deity of happiness, an outlier in a world of strangers.”

Looking around, you felt his words. To your left, and to your right stood figures masked with umbrellas, floating in the inaudible wind. Some figures had their umbrellas angled so you could see their faces. Strange features marked the upper half of their torso: hollowed cheeks with eyes sitting in the banks of their flesh, botanical hair, melding into faces, blossoming into sharper spikes. Some figures were full of expression and stories, others were simply black smudges, scribbles atop slouched shoulders moving with the current. 

“When it rains, I get a little feeling that I do have a friend. Keeps knocking on my windows; asks me if I'm doing well. And I know that when Namjoon’s at home, writing his music, waiting, he will answer: ‘I’m still a hostage of life. I don’t live because i can’t die, but i’m chained to something.’” Joon responds, talking about the physical side of himself, the man you’ve left sleeping at home, dreaming of the rain. You sense a sadness in his tone, a longing to be reunited with his other half. To make him whole again.

“What can i do? Please tell me?”

“We need to get out of here; but i can’t do it without your help. You need to help pull me out through the other side, to set me free, to help me reach him.” 

You take a fresh gulp, anticipating instructions, waiting for an order of where to go, something to help you complete your task. But nothing.

“Where do i take you?”

“Through..through that black hole over there.”

With an unsteady, ghostly white watercolour finger, he points ahead of himself, toward a tenebrous pool of ink, hanging in the sky. Walking with hope, an inkling of dread at your side, you tug further on his hand to approach the crevice, the tear in the seams. 

Approaching nearer, you feel your feet start to become submerged in a tar-like substance. Upon looking down, you notice that your wading further out into a lake of ink. But there’s no way out. Stepping to the side to try and climb out of the stream is no use. You are not the floating figures around you, you never will be and neither will Joon; you are simply grounded, falling deeper, yet becoming more assured of the goal you must now reach.

Before you even comprehend it, your right up against the hole, your vision shrouded in darkness and dripping ink, like a fountain from the devil himself. But you know on the other side that there’s the gallery room, and you know that a stone's throw from there, is your home, and your safety again. 

“When i count to three, we’ll jump in.”

“Okay..” You breathe.

“Just help me through once you're safe and sound.” He grins, dimples kissing his cheeks.

“Of course I will, silly. We’re in this together.” 

“Okay. One..”

“Two.”

“Three!”

The first thing you feel is damp wet sludge, then the tugging sensation of being pulled through a tumble dryer.

The next thing you know: you’re out the other side, and he..

..he’s gasping for air, 

tugging onto your arm,

and gurgling.

And - oh god - you don’t think you’ve heard such a sound before, but it terrifies you and leaves bile pooling against your gums. 

Against the arcs of rain spilling from the painting, his arm shakes further, fingers gripping so hard you’re afraid they’ll simply shrivel to bone. He’s screaming now, low and hollow and you’re teetering on the decision to just denounce this is a bad dream, pinch yourself and wake up. But you know this isn’t. 

You feel you’ve had nightmares similar to this one before. Visions of losing him to a pool of ink, watching him fade into just an image. You’ve tried to imagine life without him, taking long walks and cold showers to prepare for the worst, but you had never wanted this.

“H-elp, PLEASE, he-”

“It’s okay!” You felt breathless “Joon, stay with me, please!”

What on earth would you do if you couldn’t get him out of here? Would the Joon at home you knew so well forever lose his spark? Would you get to try again the next day? Or would the love of your life simply fade away forever..

With that thought you tugged harder, putting all of your energy into the pull. Grounding one foot in front of the other, you leant back against the rope barrier of the exhibit and fastened your grip further up his arm. With excruciating strength, and the need to make sounds akin to an engine revving, you pulled further and further. Further and further, until you could see his shoulder, then his neck, then his head, the waist, the thighs, the knees, the ankles..

All of him. 

In an instance, he was falling into your arms, your grip fervent and desperate on him, cradling his body as if he would melt away. 

Little did you know, he would melt away if you weren’t fast enough.

“We need to be quick. I’m so so sorry. You need to hurry before i gradually fade; i can’t exist in this world normally as a painting, you need to get to him. Now”.

☁

Racing down empty streets, steering near desolate corners, your car drove with the solid ambition of getting to him. 

The longer you rode, the harder you found it to look across to the passenger seat at him. Every single minute, he was fading away. First it was his shoes when you first fastened the seat belt, then his ankles, and now the evanesce was reaching toward his thighs. There was no point in looking a little further or breathing a little faster or thinking a little longer. It was your eyes, ahead, on the road. Just you and the world.

 And soon it would be you and him. 

Turning another corner, you felt the engine stutter and pool to a stop. With a long, steady breath, you pushed at the pedal again, urging it to move, 

“C’mon just a little more -” 

But to no avail. 

Again you pushed and pushed, just like how you pulled and pulled earlier, but life could only give you so much, it would only give you so much. 

A feeling of despair overcame you, throwing you instantly onto the bed of the steering wheel. You lay there silently for a while, face nested against the cold fabric, questioning it all. 

Did you do enough? What would Joon think of you? Why were you so hopeless? Did you really think you could finish this on your own?

You had to finish this on your own.

...

....

......

*pit*

*pat*

*pit-pat*

You blinked, lips brushing the wheel in an attempt to shut your mouth and hold your breath.

*pit-pat*

*pit-pat pit-pat pit-pat -*

It was raining.

Looking up, flecks of water were falling from the sky. They were landing like confetti and surging through the air in the trillions. The ground, in seconds, had become a stone riverbed, and the car windows a submarine tanks. 

You’d be damned if this rain wasn’t going to turn into the most magnificent storm you’d ever seen. 

“C’mon Joon, we’re nearly there!” 

With a thrust, you pulled yourself out of the car and up into the rain. Following your steps, he trailed behind you as you stepped out into the cold, exposed to an onslaught of flood. 

Out in the open, and with one more step to complete, you took your hand in his and began to run.

If tears were rainy days, you think you’d have experienced a drought. But now, you were crying, crying like there was not enough rain in this world, like there couldn’t ever be enough. 

Ushering a melting figure through the torrent of rain, you’d become desperate to reach home. Looking back, you saw the rain was having its effect on him. Every second now, he was simply being washed away.

You turned the final corner to your apartment, readying yourself to rush down a long street to reach the end of it and enter dry-land. To run back home with the risk of turning back and no longer seeing a figure following behind you. 

But was it luck, or the final piece in this discombobulated puzzle, that Namjoon was standing right there, at the end of the street, waiting for you?

Now you were running even faster, your legs pacing ahead of the rest of you before you could even think. 

Closer and closer and you could start to feel Joon’s grip in your hand fade away, only urging you to hold on stronger. 

With watery, shut eyes, you made the final distance and collided with a strong chest, sending Joon forth into his physical counterpart. 

Pulling apart from him suddenly, you watched to see his watercolour other-half melt into the crest of his heart. With no urgency, he was sucked in, and you stared in awe as Joon slowly stood straighter, grew brighter, felt happier. 

It was a gasp of air that finally brought him back to you. You saw it before you truly felt it: lips on your own like soft, rubbery buds. He kissed you with tenderness, with concern, with desire. Kissing you further, the light poured into you too. You felt it in the way he held your waist, in the way he held your face, in the way he made sure the both of you were never ever ever displaced.

He sang against your lips,

“Please don’t ask any questions.”

“But do keep pouring forever.”

[sakura-blossom28]

Heartbroken

Jumped around with the here.  Felt good to write! Let me know what you think! Next chapter will be tough but I want to write it! Will add links later 

They started slow.  Spending time alone, just the two of them became normal.  She would go to his apartment after work, they would have dinner together, maybe watch a movie and then go home.  Other days when her mother wasn’t in a panic about how their home looked, Gaara would stay for dinner to get to know her family better.  They knew how they felt and that’s all that mattered to them.  

XxX

Gaara heard a knock on his door.  He looked at the time and knew Sakura was standing on the other side.  This time of day was always his favorite.  She had just gotten out of work and it was a cooldown day from the gym.  He opened the door to find a slightly exhausted Sakura.  Even though she had just worked a full day, Gaara still found her extremely beautiful.  His heart always sped up when she smiled at him, even though she was tired.  She could have chosen to go right home after work, but she decided to spend her time with him and he was grateful for that.  

Sakura quietly walked in with her change in clothes in hand.  She hated being in scrubs longer than she needed to be.  Before she could even change Gaara wrapped her in a tight hug as he shut the door behind her.  He wouldn’t let go of her until they were sitting on his couch. He arranged them so that Sakura was sitting on his lap and he had his face buried in her hair.  

“Gaara, what’s gotten into you?  I just saw you yesterday!” Sakura laughed as she settled into him and started to play with his hair.  

“I know and I already missed you,” he mumbled into her hair.  That made Sakura pause.  No guy had ever said that to her before.  She had always been the one to gush over the other person.  Sakura didn’t even have to prompt him to say anything sweet to her.  She held onto him a little tighter than usual and got off the couch to get changed. 

XxX

“Hey I was talking to your sister and the girls today and they wanted to go out this weekend.  We were thinking about going to a few bars and maybe even a club.  Are you in?” Sakura asked Gaara.  They had just finished their class and he was walking her to her car.  Gaara got quiet while he thought.  

“Going out like that isn’t really my thing…” Gaara finally said.  

“Oh alright.  I kinda figured that anyway.  Maybe we can see a movie instead-” Sakura started. 

“Hey hey wait a minute Sakura,” Gaara said stopping Sakura before she could get into her car.  “Just because it’s not my favorite thing to do doesn’t mean we don’t have to go.  I know you want to go, so we’ll go.  I’d do that for you.  And maybe next time I want to go to a concert of that band I like you’ll join me because I asked.  We do things for each other Sakura, that’s how I want our relationship to be.  Plus I just want to be around you.  I don’t care what we do.” 

“You would do that for me?” Sakura asked in disbelief.  Sasuke had only gone out with her once and it was just to one bar.  Ino was in town and she really wanted them to meet.  He did go out with her, but the whole time he seemed miserable.  Sakura had felt so guilty after that that she never asked to go out again.  

“Of course I would.  Sakura, I would do anything for you if it made you happy,” Gaara said as he tried to turn Sakura around so he could look at her.  When he did, he didn’t expect to see tears building up in her eyes.  It broke his heart to see pain in her eyes.  “Sakura?  Did I say something wrong?  I’m-”

“No no Gaara.  It’s just- I appreciate you so much.  Thank you.  I really do want you to come out with me,” Sakra said, wiping her eyes.  It was silly of her, always crying like that when something wasn’t going her way.  It was something she really needed to work on.  Sakura typically associates the word ‘no’ with “no I don’t like you”.  Gaara was very patient.  He really could have said that he didn’t want to go and that should have been good enough for Sakura.  They didn’t have to do everything together and she shouldn’t get upset about it.  

“I know you said you’ll go, but in the future, if I ask you to do or go somewhere with me and you truly don’t want to go I want you to be honest with me.  I understand we can compromise, but there’s a limit Gaara.  I don’t want to assume you’ll say yes every time.”

“Alright, that’s fair.  I hope you’ll do the same.  Please don’t cry like that, I don’t think I can handle your tears,” Gaara said, pulling her into a hug.  

XxX

It was a typical Friday night.  Sakura had taken an earlier class since she got out of work early and wanted to have a quiet night at home.  She had a rough week at work dealing with difficult patients so Gaara understood.  They had agreed they would pick a different day to see each other.  Gaara had planned to use his time to think of something nice that they could do with each other.  With it raining it was the perfect night to stay in so he didn’t mind that he didn’t have any plans.

There was a knock at his door.  He wasn’t expecting anyone and Kankuro was already out for the night.  He cautiously went to the door to see a soaked Sakura standing outside.  She didn’t have a coat on or anything. She even looked like she was in her pajamas.  

“Sakura?!  What happened?!  Are you okay?”  Gaara asked as he grabbed her inside.  She was shaking as he brought her in and she wouldn’t say a word.  She must have parked in the gym lot and walked all the way over to his building.  He immediately brought her into the bathroom and left to get some towels.  Once he had her mostly dried, he went to his room for a change of clothes.  He found some of his clothes from when he was younger that would fit Sakura better.  

He waited outside the bathroom for her to change.  Once she opened the door he made her sit down on the toilet so that he could blow dry her hair.  They sat in silence.  Gaara knew she needed time to think.  He saw how red her eyes were and knew she had been crying.  Now if he only knew the reason…  Gaara turned off the hairdryer when Sakura’s hair was light pink and fluffy again.  He gently lifted her chin so that their eyes met.  

“Do you want to talk about what happened?” he asked in a neutral voice, even though he was worried on the inside.  She started to shake her head no.  He let out a deep sigh.  He didn’t want to get angry with her, he was just worried so he had to control himself.  “Please Sakura, I need some information.  I just want to make sure you’re okay.”  

Tears started to form again in her eyes.  “I’m so sorry- to come over like this- I-I didn’t know where else to go.  I-I got in a fight with my m-mom” she said through her tears.  Ugh, just her mom.  He could help with that.  

“I can g-go if you need me to.  I’m-I’m sorry Gaara-”

“Shh no.  I’m glad you came here.  You can always come to me with your problems.  C’mon, let’s go sit on the couch.”  Gaara helped her up and wrapped her up in a blanket and went to make them some tea.  When he was back Sakura seemed to have calmed down a bit.  

“Okay, now what happened?” Gaara asked, handing Sakura her tea.  “You and your mom normally get along.  What did you get in a fight over?”

“You’re going to think I’m crazy if I tell you… It was ridiculous really.  I was just starting to relax after my day and she gets on my case about med school.  I know I eventually have to go, but I have to take the MCAT before I apply.  I want to take it in the late summer and then apply in the spring, but she thinks I’m pushing it off again.  She’s been on my case so much about it and I’m so frustrated about it!  I just get so overwhelmed and she doesn’t seem to care.  It’s stupid but after the week I’ve had I just blew up in her face.  I didn’t mean to, but she just wouldn’t leave me alone.  So I ran out because I couldn’t stand being around her another second,” Sakura finally looked up at him.  “I’m sorry for barging in.  I should have called…” 

“I can understand the way you’re feeling.  My father is the same way.  That’s the reason why we all moved out at the same time.  He kept pressuring me to go back to school so that I could run his business.  He thinks running the gym isn’t enough, but when I’m ready I’ll go back.  I think your mom is just worried that you’ll get comfortable working for Tsunade and not want to try.  She may have gone about it the wrong way, but she’s coming from a good place,” Gaara said.  

“Yeah, you’re right.  Do you mind if I stay here for a while to cool down?” Sakura asked looking completely exhausted.  

“I don’t mind.  You can stay the night if you want.  The rain is pretty bad out there.  I’m surprised you made it over here in one piece.  I would feel better if you stayed.” 

“I don’t want to intrude…”  Gaara just gave her a look.  “Okay okay, I’ll stay.” 

“Please let your parents know where you are at least,” Gaara said as he stood up to put their empty cups in the sink.  “So what do you want to do?” 

“Whatever you were doing before I got here,” Sakura said with a smile.  

Gaara walked back towards her and gently scooped her up and walked over to his bedroom.  Sakura had never seen it before.  Normally they would just hang out in the living room and kitchen.  When he turned on the light and dropped her on his bed, she finally got to see what his room looked like.  

The walls were a light grey color.  He had black curtains covering the single window next to his bed.  His desk was in the other corner of the room.  She could see different documents about the gym and his laptop on the desk.  The room was very neat and clean.  Everything had its order, even the knick-knacks that covered his TV display.  His room literally could have been in a magazine, except for his personal touches and posters.  

“Not a dark dungeon, like you thought it would be?” Gaara asked with a smirk.  He was sitting at his desk after he put her on the bed.  “I just have to finish up a few things.  Do you want me to turn on the TV?”

“Yeah if you don’t mind,” Saura said as she got under the covers.  Gaara got up to change it to a show that Sakura liked, and kept the volume low so that if she wanted to sleep she could.  When he gave her the remote he tucked her in to make sure she was comfortable and kissed her on her forehead.  

Gaara finished his work in record time.  He closed his laptop and slipped into his bed.  This was the first time that he and Sakura would be sharing a bed.  He had no intention of trying anything, he was just happy to have her so close and to wake up next to her.  Sakura rolled over when he got into bed.  

“Hey,” she said as he pulled her closer.  “You know I like you right?” 

“This sounds familiar, but yes I do,” Gaara chuckled as he settled in next to her.  

“I think I want you to be my boyfriend… If you’ll have me,” Sakura said as she buried her face into his chest.  They both tensesd at her words, but Gaara just did it because he felt excited.  He knew they had mutual feelings for each other, but he was waiting for the right moment to ask Sakura if they could put a label on what was going on between them for the last few months.  

“Yes, I’ll have you.  Of course, I’ll have you,” Gaara said, pulling her in as close as he could.  His night had started off in a strange way, but he wouldn’t change it for anything. 

[sex-storytime]

His Plaything

I hated him. I hated him. I hated how good he fucked me. I hated how good his cock filled my holes. I hated how hard he could make me cum. I hated how much I loved the way he treated me.

I fucking hated him.

But I couldn't resist him. I did what he said, when he said, where he said. He was my weak spot, my curse.

This time was no different than the others. He simply texted me "15 minutes Baby Girl". I know what that meant. He would be here in 15 minutes and fuck me senseless. He didn't care what I am doing, what my plan is. He simply didn't care any of these details. He just wanted and he sure would get. Like I said, this time, was no different. The second I read the message, my pussy started to getting wet. It needed him. It needed his cock. I needed him. I needed his cock. And to satisfy my needs I would do whatever necessary.

True to his word, after 15 minutes he was at my door. And I was greeting him in my most expensive and sexiest babydoll. I was dressed for him, knowing he didn't care what I wear for him. He just cared about my body and my holes, like a cheap Slut. And he treated me like one. And I loved this treatment. This was what I want, what I need. I craved for this. I waited patiently for weeks, sometimes for months for his call.

When he entered the house I tried to hug his neck and kiss him. But he pushed me so hard, that I lost my balance and fell on the ground. "Do you think I come here for foreplay or lovemaking? Do your job, do the only thing that you are good at Rachel!" I knew that would be his response, but nevertheless, I tried to hug and kiss him. I don't know; maybe I was trying to bond with him or my subconsciousness was helping him to humiliate me more.

Quickly I took my place before him on my knees. While he was pulling my hair, I was dutifully trying to untie his belt in order to free his cock. When I reached his semi-erect cock I eagerly started licking, sucking and stroking. In less than a couple of minutes, it has reached its full growth and ready to invade my holes. After that I slowed my pace down, savouring its taste, enjoying the feeling of it in my hands or in my mouth. I was swirling my tongue around of each ball, carefully sucking each of them. I was slow, I was enjoying the sensation of serving his cock again. Licking his shaft, gently sucking its bulbous head. I was compensating every minute I spent without it.

Suddenly, "Do you call this sucking. Suck me like you mean it!" he shouted. I was stunned. Grabbing my hair he slapped my face. "I could get my dick sucked better than this by any cheap street hooker!" he punctuated his sentence with a big spit on my face. After several slaps and spits, he pushed me to the wall. He put my hands together above my head. "I'll show you what sucking is. Open your mouth Rachel." and without waiting no more he started to fuck my mouth with all his power and rage. I was trying to keep up with his tempo. He was fast, hard and relentless. He was skull-fucking me. I was just a useless hole for him. And he acted accordingly. My head was banging against the wall, but it didn't matter to him. He just kept fucking my head with all his power.

When he stopped assaulting my mouth, I was nothing but a mess. My face was covered with tears and spits and I was disoriented from lack of air and hard fucking. But these were not his problems. He just grabbed me by my hair and threw me to the floor.

"Crawl to your bedroom Baby Girl. On your hands and knees. Like a good pet." He was right behind me. After pulling myself together swiftly I started to crawl. At the same time, I was wiggling my hips for him. I wanted to tease him. I wanted to make him hornier. So when he started to fuck me, he would FUCK me. I wanted him to fuck me to my limits. That way, after he was done with me, he would leave a broken mess behind him.

It was a dangerous and potentially destructive relationship, at least for me. It was like an addiction, consuming my soul. But I couldn't resist it. And maybe I shouldn't. I didn't know, I didn't care. All I wanted was him. Actually him fucking and humiliating me. I didn't give a shit about him as a person or his thoughts. I just wanted him to give me what I wanted. And I was desperate about do or give him whatever necessary for my needs. He knew that and actually he was kind enough to give me what I needed. I knew this was his kindness, he probably could fuck anyone, anytime he wants. He didn't need me, I was not that special for him. I was just a hole for him. A hole that he could replace anytime easily with another one.

When we finally arrived at the bedroom, "Undress me, Rachel." he commanded. I was undressing him slowly, without a rush. As much as I wanted his cock inside me at that moment, I was holding myself. I was playing with him, teasing him further. Kissing and licking his thighs, his abs and every part of his body I slowly undressed him.

He was standing fully naked before me, his cock glistening with my spit. He was like a some kind of God, waiting to be worshipped. He was my God. And I sure would worship him.

He grabbed my hair, asking "Did you dress fancy for me Rachel?"

I smiled "Yes".

"I bet it is very expensive, huh?"

"Yes, very much."

"Gooood."

And then within the blink of an eye, he tore my babydoll in two, laughing. Here, my most expensive lingerie has become a rag in seconds. This represented the value he gave me. I was nothing but a ragdoll for him. He didn't respect anything about me. Neither me nor my feelings. He treated me like shit. I was nothing for him. And I loved this. I loved this deep down in my soul.

He turned me and tied my hands behind my back with the leftovers of my babydoll. Then turning me again, he slapped me hard and pushed me to the bed. Finally, the moment I have been waiting so much was coming. He spread my legs roughly and climbed to the bed. The tip of his hard cock was at the entry of my pussy. Then with just a single stroke he was all the way in. His crotch banged to my clitoris. He was finally in me! I was so relieved. All that anticipations building up in me has satisfied at last. Without losing time he started to fuck me with long, hard thrusts.

"Fuck me. Fuck me harder. Ohhh God, thank you! Thank you, I missed this. I've missed your cock."

"Mmmm... You are such are a dirty Girl."

"Yes. Yes, I am dirty Baby Girl. I am your dirty Baby Girl, waiting for you to fuck."

"Then take my cock and put it in your pussy. I can see that you want it. Are you horny Rachel?"

"Yes, give it to me. Fuck me with all your cock. I want it all. I want to fuck my little pussy raw. Ohhh Goddd!"

I was getting what I wanted. He was fucking me with all his raw power. He was like a primal animal while fucking me. He was pumping his cock in and out of me faster.

While fucking me, he started to rub my clit with his one hand. The other one was tightening around my neck, slowly choking me. While slowly cutting my oxygen supply, his fingers on my clit fastened. I was very close to cumming. The release I have been waiting for so long is so close. So close that I knew it wasn't coming yet. He wouldn't let me cum so easily. After all these years I knew him that much. And proving me right he stopped. He stopped right when I was at the edge. I was two rubs ahead from cumming. But he knew this better than me, so he stopped. A sadistic grin appeared on his face when he saw my body whimpered in disappointment. He was playing with me and this was his favourite game. He was a master of this game. I have never, not once, been able to come without him letting me. He controls me. He controls my body, my mind and my soul. I was his play toy. And this made feel satisfied, as if like all my life I was waiting for him, waiting for him to take me, make me his toy. I was just a doll without its own will for him.

He played and fucked me for a while longer. I had lost the count of how many times that I reached the edge of an orgasm. I knew that he was not going to let me cum easily. He had to make up for the lost time. He had to tease and torment me. He had to bring me to the edge of an orgasm and leave me there, hanging. This is what he did and this is what I want him to do.

After a couple of minutes, his breathing and thrusts were quickened. He yelled, "I'm gonna flood your pussy with my seed Baby Girl."

"Please don't cum inside me. I am not on pill."

"Shut up Baby Girl! Do I look like I give a damn about what you want or what you fear? I am only here to take what I want and I want your holes, unconditionally. And I am going to take what I want. Do you understand Baby Girl?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do you fear that you get pregnant? Are you afraid of your soon-to-be-hubby?"

"No, my pussy belongs to you. Take it, do what you want. Fill it with your little swimmers. Please, I beg you. Cum inside of me. Breed me! Fill me with your seed. I belong to you. You own me. I am your Baby Girl. I am your fuck toy, human fleshlight. Fill me, pleaseeee!"

"Then take my cum Rachel!"

With that, he started to cum in my pussy. Spurt after spurt. He filled me up. It has been a long time since I felt so full. He was pumping inside me while his orgasm has been subdued. His cum leaking from my pussy lips. I was overwhelmed but haven't climaxed yet. I was patiently waiting for him to allow me to cum.

After he emptied his balls he got up from the bed and headed to the living room. "Hurry up Baby Girl. Grab me a beer."

I hurried to the kitchen, his cum slowly oozing out of my pussy lips. I made some snacks along with beer. When I entered the living room I saw that he is already sat on the armchair and watching sports. I set a small table in front of him and placed snacks and beer onto it. Also, I put a portable cooler next to his chair to hold a couple of beers cool for the coming hours. Then crawled under the table and took my place between his legs.

This was a game we play for awhile. He was sitting in there watching TV and snacking. And I sucked his dick very slowly while he was enjoying everything that offered to him. As I was under the table, he didn't see me. He didn't need to. I was just an anonymous cocksucker, a hole for him. Nothing more. Usually, this would go on a couple of hours. There was only one rule: Not make him cum unless he said so. I had to adjust my speed very carefully; fast enough to keep him interested, slow enough to not make him cum right away. Also, we had a little second rule: not to play with yourself. Focus of the game was him and his pleasure, not me. I had to remember this when I was playing. No matter how wet I got, I must not touch myself. Not for a single second!

And so we started our twisted game. Today he played the game for around 3 hours. He was watching TV and chatting with his friends on the phone like there was nothing unusual. Like there wasn't a Rachel between her legs sucking his dick for hours.

After 3 hours my chin ached, knees was sore, and every part of my body was cramped. But despite all of that, I never stopped for a rest. I couldn't dare to stop. I couldn't dare to disappoint him. I must do what he wants. I must let him use me as he likes.

When he was talking on the phone suddenly he said "Hey, Jodie so you know what I am doing now?” My heart stopped... he was talking to his ex. “I am sitting in front of TV with a beer in my hand and between my legs, yes Rachel! You known her... god yes, she has been willingly sucking my cock for hours without complaining. Yes, this is Rachel's house. Yes, she does what I like, when I like."

He was talking about me to his ex girlfriend like I wasn't in there, like I was an object, like I was a cheap whore. Actually, he was right. I was a cheap street hooker for him. His fuck toy. His Baby Girl. He had every right to call me whatever he likes and treat me every way he wants. I was his.

I was in awe of him and his casual chat... but I also felt humiliated. He has always humiliated me. Humiliation was the base concept that our so called "relationship" has been found on. But this was beyond any humiliation he subjected me to. In the past, he had talked his friends while I was sucking his cock. But this was something completely different. It crossed a critical line. He was including somebody he had himself been intimate with for the first time ever. It could be a really disastrous thing for me, considering the nature of our relationship. It was probably the beginning of something very dangerous and intoxicating.

Thinking all the possibilities, humiliations, and mind-blowing orgasms, I was so aroused. More aroused than in my all life. So I broke the second rule and touched my clit. He instantly realised this and yelled "Hands on my cock! Don't try to pleasure yourself, Rachel." I instantly pulled my hand over my clit. But he was angry. He threw the table above me. Grab my hair and began slapping me. He slapped me hard. Each slap burned my skin and there were a lot of them. When he finally gave me a break, I was disoriented and feeling dizzy.

"Bad girl! You are only good at one thing and you can't even do that properly. What should I do to you?"

I was trying to hold myself not to cry. I knew all this was a game, but this was different. With the earlier humiliation and this, something had changed. I could feel it. He took my pride, shattered into pieces in a way he never has done before. He was extending his control over me. I didn't think that was possible but he was extending it. I always thought he has absolute control over me, so how can he extend it, right? But I was beginning to see I was wrong, terribly wrong.

"My ex-girlfriend wants to talk to you, Baby Girl. I'm putting her on speaker."

"Evening sweetie. Are you two having a good time? Yeah, I think you are. Did he slap you hard? The sounds are very loud. But I think he is too rough on you. I thought you must doing well... don’t blow it. Maybe you are not the brightest girl in town, but who cares? As long as you have three holes and a will to serve, nothing matters. A willing girl like you can be trained. Also, you obviously have a high potential, considering he still fucks you after all these years. He has been fucking us both, you know? So don't worry honey, his anger will pass. But for now, I think he should fuck your mouth... you know how much he likes that. It’ll calm him down. His penis must be really hard at just the thought of it.”

It was... I watched it pulse and throb before my eyes.

So... He should face-fuck you to the point that you lose consciousness... what do you think? Yes? Good girl! Only this make him cool down. What do you say, sweetie? Do you want my man's big, delicious cock fuck your throat like there is no tomorrow? Doesn't the thought of it makes you wetter? A big dick thrusting into your mouth like a drill. Spit flowing down from your chin to your tits. Tears from your eyes ruining your makeup. You are struggling not to choke on it, but actually, there is nothing you can't do about it. You give yourself completely to his mercy. If he wants you to breathe you breathe, if not... well, good luck then. But isn't it the part you like most? Giving the control to him. Letting him do whatever he wants, to get everything he wants. Isn't it liberating? Tell me the thought of being under his control don't turn you on. Can you tell me that? Or are you wetter than ever? Do you like when he controls and dominates you? Answer me Rachel! Do you like it?"

"Yes."

"Ohh, don't be shy, girl. Be specific. Tell me what you like."

At that moment, I have lost connection with reality. My reality became her words. She hypnotised me. Actually, this was not a hypnotism. More likely it was a moment of revelation. Of course, I was aware of his effect on me, but I always thought it was about something special in him. After her speech, I realised that this was all about me. I was a born submissive and I need to be dominated, put in place. So I wouldn't object to her control over me. It was only natural.

"I like how he fucks me like a cheap Whore, how he treats me like his personal pleasure giving slut. I love it when is in charge doing what he wants without regarding what I want or like. These turn me on more than anything else in my whole life. And when he let me I get the most fucking mind-blowing orgasms."

"Well, well... Aren't you a little dirty submissive. I like you, Rachel, we are gonna have so much fun together. But first, open up your mouth and wait while he throat fucks you."

I opened my mouth submissively and he shoved his manhood down to my throat. Like she said he was fucking my mouth very hard. It was like a hate fuck. But I didn't think he was still angry, he was just for proving a point. A point that could change my life.

He was never letting me breathe, just fucking my mouth. I was trying to breathe through my nose but it didn't cut. I was choking and he didn't care a bit. I tried to push him with my hands with no luck. From lack of air I entered a semi-unconscious state. I quit struggling and left myself to his mercy. Finally, he withdrew his cock and to bring me back slapped me a couple of times. I inhaled the air into my lungs. I came from death. Like she said, he fucked to the point of consciousness.

"Wow, that was hot! All these noises..." said the voice on the phone. "Now I think it is time for him to mark your pretty face with his seed. Don't you agree with me, Rachel?"

"Yes."

"Then say it, you stupid bitch. Beg him. Earn his cum. Come on."

"Please cum on my face. I need this. Cum on my worthless face. Mark it with your seed. Make me feel like a cheap street hooker. Humiliate me. Own me. Own this stupid, useless, bimbo Rachel. Put my good for nothing body into some good use."

"Yeah bitch, you are one hell of a natural. We are going to have so much fun with you. Honey, I think finally she deserves your cum. Coat her face with thick, hot, white semen. But be careful don't let her taste your delicious cum. She doesn't earn this yet. Let it dry on her miserable face."

"If you say so my love. Here it comes, Baby Girl!"

And with that streams of hot cum erupted from his cock and landed on my face. Spurt after spurt of creamy spunk jetted from his twitching member. It was a big load, one of the biggest. It seemed that her talk didn’t just effect me... he was so aroused and still hard as the last shot spat into my eyes and hair. I didn't try to wipe it off or lick it per her instructions. I just stood there... waiting. He looked at me with lust in his eyes.

"Gotta go... Jodie... I'm going to wreck... Rachel’s ass." He said breathlessly.

"Bye then. Ruin her peachy behind my love. Brake her into pieces and leave her like that. Then come over and give me a good seeing to. I want your seed in me tonight. Love you."

Hanging up the phone he grabbed my hair and began to drag me to my bedroom. When we arrived he threw me to the bed.

"Open your ass for me Baby Girl" he ordered. I reached my back and opened my ass cheeks with my both hands waiting for him to assault my asshole. He didn't keep me waiting and using a little bit of spit as lubricant he started to invade my ass with his still hard penis. He pushed his fuck tool I to my tight, taboo hole with a slow but steady movement. When his crotch hit my ass he hissed "I love your ass Baby Girl. It is much better than hers." I felt elated! Then he started to fuck my ass... hard. I grimaced and hissed in pain and pleasure. He was lost to the passionate anal sex we were having, not caring about my needs at all... But this was what I expect from him: a good, hard ass fucking; without thinking about my pain or pleasure. This is the attractive part of these fuck sessions for me.

"Fuck my asshole! Fuck it hard! Tear it in two. Make me beg to you for stop and fuck me more. Hurt me, hurt my ass. Fill it with your seed. Fuck me till I pass out. Please... Punish me for being a bad girl. Own my ass and destroy it!"

"Rachel, you are definitely stepping up the game. Don't worry you'll get what you want and more. When I'm done with you, even you won’t recognise yourself in the mirror."

He was rough and merciless. With every thrust, he was giving all his weight on me. My head had sunk into the bed and with his hand, he pinned my head down. He was claiming my ass. Sure he fucked my ass before, but this time was different. Today everything has changed. His control and domination over me became very real. I understood it now, in my bed while he was ramming his cock into my asshole. From now on he and his seductive ex-girlfriend would control my life. My old life was gone. This was obvious. The only thing that I didn't know was how far they would go? I know that I wouldn't do absolutely anything to stop them. I was at their mercy. And this was my decision. I chose this willingly. It was my choice from the very beginning. Because this was in me. This was my nature. I was a true submissive like she said. There is nothing I can do about it. I can't fight it. I must accept and fully embrace my nature. This is the only way. And he was driving me into this way.

Suddenly he grabbed me and threw me to the floor. And started to fuck my ass from behind. My nipples were burning from rubbing the carpet, but he knew this already. He was ravishing me. He would turn me into a wreck. After a while, he was bored from this position and decided to spice things up. He flipped me into an awkward position. He folded my legs over until my knees were positioned either side of my head. My head and shoulders were on the floor, but my whole body was in the air. My holes were in front of him like on a silver plate. And it was the most difficult position I have ever tried. It was very hard to stand in this way let alone ass fucked. I would say he didn't care, but it was the very reason he chose this position. He wanted to hurt me, he wanted to turn fucking into a painful experience for me. And he was successful. From the moment he entered my ass it hurt, it hurt a lot. It was nothing like before. Every nerve ending in my whole body sending pain signals to my brain. Nevertheless, I did my best. I tried to endure the pain as much as I could do. But it was too much. Finally, I yelled out...

"Stop. Please stop. It hurts too much. I can't stand it."

"Shut up Rachel! Isn't this what you want? Next time be careful with your wishes you stupid bimbo."

He put his foot in my mouth to shut me up. He was right I wanted this. He was giving me what I want. He was like a samaritan. And he continued to fulfil my wish. He fucked me for a very long time in that way. Actually, I was not quite sure about how long as I lost my sense of time as pleasure and pain merged into one. I had never been more aroused. Heck, I lost my every sense about reality. Sex was the only thing I could feel.

When he took out his shining penis, I was a total mess. I couldn't move, I couldn't control my body. I just collapsed to the floor. He took me and made me sit in my bed on my knees. Then one hand on my hair, he started to stroke his cock. When he released his grasp I opened my mouth and swallowed his entire erection keeping eye contact with him the whole time. My head started bobbing... faster and faster as his breathing became more and more erratic. Without much warning he began twitching and his cock began to spasm at the back of my throat. Sperm jetted from the tip of his his penis and filled my mouth as I gulped it all down, not gagging once and never breaking my gaze. He looked down on me in pride but I was in a haze. I was no longer able to recognise what was going on. He was pulling my wires like I was a puppet. Actually, I was. I was his puppet. And he was my puppet master.

"Clean it, Baby Girl. I don't want to go see Jodie with cum juice all over my dick."

I cleaned his penis carefully from tip to base. I was only a filthy fuck hole and I soiled his cock. I made it squeaky clean sucking and licking every inch of it. I wouldn't risk sending him to her with any evidence of the mess he had made with me.

"Good job Baby Girl" I smiled weakly at his praise. The only thing matters was to satisfy him, proving myself worthy of him.

"Stay right there Baby Girl. Where do you put your vibrators and stuff?"

"There is a box under the bed..."

He reached down and took out the box.

"You naughty girl. You definitely have a wide collection." He said as he looked at the contents. As he shuffled through my collection of dildos, vibrators, butt plugs he nodded approvingly. He picked the thickest and longest vibrator and an accompanying dildo. He helped me to my feet and bent me over on the bed, pushing my head to the sheets. With my ass in the air he probed my now gaping asshole with the biggest toy. He slipped it into my pouting vagina, coating it with my slick juices, and then returned to my ass.

With a surprising gentleness and an equally surprising ease he pushed the vibrator into my ass. Then I gasped and held my breath as he slid dildo deep into my cunt. I felt so full... so possessed... so giddy. It gave gave me such a thrill that he was using me in this new way. I was on display and completely under his control. A jolt sent shivers through me and I shuddered as he turned the vibrator on. It was buzzing in my ass and sending new signals through my aching body.

"Hold them in place with your hands and don't move." He instructed.

I did what I was told while he returned to my box. "Here," he said cheerfully. Shit, how could I forget that? In his hands, he was holding my "special diary" which I wrote all my dirty, kinky, secret fantasies in it. Now he had it. He would learn my soul's secret desires, dark corners. There was nothing, nowhere private left for me. I was completely naked in front of him. It was the ultimate control. Now on I couldn't hide anything from him. He owns me fully. I am his property. He knows me better than me.

For a time feels like an eternity he read my diary. "Wow! That was quite a something Baby Girl. So you fantasise about being ass-fucked by Daddy or being fucked in front of an audience or being forced to watch while he cheats on you. It seems I pretty much ahead of the game." He laughed.

Now my life was officially over. From now on I would be his plaything. His and his other lover's. They would do everything they want, every time and everywhere they want. I was not a person anymore, just an vessel for his pleasure. A sexy young female body with three holes to use. And they would use me every way imaginable and unimaginable. I was going to be just a toy... it felt great!

"Thrust the one in your ass in and out." This was the moment I have been waiting so long. Finally, I could cum.... He would let me. And suddenly there was a sharp pain in my ass. He was whipping me with his belt. It hurt like hell. It would be very hard for me to cum now with this new stimulation. But... I guess that was the point. He wasn't going to let me cum. It was a sign of control. The ultimate control he had over me.

And like that, after a long session of dildo fucking and whipping he removed the vibrator and the dildo. "You couldn't even cum could you? Now you’ve lost the right to cum. From now on you will only cum if I say so. This means you aren't going to cum until I see you again, baby girl. But... every day will play with yourself for an hour. Without cumming of course. I know you can manage that, I trained you well in orgasm control. Now I am leaving and I’ll be taking your little book of secrets with me. See you later, Baby Girl, take good care!"

And then he left. I was lying my bed, fully broken. He broke me like he said he would. He broke my body and my soul. I was like a shattered glass, smashed into pieces. Humiliation, shame, arousal, pain, pleasure, fear... All of these feelings were colliding in me. I was never going to be the same person. Nothing was going to be same. My new life was starting over. And to make matters worse, I want to cum sooo bad.

[aha-my-villainous-thoughts]

Please, keep me. (Good Omens)

Part 6! So my pattern seems to be write a bit on one day and then the rest of the second day, so it’s a bit clunky but it’s getting there! Still in love with this little tiny universe, I’m excited to get into some adventures. 

I really hope someone enjoys the dumb IASIP reference I put in this one. 

Part 1

Crowley waited quite a long time for the angel to reappear. 

He understood what had transpired, Paschar was one of the Speakers of the Word who worked with Metatron and relayed all of Her words and instructions to the rest of them. There was a certain level of smugness that accompanied this passing on of instructions, one that Crowley found more amusing than irritating; unless, of course, that smugness was being aimed at Aziraphale. 

Aziraphale! 

Even just thinking of his name was a pleasure akin to sleeping in a patch of sunlight. He liked the way it rolled off his tongue, somehow capturing the combination of diffidence and the anomalistic glint Crowley had witnessed in snatches from the little Keeper. 

Still full of pleasure at his find, Crowley eyed the leftover belongings from the angel. There were two piles of books - one of books needing mending, and another of freshly mended books ready to be rehomed, or more likely read through and then rehomed. The long list that Aziraphale habitually kept on his knee during his work was left unfolded and scattered, one of the wooden scroll ends rolling off a little ways. His ink pot and pen were also left, one without a cap and the other with ink still drying. Crowley looked either way down the corridor and listened carefully, but heard nothing. He hadn’t seen any other Keepers since he had entered the library. He had heard one, maybe, down a corridor while stalking Aziraphale but he had yet to see another. Moving with caution he poured himself over the edge of the books and out into the open, moving towards the books. He read the titles, tilting his head to the side to do so. Apparently once the Earth was going to be finished and filled with humans, they were going to have some sort of system called ‘Law’ to help them with disputes, and it was these extensive volumes that the Keeper - no, not just the Keeper, Aziraphale - had been working his way through. 

A little disappointed, Crowley ignored the books and looked at the list. It seemed very long, almost too long to be practical. On it were thousands of book titles copied out in steady tiny handwriting. Descending from the top of the list the titles were crossed out. Looking at the next handful waiting to be crossed out, the titles had nothing to do with the books Aziraphale had been working through. 

Crowley didn’t really know what to make of that. 

There wasn’t much to look at left here, and Crowley could feel himself getting bored without an angel to stare at. Huffing to himself again, he crossed over and slid himself up the first few shelves, finding himself a spot so that when Aziraphale returned and sat back down, Crowley would be directly in line with the pink lobes of his ears. 

He truly was a self indulgent creature. He had already created a form, invaded the library space, gained the sound of the angel’s voice and - most dearly - the angel’s name for himself, and yet here he was wanting more. Always, wanting more. If he could get close enough to Aziraphale’s vessel he might be able to catch his scent. 

Yes, Crowley really was a glutton. 

Resting his head along the pages of a slightly less dusty volume of something called ‘Bird Law’, Crowley sighed heavily and let his mind wander as he waited in the slowly darkening hallway. He hoped whatever needing Writing wouldn’t be too long. Aziraphale had promised the books he would return, and whether the books were aware or not, Crowley was certain that he would. He would just have to wait… and be patient… ever so patient. 

Sighing again, his eyelids dropped as the glowing light above them ebbed away. His body coiled in between the shelf and the books in such a way as to create his own pillow, and to nestle into a surprisingly comfortable arrangement of snake. It wouldn’t hurt to have a short nap, he was sure. He would hear Aziraphale’s return. He was just resting his eyes. After all, he was usually asleep at this time, having stayed up the entire Dawn and Day shift to indulge his spying. 

Just a short nap… 

Crowley wasn’t sure what woke him first: the light, the sound of approaching footsteps, or the painful lump digging into his thigh. What, his thigh?

Eyes snapping open he cursed to himself, suddenly very aware of his arrangement of arms and legs and bones all squished into various parts of the long shelf. The books that had created a rather nice ledge to rest his head on had been unceremoniously shoved onto the floor when he had slipped back into his two legged form. The light above him was glowing strong, and he felt another pang of alarm run through him as the footsteps grew closer. He wriggled, trying to untangle himself from himself, as well as unwedge himself from the narrow, and surprisingly deep, shelf. 

It all happened very quickly - Crowley gave an almighty thrust against the back of the shelf to free himself, just as the panic in his brain short wired and stretched him long again, crashing to the floor in a heap of scaled coils and sore patches, just as the bare feet of the Keeper turned the corner of the corridor. 

Crowley didn’t look, he didn’t need to look, he simply slithered as quick as he could back into the darkness of the lowest shelf, pulling his confused and aching form behind him. 

He laid himself as low as he could, hiding behind the heavy books and closing his eyes, a little voice in his head whispering to be invisible. The angel’s feet had slowed but not stopped, and he could hear his breathing close by. He heard the rustle of robes as the angel knelt and began carefully picking up the books Crowley’s ill-timed transformation and fall had displaced. 

Crowley held his breath. He counted the seconds as they passed, the sound of steady hands and bruised pages the only thing in the suddenly deafening silence. 

The Keeper slid the last book back into place, his hands tracing the leather bound spines carefully. 

“There we are,” he sighed, his voice so soft Crowley almost missed it. The angel sat down, moving his list and inkpot to find the most comfortable part of the stone floor. There was another moment of silence. The angel made a small noise with his tongue as he noted the dry ink on his pen, replacing the cap on his inkpot. 

Crowley didn’t dare move. 

It seemed to last forever. 

“I know you’re there,” 

An immediate flash of panic. Crowley squeezed himself further down into the wooden shelf, trying to flatten himself as if hiding like this was still an option. The angel didn’t sound angry. He was angled away from Crowley, his head turned to speak softly over his shoulder. “It’s ok,”

Crowley’s tongue flicked out of his mouth, tasting the air carefully. He didn’t move. 

A beat of silence passed. 

The angel moved carefully, twisting his body towards the bookshelf. 

“You don’t have to be scared of me, if you are,” 

His voice was so gentle. Crowley felt himself soften to it, hearing that lyrical voice ease over his words in such a careful manner. The angel moved again, deliberate and slow as he lowered himself to the floor. Crowley could hear the puff of breath squeezed out of him as he bent towards the shelf. 

“Let me see you, little thing,” came the voice again. Crowley couldn’t move. He felt something warm and sharp inside his chest, caught somewhere between exhilaration and sickening dread. How in Paradise was he even to begin explaining this? 

One of the books by Crowley’s head twitched, causing all logical thought to exit Crowley’s brain. He watched as the book was slowly pulled free, light spilling from behind it as a hand moved to remove another, and then another. Crowley stayed frozen, the light almost overwhelming him as the Keeper - Arizaphale - bent his head to look inside. 

Such blue eyes. 

Blue eyes that crinkled into a soft smile. The angel crossed his arms over themselves and rested his chin on them, and smiling at Crowley like he was pleased to find him there. Crowley’s tongue flicked out again, and was rewarded by a new scent that differed from the books and the dust. A warm scent with hints of full bodied sweetness, and more that Crowley couldn’t identify. Crowley’s tongue flicked again, immediately wanting more of it. Arizaphale’s smile widened as his eyes focused on Crowley’s tongue. 

“Oh, how marvellous,” he said gently. “What a lovely tongue you have, little thing,” he said so softly. 

If a coherent thought had managed to pass through Crowley’s head, it would have short circuited him all over again. 

“Won’t you come out into the light? I would so like to see you,” 

Aziraphale’s eyebrows tinged up in the middle with this request, a look of sincerity on his entire face. Crowley found himself moving his head forward before he knew he was doing it, his gaze fixed on the sky blue eyes that tracked his movement with delight. 

“Oh, look at you! What beautiful golden eyes you have,” 

The angel’s smile broke into a grin, the crinkles around his eyes growing deeper and Crowley blinked steadily, overcome. They stayed there for a moment in time, face to face. Aziraphale just smiled at him, his eyes flicking from the cascade of scales along his neck, to his golden eyes, to his flicking tongue, and he looked as if he’d never seen anything so unique. Crowley felt a feeling well up inside him, caught between pride and devotion as he himself was caught in the angel’s glowing attention. 

He had dreamed of what this moment would have been like, and yet his imagination had failed him entirely. 

“I think I know what you are, little thing. I’ve read about you, I’m sure.” Aziraphale told him. “Would you like to come out so I can see all of you? I might be wrong, I suppose it depends entirely on your legs - or lack of them, possibly,” 

Crowley blinked slowly, and began to slide his body out of the shadows. Any leftover tinges of discomfort or pain were washed away by the Keeper’s attention. Aziraphale moved back up from the floor, his robes in a terrible state from the floor, but he didn’t seem to notice as he took in all of Crowley’s long glittering body. His mouth was open in an expression of surprise and wonder, like he’d been handed something so entirely precious. Crowley felt more beautiful than every star in the Heavens. 

“Oh!” 

That one little syllable made Crowley feel like he was overflowing. 

“You are beautiful!”

Aziraphale suddenly moved to get up, holding his hands in such a way as he had with the pile of books by them. 

“Don’t move, let me go get- you stay there, beautiful little thing!” 

Crowley blinked again as Aziraphale got to his feet, tripping only once on his robes. The angel seemed swift with excitement, looking back at him with the same big grin on his face. “Don’t go anywhere!” 

Crowley watched the angel almost run to get something. The shock of discovery and pleasure of admiration were both wearing off a little, letting conscious thoughts return to Crowley. He had been discovered, sure, but he had never expected such a wonderful outcome. The Keeper didn’t seem to realise he was an angel in a tertiary form. He must not have seen Crowley’s embarrassing exit from the bookshelf in his limbed form, only the failed escape back into the bookcase. 

More than that, the Keeper seemed absolutely delighted with this discovery. He had yet to question why there was a snake in the library, which was probably for the best. 

Very soon he heard the angel return, still hurrying, only this time he was carrying a large book in his arms. Sitting back down with Crowley in front of him, he placed it down on the floor and opened it, his eyes quickly scanning the page with one finger running down a long list, before making a noise with his tongue and began rifling through pages. 

“Ah! Here we are,” he said finally, looking up at Crowley expectantly. He pointed to the page, which was upside down from Crowley’s perspective. “Snake, of the suborder Serpentes,”

The angel began to read from the book, Crowley moving to the side and tilting his head to follow the angel’s voice along on the page. The angel’s voice took on an airy tone as he read, as if savouring the words. 

“’Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes. Like all other squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more joints than their lizard ancestors, enabling them to swallow prey much larger than their heads with their highly mobile jaws.’” 

Crowley wanted to follow along with the words, but he found his gaze wandering back up to look at the angel’s face as he read, something about the calmness from his words flowed through every one of his glittering scales. 

“It’s fascinating stuff, what a clever creature you are! Although I will have to look up what ‘amniote’ is, it sounds very biological,” the angel had turned his bright gaze back towards Crowley with another smile. They stayed like that for a moment, and then Aziraphale grinned again. 

“Oh, we should look up what species you are! Did you know that many of the Animals are going to have dozens of varieties of themselves? It’s astounding, She really has thought of everything,” Aziraphale told Crowley as he turned his attention back to the book. He flicked a few pages and then pointed again to a picture of a mottled brown version of Crowley. 

“See, here, this is one of your many, many siblings - an Adder! Oh, and there’s a lot of different Adders too, it seems. Shall we try and find your name in here?” 

Crowley looked up from the picture of a coiled snake looking rather cross and found the angel’s face smiling down at him so sweetly. Crowley could have melted in the wake of that gaze. 

They sat there for some time, with Aziraphale reading the name of each snake in turn, admiring each picture closely, and laughing at some of the names. 

“Oh, look at this one! What a marvellous name Beolen python is!” Aziraphale said, tracing the snake with one finger. “Oh, and this one - An Eastern Hognose snake! Look at those splendid markings.”

Crowley looked at the snake, agreeing that the markings were indeed very splendid, and suddenly wondering if he should have made more of an effort. 

“I haven’t seen any yet that even come close to your wonderful colour, little thing.” Aziraphale said absentmindedly, turning the page. “The red-bellied one maybe, but your scales do catch the light in such a beautiful way - like you have every colour hiding inside all that lovely black,” 

Crowley could have purred, suddenly very aware that none of the pictured snakes could hold a candle to his form. 

“Oh, here we go!” 

Crowley swallowed his pride as he looked at the page. A large black snake with touches of iridescent blue and gold that caught the light. It was close, he supposed with a sullen flick of his tongue. 

“A D’Albertis python, what a lovely name. Oh, it says here white-lipped, but I do think your scarlet suits you very well, such a wonderful array of colours,” 

Crowley froze as his felt a finger trace at the underside of his jaw gently. He looked up again towards the angel, hoping that the small trace of warmth would stay present as the angel looked at his crimson belly. The tiny moment of contact hummed through his skin like pure light, indescribable. Crowley wanted to lean into that touch more than he had ever wanted anything in his existence. He yearned for it.  

“You are entirely a perfect creation, little thing,” smiled the angel. “You should be very proud,” 

Crowley was, if only because Aziraphale told him so. 

“I suppose you’re here because of the mice. After all, a clever creation like you can’t be kept cooped up in the workshops, much more interesting places to be,” 

The book was shut now, and Crowley moved up onto it and slithered into a circular coil, resting his head on his tail to look upwards at the angel who looked down at him, still with that wonderful smile. 

“I am so happy to have found you, little thing,” 

Crowley felt a shiver of happiness pass through him.

Please, keep me. 

[gg-astrology]

Hi! I noticed no one had ever asked about a Libra Sun Aquarius Moon analysis and I was just wondering if you had a chance to do one? Thanks so much for doing these for everyone!!! It's amazing 💕

Hey there!!  💓 💓 💓 Ahh I’ll do it now!  💓 Thank you for being so patient with me I’m so sorry I’m so slow 🙇🏻‍♀️ 💓 And thank you so much for enjoying them!  💓 I just hope it’s useful for ppl out there  💓

[Below Cut: Libra Sun - Aquarius Moon 💫]

Sl/hyyyyyyy chill jus wanna hav fun

Both of this combination makes for someone who’s a lil mischievous (Aquarius) but also extremely sociable and friendly?

The friend people come to for advice, because you care but you also give it straight. The Aquarius Moon makes you a great problem solver, while Libra sun makes you observative, has good judgement. 

You balance between being personably popular with being pragmatic, you can often see what other people are ‘missing’ or what they need. You may often find yourself making sure to be there for them, to show/tell them how to get it. 

Supportive and encouraging, because you’re rather optimistic and faithful in other people’s ability to gain/grab/be the better part to themselves. You’re the kind of person who tells someone ‘its ok to fail just as long as you get up again’ -- because you believe in kindness, but you also believe in people. 

You’re like ‘hey here’s a thing’ -- but you never tell them what the answer is, they have to figure it out themselves (want to change themselves)

What you can do is being there for others (when they need you) pointing in the right direction and making them accountable for themselves. 

Because you’re quite tactful (despite being blunt/straight) you don’t ‘rush’ people or impose yourself too much onto others, especially concerning their belief/opinions. You never tell them ‘straight’ what they need to work on--- Not unless they ask for your opinion/you really think they need a clearer perspective y know? 

It’s just that some people might not be open/acknowledge that in themselves. So  learning to wait until they make an effort themselves is important for you too 

Sometimes you can see others struggle and it jus-- frustrates you because the answer is right there, you pick apart people’s behaviour and try to urge them into the right ‘path’ -- realize that this is only causing you to be personally frustrated. And you can sometimes lash it out on others ksjdnfksjn 

You’re way more invested in other people’s well-being than you realize, but at the same time 80% of you is in your own ‘self’ too. Figuring out who you are, what you want, how you feel is where your energy should be concentrated right? 

In a way, Libra/Aquarius are fun-loving more than anything, there’s a part of them that’s like....introverted/moody too sdfnjkfn. 

But with their social circle, they try their best to be there for them but damn sometimes they jus-- need to get through this alone y know ksdnngk

When it comes to your problem, you become moodier. Figuring yourself out takes time, mostly bc Aquarius is always like ‘did i?? feel sumthin’??’ even when you understand something you have to go back and find out what happened to you emotionally as well. 

Doesn’t mean you don’t feel emotions, just that sometimes you go into introspection to figure shit out. You dissect it, you look at it on angles. You do research on it (via internet) you try to understand yourself first before you feel your emotions. 

In a way it’s?? kinda scary to be emotional. You’re one of the most balanced/stable out of your friend group, and you know the repercussion of you breaking down/crying would have a large psychological impact (panic) from others. 

So in a way-- you may hold yourself back from expressing your emotions completely. Keep it gated somehow, there’s a part of you that’s genuine and authentic-- because that’s important. But it’s sometimes-- sometimes you may jus feel a little distanced. A little like you hold people at arms length even when you like them a lot. Letting people know your hardship, your vulnerabilities, your sorrows can be a little overwhelming. 

Especially when you don’t exactly know how to react when people get so emotional over you y know? 

That’s why a part of you do tend to keep things light-hearted, not just for others but also for yourself. Libra/Aquarius combination can be pretty discerning with other people’s reaction like if it’s ‘too much’ sometimes. They may not like exaggeration, because there’s a strong need for authenticity in people around them as well. 

Libra/Aquarius can have introverted/extroverted sides to them--- when you’re nice you’re moderately nice (there’s time where you sometimes act contrarian to ‘keep people on their toes’ -- show that humility is good but not everyone is always nice y know? -- again, authenticity but also like-- you don’t like deluding people or letting them think you’re something that you’re not/not unreasonable, such an Aquarius moon thing to do) 

When you’re annoyed/frustrated, you’d rather close yourself up from the ‘source’ of your frustration--- try to think through it, work it out, deal through wit it mentally/alone ( ‘i need space to think sometimes’) 

Anyways, Libra/Aquarius can be a lil awkward with strangers/new people too. They may be charming if they have to impress, very quick to adapt. But if it’s just friends/associates/acquaintances they can sometimes stiffen up and don’t know how to respond (personal/impersonal) sndksjn

Prefers instigating rather than responding/receiving? Libra’s responsive naturally, but it’s diplomatic quality is sometimes aggravated with that Aquarius Moon--controlling, the idea of things being ‘taken too far’ is a pet peeve. The Aquarius here acts as the controller ‘ok thats enough’ or ‘lmao exploit it’

This barely makes sense but basically you want to see some authenticity in others. You don’t like fakeness, like you can get the idea of a public/private person cause shi you have that too (when you’re moody damn it shows) -- but when they fake all the time, when you can’t understand them/knows they’re suppressing their own emotionality you’re like ??? idk how to reach you/I’m sus you’re not really authentic and may need help

There’s a difference between....people who act a certain way but is another, and is aware of both side to them (demonstrate it/shows it) -- compared to people who thinks they’re only a certain way and suppresses/actively avoid being anything else. You understand the former, but the latter who is oblivious to their own problems--- you have no idea how to help/deal with. 

Anyways back to you. Sociable and well-liked, with the graces of Libra. But with Aquarius Moon the individual stands autonomous from other people’s opinion/admiration from them, someone can be obsessed with them, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll answer in kind.

The kind who does well when people like them, but they often hold themselves back from showing that they ‘like’ them back. You’re not a push-over, you have good judgement. Just because someone is in your court/likes you/trust you completely, doesn’t mean you’ll do the same. You gotta get to know them first to make up your mind about them, you can’t vet for someone blindly if you don’t actually believe in them. 

Both of these air signs are analytical, perceptive. Especially when it comes to people, environment. Naturally attuned to how people work, what makes them tick, your Libra/Aquarius are more invested in other people’s life even when you’re self-sufficient and independent sometimes.

In a way you’re humble, but you’re also romantic to an extent. You may often find yourself adjusting your own visions/scope of how things turn out, because you’re always a little scared of being lonely/left-alone. 

You may often carry too much social responsibilities, because it makes you feel productive/what you can do--- most of the time, when people question you about yourself you might feel yourself coming blank because you need to ‘think about it some more’

Make sure not too think too much/hard because you may linger in indecision about stuff, at the same time-- make sure to spend sometime actively trying to be connected to your feelings. To feel things as it comes instead of after. It’ll help with your reaction/distance you feel from others as well. 

You can sometimes give too much to others because you’re compassionate and a humanitarian ---make sure to give some back to build your own self-confidence/self-sufficiency away from people as well. 

Ok sorry for the long wait!!! 🧡🧡🧡 I hope you like it! 🧡 

[randxmthxughts]

Flight to Toronto

AU/One-shot w/Shawn Mendes

Genre: Fluff

Word count: 1,6K

Short description: When Y/N gets asked to switch her seat on the plane to Toronto, she finds out that her new seat is next to famous singer Shawn Mendes.

Author’s note: I had this idea for a while and then I saw this post and it inspired me to immediately sit down and write this shot. Reblog if you like it <3

    When a young female voice pulled Y/N out of her thoughts, she had to wipe off a few dried tears, and fake a smile, turning her head.

    “Excuse me, miss.”

    “Yeah?”

    “You see, this is my boyfriend,” the woman speaking to her pointed to the guy sitting next to Y/N who gave her a small smile, “we couldn’t manage to get seats next to each other. And as you know this is an eight-hour flight so we wanted to ask you if you’d be down with switching your seat with mine? It’s only two rows ahead next to the window.”

    “Sure,” Y/N nodded with a polite smile, and as the couple thanked her, she took her backpack and moved to the row to which the woman had pointed out.

    The memories of her now ex-boyfriend were eating away at her, and she needed a big distraction. So the idea of being on a plane alone for eight hours wasn’t a good one since she’d be left alone with her thoughts. The row she moved to consisted of three seats, the outer one occupied with a middle-aged man who was already in his sleeping mask, the middle seat was taken by a guy of her age with curly hair. She sighed slightly at the way this guy was manspreading, focused on his phone screen, and she thought to herself that he wouldn’t probably even let her walk by normally. Passing by him with the heavy backpack she tried not to hit the sleeping man and accidentally tripped over the young guy’s feet, falling straight into her seat.

    “Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn't notice you,” the guy whined, shoving the phone into his pocket and overlooking at her.

    “It’s fine,” Y/N groaned, slightly annoyed at herself for being so clumsy, as she rubbed her arm and tried to readjust her position.

    “Ah, are you fine?” the guy tilted his head, noting the way her face changed in pain.

    “No, it’s totally fine-” she lied, turning her head to finally see the guy’s face, and her mouth dropped open at the realization who it was, “aren’t you Shawn Men-”

    “Yes, quiet,” the guy shushed her quickly, putting his finger over her mouth.

    Y/N stared at him, completely confused, and froze at the sight of his hand on her face. Shawn stared at her for a few seconds making sure she’d stop talking, and as he realized that he was touching her lips, he quickly took his hand back and ran it through his curls. He sighed in disappointment, mad at himself for being so obnoxious.

    “I’m sorry again. I really crossed the line there,” he mumbled, and she nodded her head in agreement.

    “You could have told me not to talk to you, just because you’re a celebrity doesn’t mean you need to throw hands around, you know,” she frowned, wiping her lips with the back of her hand, clearly annoyed.

    “I apologize,” Shawn repeated himself, now lowering his voice, “it’s just I don’t want anyone to leak the information of my flight, because usually people show up with their friends and families and suddenly five fans turn into fifty in a matter of minutes,” he sighed, “And even though this sounds terrible, I am so not in the mood for staying in the airport with all of these people for the additional hour after an eight-hour flight.”

    “I get that,” she nodded again, this time giving him an understanding smile, “but why can’t you just travel on a private jet? I thought you celebrities were able to afford that kind of stuff.”

    Shawn smirked, shaking his head off a little, and looking around making sure nobody’s listening to him.

    “You see, this flight was unplanned, so I had just to take whatever was available.”   

    “Got it,” she smirked and leaned back into her seat, now finally adjusting to her new position.

    Shawn stared at her for a few more seconds, getting to examine her features, and leaned back into his seat as well, with a small smile tugged at his lips. This girl next to him was attractive, and he wouldn’t mind getting to know her and chat for little since he was going to be stuck on the plain for so long. Y/N seemed to share his thoughts; maybe after all being stuck with Shawn Mendes on an eight-hour flight wasn’t a bad distraction from her breakup.

    “I-,” Shawn opened his mouth, getting her attention back, “I didn’t catch your name.”

    “Because you haven’t asked,” she grinned, tilting her head slightly.

    “Well, since you know mine, I guess it would be fair if I knew yours.”

    “Y/N,” she raised her eyebrows as he extended his hand.

    “Nice to meet you, Y/N,” he smiled again, as she shook his hand, “is this your first time flying to Toronto?”

    “Actually, I am from Toronto,” she smiled sadly, and the reasons for her flying back home washed over her.

    “Nice, me too.”

    “Off to see your family?” she asked, recalling the one interview of his she heard on the radio where he mentioned his parents a few times.

    “Yeah,” he nodded, his face lightening up with a toothy grin, “going to surprise them. They have no idea that we managed to rearrange some dates and get me a whole week off.”

    “That’s cool. They probably will be happy,” her eyes fell on his kind hazel eyes filled with such positive energy, she could tell he was excited, and certainly, loved the people he was going to see.

    “I hope so,” he joked, “what about you?”

    Y/N sighed, eyes laced with hesitation. She wasn’t sure if she should even continue having this conversation, but part of her desired to get to know this famous boy who breaks hearts of millions of girls but seems so polite and kind right now, to her.

    “Well, I flew out to Germany to surprise my boyfriend who’s studying there for his junior year,” she sighed again, looking back into Shawn’s genuinely curious eyes.

    He almost let the emotion of disappointment show through the small smile he struggled to keep on when she mentioned having a boyfriend, but Shawn kept himself composed and nodded, encouraging her to continue.

    “Long story short; turned out he was cheating on me, surprise failed, we broke up, and I’m going back home.”

    Shawn widened his eyes, as he lost the smile, his lips parting in surprise. Y/N bit the inside of her cheek, staring back at him, waiting for him to say something but all he could do is stare, expecting her to say it was a joke. He had never dealt with a situation like this, but part of him was amused with her story, even though he tried to push that feeling away.

    “Oh, that sucks,” he let out, “I mean, he must be a total douchebag!”

    “Turned out he is,” she tried to joke, but her voice came out more serious than she expected.

    “No, but really, how could he cheat on you,” Shawn spoke again, as words spilled out of his mouth, his mind working so quick he wasn’t even filtering his sentences, “you’re so beautiful!”

    “Thank you,” Y/N raised her eyebrows, “I think that wasn’t the case of him cheating on me, but thanks anyway, I guess?”

    “I mean, no matter what was the reason, it’s still horrible to cheat on somebody,” Shawn corrected himself, and pinched his nose with his fingers, embarrassed at how dumb he sounded to her.

    Y/N watched him distancing himself for a few seconds, and she found it funny the way he completely blacked out of reality. It was so entertaining she almost forgot about the chat they had and struggled to look away; who could have thought that an internationally famous person who always has to give interviews and is trained not to say too much would talk so all over the place and then get ashamed of himself.

    “You’re right,” she spoke suddenly, making him look up to her, “he should have treated me better.”

    Shawn narrowed his eyes at her trying to figure out if it was intentional. When she broke into a smile, he shook his head and let out an overwhelmed sigh.

    “Oh come on, would you just let go of it?”

    “I thought singers like it when you sing their songs,” Y/N narrowed her eyes back at him with a playful smile.

    “Exactly, ‘sing,’ not quote!”

    “Would you like me to sing the lines to you right here?”

    “No, no need to,” he replied almost too quickly, “you can do that another time. Preferably, at one of my concerts,” he grinned now recollecting himself.

    “Ugh, I don’t know about that,” Y/N teased him, “I’ve never done it.”

    “You just sing along when I sing, and shout when I say ‘sing it out for me,’” Shawn continued in a playful tone.

    ”Is that a date?”

    “If we get to grab some drinks afterward, then yes.”

    “Okay,” she nodded to him.

    Y/N fought back the smile at the thought of going out with Shawn Mendes. And it wasn’t really who he was but was the way he behaved himself with her. And maybe, after all, it wasn’t bad at all that she was stuck on this eight-hour flight with somebody down to earth who was attractive and kind, and maybe going out on a date with him was the best thing she’d agreed to in a long time. Shawn, however, didn’t fight his emotions and smiled, excited that the flight was so long and he’d get to spend the whole time next to this girl.

My recent works:

Sleepy boy - cuddling with Shawn on the couch late in the night, listening to his silly mumbling, as he falls asleep in your lap.

Fuck yourself, Shawn Mendes -  Shawn gets turned on by your angriness after you two have a massive fight.

Masterlist

Peter Parker/Tom Holland Masterlist

[ghostofvixx]

Over Again |LTY|

Lee Taeyong is tired.

He works at the SM’s. It is said that only experienced people are allowed to work there, in the administration team, of course. The SM’s is the most extended pub’s chain to ever exist, maybe it is because of its exclusiveness, because it is so well decorated, everything bathed in different shades of blue, neon pastel pink and white lights all over the roof creating a chill ambient. If you want to dance? There’s this dance floor downstairs where you can be as loud as you want without being bothersome to the ones who only go there to have a nice time upstairs.

It is not a very expensive place, but in this city, only people who have a certain status would go there, so it is only filled with people who earn a lot of money.

And obviously there are people gaining benefit from that, but baristas aren’t on that list.

That’s what causes Taeyong’s bad mood. He has to stand how all these rich kids complain about their first worldly life, about what they would buy with their parents money, and how they begin to drink and drink until they lose consciousness and end up throwing out.

“What a waste of money.” He always murmurs under his breath.

He, having to balance his job at the pub on Friday and Saturday night, the job as a babysitter the rest of the week, and studying as hard as he could to get good grades in his psychology major, was overwhelmed.

This Saturday night began like any other. He changed his clothes to the uniform he has to wear and put some hair gel on his hair, getting mentally ready to stand another night full of shallow people.

He can’t help hating them for complaining about all the things he wants in life.

**

Out of all the people he has to stand when working, he definitely has his least favorite group of people. They would always come into the room shouting, ready to spend everything they have been given and ask for their drink treating the employees the way they want. Four girls and three boys normally, sometimes more, sometimes less.

You are one of those girls.

“May I have a San Francisco,  please?”

Taeyong looks up to find who is the owner of that voice as sweet as honey, the only one who has asked something politely, not expecting to see you since you never drink. If you do, Taeyong not the one to give you the drink.

“On its way.” He answers, smiling just a little.

While he’s preparing it, he sees a tall, handsome man standing next to you who immediately places a hand around your waist.

“I should have seen it coming.” Taeyong thinks to himself.

“Hey, you.” Taeyong doesn’t think the guy is actually calling him, so he ignores him. “I’m talking to you dude.” He points at Taeyong, finally getting his attention.

“I’m sorry, sir, may I help you?” Taeyong answers the way he has been told to.

“Did you hear that Y/N? He called me sir.” The boy begins to laugh loudly.

“Hanbyul, please, behave.” You say to your -to Taeyong- boyfriend as you lower your body a little, taking a little bow. “Please, forgive him.”

Taeyong is speechless.

“Why do you apologize to a bartender, are you crazy Y/N?” Hanbyul asks you. “Let it be rum for me and beer for the lady.” He says, obviously mocking Taeyong.

“The lady has already ordered a San Francisco.”

“Wow, look at the baby thinking she’s a grown woman. A girl can’t take those types of drinks y/n, let it be the beer.”

“Does the lady agrees with your statement?” Taeyongs asks politely, trying not to punch the boy in front of him in the face.

“Mind your own business before I kick your precious face till you bleed stupid bartender.” Hanbyul warns as he removes his hand from your waist and puts both of them on the bar counter.

You don’t say anything, too afraid of your boyfriend’s actions.

Taeyong decides to listen to him, preparing the drink Hanbyul ordered for you, trying not to even look at him when he sees his grin as he holds you near him.

**

That wasn’t Taeyong’s first or last encounter with any member of the group. They were there all Saturdays, so, like it or not, he had to deal with them. You, on the other hand, were another case, always so sweet and smiley to him, he sometimes even wonders how you and that boy Hanbyul are dating, or at least, on the same squad.

Then he remembers how your mood changes when you are with him or any other member of the same group, how your expression hardens and how quiet and critic with everything you become.

You hadn’t behaved like that that day, what happened?

He always did his best to ignore you and stick to his job without analysing your boyfriend’s behaviour towards everything you do, sometimes he can’t, but he values his job and knows that if he steps in, it is going to make it worse, not only he would lose his job, he also would probably damage SM’s image and that would be way much worse.

**

”Taeyong”. Out of all the people in this world whom he expected to see, you weren’t the one he was expecting.

Maybe Johnny, his friend and roommate, doing his Friday’s visit to “look for” Taeyong so he won't be distracted at his job, which he never is, so it makes no sense, but Johnny keeps on doing it every Friday.

But you? On Friday? Without your group of friends? He must be dreaming.

“What are you doing here?“ He can’t help but ask.

“Why? I’m not allowed to come here?”

There was something weird going on, he knows it. You are not behaving as shy as usual, your eyes are a bit crystallized and you smell of expensive alcohol and not the sweet cologne you usually wear.

“I just… Well… How do you know my name anyways?” Taeyong feels dumb when you point with your look to the little tag with his name that he has on the right side of his chest, hanging from his shirt. - Ah… I see.

After a good five minutes of silence in which you would only tap with your right hand’s nails on the surface while your left hand is on your chin, admiring him as you hum to chained to the rhythm from Katy Perry while he tries to do something else without paying you attention.

Failing miserably, of course.

“It’s weird when I come here on my own, right?”

”I definitely wasn’t expecting it, miss.” He answers, going back to his serious mode.

“Please call me Y/N, I know your name after all.” You smile one more time and he thinks that you are too calm to be drunk. - Well, the reason I’m here is because I’m tired of my boyfriend and his group of assholes, and I’m tired of my parents since the only thing they have been doing for the last year is controlling me-

“Y/N, I’m sure I’m not the person you would like to talk to right now.”

“You were the very first person I thought of actually… Oh wait, I shouldn’t have said that, now you’re going to misunderstand what I said I… I shouldn’t have drank so much I’m sorry.”  Taeyong suddenly realizes that you are drunk, and not used to it.

“Give me your phone I’ll call one of your friends.” Taeyong sights, since he doesn’t know how to deal with drunk people.

“Nobody will answer, my friends only care about themselves and I doubt if my parents do even care about me."

“Don’t have anyone who could take care of you?”

You shrug.

"What about your boyfriend?"

You freeze and try to avoid his gaze. Taeyong knows he has fucked it up when he sees your reaction.

"I'd rather not to talk to him because apparently, I’m not allowed to look at somebody without making him feel jealous. He even forced me to kiss me after calling me a sl... Well, you know what I mean. I can’t understand why I can be cheated on but I can’t even look at this handsome boy, so I broke up with him, I’m so sick of his ass anyways.”

Taeyong didn't say a thing, he just couldn't.

"I need more alcohol."

"Well, you can ask, but I'm not giving you any."

"Taeyong please."

"You think you can solve your problems with alcohol?" Taeyong asks, trying to make you realise how stupid your statement is.

"I don't care if I can solve my problems or not, I want to forget."

"You can't forget while drinking, believe me. Come on, give me five minutes, I'll tell my boss I've got some things to do."

"Why do you want to help me? You don't even know me." You ask with watery eyes once again.

"Well, you're here now, I can't just leave you hanging."

Maybe it's because of his inexperience with drunk people, because of your situation, or just because he is not a bad person by nature, but he wants to help.

But he's not used to dealing with this type of situations.

"So you want me to help you and your hookup?" Johnny asks once Taeyong has had enough.

After he convinced his boss, explaining him that there was a client who wasn't feeling good and that needed a bit of help, you began to feel unstable and could barely stand on your feet, so he decided to call the only person who would know what to do.

"Johnny she is not my hookup for god's sake, she wasn't feeling good and has nobody to go with." Taeyong murmurs while you take a seat on the floor, looking down. "She wasn't as wasted when I first saw her this night."

"Well, maybe she isn't used to alcohol."

"I'm definitely not!" You claim as you raise your hand, still sitting and looking down.

"What do we do Johnny?"

"She can't go to her house, obviously, maybe a friend's?" Johnny suggests.

"I can't convince her to call any of her friends."

"I don't have friends Taeyong goddammit. Besides, they will probably call Hanbyul and I don’t want to see him ever again.” You comment once again, this time lying on the ground.

"Are you trying to cuddle the floor?"

"Johnny this is not the time." Taeyong nags.

"What if I am? The floor would love me more than anyone ever could." You snap back.

"Y/N this is not the time come on stand up we've got to go." Taeyong holds your arm, trying to help you. "Y/N you have to try it too, I can't do it on my own."

"If you do, I'm going to throw up on you."

"Okay, fine, Johnny help."

"I'm having fun here bro, this is fun."

"Do you want to eat tomorrow? I'm sure you can't even cook by yourself."

"Fiiine." Johnny holds your other arm and finally, you stand up with your right arm around Johnny's shoulders and left arm around Taeyong's shoulder.

You complain, sure you do, but you know you're going to be thankful when sober.

"Where do we take her?" Johnny asks Taeyong. "Our house is nearby, why don't we take her there and then we call somebody?"

You are too busy trying not to throw up to say something against that, and you feel so bad that maybe it isn't a bad idea.

You nood in agreement and they guide you to their flat.

Once you get there, Johnny guides you to the bathroom and Taeyong brings a bottle of water.

You don't remember anything after throwing up.

**

When you wake up you don't know where you are, but you're not in your room.

The bed is uncomfortable, the sheets are blue with white dots, while yours are baby purple, the room is small, walls covered in yellow and some avenger posters hanging on the wall. The furniture seems to be old and a bit damaged and there is a chair next to the bed and in front of a small window with some clothes bent.

In spite of being an ugly room, everything is surprisingly tidy.

You take a look at yourself in the small mirror on your left, not being able to recognise your reflection. Your beautiful hair made a mess, your eyes red and watery, your make up faded, making you look like a panda and your last night's dress wrinkled.

When the door opens, the red haired barista appears with a cup of coffee and an aspirin.

You feel so ashamed when his eyes land on you that you suddenly cover your whole body with the blue sheets.

"Good morning Y/N." He greets cheerfully.

"I'm sorry." You say with your voice broken since you hadn't had any liquid since you threw out last night. "No worries, I'm glad I could help."

“One day I’ll make it up to you. I owe you a coffe.”

At first, Taeyong refuses, but he ends up accepting. Not just one day, also two days after that, then a week after the last one, then five more days, then it becomes a habit.

Sometimes Johnny would be around, some others, it’s just the two of you talking -you mostly complain- about your day, or all types of reflections about many topics such as music, books and education, then you join Johnny the Friday nights to “look after” Taeyong, not seeing Hanbyul even once.

You knew it eventually was going to happen. That day six months after that “coffee day” when your physical crush (the one that made you and Hanbyul break up, in fact) turned into admiration and then it became a real crush.

You didn’t want to confess since you still thought that to him you were just somebody to spend a good time. Johnny proves you otherwise, as always.

“When are you going to propose? I don’t want to see those typical red cheeks and nervous smile anymore, it’s becoming annoying to be the indirect third wheel.” He laughed as if he was telling a joke when he sat next to you at the SM.

“Johnny shut up I swear if he hears you I’ll-”

“Come on Y/N, I tried to convince him to declare, but he doesn’t think you’ll like him, so now I’m trying with you because I know you’re a very prudent person”

“If I do, Johnny, I can’t grant him anything stable. My parents would never accept him, there will always be a shadow behind him trying to hurt him. Nobody would let him live, I don’t want him to go through that.“

“What if he’s willing to do it?“

“Nobody’s feelings are as strong to go through that”

“Y/N.” Johnny shakes you by your shoulders a little. “Wake up.”

After that, he leaves. 

You know that what you feel for Taeyong is more than enough to stand what your parents may say or do, but he shouldn’t deal with that only for you.

“It’s not as if he would, right?” You think as you see him smiling at you from the other side of the counter. You see him mouthing “five more minutes”, and you nod in response.

“It’s late, why didn’t you leave with Johnny?“ He asks as you get out of the building.

“I wanted to see you more tonight.”

“At three in the morning? Who will do that?”

“I can handle that, I just wanted to see you.” You know how cheesy you sound, but after thinking over and over again what Johnny told you, you get to the conclusion that the sooner you confess, the better it would be to Taeyong.

Taeyong raises his eyebrows at your comment and smiles as he places his right arm around your shoulders.

“Taeyong I love you.” You say, calmly, hiding your head on his neck, enjoying every moment by his side before the rejection.

“I love you too.” He comments, wrapping you into a hug.

The moment is so pure that suddenly you want to cry.

“No Taeyong, I mean it. I want to be something else, but I don’t want you to go through whatever my parents would do if they find out that I love you”.  You close your eyes, trying to keep calm. “Even if you don’t feel it back”.

You feel his body shaking a little and you hear a light chuckle which makes your heart skips a beat. Then he’s kissing you. Your forehead, your nose, your cheeks, your lips.

It feels so unreal and it lasts so little that you are not sure if it happened. Then you kiss him, only to check. When he kisses you back and hugs you more tightly than before, you know it is happening.

“Start over Y/N“. He whispers. “If you want to do it with me that’s fine. If not, it’s fine too, but please, don’t let them cut your wings”.

And in that exact moment, when you kiss him again, you know exactly what you will do.

[numberonestrawberrylikes-blog]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

The post Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard appeared first on Playtab Tech.

[sleepyferrets]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

The post Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard appeared first on Playtab Tech.

[sourmarame-blog]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

The post Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard appeared first on Playtab Tech.

[reputationbitch]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

The post Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard appeared first on Playtab Tech.

[abisnisonlineshopterlaris]

Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard

With increasingly more manufacturers promoting full mountain bikes direct to shopper, we determined to take a look at three of the newest choices from Intense, Hen, and Sonder, to place every model’s service – and bikes – to the check. Over to James Vincent for the evaluate!

Intense Cycles is a type of manufacturers that has simply received IT, no matter IT truly is. Bursting onto the scene within the early 90s, Intense and its proprietor Jeff Steber have all the time carried out issues a bit of in a different way to the mainstream. So when information broke in the direction of the top of 2017 that Intense was going direct sale – solely within the UK, you may virtually hear the collective gasp. For a boutique firm that’s occupied a higher-end area of interest of the market, the transfer was a shock to many.

The Primer is Intense’ 130mm journey 29er path bike.

Then once more, given rising competitors from on-line direct-sale corporations, alongside with extra aggressive pricing from the larger (and arguably higher resourced) manufacturers, maybe it was solely a matter of when, not if.

However whereas there are certainly many good causes for the change, this isn’t the place to debate them. This can be a bike check in any case, and it’s one which simply obtained an entire lot extra fascinating. For 2 thousand excellent causes.

Contemplate your self briefed.

Simply over a yr in the past, an Intense Primer Expert was promoting for £5,300 in a motorcycle store. For 2018, this bike (admittedly with a few spec modifications) is promoting for a staggering £three,499. It’s additionally now shipped freed from cost straight to your door (with a torque wrench included within the field to straighten the bars), and since Intense Cycles UK solely lists what it has in inventory in its warehouse, orders are dispatched inside 24 hours of you clicking the ‘buy’ button.

For 2018, there are 5 full Primer fashions out there, beginning at £2,899 for the Basis construct, and topping out at £6,999 for the Manufacturing unit spec. The three prime builds make use of a lighter SL carbon body, which can be bought by itself for £2,299. Every Primer is out there in 4 sizes from Small via to X-Giant.

It’s an eye-popping color, however we prefer it.

The Bike

Pulling the Primer out of the field, I used to be introduced with beautiful turquoise lacquer set off with shiny neon lime graphics. It by some means manages to look concurrently stylish but nonetheless very a lot in yer face!

Sculpted out of carbon fibre, the body could be very aesthetically pleasing and strikes an ideal stability, which I hereby proclaim ‘industrially organic’. The entrance triangle is definitely widespread to Intense’s personal ACV 27.5+ bike, however the rear triangle is all Primer.

You may query the logic and extra tooling prices of such a choice, however Intense has shaved weight from the rear triangle and located room for a entrance mech on the similar time. There’s additionally a set of bottle bosses inside the primary body, and inner cable routing retains issues wanting clear and uncluttered entrance to again.

Beautiful strains on that carbon swingarm.

As we’re testing the Expert degree construct, we miss out on the chi-chi SL body. The cheaper body right here makes use of a unique carbon layup, metal hardware (as an alternative of titanium) and an alloy higher linkage, which provides about 250g of mass over the SL model.

Because the VPP patent expired a few years in the past, Intense has changed the platform with its personal JS Tuned linkage. You’ll nonetheless discover two small hyperlinks that rock the swingarm similarly, however the size and orientation of the hyperlinks have been modified to offer a extra dynamic experience that retains sensible pedalling efficiency. I rarely reached for the shock lockout.

You’ve acquired two journey choices right here.The decrease hyperlink has grease ports for upkeep duties.

Whereas Intense has spec’d what seems like a relatively fiddly Increase 148x12mm axle, as soon as you determine which option to flip it, and which bolts you have to undo, it’s truly fairly easy and safe. Lastly, there are built-in rubber body protectors on the downtube and drive aspect chainstay to fend off rock strikes and hold the noise down.

You’d be forgiven for anticipating to see a number of own-branded elements as a sacrifice for getting a full carbon body and SRAM Eagle for less than £three,300, however you’d be very improper. Suspension comes from RockShox, with a Revelation RC 140mm journey fork, and a Monarch RL out again. Revelations have all the time been a strong performer and are much more so now they share the identical 35mm chassis as the Pike.

140mm journey up entrance from the superb RockShox Revelation fork.SRAM GX 1×12 shifting.

Sadly, whereas the Monarch carried out brilliantly whereas open, there was a big delay in locking the shock out – it took a number of compressions of the again finish earlier than it engaged with a clunk.

DT Swiss is in control of wheels with the superb M1900 Spline wheelset, whereas tyres are the brand new 2.35in extensive Maxxis Forekasters – an aggressive cross-country tyre that gives minimal rolling resistance and surprisingly excessive ranges of grip.

Lastly, an aesthetic Fox Switch dropper publish holds the cozy WTB saddle up and Renthal bars offer you one thing to carry on to. It’s protected to say that no corners have been reduce in an effort to hit a worth level.

The Fox Switch dropper carried out properly.Robust DT Swiss wheels and Shimano XT brakes full the smart construct package.

The Journey

Good grief, this bike is eager. Like an excitable younger pet, it brims with enthusiasm, darting round in circles, chasing something that strikes whereas your driving mates make their approach alongside in a extra stately method. Most of the time I’d discover myself spinning alongside taking it straightforward, whereas getting this unusual vibe that the bike needs to be let off the leash. So, in fact, I oblige.

I modify up a couple of gears, stand on the pedals, and the Primer bursts ahead with scary ease. The brilliant blue machine is far happier with the change of tempo. There’s minimal drag from the Maxxis Forekasters, whereas the JS Tuned system stays taut and environment friendly beneath chain rigidity.

The Primer has a unbelievable get-up-and-go angle.

Designed to be extra supportive within the mid-stroke, there was little or no wallowing or pedal bob even when hauling exhausting out of the saddle, and in contrast to some extra fussy suspension methods, it has a large working window and I used to be capable of run anyplace from 25–30% sag with no destructive impact on efficiency.

‘JS Tuned’ isn’t only a fancy new identify – this suspension system is a drastic enchancment over the issues of the previous VPP suspension system and its tendency to really feel such as you have been pedalling inside a hammock.

No wallow right here – the JS tuned design performs to a really excessive standard.

Shortly to the highest and onto the enjoyable stuff, the Primer is not any slouch when it will get there and its enthusiasm on the climbs is matched by a nimbleness that belies the 29in wheels.

With a attain of 453mm (measurement L) and a head angle of 67.5°, it’s not at all the longest or the slackest bike I’ve ever ridden, however it doesn’t really feel brief, and it doesn’t really feel nervous or twitchy both. It feels good, and that Goldilocks vibe places the rider in command, slightly than the opposite approach spherical.

Having stated that, when you choose a bit extra size in your bikes, remember that the Primer has a comparatively tall seat tube and that limits dropper publish insertion. So the standard trick of sizing as much as achieve some attain may be out of the query (at a shade over 6ft, I personally discovered the sizing spot on).

The seat tube is a bit too tall, decreasing the choice to upsize for extra attain.

Actually although, it’s solely when issues get actually steep and technical that the bike begins to get overwhelmed and out of its depth. The 760mm Renthal bars don’t assist and a wider set would deliver again some management.

The different factor I’d take a look at altering is the entrance tyre. The Forekasters are an amazing cross-country tyre, roll shortly and supply sufficient traction out again, however I can’t assist however shake the sensation the entrance tyre is making an attempt to kill the get together.

The Primer has a great deal of zip and likes to play on the path.

Positive, the Primer is marketed as a cross-country/path bike, and never an enduro bike, however the body and suspension really feel like they’re able to a lot extra. A extra aggressive entrance tyre like a Excessive Curler II or Minion DHR II would give that bit extra traction and open issues up with out compromising the responsiveness that I really like about this bike.

One factor I wouldn’t change, regardless that the choice is there, is the rear suspension journey. As with the Intense ACV Plus bike, you’ve obtained the selection of operating 115mm or 130mm. However as the bike is so spritely and nimble at 130mm, I by no means felt the necessity to scale back the journey.

The Primer is begging for a greater entrance tyre than the Forekaster.

Aside from these minor quibbles, are there any negatives? Solely the sluggish lockout on the rear shock, and that the entrance Maxle Lite is wanting decidedly worse for put on and in peril of being unusable as a result of it’s so closely rounded off. I’d strongly advocate upgrading to the Maxle Final.

General

The Intense Primer is among the greatest pedalling, most keen and nimble path bikes I’ve ever ridden. It’s a delight to experience, urging you to go more durable and quicker than you thought potential. The massive shock is that it’s no slouch when the path factors again down both, altering course with ease and dealing with tougher trails than actually ought to be potential for a 130mm journey 29er.

Add a extra aggressive entrance tyre (and an extended journey fork in the event you’re feeling notably saucy), and the bike will probably be able to much more with out sacrificing an excessive amount of of that velocity and acceleration that’s so addictive about this bike.

With its new, extra aggressive pricing, the Primer is an interesting bike for a wider vary of riders.

Intense Primer Expert Specs

Body // Monocoque UD Carbon Entrance & Rear Triangle, 130mm Journey

Fork // RockShox Revelation RC, 140mm Journey

Shock // RockShox Monarch RL

Hubs // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 110x15mm Entrance & 148x12mm Rear

Rims // DT Swiss M1900 Spline, 28h, Tubeless Prepared

Tyres // Maxxis Forekaster EXO 2.35in Entrance & Rear

Chainset // Truvativ Stylo Eagle GXP, 175mm, 34t X-Sync 2 Chainring

Rear Mech // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle, 12-Velocity

Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle, 10-50t, 12-Velocity

Brakes // Shimano Deore XT M8000, 180mm Entrance & Rear

Stem // Intense Recon Elite, 31.8mm, 50mm Size

Bars // Renthal Fatbar Alloy, 31.8mm, 20mm Rise, 760mm Large

Grips // Intense Lock-On

Seatpost // Fox Switch, 31.6mm, 150mm Journey

Saddle // WTB Silverado Race w/ Cr-Mo Rails

Measurement Examined // Giant

Sizes Out there // Small, Medium, Giant, X-Giant

Precise Weight // 13.3kg (29.3lb)

RRP // £three,499

Loved that one? This text was from Difficulty #118 of Singletrack Journal, and you may learn the complete function and a great deal of different unbelievable tales proper right here.

Assessment Information

Model: Intense Cycles Product: Primer Expert From: uk.intensecycles.com Worth: £three,499 Examined: by James Vincent for two months

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