#i like to think sun has different outfits for activities and events

[n3-x-us]

Drew sun after god knows how long, tried out some styles with him (two, one being my main)

I'm still a heavy sun lover, just a day ago i was talking to a friend about him because we were talking about @/pluck-heartstrings fic (amazing fic love it) (i've still only read a bit of the first chapter sadly too much has been happening) (still adore it)

Close ups:

When I outline it I'll replace the photos with the outlined versions so they can be seen earlier

[differenteagletragedy]

HELLOOOO *^ο^* literally LOVE ur work. if ur taking requests, can you write the OLBA poly boys in highschool with the mc? like they all are highschool sweethearts!! i’m having massive brainrot of that.

Thank you! I've gotten two requests for poly high school sweethearts, so let's imagine!

-- Obviously they all live close enough to go to the same high school. Baxter is the same age (originally he was not but I can's separate them like that so everyone's all in the same grade).

-- Probably it would go similar to regular poly MC/boys timeline, which is that Cove and you get together first, then your bestie Derek comes on in, then you start hanging out with this weirdo upperclassman and oops, he's pretty awesome too. Love is magical!

-- Hangouts are at Cove's house. It's just Cliff there, who's cool with the situation, and you have plenty of room to hang out, plus the beach is right there for activities.

-- You can hang out at your house too obviously, moms are fine. Derek's parents are also cool, but if you go over there you're going to have his little brothers around, and Nicolas LOVES Baxter. He thinks he is so neat and fascinating.

-- Baxter's place is big, but you never go there because his parents would not be down for this situation. At all. Like AT ALL. He just doesn't tell them about you guys, which is all right. It's a sore spot, though, that he can't talk about his lil sweethearts with his own parents, so please give him hugs.

-- Baxter's the only one who has a car in high school, like his own all the time car, so that's the ride.

-- Everybody goes to Derek's games. Cheer loud, he deserves it.

-- Your parents and Baxter's parents are members of the country club, so you can both go to events and take Derek and Cove as your respective plus ones.

-- If Baxter's parents ask, your friends. He's going to be down about having to lie. More hugs.

-- Kids are gonna gossip, it doesn't matter how public you are or aren't. With the different kids of people the three boys would attract, a lot of people are going to want to get with them. So there would probably be some bullying from some of them who can't have who they want, and because teenagers brains are still cooking at sometimes they can't express things in the best way.

-- You might fight somebody if they take it too far, I don't know you, but Cove definitely will.

-- Somebody says something in the hallway that makes Derek's big ol smile falter? Yeah, Cove's getting suspended.

-- Oh you have to go to Baxter's ballroom competitions too. Derek is going to cheer inappropriately loud. Baxter's going to be down there, trying not to smile and to keep his form, but it's going to make him happy.

-- As in all poly universes, Cove takes Baxter out into the ocean his first time. It's been said before, but it's important.

-- Another theme is Baxter dressing everyone, and sorry, but he's going to be picking the prom outfits.

-- Cove has flowers for everyone, like individual flowers. Derek brought brought boutonnières/corsages (I recently played the soiree with Derek and I actually thought it was very out of character that he didn't bring one for MC so).

-- Baxter wouldn't go for a limo, I don't think, I think he'd rather rent a more classic car. Not like an old Mustang or something, like a classic obscenely rich person car.

-- Cove at least isn't wild about parties, so when you're done dancing you skip anything your classmates have planned and instead spend the rest of the night on the beach in your formalwear.

-- Cuddles, watching the sun come up. Memories to last a lifetime :)

[blakenation1]

Dead Poets Society on a cruise?!

Inspired by @booklovrrs <3

I have never been on a cruise but I have a rough idea of what they're like so, I dunno I'll give it a try! :0

Okay so, going on a cruise was originally Charlie's idea, I can see him loving anything beach, water, ocean, lake, pool, blah blah blah, you get the idea.

I imagine Charlie laying on his bed in his Welton dorm, there's only a few weeks of school left, an Knox is like sitting in a chair, they're hanging out, and it goes like:

Charlie: "Knox, you know what would be a lot of fun?"

Knox: "What, Charlie?"

Charlie: "If me, you, and all the guys went on a cruise together this summer." he says, glancing over at Knox, just like he glances over at Todd when Todd first meets everyone in the movie, with that mischievous glint in his eye.

Knox: "Ohhhhh I dunno Charlie, I might get seasick.... Or what if we get stuck in the ocean..." Knox would be kind of skeptical and paranoid at first, but after a little bit of convincing, he agrees that it would be fun. I don't blame you Knox, I'm really scared to go on a cruise as well, but lucky me I don't plan on going on one anytime soon!

Okay! So everyone agrees to go, sometime over the summer, together! Yay!!

Despite Cameron being viewed/portrayed as very uptight/rulefollower/etc, I think he would be so down with going.

I can see Cameron and Pitts being ready to try all the yummy foods on the cruise, planning everything they want to try!

Pitts would be a foodie, he would love to try all the new things.

Todd is so ready to just sit on the deck, listen to the waves, read 43892857 books during his time on the cruise while he lays out in the sun. What a cool guy!

I can see him with his shades on, legs crossed, book held in one hand

Neil: :0 wow Todd is so cool and awesome I love my bf

Anyway

Meeks would like doing the different activities with whoever would be down to go with him, like video games, events, etc.

If there's live music on the cruise, Charlie is gonna eat it up, he would love it

Ahhhh I'm imagining them getting dressed up in their summery cruise outfits and all going to dinner together, cutting up and having a good time

If I saw their group in public, I would be intimidated (partially because they're all around my age and they're canonically a bunch of teenage guys) but they'd all be very sweet.

Bonus: If Chris went too, she'd bring the cutest outfits ever.

Ginny and Chris would stay in a room together

Knox + Charlie, Meeks + Pitts, Todd + Neil + maybe Cameron roomies

I can see that, Neil seems to try and include Cameron in a lot in the movie, which is very sweet of him, I can see Neil + Todd being like, "hey let's go do this" to Cameron, after all the other guys have rushed off to do other stuff that Cameron might have not found interesting

Neil is so kind, I love him

OMG LMAO I can see Knox getting his picture made with the captain of the boat or some corny shit like that

Like so happen to run into the guy and Knox was like "Well, holy shit now we have to get a photo!"

OMGGGGG So you guys know how elevators on cruises usually have that little tile thing that has the day of the week on it, and the staff change it at midnight, at the exact start of each day? ALL OF THE POETS WOULD WAIT ON THE ELEVATOR TO SEE THEM CHANGE THE DAY OF THE WEEK THING

They would all be so hype about it, they would cheer yawp as the person change the thing to the next day

Charlie gave them a $10 tip ��

I love Knarlie because I am imagining Charlie spoiling Knox during their time on the cruise despite both of them coming from rich families

Meeks and Pitts would enjoy looking out for sea life over the railing

Okay this is about all I got!

They all get home and Knox has awful sea legs. Like he can't stop wobbling around when he gets off the boat, literally help him.

Charlie screaming laughing at Knox

[the-bird-and-the-flute]

Kuchen (Yumekuro) - Happiness-Filled Marriage - Moon and Sun

warning: this post is really long. Sorry for that lol.

warning 2: if you don't wanna read all this and you're not sure which story you wanna unlock (moon or sun), don't be misled by moon's CG. It's Kuchen we are talking about after all ^^ And I'm not gonna recommend the best skill for this card cuz I sincerely don't know which one is best.

MAIN STORY

I think I posted something about all of kuchen's cards, so obviously I'd give a summary + impressions for this one as well :D

I didn't read the main event (and Idk if I'll have time to do so), but we see Kuchen and MC talking about this promotion event they will organize. The siblings will be responsible for the event's menu.

Kuchen looks fucking amazing in his tuxedo (but when doesn't he look hella fine? xD) while he is reading a pamphlet about marriage and wedding ceremony. He and MC will pretend to be a groom and a bride to try to understand the customers' needs.

Later that day, MC helped Kuchen to decide what he would do for dessert for this event. He wanted to do something special for the couples. Kuchen clearly doesn't know/understand what is the big deal about wedding ceremonies, but as he accepted this challenge, he will give his all.

While MC was helping him, she was self-conscious that she liked Kuchen. But she didn't say anything to Kuchen and proceeded to help him get the job done.

On the next day, MC said she talked to her married seniors about their opinion of what marriage was like. Kuchen said that this will help him to get a better idea of what to do for this promotion event.

I just love how Kuchen seems unimpressed about marriage hahahah. What a stoic non-romantic boy. But well, it makes sense as he never felt in love before. I don't think he dated either.

Once MC's dress was finished, MC and Kuchen, dressed as bride and groom to spend part of their day doing activities that would be available to the couples. Kuchen was super nice to MC and although he is not interested in those types of events, it looked like he had fun with MC there.

Days passed by, and Kuchen finally finished his dessert + gift to the couples. I think it looked like a box with a flower on it and chocolates that had different tastes.

PS: we also had a chance to see the 3 brothers interacting in this event and it was super cute <3

MOON END

It's the promotion event day and everything is ready. But, kuchen and MC find out through one of the staff that the model who was going to work in the church event as the bride couldn't attend the ceremony. She was supposed to walk down the aisle with the groom model that was also hired to try to recreate a tradtional wedding.

I'm gonna be honest, I didn't understand why they wanted to perform a wedding ceremony for people to see. What was the point? I wonder if they are just trying to attract more couples to marry in that church or something.

Anyway, as you can expect, they asked MC to be the bride, as she already has the dress and she is involved in this promotion event for couples.

She accepts it, even though she doesn't know exactly what she has to do. As the menu is all ready, her job with the guild is done.

But she asks the staff member if it's ok to invite Kuchen to be the groom because she is a bit anxious and she doesn't know the model who is going to perform with her. Kuchen accepts it.

Later that day, we see Kuchen and MC waiting in one of the church's rooms. They are both dressed again in their groom and bride outfits.

Kuchen was super sweet and he brought a hot chocolate for MC noticing she was nervous with this whole acting thing.

After drinking her hot chocolate, they both head to the church to play their roles. Everything proceeded smoothly. They 'got married' and then walked to the main door. Once they crossed the church's hall, Kuchen stopped next to the entrance door.

Out of the blue, he got closer to MC and kissed her softly. I was not expecting to see that in this game to be honest hahahah. But they didn't show the kiss, just Kuchen leaning to kiss her while she had already closed her eyes.

At first, I was not sure if they did kiss, but yeah, that actually happened. After they left the church, Kuchen asked MC if she was mad at him. She didn't say she hated it or liked it. But she was confused, to say the least. She likes Kuchen so it was a a bittersweet moment.

Even after he noticed MC was shocked by what he did, he just played it cool. His excuse to kiss MC is that he wanted to see her reaction and that he read in a wedding pamphlet that kissing the bride model after leaving the church was kinda trendy or a tradition recently, so he wanted to recreate that or at least give MC this experience. Oh, he also said that she talked a lot that marriage can represent a future with your significant other, so he said maybe he thought it would be nice if one day she is part of this future.

SUN END

MC was helping Kuchen to decorate the plates and the sweets. He gave her good pieces of advices while she was working with him.

Then, she had to get dressed because they had to role-play as groom and bride for the couples in the event.

At the 'ceremony' they had to cut a cake just like in a real wedding. It was really cute that part.

Kuchen spoon-fed MC first and obviously, she blushed (I lost count of how many times she did that in this story). When it was her turn, she gave Kuchen a big piece of cake and I guess he had a hard time eating it, but it was hilarious. Silly, but hilarious.

The event was a success, the couples were excited to taste Kuchen's chocolates and they loved the gift boxes they prepared for them.

When MC was just getting ready to change into her normal clothes, she saw some staff women hitting on Kuchen in the corridor. They wanted his number/personal info to know each other better, if you know what I mean ahahah. Kuchen seemed uninterested and annoyed. We didn't see his reply cuz MC left before she could hear what he would say.

Alone in the garden where they organized the event, she was just thinking about what Kuchen may have said to these women. She was curious, but she didn't want to pry. Also, she is sad because she likes him, so it hurts to see 'your' man in that situation.

Kuchen appears out of nowhere. He offers her some chocolate. It was those 5 boxes gifts they gave to the couples. MC was gloomy, but she did her best to try to hide her feelings. Obviously, it didn't work.

Trying to tease MC again, Kuchen put a choco in her mouth. The thing was that he also put the other half of the choco in his mouth as well. You know, that game to try to eat the food to see if they will kiss or not XD.

It was not very clear, but from what I understood, they didn't kiss. I think MC stopped when she was really close to Kuchen's lips.

After teasing her, he noticed she was not worried anymore. Also, he confirmed to her that he saw her in the corridor earlier. It was impossible not to notice her with such a dress.

MC didn't confess her feelings, but she felt way better having exchanged those moments with him. Also, he said to her that he had a great time and that he actually felt during this whole event that they were a groom and a bride.

MY OPINION

Listen, I love Kuchen, he is my fav character, but I think that whole (I like Kuchen) was a bit forced/unexpected. I got all Kuchen's cards and I always had the feeling that MC was not interested in Kuchen yet. I don't understand this sudden change of behavior. I mean, she usually gets flustered every time Kuchen praises/teases her, but it was the first time (at least that I remember) she confessed she liked him. Am I being too salty here? lol

And I didn't like how things turned out in the moon end.

I just don't actually see Kuchen kissing her in this situation. I read moon first, and I thought there was a high probability Kuchen had noticed already that MC is into him.

After reading sun I was 100% sure of that. So to me, it doesn't make sense he would kiss her right now because her feelings are a mess, and he can see that.

So maybe... this is just a stupid theory of mine, he couldn't stop himself from kissing her? If that was the case, then it's fine. But if he kissed her just to see her reaction or give her a good experience, it was a wrong call. There, I said it XDD

That being said, I loved the sun story. I really like to see him teasing her but without crossing the line. He is very creative, isn't he? lmaoo

I still don't like MC's child/pure/dense personality when she is around a womanizer like Kuchen, but well, it's unlikely that they would change her personality at this point. But she is an adorable cute girl for sure.

[lavenoon]

Hey. Hey Luce Hey. Hey.

Remember that Outfits The Boys Like On Y/N post???

I see you mentioning resisting temptation to add Reverse Boys Reactions in in the tags. 👀 May I uh. Enable you on that?

I would Very Much like to know. For Reasons.

I remember the post, yes <3

I'll do you one better though. Because it's been a while, and back then we only had main and reverse, I resisted adding the reverse boys. Preferences stay the same across all timelines, yes, but the reactions differ.

We got a few more timelines by now (:

Reverse: So the ask was about dressing up in particular, which means unfortunately for Dawn he perishes every mission. He gets used to it, he thinks, but he can't do anything he would like to do. Compliments fall on deaf, or worse, unbelieving ears, and he still has to keep it together well enough to not get distracted from the mission. Reverse Robin has a lot more fancy outfits due to their undercover focus, so he regularly gets smacked with something he hasn't seen yet and dies anew. Later in the timeline he tries more and more to subtly match them, to have complementing colors (fortunately for him, red and green are complementing colors) in their outfits, all without Robin calling him out on it or actively counteracting it out of pride.

Moon on the other hand just assumes they have a formal dress code at work, whatever that work is - but it doesn't make things easier for his metaphorical heart. He's more the comfortable type, and not being floored by the novelty he's more thinking along the lines of "I wonder if they ever wear something comfortable." The closest he gets is when they come home late, tie loosened and sleeves rolled up, with their jacket slung over their arm, tired from the long day. Suddenly Moon is having second thoughts about formal clothing because apparently it's unbelievably hot when they're not worn as intended. (Or maybe it's the prospect of getting them out of the uncomfortable clothes and into something more comfortable, but that's nothing he should be thinking about the nice neighbor/ landlord)

And because this time I will not bridle my insanity:

Hatchling: Main: Sun again catches glimpses only - but they shoot his yearning and perceived martyrdom into the stratosphere. Wailing and hitting the floor (metaphorically, emotionally) that that stupid coworker who doesn't even pay attention to them gets to see them like that, while he, who would appreciate their effort, barely gets to see or even interact with them. That's not fair! Y/N is more likely to be the one cracking a joke there - maybe even actually pointing towards his suit, joking about how maybe they could sneak him into whatever event, to have a friend there. Sun perishes, but agrees it would be a nice hypothetical, alas...

Dusk, if not for the fact that he's an animatronic, would choke on nothing (or anything) upon seeing a dressed up Robin. Whether for a work event or a rare nightly undercover mission, he suddenly finds it very hard to concentrate. He doesn't care much for suits himself, but after being very aware of the effect they have on him, a small part of him wonders if he maybe has that same effect on them, too. He squashes the thought quickly though, sticking to a quiet, and probably generic compliment - but only because internally, he's screaming with no outlet for it.

Reverse: Dawn is a peacock and an asshole, and tries very hard to find flaws in Robin's outfits. They strive for the classic secret agent look, with mostly traditional black suits and maybe a very dark green tie, just for a little color. But subtle. With time, Dawn realizes something else, however. If he mentions collar or lapel pins as dashing accessory, a few weeks later Robin will wear some. If he makes an appreciative comment on someone's loafers, a while later Robin will wear similar ones. However, especially with the flashier changes, only once. After the snap and apology, while Dawn is already finding all the mistakes he made, he starts having an idea why. He starts complimenting their suits, acknowledging changes they make, instead of just pointing out what he thinks is inadequate. And lo and behold, they start getting more confident, wearing the pins again and colorful shirts, and Dawn starts genuinely showing them off now that he stops being tsundere about it

Moon is mad. In the "don't talk me I'm angy" way. So not only does the nice, if a bit overly friendly, neighbor have one of those sucky jobs where you have to dress up every single day, but he knows about the coworker they have to deal with, who made them cry - and he stops caring about fancy outfits entirely, because he's already full out daydreaming about kidnapping them to stuff them into pajamas and roll them up in a blanket instead. He doesn't stop himself from thinking about it, because he already thinks he's never gonna get closer to them, so what's the harm? Thinks their effort is wasted and would rather see them truly comfortable for once, but that forever remains in the realm of wishful thinking (or so he thinks)

Dynamic Swap: (My guys the work besties here are basically just Dusk and Dawn from "Promise the Sun and The Moon" they're THAT bad) Main: Sun thinks he's so clever and snarky when he says something like "Oh, so you can dress up!" only to immediately get back a "Say that again and the next time I do will be at your funeral" together with a scathing glare. Later he realizes he very much did an oopsie with that. Especially once he can't stop thinking about it. Where did they go? What do they do? Why did they suddenly dress up? ... Will he get to see them dressed up again? Why did he say that, instead of something that would've actually let them know that he thinks they look nice? Why did he have to ruin things for himself further? Ends up moping about it and doesn't even tell Moon (in detail) because he feels so stupid about it

Dusk is. Oh dear. Good thing he doesn't have a jaw, because he would have lost it! Would be all over Robin, not even pretending to hide that he's looking. He's a simp, your honor. Will ask to sneak away nearly every five minutes, only barely hiding it behind jokes and laughter. But it's fine, because Robin is just as stupid (i.e. smitten) and doesn't actually mind, and is very normal about the attention. If at some point during the evening Dusk does drag them off to somewhere else, that's between those two, and their usual attitude means that no one is particularly eager to look for them and drag them back. Ideally, Dusk gets Robin talking - about anything, really - and just gets to spend the rest of the night looking <3

Reverse: So you get enthusiastic Dawn, who very much gets along with Robin, and loves flirting with them in the "jk haha unless" style, and he gets to compliment them on their outfits? These two probably discuss wearing complementing if not outright matching outfits just because "I mean, we'll show up together/ pose as a couple, soo..." and neither of them actually cares whether their excuses are flimsy af because they get giddy at the thought of matching each other. They're idiots. Insufferable idiots. They're all over each other, dishing out compliments and flirts with basically everything they say, and the worst thing is? It works for them. No one thinks the insufferably sweet and PDA indulgent couple would be secret agents, and then they're secret agents and not even a couple. Somehow, they get worse post reveal

Moon on the other hand thinks he knows exactly why the neighbor is so high strung - whatever job they have requires dressing up, which and white collar or not, it's all the same to him. Also once makes the mistake and tells them that perhaps they just need to loosen up and lose the tie - and then, after their snappy retort, is too awkward to explain that he's only wondering if they ever get to wear non restrictive, comfortable clothes, because that's also not appropriate to say! Stuck between a rock and a hard place, because he is curious what they're working as with how elaborate the outfits get (courtesy of Dawn, who of course does not realize even when Moon shares his pondering), but he can't ask and by now he's already ruined all chances he had. Quietly hopes the neighbor gets to relax sometimes, and withdraws a little further to not be another stressor

[aresmarked]

what r ur thoughts on the sun/moon symbolism with shizumafu

*yanks out a scroll that rolls until the horizon* i pulled out the good ol' Bleach 'the rain drags black sun down/but the rain dried by white moon' poem to throw at @yashkonu's head, to tell you how absolutely Normal I'm being about all this. (i also came up w some very simple archery motif lyrics but i won't inflict that 'til it's a bit more polished. i want at least lullaby level.)

i first wanna touch on their 3d models' symbolism for a moment. because of course, some things are rather obvious: the sun medallion and motif of Shizuku's, the blazing moon of Mafuyu's. but there are smaller symbols with the half-full, half-hollowed arrow vane, that decorates the apple-shaped earrings and hairpiece Maf has, as well as the snowflakes, the clover cut-out on Shizuku's leggings... the new outfits showcase, as whole pieces, some of the biggest influences on them that affect their self—and if you want to connect it back, their lights on the world, and how they shine upon/affect it.

now there's the baseline significance of applying sun/moon symbols, of course. two bodies representing two parts of a whole, two opposing/contrasting parts that cannot be disconnected. the simplest/obvious connection one can draw to Shizuku and Mafuyu is how they are quite alike, in how they have a shared experience of people's perception and expectations of them have led to them suppressing their real selves and desires, with the major difference, insofar, being that Shizuku has gotten the support to be her true self while Mafuyu is a WIP.

...though, the fact that cheerful days is going to be coming up again in Shizuku's plotline makes me wonder if having this event before that is meant to be a chance for Mafuyu to be looking into it/watching, and seeing/gaining some recognition of that shared quality. but i digress.

i think for fuller appreciation of ShizuMafu's outfits this event, i think it's necessary to layer the sun/moon symbolism with their shared theme of perception, both by others and themselves. this is suggested by the previously mentioned 'other' elements of their outfit. The influence of MMJ, and the influence of Mafuyu's mother, respectively, are indelible parts of Shizuku and Mafuyu, and that—and this is key—they're both currently aware of. Presumably out of some subconscious self-preservation and just Plain Old Trauma, Mafuyu's memory of how her mother has treated her and made her feel as been blanketed out/muffled. But she's facing it more now, and that's why the elements suggest also that theme of self-perception, aside from that being the 'tie' between Shizuku and Mafuyu.

i think the outfits also suggest the specific perception Shizuku and Mafuyu have of each other. Because I think if you asked Shizuku, I would imagine she would say she's trying to be 'sun-like' but wouldn't actually see/think about how she is like that already. And well, for Mafuyu Reasons I definitely don't see her saying 'yea I'm actively trying to be a light in the dark'.

But if you consider how they think of each other, and consider the event? How Shizuku considers Mafuyu to be someone who helped her when she was struggling with finding a space to simply Be at the start of high school? How Shizuku is able to echo the favour Mafuyu did her, and bring her back to a place of calm focus, of warmth, after the disruption of her mother's message, and has always just tried to help out how she can and shown concern whenever she's noticed Mafuyu feeling ill at ease?

The gacha's name, is, after all, 'Descending Mercy'. Consider who'd be calling it 'mercy' :).

This post needs a conclusion at some point so I'm finishing with some comments on the card art.

Mafuyu's trained card has quite a few things going on (school bag, aquarium plant, bunny, crack dividing her face into shadow and light!), but I want to focus on the charm near the arrow's vane. a clear moon right? and a dark shaft, with feathers being dark towards the shaft and only light near the end.

Consider the arrow Shizuku has in her hand, practically lit from within, and its own charm—with the light she's bringing into a dark place—and the one she's descending to pick up. Largely dark, but the white feathers of the vane seeming to glow too now, and parts of the shaft white too.

All arrows with charms.

The untrained art too has its own notes. Mafuyu, with her face largely shadowed in this moment years ago, the only light being from reflections and not distinctly outlined...

And then her face, while still largely in shadow, lit in the moment where Shizuku helps her refocus after being disturbed.

[dsandrvk]

Thursday, August 29 - Kitava and Uratu Islands

After clearing immigration back into Papua New Guinea yesterday evening, we visited a PNG island completely different than the last one, which was the Conflict Islands. This island has several native villages, and we were welcomed at the dock with leis made from frangi-pangi flowers, before reaching an area near the beach used for local dancing. Here we were treated to the usual male dancers, this time in colorful clothes with shiny mylar adornments.

After the original group with only men, we were treated to several children's groups, all in brightly colored outfits, and trying very hard to be serious. I was reminded of the dance troupes in Moab that participate in our Electric Light parade at Christmas time - there was the same mixture of determination and confusion. They were adorable and consisted of both boys and girls. They were followed by another adult group, including the two young women who had given us leis, and then by another group of children, this time accompanied by a drum made from a large empty metal can.

Most of the nearby village had come down to the beach to watch, including this group of boys. Vendors selling mostly carved goods also sat under the trees along the dancing area. It was all very festive and great fun to watch, although I have not included many pictures due to partial nudity (theirs, not ours).

After the dancing we had the opportunity to walk up a wide trail to the nearest village and visit the school area. The walk was lined with lots of houses and very friendly folks. After just under a mile we reached the village and unfortunately had very little time before we had to turn around to get the last Zodiac back to the ship. I did have a chance to talk to some of the women in the group in the shade - they had just had a ceremony at the school and were smartly all finding a good place in the shade during the heat of the day. Like many of the places we have been, many of the kids were still in their school uniforms of mostly blue.

Because of bio hazard regulations, we were not allowed to bring our leis back on board so looped them all along the boardwalk by the pier, leaving a colorful design in our wake. We eventually got back to the ship, which took a bit longer than usual, due to heavy swells, which made transferring from the Zodiac to the ship or vice versa quite challenging (and slow). While we were waiting our turn to unload, we saw a manta ray (possibly an eagle ray) jump out of the water and pirouette before falling back down. Quite amazing!

After lunch we headed back out to a much smaller island several hundred yards from Kitava for swimming and snorkeling. We have been spoiled on this trip with phenomenal snorkeling - this wasn't the best, but it was still interesting, and a great way to cool off, and our bar team was there to pour us champagne or a soft drink. We took advantage of the sand, sun and shade until almost the last Zodiac, and headed back for a shower and a nice dinner.

One of the more interesting things to me is how the native canoes vary from place to place. Kitava has their own version of an outrigger with a platform between the boat and outrigger float - it makes for a good place to carry items, but I would it could probably be more vulnerable in high seas. Here I think they mostly fish close by or use to come across the short distance from Kitava to Uratu, where we snorkeled.

Tomorrow will be another sea day as we move further north to the town of Rabual on the much larger island of New Britain. This is an area of active volcanoes, as well as a very special cultural event that we are all looking forward to, and we will learn as well about the WWII history of the area.

[mytimeoutdoors]

Things to Bring on a Fishing Trip

Are you preparing for the upcoming fishing trip? Let us assist you with packing! Since being organized is crucial for every successful fisherman, we’ve put together a packing list that includes everything you’ll need for your fishing trip. It will teach you what to pack for a fishing trip so you may be prepared for anything and have success every time! Our list, which is both straightforward and thorough, will ensure that you don’t forget any necessary items for your outdoor fishing excursion.

This list was put together with novice anglers in mind! Use this list as a resource guide on the topic and refer to it as needed. Before we continue, note that although this article addresses travel requirements, your list may differ greatly due to the complexity of fishing, which includes varied seasons and techniques!

What Should I Pack for a Fishing Trip?

Finding out more information on the destination is essential before you begin packing. Are you working in saltwater or freshwater? Rivers, Lakes, Deep Sea, or Inshore? What kind of weather is it? Is it winter or summer when you go fishing? You can avoid overpacking by using the answers to help you select only the necessities.

After you’ve mastered the fundamentals, think about how long the trip will last. Will you be gone for the weekend or is this just a one-day event? If your journey is longer, you should pack more items, but not more than you actually need.

The majority of the time, how much you bring will depend on your mode of transportation. You can bring more items with you if you’re driving. This does not imply that you can carry unnecessary goods, and the other passengers should forgo using their equipment. Conversely, if traveling by plane is required to reach your location, then focus just on the necessities.

Consider this as well: are you hiring a local fishing guide, fishing charter, or outfitter? If so, ask them for their insights. If you use one of these providers, your payload will probably consist of numerous lists. We also like to remind you that you can only go fishing with a valid fishing license. Obtaining a fishing license is crucial before you go fishing, no matter where you are in the world. Now that we have cleared all of this, let’s speak about the specific items you should pack for a fishing trip!

Essentials for a Fishing Trip: The Complete List

Since every fishing trip is different, choose your gear and supplies according to your destination and planned activities. The list of everything you should pack for a fishing trip has been broken down into groups.

Fishing Bag

First things first: you absolutely need a decent, durable bag. Make an informed choice because the bag you have will greatly influence how comfortable you are during the drip. Ensure that your bag has enough space for all of your necessities. Make sure it’s waterproof and comfy as well.

Additionally, a shoulder strap is needed, so be sure the bag you’re considering has one. It will also be much simpler to grab items if you have a lot of accessible pockets. Finally, confirm that the material and stitching of your bag are sturdy.

Outfits

You should pack clothes that are both practical and comfy for the vacation. Bring one pair of pants in your bag and one on you to begin with. Make sure the pants are comfortable enough for sitting in and of good quality. Choosing long pants over shorts is the better option.

Next, pick a brightly colored cotton shirt and lighted fishing bobbers, particularly if you’re fishing during the summer. The sun is shielded by the bright shade. Naturally, keep an extra shirt in your bag. If there isn’t room for an extra shirt and pants, bring the shirt. Having a decent jacket is also essential, particularly in the cold. Don’t assume, though, that you won’t need one for fishing in the summer. As we previously mentioned, temperatures are always lower near the sea, so be ready for anything!

Personal Effects

Personal belongings are the next thing to include in your fishing trip packing list. These could be anything, such as your phone, radio, wallet, and keys, among other things. Carry the items you most frequently use at home, but don’t bring too much.

Fishing Poles

One fishing rod should be plenty for a relaxing trip. Bring a spare if you plan to catch a large fish. A well-made fishing rod won’t break on you, but it’s still a good idea to have one on hand.

Attractions

Do you recall the last time we asked you to think about the waters you fish in? That’s the reason! Since every fish is distinct, so are their needs when it comes to lures and hooks. Bringing a beginning kit and a bite sensor with a variety of lures is your best bet.

Those in Charge

Invest in a good fishing line and remember to pack the full spool. They are available online, at any fishing supply store, and in beginning fishing kits. Monofilament line is the finest option because it is strong and flexible. Knotting using monofilament lines is also quite effective. It’s wonderful to see that this kind of line consistently produces fantastic results while being less expensive than the others.

Additional Supplies

The primary essentials you always make sure to carry for a fishing trip are those listed above. Here are a few that you might not immediately consider necessities for a fishing vacation.

What to Pack for a Fishing Trip?

Fishing License

Just as essential as your fishing gear is your fishing license! Make sure you always carry your fishing license with you, no matter where you intend to fish. Everywhere you go, the authorities will take illegal fishing seriously, so having a license will help you avoid a lot of hassle.

Hats and Sunglasses

Though a personal choice, sunglasses are nevertheless important to discuss. It will be really beneficial if you have a decent pair with good UV protection. Carry sunglasses when going fishing in the summer or winter. Additionally, a well-made, visor-equipped hat is what we’d advise.

Bug repellent and Sunscreen

You’ll be protected from the sun and insects by your long pants, but what about your hands and face? Store a bottle of sunblock and a strong bug repellent in your fishing pack. A sunburn or bug bite can ruin the entire trip and your attitude!

Concluding Remarks on the Packing List for a Fishing Trip

Our list is simple to use and aids in memory retention. We’re sure you’ll know what to pack for a fishing trip once you’ve gone a few times. We’ll be here for you up until then. Until your next fishing excursion, keep several of the items on this list in your fishing bag. Remember this to avoid having to go through the hassle of packing every time. But before you leave, make sure to check your suitcase because there might be something that has to be updated, just like adding fishing floats online. This completes your list of items to pack for a fishing trip. We wish you luck on your next travels. Keep in mind to respect the environment, clean up after yourself, and enjoy yourself! If you’re looking to buy quality fishing products, then visit Mytime Outdoors!

[sslow-dancer]

heyy may I request a family fluff modren au oneshots with jonathan joestar? ty!

A/N: Since you said family... I thought I’d add the rest of Jonathan’s (and Dio’s bleh) kids with George II AND Danny! :)

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“Thank You For This.” (Jonathan Joestar x Reader)

Warnings: none!

Description: On the Saturday after the last day of school for your eldest boys, you invite the entire family to a picnic at the local park. Though you face some challenges before getting to that first…

NOTE: P/P/T stands for “preferred parent title.” This one-shot is gender-neutral, I want all to be comfortable! 💙

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“Boyyys! Shoes. We’re leaving soon. We need to get a good spot to eat at the park so get ‘em on.” you call out from the kitchen.

It’s a Saturday afternoon, the sun is extra bright out in your beloved city of New York and summer is the season many students have waited for. Your sons just as excited.

George has just finished up his 8th year in middle school, Giorno’s 3rd in elementary and Donatello’s 2nd in elementary. Rikiel and Ungalo are yet to start. They’ll be going once the breezy fall/autumn season is back.

It takes a lot to take care of 5 boys in one household. Though luckily your job becomes a bit easier when your archaeologist husband, Jonathan Joestar, gets a few days off. And thus, you plan out family hang outs here and there. This time, spending a day at the park to celebrate your boys’ achievements.

You use a rolling pin to knead at the cookie dough on the counter. You had already baked up some double chocolate chip cookies but decided to make some sugar cookies as well as George, Girono and Donatello prefer them. The two youngest of the 5 having a sweeter tooth. And your husband of course not caring, the large man will eat everything his sons leave over.

You sigh as you don’t hear any noise from the top floor. You stop your kneading and go to wash your hands under the faucet. You dry them off on your apron and walk up the steps. Your ears are filled with loud noise and your eyes widen. You just walked into a chaotic scene.

There in the room in full view from the stairs lays a sleeping Donatello under a large pile of blankets. Giorno is in the bathroom brushing his teeth while Jonathan attempts to fix his messy hair. George’s door is closed and loud with the sound of video games inside. And the sight that has confused you the most- a naked Ungalo getting chased around by a Rikiel in pull ups with a towel. Danny barks behind the toddlers, Ungalo giggles as Danny reaches his side.

“Hey, what-“

You’re cut off when George exits his room and brushes past you with his face glued to his phone. You question your oldest as he approaches the stairs, texting god knows who.

“George, what the hell happened-“

“Don’t ask me. Dad only told me to get ready and I did that.” George replies in a blunt tone. He puts his phone in his pocket and pats the side of his leg, he mouthes a “come on” to Danny. The dog runs over and heaves happily as George pats his head. They both rush down to the first floor.

You place your hands on your hips and huff in disbelief. The youngest run past you, your face scrunching up as you grumble lowly. You manage to catch Ungalo by grabbing him by the shoulders and picking him up by the waist. You grab the towel from a dazed Rikiel and wrap it around your naked son. Ungalo wraps his little legs and arms around you as you direct Rikiel to go to his room and wait for you. The 3 year old pouts as he pads his way down. You sigh shaking your head as you approach Donatello’s room and knock on his opened door multiple times.

“Come on! Wake up, wake up. I told you to get enough sleep last night. And get those blankets off of you, you’ll overheat.” you exclaim aggressively. Your middle child groans, his arm reaches out as if there’s an alarm clock next to him. Ungalo giggles as he pulls at your apron and points over at a now ready Giorno walking down to join his older brother. ‘At least 2 of the 5 are ready’ you think ‘and the dog…” you add on humorously.

Half of your husband’s stature appears from outside the bathroom. He dries his hands with a small towel and walks out. He closes the door and looks at you. You lift an eyebrow.

“Jonathan…” you mutter frustratedly. A clueless Jonathan looks up.

“Yes, my love?”

You point at the naked boy in your arms, the boy sleeping under piles of blankets and the half-naked boy sitting on the bed carelessly swinging his feet. You place a hand on your hip.

“What is the meaning behind all this? Our youngest are practically naked-“ you lock eyes with Ungalo, you sigh “well…one is naked. And one is still asleep. Only 2 are ready! What’s going on? I thought you were good at controlling them while I’m busy…”

Jonathan laughs soundlessly, taking Ungalo from your arms and placing a kiss on your forehead. You groan.

“It’s no time to be lovey dovey here… I’m yet to prepare the sandwiches for everyone.”

“And I’m not trying to be, it’s just who I am. I want you to be calm. Let me explain.” he says with a sweet voice. You frown as you cross your arms and look down at your feet.

He walks over to Ungalo’s and Rikiel’s shared bedroom. He places Ungalo on the bed as he goes into their closet and picks out outfits for them. You stand at the doorway and watch him get your sons dressed.

“I was going to dress these boys first but Giorno told me he wanted to try a new hairstyle as he’s grown it out and plans to dye it blonde. So I helped him out with that. Donatello had already gotten up-“ he laughs a little, your mind wondering how he’s able to keep so positive as you’re worried that you won’t get the best spot at the park. “But he somehow fell asleep again after he played with Ungalo and Rikiel. He actually helped me shower them too so he must’ve fallen asleep before he dressed them fully.”

Ungalo happily runs out with his shoes in hand, telling his father that he can tie them himself. Jonathan nods in response and finishes tying Rikiel’s shoes. Rikiel giggles following after Ungalo. He smiles lovingly, you blink, a blank expression on your face. Your gaze going from Donatello finally standing up to get ready and back to him innocently smiling. You exhale through your nose.

“Okay, I believe you. Your story sounds- fine. But I’m still confused as to why you didn’t do anything about the boys and Danny chasing each other.” you ask with genuine uncertainty. Jonathan shakes his head.

“Well, that one’s on me. Which I apologize for. Even though I asked Donatello to dress them, I don’t blame him. All I did was tell them to go to their room while I helped Giorno. In truth, I feel Girono could’ve done everything himself but I wanted to bond with each of our sons before I go to work again. George and I even spoke before you were awake. I come home late often and don’t get to see all unless one or more of them are awake.” he places a hand over his heart “I swear an event like this will never happen again. Please do not stress, you know I don’t like seeing you that way.”

You hum, uncrossing your arms as you think. Well he only is one person, what do you expect? Your boys just got done with school too, they must be tired and desiring to sleep in most days.

Jonathan nears you and wraps his arms around your waist, he pecks the side of your mouth. You hum again, embarrassed at how angry you got. He knows you well, so he goes on to say,

“Don’t be embarrassed. You deal with them more than me. So it’s understandable that you got upset. Go downstairs and finish up. I’ll deal with Donatello, okay?” he caresses your cheek, his touch always soothes you. You hesitantly remove his hand and nod. You go down and become content when all your boys offer to help.

~Time Skip~

An hour later, you all arrive at the park. Lucky for you, a grassy area near a playground is open.

Jonathan lays out a large blanket for you all to sit on. You set down the two baskets of food and goodies and let your family get comfortable in their own seats.

“I call the PBJ!” Giorno calls out. Ungalo pouts and crosses his arm, he nudges at your sleeve.

“But I want that…” he says sadly. You laugh, searching through one of the baskets.

“Oh honey, don’t worry. I’m sure we have one more…”

You give him one and smile when he hugs your side. All the others ask of you and Jonathan for things and activities as the day goes on.

“Dad, can I go for a quick walk around the park?” George asks.

“P/P/T, may I have a cookie?” Rikiel asks shyly.

“Can I go play fetch with Danny? I’ll stay near, I promise.” Donatello asks.

“I want to look at the garden- can we go after they’re done playing?” Giorno asks as he points at Ungalo and Rikiel playing tag with the other kids at the playground.

You and Jonathan never said no to their questions. You love and trust them with all your being- them going against you is low in chances.

You collect your belongings and go to the garden Giorno asked to go to. You hold a basket in front of you as you watch Giorno educate his brothers about the different plants and insects. Your heart melts as George picks up Rikiel and Donatello pick ups Ungalo to help them inspect the taller plants.

Jonathan removes the basket from your hands and places them in front of you both. You look at him confused. He smiles as he takes your hand and kisses the back of it.

“Thank you for this.” he whispers. You rolls your eyes playfully as you mindlessly ask,

“For what?”

“For giving me a family… I wouldn’t ask for anything in this world aside from pure happiness for you and our boys. You all keep me going and I appreciate you the most for that.”

You’re a blushing mess as he leans in and kisses you. You kiss back, true love can be seen by outsiders. You locks arms with him and place your head on his shoulder.

You and your husband resume to watching your sons bond and blossom.

[bts-hyperfixation]

Soulmates

JJK X Reader soulmate AU

Warnings: Minor character death(car crash, only mentioned nothing graphic), Drinking

I don’t know if this is what you (the requester) were going for? this is somehow where I ended up

Everyone in this world has a soulmate. Someone that is meant to complete them and make them feel whole.

Your other half can be identified by the matching birthmark hidden somewhere on their body. There are also a lot of people whose marks are so close to matching that it almost feels like the real thing… almost. Sadly, many don’t ever get to experience the love of their true soulmate, so they settle for the closest they can get.

Jungkook was convinced he was one of the lucky few. Looking at her made his heart feel like it was going to burst. Every time he saw her the world got brighter, the birds started singing a little louder, and his stress nearly melted away entirely … nearly. But at 17 no one is going to pay attention to nearly.

Their birthmark’s matched so closely, each sporting a small puzzle piece on opposite wrists. You wouldn’t even bat an eyelid at the loved-up pair as they walked together hand in hand. And he loved her so completely, and her him, that they never thought to question it. Madly in love until the day she died.

Jungkook spent weeks almost comatose when the news of her car crash reached him. Couldn’t move, eat, sleep. To lose your soulmate so young was said to be a fate worse than never finding them at all. Even after coming through the other side people could tell he wasn’t the same carefree young boy he had been, most likely never would be again. His eyes’ looked far older than his years now, his soft features much more angular.

Three months after her death he resolve to never fall in love again, happy in the knowledge that he got to know her even for such a short amount of time.

….

You met Jungkook at a party. Someone from Uni decided that 24 was the right age for a big birthday bash. They hired out an entire club and set up a series of activities for people to enjoy. A mechanical ball on the main floor, a ball pit to the side, a BBQ in the smoking area, and a bouncy castle in the downstairs 90’s themed area. It really was an amazing event. You however spent most of your time watching the quiet Korean boy in the corner, every time his eyes met yours you felt compelled to move to him, talk to him, dance with him, anything that would get his attention on you. At the time you put it down to the alcohol. It took you exactly 3 and a half drinks to pick up the courage and interrupt his current conversation.

He was very sweet, really sweet considering he clearly didn’t want to be talking to you. It was evident in the way his eyes shifted and the nervous playing with his sleeves, still you persevered. Something about him wouldn’t let you give up, not yet at least. Your saving grace came when your favourite band came blaring over the speakers. “PRETTYMUCH” aren’t an underrated band per say but it’s difficult to find someone who knows them in your circle, so when Jungkook’s face lit up at the same time as yours you knew you had your in. So with the Phases remix blaring through the club you took your opportunity.

“I love this song!” You took his hand and pulled him on to the dance floor before you really realised that’s what you are doing. To start with he was frozen, a little shocked by your boldness, but as you gave it your all he joined in, loosening up for the first time that entire night. After that it was a lot easier to talk to him, you actually went into the smoking area to talk more about shared music interests.

After you went to get a drink you got caught up with some others and he came to find you. It felt like an electric shock when he’d grabbed your hand to get your attention, but there were a lot of balloons around so that would explain the residual electricity. By the time the party was over, and the club was closing, you didn’t want to leave him, not just now but ever. You found yourselves wandering around aimlessly, talking about nothing until the sun came up. Looking back it was then you decided Jungkook was it for you. You had never really believed in the soulmate tradition until you met him.

Weeks go by of you texting back and forth. You found out the reason he was so into music was because he was a musician himself, he even promised to perform for you sometime. A lot of promises were made in those messages.

‘There’s this amazing Restaurant in the city’ you claimed promising to take him with you next time.

‘I really want to see this movie’ he said promising to pay for tickets when it came out.

‘We should go see this band together’ The number one promise between the two of you, quickly racking up a lot of different acts to see together.

So when one of those bands turned up on the roster for the local you’d bought tickets immediately sending him the confirmation. Your stomach had fluttered thinking about seeing him in person again. And so you counted down the days as they passed. Picked and repicked your outfit. Talked yourself in and out of going. Eventually the day arrived. The doorbell signalling his arrival was deafening, ringing out through your small studio apartment. You took a few deep breaths before opening the door.

He was flawless, your tipsy memory hadn’t done him justice. A broad chest draped in a white long sleeve tee, ripped skinnies straining against his thighs, his hair swept into a James Dean quiff. You might’ve laughed at the way your outfits had accidently matched (a black crop with white skinnies) had you been capable of making a noise.

“Ready to go?” He asked nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. You’d nodded, blushing when you realised you had been staring.

It was a short bus ride into the town centre. Spent in relatively comfortable silence arms brushing against one another in the limited space on the crowded vehicle. The club was packed wall to wall when you got inside, no hope of getting to the front of the crowd, or so you’d thought. Jungkook grabbed your hand winked at you and began heading in the opposite direction of the stage. He led you up some back stairs and on to a balcony you hadn’t ever noticed before.

“I’ve played here before, almost no one knows this is here, but it will give us the perfect view.” He dropped your hand in favour of leaning over the railing. You couldn’t help but feel cold at the loss. The performance was great, you found yourselves screaming lyrics back and forth at one another. Some people had cottoned on to your little hiding spot and soon it became as packed as the rest of the club. Whether he was trying to protect you from the others or he was pushed there you will never know, but Jungkook ended up caging you to the railing, head resting on your shoulder.

After the show you’d decided it was time to ask him how he felt. The club was still busy, but the two of you had been in a quiet corner on your own nursing drinks and chatting aimlessly.

“Do you believe in soulmates?” You asked, broaching the topic carefully. You watched closely for his reaction, but he gave nothing away. Instead he just shrugged.

“I did once.” It was too blunt, you knew you should’ve stopped but you couldn’t, now you’d decided to tell him it was like verbal diarrhoea.

“I didn’t think I did, I mean I’ve never seen any ‘matching birthmarks’ and every couple I know is perfectly happy… but then I met you and I keep thinking about it, and you, and how I feel about you.” You watched as his face goes from pensive to a deer caught in the headlights.

“I… I have to leave now.” He got up and ran into the crowd before you even had a chance to reach for him. He dipped through a back entrance of the club and into the night before you could even push through the first layer of people.

The ride home had seemed a lot longer. Holding back tears had proved extremely difficult. Of all the reactions he could’ve given you that might’ve been the worst one. Somehow you found yourself thinking even him laughing in your face might’ve been better. You left the lights in your studio switched off that night. Made a beeline for your bed and passed out face down.

It would’ve felt like a bad dream when you woke up… if it hadn’t been for the crusty mascara tracking down your cheeks. You’d picked up your phone from where it lay abandoned next to you. Battery on 12%. You’d decided then it’d be best to run damage control, at least save the friendship.

Y/N: I’m sorry about last night…

You hadn’t expected his reply to be quick, so it’d surprised you when the typing bubbles appeared immediately; and furthered your sadness when they disappeared moments later without a message.

For days you spiralled. Going over the moment again and again in your head. Each replay turning the memory into something worse than the original.

Eventually you plucked yourself out of bed, deciding to face the problem head on and talk to the friend that invited you both to their birthday in the first place.

She met you at a café downtown during her lunch break. It was obvious by your red rimed eyes and sniffling nose that you had been crying but she was nice enough to ignore it for the most part. You caught up on her life for a little while until you physically couldn’t hold back anymore.

You told her exactly what had happened between you and JK, watching as her expression got both more understanding and pitying as you got closer to the end. Whatever you thought she was going to tell you was no where close to the story you got. You sat mouth wide open as she told you about the accident, and the way it affected Jungkook. It made you want to cry all over again. You didn’t know what to say once she had finished, stewing in your own thoughts for a while. The main thought that kept coming to the front of your mind was one that made you feel so evil. But you had to get it out

“What if she wasn’t really his soulmate. What if he was never meant for her” Its barely above a whisper but your friend heard it.

“He truly believes that she was” She replied squinting at you. Her break ended shortly after that leaving you alone with your thoughts.

…

It’s almost a month later when you see Jungkook again. Hadn’t heard a single thing from him since the concert but at least you knew why.

This time it was someone pool party. You honestly hadn’t been expecting to see him there. Didn’t even know you had mutual friends past that one girl. You didn’t think twice about your birthmark when you stripped down to your two piece. Why would you? Everyone has one. You were lay out on a sun-lounger with a drink when you spotted him. Tucked away in a corner once again, the only difference this time was his attention was already on you. He looked as good as ever, hair damp and slicked back, Long-sleeved neoprene shit covering his torso but trunks showing off his amazing thighs. You’d forced yourself to look away form him but could still feel the intensity of his gaze on you.

Eventually you couldn’t take it anymore, too hot under the sun and his stare you decided to change out of your swimsuit into a sundress for the evening. Heading inside you found your way into someone’s bedroom to get changed. Perhaps you should’ve checked to see if the door the locked though, because just as you had wiggled out of the bikini top Jungkook burst into the room.

“Ah shit… Sorry… I um.” His hand had flown in front of his eyes as he’d slammed the door shut behind him and you’d immediately reached for the flimsy dress pulling it over you torso so he could reopen his eyes.

“What in the actual fuck Jungkook?” you whisper screamed not wanting to draw attention to the two of you hidden away.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, I didn’t think… I just needed to see…”

“See what?! My boobs? I think you managed that one perv. You haven’t spoken to me in weeks and now all of a sudden you can’t wait long enough to knock.” You came across a lot meaner than you had meant, you just hadn’t been prepared for him to want to speak to you again.

“No I’m sorry I’ll go, this was a bad idea, I was probably seeing things anyway.” He mumbled looking sheepishly at the floor/

“No wait it’s okay, I really want to apologise don’t leave.” You took a deep breath and waited for his eyes to meet yours properly. When they did you could see the shock behind them.

“Why do you need to apologise? I’m the one that ran off, I never even told you why and I fucked up and I’m sorry I just…” You reached for him then, wanting nothing more than to comfort him and then realised it wasn’t your place, arm dropping heavily back to your side. “I felt so guilty with you, not because of you, because of me.” You nodded in understanding.

“I found about your soulmate after I confessed to you. I’m so sorry I didn’t know. I never would’ve brought it up if I had known you had already found yours.” You’d broken eye contact with him then unable to watch the sadness in his eyes and not be able to do anything about it.

“That’s why I felt so guilty though because the way I feel about you is so similar to the way I felt about her, how I still feel about her deep down. I was so confused because you’re only supposed to get one soulmate, and if I could feel the same way about you in such a short time… it just feels like I’m betraying her by loving you.” He stepped forward reaching for your chin and forced you to meet his gaze. “The today when I saw your birthmark on your thigh I could’ve cried.” He uses his free hand to unzip the shirt he’d been wearing. He pulled his left arm from the sleeve exposing his birthmark to you. A puzzle piece to fit perfectly into your own.

You’d gasped at the revelation you were right. He was meant to be yours. And yet it didn’t feel right. The anguish on his face was clear, the internal fight he had obviously been having with himself ever since the concert.

“Letting yourself love me now doesn’t mean you loved her any less” you whispered, allowing yourself to move even closer to him, wrapping him in your arms. He’d nuzzled into your neck allowing tears to stream down his cheeks and onto your shoulder. You’d felt every bit of stress leave his body as he cried. Emotions he hadn’t even know he had been holding onto, finally letting himself really breath since he had lost her all those years ago.

You’d lost track of the time, just stood with him, holding him until the final few sniffles came. His cheeks had been puffy by and red when he pulled away, wiping his face on the sleeve still on his right arm.

“Do you want to leave? We can go back to mine” You’d asked carefully, not willing to let him go home alone after feeling like that. He’d nodded weakly, sliding his arm back into the shirt before taking your hand in his. You’d headed for the door only to be brought back by the hand he had on yours. He’d pulled you so close you could see the flecks of gold in his irises, watched your reaction before leaning in and kissing you. It was salty with left over tears, but you wouldn’t change you first kiss for the world. Everything felt like it clicked into place in that moment, the world tilted on its axis. The exchange was short lived, a chaste peck followed by a few smaller pecks before he let you lead him all the way home.

Masterlist

[manikas-whims]

Time for Show Kaz Appreciation

This is not in any particular order, I'm just gonna ramble all my thoughts.

Now we all know the show is kinda fast paced so everything doesn't settle in your head within a single watch. But after re-watching a few clips, I grew more fond of show Kaz.

1: Starting with Episode 5

Kaz decides Arken will grab Alina whilst the rest of them set up the lynx flush (was lynx intentional? remember Inej's title at the menagerie?)

Anyways, Inej immediately makes a remark because even though they all believe in Kaz's planning, she is shocked he's ready to let the new guy take the most important part. This shows that like usually in the books Inej (and Jesper) don't know the complete details or the actual plan laid out by Kaz.

Look at Arken's joyous look on knowing he's being handed the most important task. He had wanted to be alone with Alina all along so he could get rid of the sun summoner. He probably even lied about the lodestone and its prolonged use making one..impotent?

And its only later after the Winter Fete event, when she sees Alina hanging out with her grisha pals that Inej realises Kaz had lied about the lynx flush. That they weren't acting as distraction but were actually flushing out the traitor. Arken dumbly took the bait cause Kaz let him believe that he as the leader of crows was putting his trust in Arken when handing him the main job. And it all went exactly as Kaz planned 😌

Look at all the fucks Kaz gives about Arken getting caught 😂 whilst Inej is there somewhat worried for this stranger. Soft Kaz who? He only cares about himself and "his crows". 😗

And he's smart as usual. If there's one person whom you can count on to know about profit makers, its Kaz. Where Inej is concerned about the "what ifs" if he's wrong, Kaz is completely sure because he thinks things over. Everything.

2: Kaz being fine with Arken's inclusion

Since from the SS above we can see Kaz knows that Arken is one of the two people profiting from this whole "Grisha smuggling trade", the other person has to be someone powerful enough to allow such trade to run smoothly. Arken has been doing this for quite a while without any governmental issues whicj means someone powerful enough is backing him up. And Kaz knows which is very useful to Kaz and his crows because:

~ their travel won't be gain much attention of higher ups cause people know its that guy Arken's train

~ if they do get caught by Ravkan government, they can put it all on Arken since the guy actively smuggles out Grisha. And the crows can just say they were working for Arken, not the other way around. (i know the Darkling may not let them go so easily but i know Kaz will have a plan to get out his crew if it ever came to that)

3: Suspicious of Arken

Kaz is always somewhat suspicious of Arken if you re-watch. Why would a smuggler just decide to join a bunch of criminals if he's already profiting off a lot from the fold. There must be something in it for him. And Kaz knows, which is why when its time to fetch things for Arken, Kaz doesn't let Jesper or Inej have any thoughts. He immediately takes up the quick task of bringing the goat and assigns Jesper with alabaster coal. He specifies no detours but he knows Jesper will take his time, which in turn will give Kaz more time to go around and spy on what is Arken actually upto. And he does, he discovers Arken conversing with Zlatan who must've also handed Arken the lodestone and the mission to kill Alina.

Thus, Kaz's suspicions about Arken are confirmed and now he's fully ready to expend Arken whenever the need be. And he finds that opportunity when he discovers there's a decoy to be dressed up as Alina. He immediately uses that to appoint Arken, what everyone believes, is the most important part of their mission but instead tricks him.

4: Other things to take note of

• Inej's lose trust in Kaz

Even when Alina escapes from the Crows, Inej doesn't believe for a second that Kaz has dropped the job. When they have a small argument in that tavern, she even asks if he's threatening to send her back to the Menagerie. We know he'll never but Inej doesn't. And same goes for the show onlys. They don't really know Kaz and trust him just as much as Inej.

Even when Kaz decides for them to board the ship as delegates, both Inej and Jesper are unsure. They ask him if truly just wants to get back to Ketterdam. That its merely coincidence that the sun summoner happens to be traveling via the same ship.

This small sliver of doubts about Kaz is something that the others always have about him even in the books. Nobody knows whats going on in Dirtyhand's mind.

• His outfit changes

We have no idea how he acquired the artist outfit or the guard outfit where Inej is about to stab him xD.

We also have no idea how he snuck amongst the Darkling's personal guard. How he acquired the outfit and what went down between him and whomever he snatched it from, we have no idea. A complete magician if you ask me.

• His Quick Wit

Now we were all having fun watching that "JES" moment. But thats where Kaz also informs them he had been focusing on Arken's timings and that he's learnt them. A quick thinker and a fast learner!

• His moments with Inej

Like I've said in my other post, his moments with Inej are canon compliant. Whenever they are alone, he's always more open..more like a boy talking to his crush ☺

All their book moments are like that— meaningful conversations or heated arguments or a mix of both.

• His friendship with Jesper

Its also canon compliant. If you remember "pay someone to pay someone else to burn my kruge" and "i'll hire Matthias's ghost to beat up yours" all happened in canon. Jesper is his bestie, he's always gonna be like that with Jesper.

5: His scenes in Ketterdam

All his scenes in Ketterdam were amazing. (okay him being bested by two of Pekka's men was kinda unbelievable but needed).

Him warning Jesper about loud noises at the table, him stoically standing when Alexei is shot, him casually looking around and discovering that a woman's way of counting money is different. He's really a keen observer and smart.

Also, him stealing the crow club shares, him quickly catching the note sent by Heleen and him telling Jesper he would've done exactly what Heleen did to manipulate Inej. Thats the cold and calculated Dirtyhands for you!

So there it is! Some of what I noticed whilst re-watching. The finer details about him are sprinkled throughout the show but we find it hard to see them because we are used to see such things fully unveil in books when reading his pov. Unless the show gave us a Kaz pov, we wouldn't have immediately taken note of everything I said above..:)

[writingsfromhome]

Water under the Bridge (Josslyn II)

A/N: Okay! Here it is!!!! This was fun and made my heart hurt a little but maybe I’m just being emotional. And can you guys believe it’s been over a year since I posted Josslyn?? Where has the time gone?? I don’t think we’re on the sacred timeline anymore........Anyway thank you anon who suggested this storyline, and hope y’all enjoy! <3

Josslyn (Original)

------

We’re going to have the best weekends evr, Regan texts me even though she’s just in the other room. Schedules were released for our summer semester and Regan and I had managed to get Fridays off. Summer was going to be so fun, and after two years doing college together we were experts at managing our workload to have fun on the weekends--even if that meant sacrificing a few nights’ sleep.

We’ll make summer our bitch, I text back. I hear a chuckle from her room.

Help me pick out a fit? she texts. I want to tell her Adam would love her in whatever, but I head to her room instead and watch her try on a dozen outfits before settling on the second. I tease her about Adam--they were going steady since first year, but she still got so nervous about him sometimes. Adam’s college was a train ride away so he would come down at least one weekend a month.

As for my own love life, there’d been no one steady. I did the whole hooking up and dating scene in first year but I was romantically burnt out by second. Nowadays, I could go home with someone if I chose to, but I also didn’t mind if I didn’t. My active endeavor to find a boyfriend had stopped when I realized I was trying to fill a gap. Instead, I was learning to be happy on my own.

“Are you sure I can’t convince you?” Regan asks. She was taking the train to Adam’s college and staying with him, there was this big start-of-summer party and she’d been trying to convince me for weeks.

“I don’t feel like being a third wheel,” I tell her honestly.

“You don’t have to!” She goes over her one argument again. “Gaelle’s roommate isn’t even back until next week so she has a spare room! She said you should come. Plus,” she ties her hair up, “it’s the weekend before the semester starts so have some fun.”

I make a noise, and she turns to look at me, totally judging me. It makes me laugh. “That’s why my version of fun is to.binge Netflix and-”

“Y/N!” She groans.

“Fine! I’ll go.”

Two words that would change everything.

***

By the time we get to the campus, Regan and I had come up with a dozen things we could potentially do this summer. I’m high on excitement as we meet up with Gaelle, and the three of us head to Adam’s place.

The sun is almost set by the time we leave, most of the sky is dark but a streak of orange stays stubbornly on the horizon. I pause to take pictures before we’re rushing off.

We approach the frat house--if you could call it that. It was half glass with a very modern structure. The greek symbol on the side of the house was the only indicator it wasn’t a millionaire’s summer-house.

“Since when did frat houses get so modern?” I ask. “This is...nice.”

“Wait ‘til you see inside,” Adam says. And he was right, even the drinks were fancier with their own guy behind the bar...although he was taking the occasional shot and getting progressively drunk.

We settle in an area close to the music and get swept up into the party atmosphere. Some people were beyond drunk already and I enjoyed the slight buzz of the drink in my hand. The views from inside with floor-to-ceiling windows were amazing.

Pretty soon, Adam and Regan break off. We move towards the centre of the party where the typical party shenanigans were happening. We tip back our drinks and pretty soon I’m straddling the line between tipsy and drunk. I find a cute boy with blonde hair and deep brown eyes and makeout with him until he gets too handsy.

“Ugh!” I give him one last shove and look for Gaelle but I’d lost her too. I search for a bathroom but they’re either occupied or have a lineup. This was a huge ass house, one of the bedrooms had to have one.

I open the first door to shouting.

“It’s called locking the door!” I shout drunkenly as I close it. The next room actually is locked, and the next one isn’t but I wish it was. “Eugh.”

I climb up to the topmost level, three doors--one was locked with the sound of people inside and the second is a bathroom. I was grateful people hadn’t made it up this far.

As I wash up, and touch up the mascara that was crusting under my eyes the door shakes as someone bangs on it from the other side.

“Dip! What the fuck are you doing in there? Everyone’s waiting for you!”

My heart pounds at the sudden noise and the deep voice demanding me to open up. The rush of adrenaline sobers me for a moment as I rush to open the door, “Sorry I didn’t realise anyone was...waiting.”

My words slow down and freeze altogether as I realise the fist banging on the door belonged to...him. Harry. He seems just as surprised as me, straightening up before a smile slowly inches across his face, it was almost sweet bordering on predatory. “Y/N!”

“Hi,” I say awkwardly. There was a lot of history and also not at all. I was also, I decide, too drunk for this. Act sober, this is not the night to run into this fucker.

“You-you’re the last person I was expecting to--excuse me it’s... good to see you! You look--you look as beautiful as ever!”

The events from high school that created this tense history between Harry and I was one of the worst things possible to happen to teenage Y/N. The thing is though, that I’d totally bounced back after I had decided he could fuck himself. Although it was awkward seeing him every day until graduation, it made me tougher. I credit it for making me so casual about relationships now...I stopped expecting so much of the boys I saw.

But leaving high school behind, my world expanded with college, I realised how childish it had all been: I’d had a fling with a player, and he’d played the field...It wasn’t that deep. But seeing him now, It made me aware in a way I wasn’t for a long time. Maybe what they said about distance had some merit. Or maybe I was just buzzed.

“Thanks...I wasn’t expecting you either.”

“You don’t uh, you don’t go here do you? I’ve never seen you around.”

“No,” I look out to the small hall but there’s no one there. The room that was previously locked is slightly ajar carrying male voices. “Adam goes here, I’m...with Regan.”

“Ah, Regan.” He smiles. “You’re still two peas in a pod?”

“Obviously,” The stiffness eases at the mention of my best friend. “So...can I get out of here?”

“Yeah sorry,” he moves aside so I can step into the hall. “Um, we’re playing video games in here room if you...you’re probably not interested.”

I clear my throat, Harry was playing video games when there was a party downstairs? I was curious, that maybe he changed.

“Oh,” he laughs and the dimples I adored make an appearance. “I’ve still got it! My frat just hosts too many parties for me to keep track.”

I guess I said that out loud, I bite my tongue but it really has a life of it’s own. “Did you jussay you still got it?” Oh my god, I was teasing him already. What about Harry made me absolute putty.

“Yeah,” he looks almost bashful. “Uhm, go easy I’m a little nervous here Y/N.”

I don’t know what to say to that, I bite my lip so nothing stupid comes out.

“So you’re just here for the night?” He carries on.

“Staying over with a friend,”

“A fr-” he cuts himself off, pressing his lips together. I realize I’m staring and look away.

“I should go-”

“Wait I-wait uh, how have you been? I haven’t seen you in years.”

“Yea,” I play with the rings on my fingers. “M’good, great. College’s a lot better than high school.”

“It’s not even comparable,” Harry says as he leans his shoulder against the wall. He looks perfectly placed there, and a tipsy voice flashes inappropriate thoughts into my head. “So...any...boyfriends?”

“Um,” that was direct. “No. No, I’m trying out being single...”

“Did something happen?” His expression is still casual but he holds himself rigid.

“No? A girl can’t be single?”

“Sure but someone like you...I’m just surprised.”

“Whatever that means,” I roll my eyes and head past him to go down but he blocks my way.

“Wait, I didn’t mean to offend you...” his voice dies out as I cross my arms. “I also didn’t mean to block you in.”

He steps aside and it feels painful to me but I take the small steps towards the staircase. One part of me--I blame the tipsy stupid part, wants to kiss him just to see if there was still something there, see if anything’s changed. The other was listing all the reasons this was an awful idea, to top it off he was a proven player, has broken my trust once before, and went to a school almost 2 hours from mine.

“Y/N,” Harry’s gruff voice says from behind me. My feet turn without permission and he’s right behind me. “M’sorry. Let me start over.”

I glance at his lips, damn. I can’t meet his eye suddenly. Oh god, I was still pretty tipsy. My mind short-circuits and all I can do is turn back to walk away, down the two sets of stairs, past sweaty bodies and loose limbs. In a great coincidence I bump into Gaelle in what looks like a game room.

“Harry goes here?” I ask--shout at her immediately. Her eyes widen, something passes over her face. “Was no one going to tell me he was going to be here?”

“I’m sorry!” She shouts. “I forgot you two had history!”

“I just wish I was prepared,” I say and she doesn’t hear, I just shake my head when she asks me to repeat. I needed another drink, and Regan. Maybe she could remind me why I stopped caring about him.

As I set off to find her, I’m reminded again how stupid this all was. High school was an ancient dream, we were all different people. I was a different person.

But even though what happened in high school was petty and juvenile, I remember how Harry made me feel. How it felt when we were together--even if it was a joke for him back then, I couldn’t forget the feeling of being seen. Of having arms to fall into, even if I knew they weren’t permanent.

“Regan!” I find her sitting on the dining table while Adam spoke with someone else. Her eyes alight and she waves me over. “I saw him! He...he goes here!”

“Who?” Confusion strings her brows together.

“Harry! From...you know Harry! He was upstairs! I--I didn’t know how to act.”

“Shit Harry! I forgot he went here!”

“You knew?” I throw my hands up.

“I didn’t think it was a big deal! He’s a dick but that was high school?”

“No I-” I sigh. “You’re supposed to tell me he’s still a dick! I saw him and it just got...complicated.”

Regan slides off the table and pulls me into a side hug, we can also hear each other better. “You’re a big kid now, do whatever you want Y/N. Tell him off, kiss his face, take revenge, who the fuck cares? We’re taking the train two hours home after this anyway!”

She had a point. But still...he couldn’t have changed much from the boy who hurt me.

“Adam hangs out with him sometimes,” Regan continues. “Apparently he’s not as bad as high school. He’s...mellowed out.”

“Unreal,” I roll my eyes. Adam was just covering for his friend. We hear a cheer go up behind us and Regan bulges her eyes as two guys help Adam up on his hands to do a keg stand.

Regan swears and heads back to him. I walk away, somehow feeling more and less confused after talking to Regan--do I go back up and see what this leftover emotion was, or ignore it as a drunken need for comfort?

But it’s like the decision is made for me when a hand wraps around my arm as I move from the dining area to the kitchen. I already know it’s him before I turn.

“Can we talk?” he asks. I nod and his grip loosens, slipping down into my palm. “Upstairs?” He motions to the staircase and we climb up the two flights. This time he leads me into one of the locked doors and although I’ve never been here, I’d been in some version of this room before. It’s familiar.

I ignore the ache when he lets go of my hand once we’re inside. I set my drink down on his desk and perch on the window ledge, it’s not big enough to sit on but has enough space for a few of his books and a speaker. His room’s pretty near, but then again Harry was never messy.

“So what do you want-” I start just as he says “Let me get this off my chest.”

“Go ahead,” I cross my arms before uncrossing them, and then crossing them again. With the way he ruffles his hair and crosses to the door and back, he seems just as nervous.

“You can leave at any time. I just want to say I was an asshole, I still kind of am sometimes. And I’m sorry for what I did to you. I know it’s like what--2 years late but all that with...Josslyn and all that...I’m sorry.”

Hearing her name makes me want to grind my teeth but I let the feeling pass. I reach for my drink instead to give me something to do. “It’s all water under the bridge.”

“Really?” Harry regards me suspiciously. “Because the way you were talking to me out there...”

“You’re just you,” I shrug. “Harry Styles, player and sweet-talker. I was just guarding myself against that.”

“Because of what happened between us?”

“No...maybe. I don’t know. But honestly, I’m not upset with you. It feels like an eternity ago. I guess it’s just self-preservation.”

“I guess,” he echoes. “So where does that leave us? If you’re all self-preserved?”

I eye him but he cracks a smile, he was teasing me. “It doesn’t have to leave us anywhere,” I snort. “We’re water under the bridge Harry...”

“My parents split,” he says suddenly and I’m reeling with the direction he’s taken. I open my mouth, and close it when nothing comes out. “Sorry, I know that’s random it’s just I never really talked to anyone about how they were rarely home and when they were they were always arguing a-and we spoke about it a lot. About our families so I just...”

“I’m sorry to hear that, do they still live in town?” I ask, wanting to put my hand on his or show him I cared but they stay glued to my drink.

“My mom moved into the city, it’s closer to her job and since I’m not living at home anymore it doesn’t really matter...”

“You still go home?” I ask.

“I don’t even know where home is?” He looks at me then, and the look in his eyes chips at the wall I’d been trying to build all night. Things had changed, for him.

“Are you--do you have someone to talk to?”

His laugh is dry, “They split last summer, convinced me to talk to some therapist. I don’t know if it really helped I think I’m actually better off. They’re better off and I just feel...free.”

I don’t know what to say to that so I stay quiet. He looks back up at me then, cracks his knuckles, before perching on his bed. “I’m just--sorry I’m not telling you that so you can feel sorry for me-”

“I don’t I just-”

“No it’s okay I just want to tell you that because you knew about that stuff. But I’m trying to tell you I’m not the same guy. Not completely, I’m just trying to tell you things changed and so have I.”

It echoes the same sentiment I had earlier in his conversation, and I remember Regan said he’s mellowed out. Maybe it was true. It still didn’t mean I was going to get together with him anytime soon but my heart hurts for him. I walk up to where he sits, he watches me with a steady gaze.

In the quiet, I hear the party going on outside the window, three floors below us. If I listen really carefully, I can hear sounds coming from the video game being played next door. In the stillness, I reach for Harry’s hand and he obliges, grasping mine.

“I wish I could...help you with the hurt. Not knowing where to call home is pretty shitty.”

“Don’t worry about me Y/N,” he pastes on his classic smile and I return one for his sake. It was getting heavy in here. “I’m just happy I got to talk to you. And I just found out you don’t hate me so...” he holds our intertwined hands and shakes it. “woo hoo!” I laugh as we let go.

“I guess I should go back to the party.”

“Yeah, okay. I won’t keep you.”

“Okay,” I’m a little stung he doesn’t suggest I stay a little longer. Maybe it was all in my head, maybe his intentions really were to make amends and that’s it. I pick my drink up from his windowsill and move to the door. I glance back before I go, he’s laying on his bed deep in thought, gazing up at the ceiling. I close the door behind me.

***

I wake the next morning, surprisingly well. I can’t say the same for Gaelle who’d passed me her keys at some point and told me she’d be home late. I spent the rest of the party trailing Regan until I decided I should just go crash. Harry hadn’t come out to find me, and I tried to hide the sour feeling, excusing myself early.

“Fuck me,” Gaelle croaks from her bed when I step into her open doorway.

“How about coffee, and pancakes?” I ask, returning the favor of being able to sleep here.

“I’ll take it,” she flops back into bed. I busy myself with measuring coffee and water, my thoughts occupied with everything Harry and I had been through since we last saw each other. I demonized him for so long, humanizing him is harder to swallow.

What he’d done to me was shitty, there was no denying. But had he really changed? And most importantly, why did I care so much? It’s not like he was the one.

My phone rings: Regan. She’s talking so fast I hardly hear her, only really understand that it was a party ritual to gather in the student centre the morning after a big party. Endless coffee and free food seemed to be the general consensus for a party cure.

“I don’t know if I can make it there,” Gaelle says when I tell her. “I was hoping for pancakes at home.”

“I already put the coffee on but I’m hauling your ass there if you’re not up in 5. Our train leaves after noon anyway and it’s closer to the college.”

Slowly but surely Gaelle emerges and we make our way, spotting Regan easily as the bright spot in a sea of college students in PJs and last night’s clothing. She’s the only one fully dressed, with a full face of makeup on.

“I didn’t drink that much,” she shrugs when we settle around her and Adam’s friends. “Unlike some people.” She looks pointedly at Adam who’s slumped where he sits. I remember the kegger and laugh.

Life soon flows back into the group around us as does the coffee and breakfast foods. I’m relaxed in the environment until I look down the tables to where Harry stands, looking back at me. He raises a hand and I do the same until an extremely tall angel--she was literally wearing a halo, probably from last night-walks up to him and wraps her hands around his waist. She says something to him and he tears his gaze away.

I look down at my cup immediately, my cheeks burning with humiliation. I’d been thinking about him all this time, thinking about how it might feel if I kissed him and of course he had a girlfriend. She never came up, but he never said he didn’t either. He didn’t make any moves on me yesterday, if I looked at it he only made an attempt to talk. Sure he was flirty but that was just Harry and I...I was a fool. I was such a fool. Things may have changed for him but he hadn’t. He was still the same Harry who chose Josslyn over me. He would always have a girlfriend, I was just the girl from his past who he could trust. I couldn’t say the same about him.

“What’s wrong,” my best friend nudges me. “Are you feeling okay?”

“I don’t know,” I look into her concerned eyes. “I’m just going to--I’ll be right back.”

I head out and find the closest washroom. The tears are instant and I let myself cry--out of frustration, humiliation, or some twisted sense of betrayal...it was all the same for me. I check the time, I just had to hold myself together and avoid Harry for another 2 hours before we were back on the train home. I would tell Regan everything then.

*** Three weeks later ***

“If Adam’s over later...” Regan trails off. She’s sprawled on my bed while I sit in my desk chair trying to read one more chapter before I close the books for the week.

“I have my earplugs ready and a second place to stay,” I roll my eyes. “I already told Kiara I might crash on her couch.”

“I owe you,” she jumps back up.

“You owe me like, 7 and a half.”

“7 and a half?”

I’m about to answer but a knock on our door has her racing out. I try to ignore the voices, I just had two more pages I had to get through--the joy of summer classes.

“Y/N?: Regan’s voice is a whisper. “We’re going now but...you have a guest. If you want me to kick his ass I totally can though.”

Standing behind her is Harry. I focus on him, yes it really was him. Why was he here?

“Harry?” I sound confused because I am. He’s wearing a plain white t-shirt and jeans, and he’d traveled 2 hours just to get here.

“He wouldn’t leave me alone,” Adam says louder as they leave the room. “I’m sorry Y/N...”

“What is this?” I ask. My feelings are at war with each other, I was still feeling slighted by the last time we saw each other but seeing his face was also an exciting surprise.

“I wanted to see you,” Harry says nervously. He still stays at my bedroom door.

“You can come in...” I stand up and realize I was wearing an oversize t-shirt and the scruffiest PJ shorts I owned. “Phones have cameras now, you didn’t have to come all this way.”

He shrugs, taking one step in. “I liked seeing you in person last time. But I feel like we left it wrong.”

He knows I saw him, what conclusions I must have come to. It wouldn’t be that hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We talked it out.”

He comes to life, “Don’t play dumb Y/N I know you saw me with...I know what you thought and-”

“Did you really come all this way to explain that you had a girlfriend? Like, three weeks later?”

“No that’s the thing-”

“Because that’s kind of dumb. And unnecessary-”

“No listen!” He says a bit louder so I do. “The thing is she wasn’t my girlfriend...we’d hung out a few times but she saw me at the caf and got clingy. We’re not an item honestly, I can’t remember the last time I had a girlfriend-.”

“So why are you here?” My voice is higher than usual. I was confused, and upset, and I wanted him to leave. This was starting to sound like Josslyn part 2.

“You know why I’m here. Y/N I’ve been nothing but a dick to you and I know I don’t deserve you but I really like you. I want to clear the air, and ask you if you can see something here I...”

He trails off when he notices the tears trailing down my cheek. It’s just too much for me, as I finally face the emotions from that weekend. I’d shoved them aside after Regan had gotten onto the train worried her and Adam were headed towards a breakup. I’d put aside what happened and never thought about it. But my heart broke a little that morning. 

I knew what I knew: maybe Harry and I weren’t good for each other but we were good with each other. In an attempt not to get hurt I’ve been distancing myself from romantic connections--I found more of myself in doing this, but a part of me was missing without exploring it.

Harry moved closer until we’re nearly touching. I wipe my tears with my shoulder and we stand still on the hardwood floors of my room. An eternity passes before he reaches out to wipe the tear caught in my lashes. I close my eyes to his touch, scared of how much I wanted it.

“Y/N,” my name is a breath on his lips and it makes my heart stutter. My eyes open in slow motion, seeing him so vulnerable right in front of me, and suddenly things speed up and we’re reaching for each other; two waves crashing until they become one.

***

I don’t know how much time had passed in minutes, Adam and Regan are still out but Harry and I had fallen together and crashed apart so many times that I’m dizzy with it.

“You’re wonderful,” he says as we face each other, our noses just nearly touching. He trails a finger down my cheek. “Just...incredible.”

I feel the flush spread through me, “Great vocab Styles. We’re really using the big words.”

“Words are sort of hard right now,” he grins. “My brain’s all mush.”

I laugh, “Not much different to its usual state!”

“I knew you were going to say that!” he tries to reach for me but I skip off the bed with a laugh. “Come back.”

“I have to pee,” I slip on pants and can’t stop grinning the whole time I’m away. When I come back in, the blissful smile on his face tells me everything I need to know. I climb over him but he stops me in place, a knee on either side of his hips.

“I’m happiest when I’m with you Y/N,” he says, his voice roughened with emotion. “I think I always was. Younger Harry liked to self-sabotage.”

I bend down and my hair slips around us. The way he looks at me makes my insides mush. And even though I have proof of why I shouldn’t trust him, he’s here. In my bed. Miles away from where he would be if he hadn’t traveled all this way to see me. And that means something.

“I’m glad you’ve done some growing,” I say to him quietly.

“I had to,” he says softly. “I couldn’t have you like I do now if I hadn’t.”

“I guess we’ve both grown,” I brush a curl from his forehead.

“I know, old Y/N would have punched me if I showed up unexpectedly.”

“Rightly so,” I grin. He smiles back, brushing my hair behind my ear, back over my shoulder. He props himself on his elbow to kiss the shoulder he’d bared. It’s simple, and sweet, but it’s enough to unravel me all over again. And he knows it.

“When does Regan get home?”

“We might have another half hour,” I grin.

“Let’s not waste it,” he mumbles into my skin.

I agree.

[ryqoshay]

Promptober-2021: How to Handle a Nico: Does Your Nico Bite?

Primary Paring: NicoMaki Words: 499 Rating: T for some suggestiveness and off-screen shenanigans Prompt: Vampire Parent Fic: How to Handle a Nico Time Frame: Sometime while Maki is still in med school and Nico has resumed some idol activities in addition to being a producer

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Author’s Note: Second entry for Oct 10th’s prompt

Summary: Nico has a question for Maki

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“Ne, Maki-chan.”

“Mm?”

“If I was a vampire, would you let me suck your blood?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Hee, thanks Maki-chan.”

“Wait, what?” The question finally reached the medical student’s consciousness and she looked up from her textbook to see her grinning girlfriend’s face more than a bit closer than expected. “Buweeh?” She recoiled.

Nico laughed.

“What kind of question was that?”

“Oh, you know, just wondering ‘cause it’s October and such.” Nico shrugged. “Halloween is coming quick. And several of my favorite fanfic authors have an event going on and are pumping out tons of seasonal one-shots. Today’s theme is vampires, apparently.”

“I’ve never really understood vampire romances.” Maki stated. “I don’t get why anyone would fall in love with one’s food.”

“Maki-chan loves tomatoes, though, even more than Nico.”

Maki deadpanned at the teasing reference. “That’s different though. For starters, tomatoes aren’t sentient.”

“Someone hasn’t seen Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.”

“No, and I’ve no desire to.”

“Anyway, I was just thinking about how Nico would make a cute vampire.”

“Who would never again be able to participate in a swimsuit photoshoot.”

“Hee… I wonder why Maki-chan’s mind went straight for Nico in a swimsuit…”

“That’s not… mohhh…” Maki furrowed her brow. “Any daytime activity, really, aren’t a lot of meet-and-greet events held outside? To say nothing of all the outdoor concert venues in the summer.”

Nico shrugged. “I’d just have to slate my meet-and-greets at indoor conventions or whatever. As for Live events, maybe I could claim allergies or something.”

“Yeah, an allergy to the sun. A deadly one at that. Plus, you’d have to be careful about what jewelry you wore.”

“I thought it was just werewolves that were weak to silver?”

“I feel like there have been iterations of vampires that were weak to silver too.”

“Hrm… Well, I don’t think I’d miss garlic much.”

“But I know Nico-chan would miss staring at her reflection in the mirror for hours on end.”

“Wha? Hours? I don’t…”

Maki stuck out her tongue, happy to have been able to get in a jab of her own.

“So, would Nico-chan let me drink her blood if I was a vampire?”

“Of course not.”

“Haaa?”

“Nico is an idol and she needs to keep her skin pristine!” Nico puffed out her chest with pride. “She can’t let Vampire Makkii go leaving bite marks all over the place!”

Maki raised an eyebrow. “I leave bite marks on Nico-chan all the time as a normal human.”

“Gehhh…” Nico’s expression twisted with realization.

“Though I am careful to monitor Nico-chan’s photoshoot schedule, and avoid areas commonly exposed by her stage outfits.”

“That is true,” Nico conceded “Maki-chan is considerate that way.” She sighed. “Alright, fine, maybe I’d let Vampire Makkii bite me.”

“Ne, Nico-chan...” Maki leaned in toward her girlfriend “you don’t have a photoshoot this week, do you?”

“No, I d… ah!” Teeth grazed Nico’s neck, sending shivers down her spine. “I thought Maki-chan was stu… ah!... Fine… but just once…”

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Author’s Note Continued: I couldn’t help a little meta nod to the event itself, since I’ve already established that Nico reads fanfic in another chapter of HtHaN.

Also, Maki’s view on vampires, particularly vampire romance stories, as she knows Nico loves her romance fics, is heavily influenced by an old El Goonish Shive comic. Also, I can see Maki and Susan getting along for several reasons.

[ask-garnet-n-ruby]

Symbiotic Lust on Halloween Night

Garnet/Harem (Milf AU)

Word Count: 7,900 Summary: After the end of a Halloween Party, Garnet and his mothers started heading home. But on the way, they stop by an odd little curio shop, where Garnet gets a birthday present to celebrate his first Halloween with his new family. But when they get home, his little present ups becoming so much more for this sinful little family.

“Later guys, thanks for the amazing party!”

Smiling at the various shouts and calls of goodbyes, Garnet waved to his friends Oscar and the others as he walked up to his three mothers. The trio of women offering a warm smile as they all started back for Schnee Manor, looking to have a nice wonderful evening with one another after spending an evening at what had been, an amazing and exciting Halloween Party. An evening which held a lot of special importance to them, Garnet in particular, as this was the first Halloween he’s experienced ever since he’d gotten adopted by his Yang, Blake, & Weiss and started his new life, befriending a lot of people both in his mother’s age group and within Beacon Academy.

“I gotta say,” Blake started, stretching her arms above her head as they walked, “That party was a lot of fun. I found myself enjoying it a lot more than I had expected to.”

“Hmph,” Weiss folded her arms with a curt turn of her nose, “I suppose it was alright for the most part. I honestly was expecting the worse when we arrived.”

“I’m just happy that I was able to get to go at all.” Garnet beamed, bringing his hands together, “I thought for sure you would put your foot down when you learned about this little event, Mom” Garnet said to Weiss scratching his cheek, “Especially when you learned just who exactly was hosting it.”

No sooner had he said that; a pair of golden & lilac-colored set of eyes glanced over to a certain heiress who looked away from her friends. Not willing to dignify them with a comment or even a sparing glance. Weak awkward laughter left the teenage crimsonette as he recalled back to when he had told his mothers about the party a few weeks back, and how the festivities would be held up by Sun and Neptune. Along with the fact that a few of his schoolmates would be attending the not-so-little shindig. Yang, to no real surprise of anyone, had been all for the idea right out the gate; completely thrilled and pleased at the prospect of Garnet actively going out and having fun on his own. Not to mention she had been looking to cut loose and have a little fun lately. Whereas Blake, though she was a little more hesitant on the matter, still gave her blessing in allowing Garnet to attend the party, feeling he deserved to have some fun. Plus, like Yang, she felt it couldn’t hurt to attend as well and have a little fun as well.

Weiss, however, was a different matter altogether.

In retrospect, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to him that Weiss would’ve been the only one resistant at the idea of him attending any gathering with those two in charge. Both in letting him go and even attending the event herself. When it came to anything revolving around Uncle Sun and Neptune, especially Neptune, Weiss had garnered a bit of a presumptive nature with the two of them. Believing that anything regarding those two would result in nothing but trouble for everyone else. . . Granted, she was right most of the time, but it was still a little unfair to assume that EVERYTHING would go bad whenever they tried to do something. And that was the very thing Garnet tried to argue when pleading to let Weiss attend the party.

Fortunately, both of his Moms, Yang and Blake, ended up being on his side on the matter and helped manage to persuade and talk Weiss into going. Along with a few other things, he didn’t know what Yang had whispered to her. But all he knew was that it had Weiss bright red and huffing as she conceded her consent to him. Though it was pretty obvious she wasn’t happy about it.

Yang formed a small grin at the stuffy Schnee walking alongside her, “See?” She leaned in playfully towards her friend as she wrapped her arms around her son, “And you got all worked up over nothing. I told you everything would be fine and we would have a lot of fun.”

“Just because the house was still standing, doesn’t mean I was relieved or reassured in the slightest,” Weiss snorted, rolling her eyes.

Blake gave a side-eye to Weiss once more, “You’re never gonna forgive them for that little fire incident that happened in your house, are you?”

“I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW A LIT BLOWTORCH AND A PAIR OF ROLLERS RESULTED IN 50,000 LIEN WORTH IN PROPERTY DAMAGE!” Screamed the irate Heiress.

‘Best not tell her about the huge canister of fire dust Sun also found that day as well.’ Blake, Yang, & Garnet mentally thought in unison.

“Well regardless, you have to admit, you did have fun while we there. Not to mention you were a bit eager in attending this thing from the beginning,” Yang smirked as Weiss threw her a look of shock, “You can’t tell me you weren’t, otherwise, you wouldn’t have bothered dressing down in a costume, just like we did.”

Blake chuckled, “She’s got a point.”

Weiss sputtered before letting out an abrupt harrumphed and looking away, tightened up her folded arms. As a bit of a requirement to do before heading to the party, the family of four had to dress down in some costumes for tonight’s Halloween Bash. Something Garnet had been more than excited to do, while Yang and Blake shared the same level of enthusiasm. Weiss, much to their surprise, didn’t offer much resistance if dressing up. And as a result, she found herself attending the party as One Punch Man’s very own Tatsumaki. An outfit that surprised the rest of the gang, due to how tight and form-fitting it was against Weiss’ slim yet curvaceous figure.

“I-I only wore something like this for Garnet’s sake, that’s all. So don’t get any ideas, I wasn’t going to let my attitude ruin his first Halloween Experience with us.” She defended.

“Suuuure,” Yang rolled her eyes, Blake chuckled at that, “That’s the reason.”

“You got something to say?!” Weiss snapped.

The blonde harbored a shit-eating grin, “Why Heavens no Schnee, I would never; though I’m amazed you were able to talk with the amount of shit that came out of your mouth.”

“Why you-!”

“Hey hey!” Garnet chimed in, deciding it was now time to intervene. “Come on, let’s not fight; we just finished having a wonderful night. Let’s not do this, please?!”

Blake assisted in separating the two women from their little squabble, “He’s right, that’s enough,” She pushed the two apart, “While I normally don’t mind you two having your little tiffs, not tonight.”

The two women looked up at their surrogate son’s expression before sighing, mostly on Weiss’ part, and conceded as they broke away. Blake nodding with a satisfied expression while Garnet beamed and sighed in relief, high fiving the Milf Belladonna.

“Well in any case,” Yang rubbed Garnet’s head, “It’s still your special little night Garnet, and the night’s still young. Is there anywhere you wanna stop by before we head home?”

Garnet hummed in thought as he looked around the decorated Halloween streets of Atlas and all of the Halloween goers before he found his attention at an interesting looking curio shop in sight, “Ooh! Let’s try there!”

The girls blinked, watching their son running towards the shop with excitement. Looking at one another, the girls gave various shrugs before following along, figuring it best to give the shop a try before judging.

-X-

The interior of the quaint little store upon entering gave off a rather gloomy and somewhat supernatural setting. No one was sure whether it was due to the shop owner having prepped this store in advance for Halloween. Or if it was actually how the environment normally looked on a daily basis. And a part of the group’s mind couldn’t help but feel that it could likely be the former. Regardless, it didn’t seem to deter Garnet in the slightest as he found himself looking around the entire establishment with interest and excitement in his silver eyes. The same more or less, couldn’t really be said for the mothers, though they couldn’t deny the inner intrigued they had for the store.

“Well, this place looks… interesting,” Was all Weiss could find herself saying politely.

“Hm, dark setting, overall grim environment,” Yang smirked, “Seems like your kind of place, Belladonna” Laughed the blonde earning an elbow to her arm from the faunus in question.

“Heh-Hey~ Looks like I got new customers.”

The sudden new voice broke through the air, grabbing the four’s attention. Walking out into the open was a woman who looked to be around her early 20s. With pitch-black hair pulled into a ponytail and a large bang over her right eye, streaked with a Snow White highlight. And a pair of heterochromatic icy blue and neon green pair of eyes. Wearing a simple witch dress costume, the woman walked up and folded her arms, offering a soft smile at the group of four.

“Sup, how can I help ya? First-time shoppers?” At various nods, the smile only grew bigger on the supposed owner’s face, “Looking to buy something, or are you just browsing around?”

“Um… browsing around I suppose,” Weiss replied before everyone else. “I take it you’re the owner of this place?”

“You got it,” Smirked the dual eye colored girl, “Name’s Daniella, opened this little shop a while back with a couple of people close to me. To try our luck with the people of Atlas, and so far, I like to think business has been successful despite the small location.”

“I can guess,” Yang smiled as she walked about deeper into the store, “It’s never easy running a shop here in the kingdom from what I hear.”

“Eh, I’m not worried about the big wigs higher-ups,” Danniella waved off dismissively, “Can’t really target or take out a store that you show no interest in, in the first place now can you?”

Weiss and Blake looked at one another, “She does have a point there.” Blake acknowledged.

While the conversations between the store owner and his mothers were going on. Garnet was still busy venturing into the deeper parts of the starts. Looking through the many knick-knacks and trinkets the place had to over. Some of them having this… odd, otherworldly feeling to them that he couldn’t describe. This only made him wonder just how someone like Daniella had managed to get her hands on some of these things. And why would she be willing to sell them to patrons and not have them in somewhere like… a museum or something. Passing another row, there was suddenly a glint of light blush flashing in the corner of his eyes.

“Huh?” Backstepping a bit, Garnet followed the light to where he previously been. Coming face to face with a cool looking gemstone. Emitting a faint glow, it was sapphire-colored, circular in shape, and was decorated in a stylized silver metallic wrist band.

“Whoa…”

“Caught your eye, didn’t it?”

Nearly jumping out of his skin, Garnet was startled when he noticed Daniella standing behind him, grinning over his shoulder, “Whoa Jesus, where did you-”

“Can’t say I blame ya, that beauty’s was a rarity of its own kind.” The shopkeep continued, not at all perturbed by how she had frightened the younger man.

“Rare?” Yang repeated, approaching the two with Weiss and Blake, the former of the two have some interest on her face at what was said. “What do you mean by that?”

“Used to be part of a set called ‘Reality Gems’. Stones said to hold many mystical powers and abilities, that could easily change the fabric of existence to those that wielded all of it under their control,” The store owner explained, “This right here, is called the Gem of Fantasy, or as I like to call it, the Fantasia Gem.”

“I. . . think I had read about that somewhere before, years ago,” Blake spoke up, bringing a hand to her chin in thought, “It was supposedly the third gem in the lineup alongside its sibling gems, the gems of life and form. If I remember right, this stone had the power to turn someone’s fantasies, wishes, and desires into reality.”

Yang raised a brow, then had a cheeky grin, “Sooo what, you saying that this little gem here could give Weiss huge tits if it turned out to be real?”

“Oh fuck you, Xiao Long,” Weiss glared, quite pissed off.

“You know I love you, hun.”

“Supposedly,” Blake answered, “IF it turned out to be real. This is probably a fake or something.”

“Real or not, it looks so cool,” Garnet exclaimed, finding himself utterly entranced with the beautiful looking stone. As if the gem was calling out to him, “Can I get it?! Please?” He looked towards his parents with the best puppy dog look he could muster.

The girls quickly looked away, knowing that they would immediately cave to his pleas if they saw that look. Turning to each other, they had a silent discussion amongst themselves.

“Should we?” Weiss was the first to ask.

“I mean, it IS his birthday tonight,” Blake noted, “Plus he rarely asks for a lot from us as it is.”

Yang nodded, “Blakey’s right, if anything, he deserves to be spoiled every once in a while.”

Hearing the final opinion, the Schnee Heiress sighed and faced the store owner, “You take Lien, Credit, or Both?”

Garnet fist-pumped the air, cheering “Yes!” as he hugged Weiss. The

-x-

“Oooh!”

Garnet had starry eyes as he marveled at his new gift securely wrapped around his right wrist. Loving the way it was glowing in the dimly light store. Yang grinned as she wrapped her arms around her son’s neck looking at the gem embedded accessory.

“Enjoying your new gift?” She uttered, prompting to have Ganret look over his shoulders at her.

Garnet had a megawatt smile, “Mhm! I love it!”

“I’m surprised how affordable it was,” Blake looked at the bracelet before regarding Daniella, “I would’ve figured this would be a little bit more pricey.”

The Costumed employee smiled, “Normally it WOULD be, but since you guys are first time customers, I always give out a little discount as an incentive to come back and check out more items. And to this day, it hasn’t failed me yet.”

Blake looked fondly at the woman, “Well, it is an interesting shop, and I’d be lying if I said some of the things here didn’t pique my interest a bit.”

“Aye~ Hope to do business with you in the future then.” Daniella beamed.

“Thanks so much again, Daniella.” Garnet smiled with a bow.

The shopkeep waved it off, “It was nothing, and please, call me Danni, with an ‘I’.” She waved to the group as they all left her store. Having a small self smirk as the door closed behind them.

“You’ll have a lot more fun with that thing than I ever will~”

-X-  

The rest of the walk home was relatively uneventful, save for the family getting a little snack from their favorite cafe. Once back home, everyone stretched and stifled a sigh/yawn, happy to back home in the Schnee Manor.

“Man, what a night.” Yang breathed, letting her arms flop down to the side.

“Mhm!” Agreed a happy Garnet, “I think this was probably one of the best nights of my- MMPH!”

Anything else that Garnet wanted to say was swiftly cut short by Yang grabbing and cupping his face. Pulling in for a searing hot kiss on the lips. The young teen feeling his mother’s lip pushing it’s way into his mouth, making him weak-kneed in the process. As well as stunning Weiss and Blake no sooner as they walked into the house and saw Yang macking on their sole child.

“. . . Well she’s not wasting any time,” Blake commented with a blink.

“Really?!” Weiss locked the door with a resounding click, “You couldn’t wait until we settled in first?!”

Yang looked back at Weiss, breaking off her kiss with a breathless Garnet, “Oh don’t give me that, Schnee. You and I both know you were the same as I was, Blake too. We were barely able to keep our precious grubby hands off our son the entire night.” The look of amusement on her face merely grew when he faced back at her baby boy.

“And I know the same goes double for Garnet as well. Especially with the costumes that we wore tonight.”

The crimsonette boy could only flush at the accusation. But didn’t bother to find it within him to refute or deny any of what Yang said, it was true. Ever since they had shown off to him what they were wearing to Sun and Neptune’s party, it was hard to keep his eyes off of his mothers, even if he tried.

Along with Weiss, and her wearing the ever slim curves emphasizing black dress of Tatsumaki from One Punch Man. Which had done an amazing job showing off the Heiress’ slender legs, slightly plump thighs, and her cute bubbly ass. All in a way that showed that one didn’t need a massive rack to gain attention. But that didn’t mean his other moms had been slouches in their costumes as well. Blake and Yang both had both donned on appealing and head-turning costumes as well. In Blake’s case, she donned on the tight skin hugging Spider-Gwen outfit; a look that had no problem showing off her fairly impressive bust but more importantly, those strong wide childbearing hips and that famous round ass that has gained popularity amongst both the men and women. Garnet had lost count of how many times he had noticed a bunch of horny party goers staring at his mom’s ass whenever they got a chance, not that he could blame ‘em, he had snuck a few glances at her as well too.

And then there was Yang, who ended up arguably being the life of the party, if only because of her Albedo costume. From the anime series Overlord that Garnet has started watching recently and something that Yang fell in love with ever since she saw both the hilarious character within the succubus Albedo along with the stunning long white dress. It was the perfect outfit that complimented Yang’s voluptuous ass, hips, and curves respectively, but most notably, her bust as well. The massive cleavage window she provided; which was barely covered by the golden thinly spider web-like mesh above, grabbed a lot of attention this evening. The fact that she was able to walk about easily without any sort of restrictions made it a huge plus for Yang.

To put it short and sweet, Garnet had managed to get his own brand of candy this Halloween Night, in the form of eye candy.

“You’re staring~”

Garnet jumped, spooked at Yang’s face being directly in front of his. Silver meeting lilac as Blake and Weiss started surrounding him. All of them bearing the same look that always led to the same if not pleasurable outcome. A deep gulp left Garnet, the shorts to his costume already beginning to feel stiff and tight. A clear signal of how much of an effect his mothers’ costumes had on him.

“Aw, what’s the matter, is our little soldier feeling a little flustered at the moment?” Teased the succubus dressed blonde. Taking a hand and running it along with the fabric of Garnet’s costume of choice for the evening. Which had been the symbiote/Agent Venom costume, modified and tailored to fit him perfectly in his own way. And much how he had been treated to the alluring sight of Yang, Blake, and Weiss’ costumes. The girls in return was treated to the very precious and handsome sight of him in his black and white spider themed costume.

“You stared at us so hard throughout the night. I thought for sure you wanted to do something to us,” Weiss grinned as caressed Garnet’s face sensually.

“Maybe we should… give him a little nudge in the right direction?” Blake teased, having her own playful grin on her face.

The redness on Garnet’s face deepened even furthered, his poor somewhat innocent mind racing around the idea of what would be awaiting him in just a few mere moments with these carnal hungry-looking women. But just before any type of action could be taken amongst the sinful family of four. A bright flash occurred.

“?!”

The young mothers looked in shock as they stepped back. Garnet himself alarmed as he looked down at his newly purchased gift, seeing the sapphire gem shine brightly from its sole slot of his decorated brace. The small blue dome that surrounded his wrist grew bigger until it surrounded him, and began expanding the entire time room.

“W-What’s going on?!” He looked up worried at Yang and the others “Mo-”

The single word could not escape his lips fast enough as the bright flash overtook his and everything else’s sight. And then, at that very moment, everything went black for the young birthday boy.

-X-

When Garnet started to awake, he winced at the slight ringing occurring in his head. As if someone blasted his alarm at max volume but even worse. Or Weiss when she got angry with his mothers or him, albeit rarely, and screamed at the top of her lungs, those times were never fun.

Nonetheless, he opened his eyes slowly, wincing once more as his eyes was forced to take in the lights as best as he could. His body feeling surprisingly a bit heavy and sluggish as he tried to move an arm to rub his eyes.

“Thank the brothers, you’re awake.”

The familiar voice filled with relief managed to jumpstart everything within Garnet’s body as his eyes snapped open. Looking up to find Yang smiling happily down at him, “I was so worried when you blacked out, are you feeling alright, nothing is hurting or broken or anything, is it?”

Garnet wanted to laugh a bit, finding a sense of comfort in his adoptive mother showing overbearing concern for him, as she always did. He made to reassure her that everything was alright when he suddenly froze. His silver eyes truly opening up in shock at his mother’s appearance. The first thing that he took notice of was the fact that Yang’s lilac eyes were… glowing? Bearing a gentle, almost entrancing, radiance as they bore into him. The second thing he took in was the fact that his mother had…

“Are those horns?!” He cried out in shock, taking note of the twin pair of protrusions sticking out and curling around the front of the blonde head in a curved manner.

Yang didn’t seem bothered by the exclamation that her son made regarding her changed appearance. In fact, she had been expecting it, “Heh, was wondering when you would take notice of these little babies on my head,” She ran a hand alongside the curved horn, “But that wasn’t the only thing I gained.”

Garnet looked confused, “Gained?” It was until the sound of gentle flaps followed by a light breeze did he noticed the second pair of add ons.

Wings. Pitch black as a starless night sky, protruding out from the blonde’s lower back. The feathery limbs furling around his body in an almost protective manner. Staring in wonder, he looked up back to his mom, his mouth opening and closing, trying to ask all the questions burning desperately on his tongue. Though he wouldn’t get a chance to do so when he would be interrupted once again.

“Looks like he’s awake,” Garnet looked about, wondering where the voice was coming from, “Up here sweetie.”

Following the voice, both Garnet and Yang glanced up towards the ceiling, the latter smiling while the former was in shock at what he was looking at. High in the air was Weiss and Blake, both of whom had been looking down towards the pair. But what really surprised Garnet was what was occurring with them at that moment. In Weiss’ case, the slim figured heiress was actually floating up in the air, fluctuating around her body was some sort of light blue energy, much different from her normal aura. Whereas Blake, she was upside down, LITERALLY upside down, crouched on the ceiling, staring down (or up in her perspective) at her son and friend.

“Wait, Mom?” Garnet blinked so confused, “Are… are you two-?”

“Floating in the air/Sticking to the roof?” The two spoke in unison before looking at one another with amusement on their faces, “Yes, yes we are.”

Garnet slowly shook his head in disbelief, “I...I don’t understand,” Weiss and Blake made their way down towards the ground floor. Though Weiss still floating above the ground a bit, “How is this all possible?”

Blake tapped her chin in thought, “Well, if I had to wager guess…” she pointed to the jeweled bracelet latched on Garnet’s wrist.

Garnet looked at the item in question, “My bracelet?”

“It IS the only logical explanation behind our sudden transformation,” Blake smiled, “Or are you going to tell me this whole time, you believed that Yang had demonic wings her whole life?”

A light blush was the young teen’s only response, finding his lap very interesting at the moment. Only to turn rigid when he felt something occurring within his body. Looking down at his hands, he noticed his outfit starting to shift about as if it were some kind of watery substance. Or rather… oozy substance; the girls were started when they saw black tentacles and tendril shooting out of his clothing and wriggling around wildly. To say the boy was freaking out would be an understatement, that is; until he finally started to realize that he fell under the same transformation spell or whatever took place just now. Which meant he had a living symbiote at his-

“Uhhh, Garnet?”

“Huh?” The crimsonette looked behind him and paled to see Yang, having her chest molested by one of the tendrils in question. The Older woman simply raising a brow as her tits were wrapped around and squeezed lightly.

“OH GOD! WAIT!” Garnet tried his best to concentrate and luckily through some sheer force of will, called back the symbiote. Which wrapped around his arm in what seemed like an apologetic manner, “I-I’m sorry Mom, I-I don’t know what-”

“So naughty sweetie, feeling up your own mother so causally,” She sniffed dramatically, wiping a fake tear, “I always knew you would have it in you.”

“Huh? WHOA!”

The boy was soon tackled and pinned to the ground by the blonde succubus, who had a crazed look in her eyes and was panting heavily. Her fluttering uncontrollably, “Uh Mom?” He didn’t like that look in her eyes. The last time she gave him that look, he was in the hospital for two weeks with a cracked pelvis.

Weiss and Blake were pissed during that time.

Speaking of…

“Hold it!” Yang blinked before she found herself being levitated off the teenage boy. Surrounded by a light blue aura, showing that Weiss was the culprit behind restraining her busty friend, “Like hell, we’re just gonna let you take the lead with this as usual. Besides, with how you are now; you’ll probably drain Garnet dry before me and Blake get our turns with him!”

“She’s right,” Blake chimed in, getting a ‘Hey!’ from the blonde, “Today’s a special day after all, if we’re gonna have our fun with him. I think it’s only fitting we savor and have our fun with him the only way we should. The girls looked at one another, solidifying their silent little agreement with each other. Smirking at Garnet, the boy in question could only sweat with a shaky smile.

“E-Eh…?”

-X-

The Master Bedroom, aka Garnet’s room has devolved into a series of various moans and sexual noises, as Garnet was in the middle of a three-way assault by his mothers. No sooner had they decided on what to do, they practically flew with him (Which could’ve been literal at this point) to the bedroom. Wasting no time taking off part of their attires and pouncing on the newly minted 17-year old. Weiss’ newfound esper abilities being put to work in pinning down her baby boy. Leaving him completely helpless, while the rest of the ladies indulged in his body.

Blake and quickly gravitated to Garnet’s member, already half-hard from arousal and stimulation prior. Blake took his thick shaft into her mouth, bobbing up and down hungrily, letting sweet purrs and moans of bliss while her friend Yang took their son’s ballsack into her own mouth. Her nose inhaling the powerful musky scent as she swirled her tongue around one of them while cupping the other in her hand. Her glowing eyes quickly growing hazy with its own brand of ecstasy.

The two women double team elicited groans of pleasure from the teenage boy, though were muffled by Weiss. Who took the opportunity to straddle her adopted child’s face and ride him. Rocking her hips, she couldn’t help but shudder from the skillful tongue she had come to love and grow addicted to, invade her folds. Sending a course of sudden electricity up her spine, hissing out a sharp moan. A hand grabbing at her petite breast through her thin fabric dress while her other hand gripped Garnet’s dark locks, forcing his face deeper into her crotch as she ground against him. Nearing her first orgasm for the evening.

It was all becoming too overwhelming for the birthday boy, from the taste of Weiss’ sweet nectar hitting his tongue to Blake and Yang sucking him off. He couldn’t stop himself from cumming right then, surprising Blake as his load shot right into her mouth. Making her gulp down the first pump on reflex before pulling away, allowing the rest to erupt into the air and hit her face. Her’s and Yang’s, who rose up into time to get a lovely facial of her son’s semen. The new demonic blood in her once again going haywire as her long tongue lapped up whatever she could into her mouth.

Garnet wasn’t the only one to experience an intense climax. Throwing her head back, a loud “Fuck!” left Weiss’ lips as came all over her’s face. Her pussy quivering, spraying her juices into his mouth. Her lower half twitched for a few moments as the wave started to die down. The woman blinked she felt her head being turned to the side, only for Blake to lock lips with her, in doing so sharing some of her son’s cum with the fellow mother. Much to the amusement of one certain blonde as she watched her friend deepen the kiss with the sole faunus in the room. Cupping one of her breasts in the process.

“Man Weiss, you must’ve been really pent up this evening,” She teased, “I’ve never seen you been so aggressive on top of Garnet like this before in your life.”

Weiss flushed as she broke away, trying her best not look at the cheeky expression forming on her friend’s face. While the girls were talking, Garnet’s pleasure addled mind began to grow dull; hazed by the orgasm he had endured, as well as him still taking in Weiss’ sweet scent. His mind still processing being triple-teamed the way he was by his mothers. While he definitely wasn’t a stranger to handling more than one at a time when it came to them. This was the first he truly felt powerful under their horny grip. And while hot, he was worried that the rate they were going, he might not be able to outlast them all before they drained him dry.

He had been so out of it, he didn’t even realize that his Fantasia Gem flashed once more. Shining brightly, grabbing the attention of the rest of the ladies. Surprised by the sudden light show taking place. When it died down, the trio was left confused as to what happened. That was when it happened.

Garnet’s symbiotic suit, which had been left complacent by its master’s will, came to life once more. Shooting out from various parts of the costume were a group of pitch-black thick oozy tentacles, much like the one from before, they all surrounded the women. Making them all go from confused to alarmed, having little time to react as the thick tendrils lashed out towards the three. Binding their arms behind their back or above their heads while their knees and ankles were constricted as well, forcing their legs to spread apart. Parts of their dresses or bodysuit were torn away, giving the appendages a full view of their privates as they were lifted into the air; much to their embarrassment.

“G-Garnet!” Weiss screeched; her face a perfect imitation of a tomato as she called out to her son, “What is all this?!”

“Garnet,” Blake cried, finding her position flipped upside down, “Sweetie, can you hear us?!”

The boy sat up, but one look in his eyes would tell the mothers that he was not all entirely there. Unaware of what was going on, or what he was even doing to his mothers at the moment.

“He’s… moving completely on instinct- MMPH!!!”

Yang’s lilac pupils shrank at a tendril invading her mouth, plunging itself as deep as it could until one could see a large, near grotesque bulge forming against her throat. Muffled gags escaping her followed by a sudden squeak of surprise when her ass and pussy was penetrated as well. Weiss and Blake sharing the same fate, feeling their holes being filled up by the slimy tentacles. A warm, almost hot sensation overall, yet clammy to the touch, but it didn’t feel unpleasant to them in the least. Wriggling, the tentacles started moving inside of the costumed trio. Thrusting deep into their depths, hard and fast, creating a nice significant bulge in their stomachs. Slender legs, and plump breasts bouncing helplessly in the air, as the girls were violated by their transformed son.

But Garnet was far from content to just letting his tentacles get some action. His body moving towards Blake, he guided the tendrils to bring her closer as the two were pinned up against the wall. The natural sticky adhesion from the venom symbiote allowing the crimsonette to cling to the wall alongside his mother. Blake could feel her breasts and the side of her face pressing up against the flat surface of the wall as she glanced over her shoulder to look at Garnet. The poor boy seemingly in a trance as he held her wide powerful hips. The completely dominant manner he exuded making her feel vulnerable. Like a small spider having fallen prey to something even bigger. How fitting given what she was at the moment. The presence of his cock pressing right up against her pussy already had the faunus soaking wet. More than what the tentacles in her ass and mouth were doing to her.

Maybe it was her newly heightened senses or the strange position they were now in. The moment he slid into her, Blake nearly came all over the wall. Her pussy clamping down in euphoria from the feeling of having him inside her. His movements and pacing was in sync with the rest of the tendrils alternating in and out of her holes. Feeding to her a new level of pleasure she’s never experienced before. Yet he didn’t stop there either, his smaller body pressed up against her back, mounting her in the familiar doggy style position as he reached up fondled her breasts through her bodysuit. The teen going for her mother’s weak spot, that being her nipples. Making her moan loudly around the oozy appendage.

While that was going on, Yang and Weiss had been reduced to having their own fun. Garnet’s symbiote tentacles forcing the two into a deep hot passionate kiss. The nipples to their different size bust rubbing up against each other, pleasure coursing through their body as the thick tendrils continued to pump themselves deep into their depths. But what truly snapped them out of their daze in shock, manifesting behind their friend’s respective backs were two exact copies of their son, down to the last key defining trait. The only difference was the burning rose surrounded by a black web tattooed in the middle of their upper backs.

‘What the-’

Neither girl could voice their thoughts fully, as the symbiotic Garnet clones pulled the mothers away from each other. One of them tossing Yang back onto the master bed with him on top, tearing off the top of her dress, and freeing her massive rack. Offering a slight bounce, her twin pink-colored pert nipples stiff as the clone latched on and traced his tongue around the erected nub. Skillfully gliding the hot wet muscle around as a hand went to her other boob, squeezing down, practically mauling at the perky mound in pure lust while he used his free hand to lift a leg up and giving the clone access to her dripping core once again.

Yang whimpered and soon started crying out in wanton lust and needy pleasure from the ministrations she was being subjected to. This inky blob or whatever it was may have been a copy of her baby boy, but damn if he didn’t know how to please her the same way he did. The needy whines grew louder when she felt the clone purposely teasing her entrance with his cock. The tip barely pushing its way in, driving her mad. The more she tried to buck her hips and have him stick it in, the more he pulled away at the last second. Making her succubus nature scream in desperation.

“Sweetie please, don’t make Mama beg,” She cried, her wings flapping against the bed madly, “Give Mommy was she wants before she goes crazYYYYYYY~”

Yang threw her head back with a scream from the Garnet close plunging his cock deep into her cunt. Her eyes crossing in delight as she quickly wrapped her legs around him to keep him from escaping, “Yes! Fuck me, baby; don’t hold anything back!”

The clone happily obliged, pumping his hips, slamming his waist as hard as his could against the delirious blonde, who was gripping the sheets as the massive bed began to creak and shake underneath them.

Weiss, meanwhile, was left floating in the air with her personal clone. Who replaced Yang in delivering a deep savory kiss to her, an act that had esper heiress moaning deeply when discovered the clone to have a long slimy tongue being shoved down her esophagus. Robbing her of oxygen, but a part of her couldn’t deny how amazing it felt suckling on the long muscle. The saliva seemingly having an aphrodisiac-like effect on her, turning her on in various ways. Feeling her nipples poking through the fabric, the clone turned its hands into claws before taking a swipe at her chest, leaving her petite chest bare for the symbiote. Weiss could only blush in embarrassment as her arousal flowed out of her. Clone Garnet’s cock rubbing itself against her lower lips, with a soft wet pop, he pushed his way inside. Spreading her walls wide apart, the esper biting her lip as her folds quivered tightly around the meaty girth.

Her powers started to fluctuate, it being a miracle the two were even still in the air, yet it was only through sheer will and unconscious determination that was keeping them both airborne. The only thing on her mind was focused on was pure pleasure, offering no resistance to the clone. Even as her legs were hiked up by the clone’s tentacle, putting her in a full nelson. The new position allowing the clone’s massive cock to rail her even deeper than before.

And like that, for the rest of the night, this was the fate that befell the mothers of one. Completely at mercy of their son and the various tentacles and clones used in the one many gangbang. Passed around between their genuine son, the black tendrils, or being spitroasted the two clones. None of their holes spared as they succumbed to the ferocious carnal bliss racking their entire body. Savoring every single second of it as the times passed.

Blake, once more, was ganged up by the symbiote tentacles. Finding herself to be more receiving of them as the fucked her without restraint, sucking and clamping down as hard as she could around the hot clammy tendrils. Her own webbing used to tie up her body in makeshift bondage, popping out her tits even more and griding in between her asscheeks. Two smaller appendages wrapping around her nipples and clit, pinching and pulling against them., piling on more mind-numbing sensation. Relegating her to a state where she couldn’t escape even if she wanted to. And she didn’t want to.

Weiss was content with the two Garnet clones double-teaming her. Their cocks in both her pussy and ass, she used her psychic powers to make her holes as tight as physically possible. Upping her own sensitivity as they slammed full force into her, holding her by her arms and waist. All the while leaving the woman to suck on a sole tendril thrusting in and out of her mouth. While two smaller ones teased and molested her tiny chest, wringing out constant shuddering of absolute bliss.

And for Yang, she had the luxury of having her son all to herself. Arms wrapped around his head, fiercely making out as he pounded her cunt. Her tits jiggling, brushing against his chest while her ass rippled absorbing the heavy balls smacking against her. Her own legs swinging back and forth in the air as she felt her son’s superior cock driving into her in a mating press. Heart racing, wings fluttering, her lilac eyes rolling into her head as she neared yet another intense climax. How many she and her friends had been through this entire evening thanks to this sudden strange occurrence, even she didn’t know. Nor did she really care about it anymore.

‘Totally thanking that Daniella girl when I see her again.’ Was the only thought running through the mind broken mothers’ heads.

-X-

“. . . Ngh...Huh?”

Wincing and holding his head with a groan, Garnet flinched at the sudden bright light peeking through the blindfold of his bedroom window. Slowly sitting up in his and letting his eyes readjust to the room around his. He immediately went from tired to shock at the sight before him.

The teen found himself in the middle of his room. . . or what was the remains of his room with the amount of destruction and chaos that had been done to it. Everywhere he looked was like a massive war zone, emphasized by the various holes, cracks, and… we’re those claw marks on the walls and ceiling?! Not to mention the destroyed or tossed furniture all over, he wasn’t even in his bed now that his mind registered it. Though one quick look at it, seeing the king size mattress was in utter shambles. The framework snapped in two, along with the bed itself.

“Wha- What happened-“ He winced again, clutching his throat realizing how hoarse he sounded. What on Remnant happened last night after he and his moms got home?!

His thoughts were cut short by a slew of soft moans, and Garnet then felt something shifting around. Looking down, his eyes widened to see his Moms; Yang, Weiss, and Blake, all sleeping on top and next to him. Semi-naked with residual sexual fluids all over their bodies, on top of the various bite marks and hickeys left on their persons. But what really threw him for a loop was the sight of them still in their costumes… or what was left of them. The dresses on both Yang and Weiss were practically shreds, Blake’s skintight one piece in the same state, and Yang’s wings were...

“Wait wings?” He muttered, his eyes narrowing in confusion, his mind finally registering the black feathery additions coming from Yang’s lower back. “When did mom get- …?!”

Reaching out to touch them, Garnet noticed the jeweled brace that had been glowing faintly and that’s when it all came rushing back to him. The bright light, the transformations, the new abilities he and his mothers gained. Which all led to what could possibly have been the most sexually aggressive and fiercest fuck session he had given his mothers in his entire adopted life. He couldn’t believe he had done all of that to them, and the worst part of it, it had been while he was semi-conscious!

“Mm, morning already?”

Garnet snapped his head down to see Yang stirring from her slumber. Rubbing her eyes as she picked herself up, Blake and Weiss following suit. Seeing her son was up, life began to fill Yang’s eyes as she had a big smile on her face.

“Morning sweetie,” She kissed the stunned boy on the cheek, “Last night was amazing, I didn’t think you had it in you with what you did last night.”

What?! “M-Mom, I- that’s…”

“Don’t bother saying anything,” Yang hushed, placing a finger on his lips, “Last night, your real fantasies and desires came out full force. And we managed to get, not just a taste, but an actual full-blown meal as to what you always wanted to do to us. Wouldn’t you agree, girls?”

Weiss and Blake, who managed to catch what Yang said, blushed fiercely. Memories of what had happened rushing in like a raging flood. Even single touch, caress, nibble, bite, and cocks/tentacles that filled them could be felt around their entire body. Even now, they could feel their pussies quivering in need and a rush of excitement, wanting to have another round. Yang smirked while Garnet kept his head down, too flustered and embarrassed to say anything.

“Hey now, no need to feel down,” Yang cupped her son’s face, “If anything, you should be proud. With you doing this, I think it’s safe to say that we’ve definitely grown closer in our own naughty sort of way.” She smiled and slowly stood up, her wings flapping gently, “Now then, what do you say to breakfast? After last night, I’m looking to put some food in my belly.”

“Yipe!” Garnet snapped his head to see Blake collapsing to the ground. Having lost feelings in her legs.

“. . . Provided your regains feelings in her legs,” Yang added with a blink.

The cat faunus blushed as she was helped up thanks to Weiss using her abilities, which were starting to become second nature to her. Yang smiled; following them out of the room, her wings furled up against her back. The mothers leaving their son behind in the destroyed bedroom, who was still stunned by everything that had transpired last night. Looking down at his bracelet, specifically, the gem that had made all of this possible for him and his family last night. A soft smile had made its way onto his face as he stood and stretched. Only one thought to summarize last night.

“Best birthday ever…”

[lucifer-kane]

[Cross posted from World Anvil]

Festival of Nalam

The festival of Nalam is held towards the end of the year, preparing to celebrate the renewal of the new year. It is primarily held during the night, with some events held during the day for those who would rather spend time outside when it's light outside, or those who tend to end their days early. The event celebrates the new year and also gives devotees to the Goddess of death, birth, and renewal a more prominent time to pray and speak to her. Unfortunately, she hasn't spoken back in some years, having gone silent many many years before the time where are story takes place. No one knows why, but the tradition of this ritual and worshiping is still in place after all these years. From good food to beautiful home made trinkets and toys, it's Helimire's largest tradition in its history. While it's not held during the entire month of Nalam, there's still smaller celebrations here and there through out the land and the city of Helimire specifically, that all grows into a larger one during the last week of the month.

The twins have mixed feelings about this time of the year, for one it's the month during which they were created, and two, there was always a feeling in the back of their minds that they should be celebrating more for one reason or another. Neither of them knew that their mother, their other creator, was the goddess Nalam, they only knew her as what she told them. She was a Lost goddess, a lesser deity, but she would later tell her children who she is. When the time is right. When she was done playing. 

 Christopher was putting up decorations on the front of his Helimire townhouse, a little ways down from the Council building. Dark colored moons and stars, and things primarily found during the night. He didn't put up many decorations when events and holidays came up, but he always went a little bit wild when it came to the festival for Nalam. Something in the back of his head told him he should, but also he was always drawn towards the darker and different aspect when it came to this festival compared to anything else. How he felt more empowered during these times when it came to his own magic as well. He slips inside his home for a moment to change into something more fitting for the night time festival activities, dark and sheer, comfortable against his skin, paired off with a little more jewelry than he usually shows, just like the outfit shows off a bit more skin than normal. Christopher grins at himself in the mirror and ties his hair back in a loose ponytail with a long piece of crimson fabric before he heads out for the night.  

 The night closes in and the red moon rises over the ocean, full and large. Christopher looks up at it and breaths out a soft, happy sounding sigh, as he finishes paying for some little sun and moon shaped chocolates from one of the stands a few blocks from his home. He's always enjoyed the night in Helimire, the night markets here that have grown since the creation of Helimire are some of his favorite in the world, stalls for just about anything you could think of line the way. He stops at one, running his fingers over a pair of elbow length silk gloves, he also eyes the sign that says they do embroidery for an extra cost. 

 "How much extra would it be for me to get a snake embroidered on both of them?" The woman behind the stall is younger, and her eyes light up when he gives her the idea. It's not too complicated for her, judging from the premade embroidered ones already laid out for viewing. 

 "Not too much! Where would you like them placed?" Christopher picks up the gloves and turns them over in his hands, humming to himself as he thinks of where would be the best place. 

 "How about around the opening? The snake starting and ending at the top?" The woman has a hand on her chin, looking at the gloves. She nods. 

 "Perfect perfect. Any other suggestions?" She has to look up at Christopher to look at him properly. He shakes his head and smiles warmly. 

 "I think that's all, if you'd like to add anything else I would love your creative input into it!" She laughs and nods excitedly. 

 "I can do that! You can come pick them up closer to morning, if I'm not here, just give them your name. Here, first actually." She hands him a small card and a fountain pen so he can fill out his information. After he does that she asks to take some measurements from his arm, just to make any adjustments if needed. Then Christopher pays what she asks before heading off deeper into the festival. 

 It's a few hours later and Christopher has slowed down in his walking around, wanting to enjoy more of the sights as he gets deeper into the festival. He stands watching some street performers, leaning up against a shorter stone wall, enjoying the warmth of the night. 

 "Lovely night, isn't it?" There's a voice to his right and he turns towards it, a smile growing on his face when he sees a dear friend walking through the crowed towards him. 

 "Hello Elijah. And it is a very nice night, a bit cooler than it usually is though." Christopher watches as Elijah stops next to him, their shoulders brushing ever so slightly together. Elijah nods, then pulls a little box from a pocket inside his coat. Christopher narrows his eyes and Elijah leans a bit closer to Christopher to whisper to the man. 

 "A little cat tells me it's your birthday today. Well... tomorrow technically. But it's close enough to tomorrow for me to give this to you." Christopher sighs and rolls his eyes, but not hiding the grin that comes on his face. 

 "Morgan is a little shit sometimes. You didn't have to get me anything." Elijah shrugs. 

 "Felt like it, plus it's fitting, for the festival that is. It's a bit funny to me, how similar you and the supposed Goddess is." Christopher pauses after taking the little box from Elijah, fingers pushing at the ribbon tying it all together. 

 "....Really now?"  

 "Something about the two of you, I can't put it together. But any of the tales of her are so long old, it could be just something similar." 

 "You... wouldn't be the first to say it, and it's not a bad thing. If I were to worship any deity, I think she'd be up there in who I'd pick." Christopher opens the box and sucks in a soft breath at the contents, a thick banded bracelet made of dark metal and stone, lined with bronze. Also etched in bronze, is a small crow, with a red eye. The sign for Nalam. 

 "I can... see why you got this, thinking of myself and Nalam." He chuckles a bit, pulling the bracelet out of the box and sliding it onto his wrist. It doesn't move around much, and fits pretty much perfectly. 

 "I was hoping you'd like it." Elijah smiles a nervous smile. 

 "I do, I very much do." Christopher puts a hand on Elijah's shoulder and leans over, kissing the man softly on the cheek. "I'll treasure it." 

 Later, as the two men are walking around the festival some more, the moon at its highest in the sky, Elijah asks Christopher a question. 

 "Is there anything else you do during these festivals?" 

 "I like to help at the hospitals and such, while Nalam is the goddess of Birth, they're not easier during this time, no matter how much praying. So I help out to the best of my abilities, making sure things go along smoothly if they're looking rough." He runs his thumb over the beak of the raven on his cane. "It gives me something to do anyways. Something I like doing. What about you?" 

 "Taking things where they need to be, if I'm not in the council building, I like to help with transporting goods. Easy work, something simple that helps out here and there." 

 Now the two have walked in a full circle, coming to a slow stop in front of Christopher's home. 

 "Christopher, if you'd like, I'd... Like to treat you to something nice tomorrow, not even just for your birthday, but it's been some time since the both of us have been able to spend time together, and I miss that time." Elijah looks up at Christopher from where the man stands at the top of his stairs, Elijah at the bottom. Christopher smiles softly at the other man and nods. 

 "A celebration of Nalam then. That's what I'd like for us to do." Elijah nods and smiles. 

 "Sounds perfect." 

 The two split for the rest of the night, preparing for the next round of celebration for the next day.

[hobi-gang]

silver sequins | jhs

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 – Jung Hoseok has been in a bit of a bad mood ever since his girlfriend broke up with him. He’s been in a bad mood for precisely four months.

Jimin and Taehyung hatch a plan to take his mind off of things.

𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞 – angst, fluff, crack

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 – jhs x reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 – 16.2k

𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 – mentions of alcohol, more angst in this than anticipated oops

𝐚/𝐧 – wrote this for someone special uwu. enjoy!

Jung Hoseok has been an idol for a while now. As an idol, he knew that it was difficult getting into a relationship. There were several steps to getting and keeping a girlfriend as an idol. It involved meeting that person, loving that person, introducing that person to your friends and inevitably to your company, and signing legally binding contracts with that person. 

The process was admittedly stressful but in the end, Hoseok was just happy to have someone that loved him. He loved that person too. He gave them everything he could. He tried so hard and poured a lot of love and energy into the relationship he had with them only to break-up with them after five months.

"It's just too hard, Hobi. There are so many rules."

"Hobi, I want the world to know about us."

"Am I just a dirty secret to you?"

He wanted all the things she did too, he really did. He wanted to show them off to the world and publically declare his love for them but he just wasn't able to. It was in the contracts they signed. They both went into it knowing that but it turned out to be more difficult than they thought it would be.

He missed going to her apartment after work and cuddling up to her while watching movies. He missed the sneaky glances. He missed falling asleep with her in his arms. He missed it all. 

If they were still together, today would've been their nine-month anniversary. It had been four months of trying to get over his relationship with her but without her, everything felt so hard. His mood had been soured, it seemed, permanently. And it was evident to each and every one of his fellow group members.

"Again!" Hoseok yelled over the music.

Jimin exhaled noisily, flopping down onto the floor with a frown. "Hyung, please," the smaller boy whined, falling to his back on the floor, spreading out all his limbs, trying desperately to steady his breathing.

"Take five, hyung. We're tired," Taehyung groaned, rubbing his neck tiredly. Yoongi stalked over to the stereo and paused the music, catching Hoseok's glaring attention in the midst of it all.

"What are you doing?" Hoseok asked him with an annoyed look on his face, stalking over to the stereo where Yoongi stood. 

Yoongi narrowed his eyes at his younger friend, "That's enough. We were supposed to be finished an hour ago. We're tired and you need to pace yourself otherwise you're going to get sick, man. Look, we know you're going through a tough time, okay? It's affecting all of us but I refuse to enable this behavior any longer. We're going home. You're going home. You're gonna rest and then we'll reconvene tomorrow, okay?"

Hoseok looked over to Namjoon and Jin who gestured their agreements from the corner, leaning against the walls of the studio, drinking from their water bottles. He turned his attention Jungkook who was already helping Jimin and Taehyung with their cooldowns. Taehyung smiled up at him sheepishly as he stretched his legs which caused Hoseok to rolls his eyes.

"So what, this is pity? The only thing you should pity right now is our formation at the bridge–"

"Hoseok, stop it!" Yoongi shouted, his words echoing off the walls. The members looked on in astonishment, not expecting their lead rapper to raise his voice like that. "The formation is fine and you know it," his eyes bore into Hoseok's and the older member could see the anger and the pain in his eyes.

"Everyone, get up and go home," Yoongi said aloud to them all and he didn't need to look away from Hoseok's narrowed eyes to know that they were already gathering their belongings, ready to leave the practice studio that they'd been stuck in for hours.

"Hoseok," he told him softly, placing his hand on the younger boy's sweaty shoulder, "Go home. Rest."

If resting meant looking at photo albums of him and his ex then Hoseok would proudly tell his hyung that he rested very well indeed.

He swiped through each and every photo, reminiscing about all the good times they had together. As he went further into the album, he felt the longing in his chest grow immensely. He sighed, putting his glass of wine down on his bedside table. A ping resonated from his phone with a notification header sliding down over the screen.

Calendar: 9 Month Anniversary with Babygirl Moon. Would you like to share?

"Shit," he murmured to himself, swiping the notification away. Seeing her nickname on the screen made him crinkle his nose. He should've removed that reoccurring event from his calendar a long time ago but he just wasn't able to bring himself to do it. It'd been four months since they've been separated, he should have moved on at least by a little bit but he continued to cling onto the memories of her with that heavy ache in his chest, the longing... The hope.

With a few more swipes, he found his thumb hovering over the red button on his screen.

Delete 349 images from 'Babygirl Moon and Big Sun' album?

YES    |    NO

349 images including the picture he was using for his lock screen. It was from a date they'd had a while ago at a sushi bar in town. She'd begged him to take a photo and he'd refused simply because of the clauses in their contract. In fact, it was rare that they'd take pictures with both of their faces fully revealed. She compromised that night, taking his hand and lifting it into the bottom of the frame of her camera. She encouraged him to smile in a goofy voice, capturing his earnest reaction at the same time. She showed him the photo afterward and he liked the lighting and the composition of her hands in his, so he changed his lock screen.

His thumbing began to quiver over the red 'NO' on the screen and a dejected sigh escaped his lips, his thumb moving away from the 'NO', instead opting to press the power off button on his phone. Staring at the dark screen with a scrunched nose, he gently threw the mobile device across his bed and laid his head on the pillows, staring up at the ceiling. He understood that his emotions were a little... All over the place since the break-up, and he knew that it was affecting the other members.

Even before he signed the contract with his now ex-girlfriend, the boys warned him that it might affect his activity within the group and that it could prove detrimental in the long run. They also voiced their dislike about her in private, not that Hoseok really minded.

He knew that his ex-girlfriend could be outspoken and that she might've been a little aggressive, impatient, and rude at times, but he loved her all the same. Granted, they fought. A lot. She'd inadvertently let some insensitive words slip out about his appearance or his attitude every week or so but they'd always make up after their fights. After she'd grovel and kiss his jaw, nuzzling into his neck with a sigh, he'd forgive her, not wanting to hold a grudge against her for a minute longer.

Yes, he found someone. Yes, he loved what he had with that someone. Yes, that someone happened to make things messy at times but it was the other things that he liked to focus on more. The candid photos she'd take of him whenever she had the chance, sneaking a risky kiss in public, having fun at the local playgrounds at night time. Hoseok fell asleep that night with an ache in his chest, the continuous throb now a familiarity, and he wondered if he would ever find love again. 

"Okay, what about this one?" Hwasa asked you, thrusting a coat hanger with a red spaghetti strap dress into your hands. 

Wheein cooed, leaning forward from the edge of the bed and brushing her hands over the soft fabric. "Ooh, that'll look so cute on you," she grinned at you.

"Hm, I don't know," you pursed your lips, lifting the dress higher and spinning it around. "I don't think red's my color."

Hwasa rolled her eyes, "So if red, blue, and yellow aren't your colors then what is?" she asked you, taking the coat hanger from your hands. You shrugged, rubbing the back of your neck and sighing. 

"Eonnie, you know I don't wear dresses. Can't I just wear something like some pants–"

Solar squealed, "Y/N, you gotta at least try it on! You have an amazing figure and you'd look incredible, trust me," she gave you a reassuring look, rubbing your arm comfortingly. With their encouragement, you sighed and retook the dress from Hwasa's hands. 

"This is peer pressuring, you know that right?" you told her with a playful glare.

"Peer pressure your butt into that bathroom, Y/N," Solar said to you, pushing you towards the bathroom. 

While your sister Hwasa was rummaging through her closet for another possible outfit for tonight's party, you emerged from the bathroom wearing the red spaghetti strap dress. "Woah," Moonbyul quipped, throwing her phone on to the bed, giving you her full attention. "Holy shit, that looks amazing," she told you, her jaw hanging low.

"I told you it'd look cute on you," Wheein added, putting her hands on your hips to spin you around.

"Do you think it'll work?" You asked them, stepping in front of the floor-length mirror, looking at yourself at different angles. "I mean, even if he just looks at me, that'd be enough," you laughed, putting your hands on your hips.

"Oh, he'll be looking at you alright. I think everyone will be," Moonbyul quipped.

You sighed longingly, "Well, what if he doesn't come?" You said aloud, playing with your hair. 

"Well," Hwasa huffed with her head in the closet, "I texted Namjoon about the party so we should be expecting all of them to come."

Moonbyul hummed and picked her phone back up to take a picture of you. 

"Oh, damn," Hwasa whistled upon seeing you in the red dress. There was a bunch of clothes pooled around her feet after she'd rummaged through her closet. "I mean, that dress looks amazing on you and all but I think I may have found something better," she winked, handing you another coat hanger.

You lifted the long-sleeved silver sequin dress into view. You were in awe, "I didn't even know you had this," you told your sister, turning the hanger around to examine the dress from all sides.

"If I remember correctly, I bought it last year but I haven't really found the time or place to wear it. Try it on, I think it'll look better on you anyway," she urged you, pushing you back into the bathroom.

After the door had closed behind you, Solar sighed. "I think we might have to get her some floaties for the party. She'll be drowning in drool before she even steps in the venue," she giggled, earning amused looks from her bandmates.

 Yoongi was busy texting Hoseok, the two of them throwing lyric ideas back and forth between one another for the song they were writing together. It'd been almost a month since the incident in the practice studio. They both had a private conversation with each other the next day where Hoseok finally confessed to Yoongi that he was struggling to let go of the past.

It was clear to all of the members that Hoseok was dealing with some issues but the fact that he had actually admitted it out loud, Yoongi felt that he was taking a step in the right direction and he was proud of him for having the strength to do so. Hoseok had since apologized to the members for taking his anger out on them and for being so upset and while they accepted his apology, it was evident to them that things with him were not nearly as normal as they used to be.

"Ah, hyung!" Jimin shouted, running down the corridor. Both Jin and Yoongi looked up to see the younger boy hurtling towards them, jumping next to them on the couch excitedly.

"Joonie-hyung told me that Mamamoo is hosting a private party after the awards ceremony tonight, we should go!" Jimin grinned widely, grabbing Jin's bicep and tugging on it.

"Aish, calm down, I'm eating," Jin responded with a tight-lipped smile, slapping the younger member on the thigh in an attempt to stop him from hopping up and down on the spot.

Yoongi gave Jimin a disappointed look, "And stop yelling. Why on earth are you so energetic?" Yoongi asked him, raising a brow in suspicion at the younger member.

"Uhhh, because it's a Mamamoo party? Doesn't Hobi-hyung like Moonbyul? Maybe he'd be in a better mood if he sees her there," Jimin suggested, bumping Jin's elbow with his own, bobbing his brows up and down. 

Jin gave the younger boy a quirked eyebrow, "They're just friends," he told him, shrugging the younger boy's hands off his arm.

Jimin rolled his eyes, "Well it's still a party, parties are notorious for their good vibes, hyung."

"Fine, whatever. But don't be surprised if he says he doesn't wanna go," Jin huffed, returning his attention back to his noodles.

Jimin patted his head and grinned, "I'll figure something out."

Yoongi rolled his eyes, leaving the room to find a more quiet space.

Taehyung and Jimin shared a knowing look with each other before bounding into Hoseok's apartment. Jimin's plan was to utilize Taehyung's signature puppy eyes to get his hyung to agree to go to the party with them which shouldn't be too hard seeing that Hoseok had a soft spot for Taehyung.

"Hyung! Where are you?" Taehyung shouted out as soon as he crossed the threshold.

"In here!" Hoseok yelled in response, his voice coming from his studio.

The young pair wandered through the apartment and found that the door to his studio was open. They both spotted their older friend leaning back in his chair, his attention focused on his computer screen.

"I thought we were meeting up at work, what's up?" Hoseok asked them, turning his chair to face them both.

Jimin pushed Taehyung forward, urging him to tell Hoseok the news instead of himself. Taehyung looked back at Jimin with a betrayed look in his eyes before turning back to his hyung, clearing his throat. "Um, so the Mamamoo girls are hosting a party tonight after the awards ceremony, we're all going..."

Hoseok looked at them expectantly, "Okay, and?" he questioned, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Uh, well... Do you want to go with us? It could be fun," Taehyung asked him nervously, his hands fidgeting behind his back. "It's supposed to be idols only, so no managers and whatever. We could let loose, y'know?" Taehyung squeaked out, looking to Jimin for back-up.

"I don't know, guys..." Hoseok sighed, slumping down into his chair.

Jimin stepped forward, knowing that his plan to use Taehyung's puppy eyes was failing. He quickly threw an arm around Taehyung's shoulder, "Come on, hyung. How about we make a deal?" Jimin suggested, earning a considerate look from his elder.

"Go on..." Hoseok egged on.

Taehyung looked at Jimin with a smirk, "If we win an award tonight, you have to go with us to their party," Jimin said, smiling at the boy sitting in the chair.

Hoseok knew their win was guaranteed, a lot of their wins had been that way for the past few years. They'd worked hard for each and every one of them, their passion and their dedication to their craft garnering fruitful results almost every single time. Hoseok knew they were eager for him to join them at a fun event for the first time in a while so he caved in and said, "Fine. It's a deal."

Taehyung jumped and clapped his hands while hugging Jimin who was cheering loudly. Hoseok smiled at their reactions, chuckling at their outward displays of happiness. "Okay, okay, I'll see you guys at work later," he waved them off, turning his chair back to face his computer.

The pair of them walked out of his studio, bidding their farewells to him. "This is gonna be so much fun, man," Taehyung squealed once he was sure they were out of earshot, throwing a playful punch to Jimin's arm. 

"This is gonna be so great," Jimin grinned, laughing with him and leaving Hoseok's apartment.

"This is not... Going great," Jimin sighed, nursing his glass of champagne. Jin chuckled and nudged Jimin's arm, "What'd I tell you?"

"You told me he wouldn't wanna come but he's here. He's just not being the social butterfly he usually is," Jimin rolled his eyes, turning away from his older friend. 

Jin shrugged, "Eh. Same thing," he said to his younger friend with a victorious grin, gulping down his glass of champagne and placing it on the bar top before leaving to join Jungkook and Yoongi on the dancefloor.

The party was thriving and everyone was enjoying themselves in their respective groups, dancing under the flashing lights, and sharing drinks around their tables on all sides of the room. The music was good too, Jimin noted to himself, nodding his head to the beat. Namjoon, Taehyung, and Hoseok were sitting beside him at the bar, talking amongst each other, discussing their win for album of the year. Jimin looked away from them and spotted the hosts of the party, Mamamoo, on the dancefloor. 

That's where Hoseok would usually be in events like this, dancing in the center of the room like his life depended on it. He usually thrived in this kind of environment, catching everyone's attention and their applause but all he could do right now was nurse the same bottle of beer at the bar.

There was a girl in a long-sleeved silver sequin cocktail dress and she was awkwardly bobbing on the spot at the center of the dancefloor, trying to sway her shoulders to the beat. Jimin hadn't seen her before. Everyone at the party was an idol and being in the industry for as long as he had, he was able to name every person in the room except for her. She stuck out like a sore thumb with her shiny dress and that expression that screamed 'this is not my type of scene, please don't judge me'.

"Who's that?" Jimin said aloud, hoping that at least one of his bandmates could give him an answer.

"Oh, her? That's Hyejin's younger sister," Namjoon said to him loud enough so that he could hear over the throbbing music. 

"How do you know that? Also, you call Hwasa by her real name now?" Jimin snorted, turning to his hyung and finding the older boy's cheeks growing red, even in the darkness that swallowed their side of the room. 

Namjoon stuttered, "What? Uh, I mean Hwasa posted a picture of her on her Instagram page, didn't you see it? You saw it, right?" Namjoon nudged Taehyung's arm. 

"No," Taehyung laughed, "Don't drag me into your embarrassing conversation, hyung."

The older member groaned and told them to shut up, murmuring something about 'All I do is breathe and I get attacked', turning away from them and going back to his drink.

Jimin examined her from across the room, watching how Hwasa, Wheein, and Moonbyul were encasing the young girl in a circle and jumping around her, trying to include her in their dancing festivities. He saw her shy, sheepish smile under the flashing lights of the room and concluded that she looked rather cute. In fact, he saw the similarities between her and her older sister. Their tan skin, dark flowing shoulder-length hair, round faces, and gleaming smiles were practically the same. Though, somehow, she managed to be just a little bit shorter, which he found rather cute.

Taehyung found himself getting dragged away from the bar by the arm, clumsily trying to balance his glass in his hand to prevent it from being spilled, "Yah! What are you doing?" he questioned Jimin, straightening out his clothes.

"Dude, we gotta set Hobi-hyung up with Hwasa's sister!" Jimin leaned into Taehyung, nodding towards the young girl on the dance floor surrounded by the girls of Mamamoo. 

Taehyung raised his brows upon seeing her for the first time, "Oh damn, she's... She's actually pretty cute, bro."

"The plan was to get Hobi-hyung here so he could have fun but he still looks pretty damn miserable, I mean look at him," Jimin huffed, turning his attention back to his older group member. Hoseok sat at the bar with Namjoon by his side and Jimin noticed that Hoseok wasn't really talking at that point, only nodding along to what Namjoon was saying.

"We have to set him up with that girl," Jimin urged. Taehyung was putting the pieces together in his mind and he nodded along to Jimin's plan.

"Okay, um," Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck. "How do we do this?"

"You've got the answer in the palm of your hand, bro," Jimin pointed at Taehyung's drink.

Taehyung slumped his shoulders, "Really, bro?"

Jimin grinned widely and nodded enthusiastically.

"Eonnie, can we go home soon?" you shouted to your sister over the music, somehow managing to step on your own feet, making you wince at your own clumsiness. "I love this dress and all but it is... incredibly uncomfortable," you continued to rant to her.

"You still haven't talked to J-Hope. That was your plan, wasn't it?" Hwasa bumped her eyebrows up and down at you suggestively, a smirk adorning her face.

Your cheeks grew hot and you found yourself hitting her gently on the arm. "Oh my god, stop!" you hissed at her, mortified that she was talking about it in such an open space. "I've been watching him all night but he doesn't look like he's in the mood and I don't wanna burden him... Also, I just really wanna go home and eat my ramen."

Hwasa smiled and rolled her eyes at you, taking your hands into hers. "Just ten more minutes, and then we can go back home and eat all the ramen and chocolates we want. Please?" she begged you, putting on her puppy eyes and jutting out her bottom lip. You groaned at her desperate display and caved in, "Okay, fine! Just ten more minutes."

She smiled widely, bringing you in for a hug. "It's a party, sis! Come on, we're celebrating!" Hwasa cheered, grabbing your hand and raising it to bring you into a spin. You laughed with joy, letting her spin you around.

In a blur, you felt someone bump into you and you quickly felt something wet spreading all over your front. With a gasp, you turned to see Kim Taehyung looking down at you with an apologetic look. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" he yelled, taking your hands into his. They were big and warm, completely encompassing yours with his sheer size.

You saw Yoongi and Jin coming from behind Taehyung, "Nice one, idiot," Jin snorted, punching Taehyung on the arm. "Shut up," he told his older friend, shrugging him off.

"It's fine, it's fine," you told him. "My sister–"

"Your sister's fine, come with me, let me clean you up," he told you apologetically, pleading to you with his eyes. "Please?"

You felt a hitch in your throat, his expression managing to take your breath away so easily. It was no wonder everyone described him as charming, it was all in his nature.

"O-okay," you said to him, allowing him to guide you away from the dancefloor. You looked back at your sister but she was engaged in a conversation with Solar and Jimin. Your sister was right there and... this was her party anyway so you should be fine.

"Again, I'm so sorry about that," Taehyung said to you once you'd both reached the bar. He was grabbing a bunch of napkins from the bar top and you saw him visibly contemplate whether or not to pat your front down. You took the napkins out of his hand with a sheepish smile, cleaning the front of your dress down on your own. 

You laughed nervously, "It's okay, really, I wasn't watching where I was going."

"Stop apologizing, it was my fault for being a klutz," he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck with a rueful look on his face. He stilled, patting his back pocket, retrieving his phone. "Oh– I really have to take this, do you mind?" he asked you, gesturing to his phone.

"Yeah, of course!" you stuttered, waving him off.

"Hyung," Taehyung looked behind you, "Can you keep her some company? I'll be back in a minute," he gently nudged you backward. You felt the backs of your thighs bumping into someone's knees, your heart beating wildly in your chest.

"Hm, what?" you heard a familiar voice behind you say aloud.

"Thanks!" Taehyung grinned, turning on his heel and leaving you with his friend.

You gasped upon feeling a hand on your hip, turning around and choking upon seeing who Taehyung had pushed you into. "Careful there," he said to you, his hand dropping from your hip.

It was– "J-Hope," you murmured, eyes wide at the mere proximity to him. Three things popped into your mind upon seeing him up close for the first time. 

1. Big. Broad. Man... Just, man

2. Hot... Like, holy shit, hot. Does his hair feel as soft as it looks? And why the hell does he smell so good?

3. J-Hope

"You're J-Hope," you said to him stupidly, pointing right at his face. 

He looked at you with a quirked brow, "Um, yes?"

You cringed at yourself and stepped away from him, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, that was really dumb of me. I'm just... I'm gonna leave you alone now," you told him regretfully, internally punching yourself for being so embarrassing to the one guy that you wanted to impress tonight. You collected a pile of napkins from the bar top and bowed to him, attempting to go back to your sister on the dancefloor.

He looked at you from head to toe, your curled dark hair sweeping against your shoulders, silver sequin dress reflecting all the colorful lights from around the room almost blinding him. He noticed how you looked so out of your element, the nervous look on your face, and your fidgeting hands catching his attention. When you turned away from him, his heart jumped in his chest, his instincts telling him to reach out to you.

Looking back, you saw that his arm was extended towards you, his hand wrapped around your wrist. The contact alone was enough to make you sweat.

"Don't worry about it. Take a seat, Taehyung should be back soon," he gave you a kind smile, letting go of your wrist. 

You let out a sigh of relief, but you were still reeling from your humiliating display from just moments ago. "A-are you sure? I can wait somewhere else if you want," you asked him unsurely, slowly stepping backward. 

Under the flashing lights, you could see his chest rumbling with a chuckle, "Come with me," he told you, hopping out of his stool. He took your hand in his and began to weave you through the crowd, earning a cluster of looks along the way. You felt your body begin to grow hotter the longer he had your hand in his, taking you through the masses and to the balcony. He slid the door open and a cool, relieving breeze washed over your bare legs. He gestured for you to step out first. With a surprised look on your face, you stepped past his open arm and out onto the balcony. 

You heard the door slide close behind you and you felt him take a stand beside you. Below you, the city was spread out in a beautiful exhibit of concrete jungles entwined with vines of brilliant lights. Looking up at him, you saw how it illuminated his features and the forlorn look on his face. You quickly looked away, not wanting to be caught staring and suffering from even more embarrassment.

He pulled out his phone and was avidly tapping away, "I hope you don't mind. It's just really noisy and hot in there. I'm texting Tae to let him know that you're out here with me." After a minute, he tucked his phone away into his pocket and leaned against the balcony.

One of your hands was grasping on to the edge of the balcony, the other still occupied with a handful of napkins, an awkward silence falling over the both of you. Finding the words to start a half-way decent conversation with him was proving to be harder than you thought it would be, the potential topics just whizzing past you in your mind.

This was not the kind of circumstance you thought you would meet your crush under. You pictured something more natural like casually bumping into him on the dancefloor or sitting next to him at the bar and ordering the same drink as him. Maybe then you would've been able to strike up a conversation like 'Oh, you like that drink too?' but now, you just couldn't find the words to speak to him.

First off, you were mortified for having acted like some lovesick fan right to his face, and second of all, you had basically been pushed upon him and that was not exactly the natural meeting that you had envisioned. If one thing was for sure, you've never felt like more of a burden than you do right now.

"So–"

"So–"

You both spoke at the same time. You glanced up at him, catching the stunned look on his face and laughing anxiously.

"Are you... enjoying the party?" you asked him quietly, tilting your head up to observe him.

He hummed warmly, "Yeah, it's... It's nice," he told you, looking down at you with a soft smile.

"That's good," you nodded dumbly, scratching the back of your head. You decided to busy yourself by putting the napkins to use, patting the front of your dress and thighs down.

"So," Hoseok asked, "What'd my good friend do to you?"

His bubbly cheeks were pushed up into a kind smile, his brown eyes shining with the lights of the city below him. You noted the way the light breeze swept his dark ash-blond hair along his forehead, making you bite your cheek at how effortlessly handsome he looked in this environment.

"Oh he, uh, spilled his drink on me," you laughed lightheartedly, abandoning the napkins on a nearby table once you'd sufficiently dried yourself.

"That's a shame," Hoseok murmured. "It's a pretty dress. It's a pity he had to go and do that," he eyed the front of your dress where the threads that tied your sequin dress together were stained a light brown. It wasn't very noticeable and you were silently thanking yourself for not wearing something that would've made it more obvious. The idea of wearing a white dress to tonight's event made you shiver in horror.

Under the intensity of his gaze, you looked away, silently praying that your cheeks weren't beet red. "It's my sister's dress," you informed him, "she's busy hosting the party right now."

"Ah, so you're Hwasa's sister?" he asked you, evidently observing your face and piecing the genetic puzzle pieces together, "It's just, you guys look pretty similar."

"Yeah, she's my sister," you hummed, bracing your arms against the balcony.

You cleared your throat, "Uh, congratulations on your win for album of the year, by the way! You must be pretty happy," you told him, sparing him a thumbs up and a shy grin. Really? A thumbs up?

He quietly chuckled, "Thanks. Congratulations to your sister as well. Best female group, that's big."

"Yeah, I'm so proud of them," you silently squealed, your feet lightly hopping on the ground. "They worked so hard," you boasted, "Not to say that the other groups didn't work hard as well, I mean–"

"No, no, I get you," Hoseok interrupted you, giving you a look like he understood what you meant. "I didn't catch your name by the way," he told you, looking at you expectantly.

"Oh," you laughed. "My name's Y/N," you extended a hand to him which he completely encompassed with his own, giving your hand a gentle shake.

"Nice to meet you, Y/N, I'm Hoseok. But I've got a feeling you already knew that," he said to you with a cheeky smile on his face.

You inwardly groaned and crossed your arms over your chest, "I was hoping you'd forget about that," you giggled nervously.

"How could I possibly forget the girl in the silver dress? You must've been so embarrassed," he told you, his tone dripping with sarcasm, his eyes glittering with mischief.

You whined, "Oh my god, please stop," you pleaded, slapping his arm playfully. His chest rumbled with laughter and you leaned down to rest your head against your arms on the balcony.

"I'm just kidding," he grinned widely, nudging his knee against your thigh and softly patting your back with his hand.

With the warmth of his hand on your body, you stilled. Lifting your head to look up at him from your braced position, you saw the way he was looking at you. His half-lidded eyes and the intense look that held them made your breath hitch in your throat. He opened his mouth but then closed it, removing his hand from your back.

He cleared his throat and turned to lean his back against the balcony, turning his attention to the party, observing the thrums of people through the glass door. "Your sister really knows how to throw a party," he said aloud, crossing his arms over his chest. "I hope you were having a good time in there before Tae spilled his drink on you," he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

You straightened yourself up, following his position and leaning your back against the balcony. "A little bit," you told him. "I was actually planning on leaving anyway, I have some delicious packets of ramen and chocolate waiting at home for me. I'd hate to leave them waiting," you joked, rubbing your sequin-covered arms for warmth.

He looked at you and saw the way you shivered from the breeze. He shrugged off his black embroidered blazer, leaving himself in his tight fitted white button-up shirt. He placed his hand on the small of your back to gently push you away from the balcony, wordlessly placing his warm piece of clothing over your shoulders.

Your eyes widened in surprise, "Oh, you don't have to–"

"No, it's okay," he assured you, smiling down at you and shoving his hands into his pockets.

You looked down at your feet, pinching the fabric of his blazer with your hands, shrouding it closer to you. The smell of his cologne invaded your senses, almost taking your breath away. It was nice, and it totally matched him. It was a flowery, oaky scent with hints of some sort of spice that you couldn't quite put your finger on at the moment, his shy smile and well-fitting button-up being far too distracting for your liking. "Thanks," you told him shyly, moving to brush a sliver of hair away from your face.

Hoseok was going to say something to you again until he stilled, bringing his phone out of his pocket. He brought it up to his ear and his brows were knit together in confusion.

"Woah, slow down. Are you okay? Yeah, it's fine. No, really. Just get Jungkook to take you home, take some medicine, and hydrate yourself. Mhm, yup. Yeah, I'll tell her. Okay, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye," he brought his phone down from his ear, ending the call and shoving his phone back into his pocket.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Do you need to go?" you asked him, getting ready to return his blazer.

"No, no. It's just Taehyung. He said he's feeling a little sick so he's gonna go home with Jungkook, he should be fine," he told you, looking down at his feet. 

"Oh, no," you frowned, saddened to hear about Taehyung's sudden illness. It was strange. He didn't seem sick at all when you saw him earlier.

"He also wants me to tell you that he's sorry for spilling his drink on you and that he'll pay to get your dress cleaned," Hoseok added. 

You shook your head, "Tell him not to worry about it, I can clean it at home," you insisted, playing with the hem of your dress. You looked down at your front, examining it. It shouldn't be too hard to clean a sequin dress, right? There was no need for all that fuss.

He smiled at you, "Um, do you wanna come to my place?" he asked you suddenly, causing you to whip your head around to look up at him. Did he really just say what you think he said?

His brows were pushed together, a wince becoming apparent on his face. "N-not like that, of course! I just mean... You look like you could take a break away from this party, and to be honest, so can I," he reiterated. Now it was his turn to be nervous. "I actually don't live that far away and I've got some ramen and chocolate. We could have something to eat and then, uh, come back later if it's... cool with you. You don't have to–"

"I'd love to," you responded, the eagerness evident in your voice. You'd hoped that you didn't sound extremely desperate, not wanting to scare him off but the look on his face assured you that you had nothing to worry about.

His eyes gleamed with relief, his mouth wide open in disbelief. "O-okay, cool. Yeah, cool, um... Let's get out of here," he chuckled, extending his hand out to you. You looked at his hand, bewildered. After pointing at his face and acting like some crazy fan, you hadn't imagined that you'd find yourself in this position. You internally tried to slow down your heart rate, afraid that he might hear just how loud it was even over the booming music. Taking in a deep breath, your hand slipped into his awaiting one.

After texting your sister saying that you were with Hoseok and she'd sent you a series of keyboard smashed texts and emojis, both you and Hoseok found yourselves walking side by side down the street. Since he lived close by, he suggested that you both walked and you agreed, finding the silence in the street to be comforting.

Looking up to the sky, you saw the way the tiny but brilliant lights were twinkling across the wide expanse of the night sky. Hoseok was doing the same thing, though he'd sneak a glance at you and note how ethereal you looked under the light of the moon. When you thought he wasn't looking, you'd do the same thing, looking up at him like he was your world.

"So, what do you do?" Hoseok asked, turning to look at you with a curious expression.

You were brought out of your daze. "I'm a chef," you hummed quietly, kicking your feet in front of you, hands buried in the pockets of his blazer.

"A chef that eats ramen packets, I like it," he teased you, bumping your arm with his elbow. 

"Ramen packets are a cultural staple for a reason, Hoseok," you retorted, returning his bump with your own elbow. He snorted, his head hanging low with a wide grin.

You talked about your job with him, discussing your favorite cuisines and ranting about your least favorite food combinations, he nodded along, listening to you intently. "There's this anime show, 'Shokugeki No Soma', it's about this elite culinary school and one of the main character's loves to experiment with all these different kinds of food and this dude really loves experimenting with squid. It's like a staple failure for him, particularly the peanut butter squid. So one day, I tried to make this grilled squid with a peanut butter sauce and I have to say that it is probably one of the worst things I've ever made," you laughed wholeheartedly, slapping your thigh in jest. He chuckled after hearing your story, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Yeah, squid is a pretty hard ingredient to work with, and I can't imagine peanut butter being the door to it's brightest future," he added, laughing along with you.

You giggled, "Right?"

After sharing a few more stories about hilarious food failures with him, you both ended up at his apartment. It was big, the tall ceilings only managing to emphasize that. You drank in the neutral tones and simplistic design, jaw hanging wide at just how clean and amazing his place looked. As soon as you stepped through the door, the first thing you noticed was the large living room area with floor-to-ceiling windows displaying the lively city below the hills. Beside the living room was the kitchen and on the opposite side of the room was a hallway leading to a bunch of other doors.

The next thing to catch your eye was a large Murakami mural on one of the walls of his living room just behind his sofa, the signature flowers all smiling at you with its boldly colored petals paired with its simple lines and dots. It was undeniably gorgeous and something you kind of expected before you even got there, but that didn't prepare you for its beauty at all.

"Wow," you murmured to yourself, taking it all in with an astonished look on your face. "Make yourself comfortable," Hoseok encouraged you, gesturing towards the sofa in the living room.

Upon sitting down, you quietly groaned, stretching your arms out. The relief on your legs was a true blessing. You'd practically been standing all night, doing your best to satiate your energetic's sisters partying needs though your lack of rhythm and naturally awkward state which must've made you quite the sight on the dancefloor. And you wanted to do it anyway, you were proud of your sister's work and you wanted to show her just how happy you were for her but if you knew you were gonna be standing for so long, you would've tried to figure a way out of there much sooner.

Hoseok returned with two bottles of water in his hands, passing one to you. "What kind of ramen do you like?" he asked you, taking a sip from his water.

"I'm gonna say pork," you nodded to him, taking a gulp from your water bottle.

He snickered, "Pork, huh? A girl after my own heart," he grinned, putting his bottle down on the coffee table in front of the sofa. You quickly stopped yourself from screaming into your hands at his playful words, was this boy ever gonna stop being so charming? You were going to be in trouble soon if you didn't find something to busy yourself with.

"May I raid your kitchen?" you asked him, a brazen look in your eyes. 

He laughed and gestured for you to follow him to the kitchen, which you quickly did. Once you stepped into it, you weren't surprised to find that it was just like the rest of his apartment. It was big, tall, clean, embracing the neutral tones. It was almost twice the size of yours and Hwasa's kitchen. Shrugging off his blazer and hanging it on the back of the kitchen counter stool, you watched as he opened one of his tall cupboards, stepping on his tippy toes to reach for the ramen at the top shelf. "What– Why is the ramen all the way at the top?" you asked him, mouth hanging open in shock. "That's so height-ist of you."

"No, it's because Jimin keeps coming here and eating all of it before I even get to open the packaging," Hoseok snickered, placing two packets of pork flavored ramen on the kitchen island.

You hummed quietly to yourself, "Still sounds height-ist to me."

He smirked to himself, picking a medium-sized pot from the pot rack above the kitchen island. "So what do you put with your ramen noodles?" you asked him, leaning your arms on the countertop, propping your chin up in the palm of your hand.

"What do you mean?" he asked you, breaking the noodles out of their packets and placing them in the pot.

Your brows were scrunched in confusion, "What do you mean what do I mean? You put additional ingredients in your ramen, right?" you asked him, looking at him expectantly.

Hoseok shrugged carelessly, filling the pot with water. "Hoseok, please say sike," you pleaded with him but he continued to go about his business, not bothering to answer your question.

"Oh my god– Permission to raid your refrigerator?" you asked him, already hopping out of your seat. 

"Permission granted," Hoseok bowed to you jokingly. "Man, I should've known that letting a chef into my kitchen was gonna make me feel inadequate in the cooking department," he snorted, placing the pot onto the stove and igniting the flames.

"Don't think about it like that, you gotta be more positive!" you suggested cheerfully. "Think of it as though you're learning something new and exciting and life-changing," you grinned at him, opening the refrigerator. He looked at you with perplexity but agreed nonetheless, watching you rummage through his fridge. He was skeptical. At the party, he noted that you really seemed out of your element but as soon as you'd stepped into his kitchen, he watched as you quickly evolved from your timid, polite self to the confident, polite chef that you were right now.

"Aha!" you grinned triumphantly. Spotting the ingredients you wanted in the fridge, you went back and forth taking them out of their compartments and placing them on to the countertop.

Hoseok watched on with an amused expression, leaning back against the bench with his arms crossed over his chest, observing how you meticulously laid the ingredients out neatly in front of you. The bottle of soy sauce, mung bean sprouts, the wrapped package labeled 'pork belly', carrots, scallions, eggs, and capsicums looked extremely inviting to you. You glanced at Hoseok to gauge his reaction which was a mixture of impressed and humored.

"Salt and pepper?" you asked him, bringing him out of his daze. "The what? Oh, salt and pepper? Um," he opened the cupboard and summoned the salt and pepper grinders, placing them next to your neatly laid out rows of ingredients. 

"Oh, wait," you said to him, biting your lip nervously. "Uh, can you roll my sleeves up for me? I think my hand is sticky from the soy sauce," you asked him shyly, extending your arms out to him.

He smiled and wordlessly reached his hands out, the tips of his fingers softly working to neatly fold your sleeves. You held your breath while he worked on the fabric, his warm fingers brushing over your forearms which was definitely making the neurons in your system spontaneously combust.

"Okay, let's get to work," you smirked at him, eagerly anticipating the awaiting cooking session. "Let's get to work," Hoseok echoed your words with a smile, fetching some aprons from a nearby drawer. He pulled out his phone and started playing some music as the two of you got to work.

Cooking with him was fun, you thought to yourself. He showed off his impressive knife collection which made your jaw drop. They looked custom made and... really sharp, which made you squeal on the inside. A good, sharp knife set was enough to make any good chef drop to their knees and swoon. 

After he put the eggs in a separate pot and began boiling them, he washed the vegetables and watched how you diced and sliced away at the ingredients with ease, the knife dragging through the flesh of the vegetables like butter. As you went along, you explained to him why you chose this ingredient and that ingredient, continuing to guide your knife along the face of the chopping board.

You let him take over, handing him the knife. His hand glided over yours, taking the handle from beneath your palm, the contact causing your heart to skip a beat. You placed the cut of pork belly on the chopping board and suggested he trim off the excess fat and cut the pork into neat strips. He took your suggestion and followed through beautifully. Watching him work attentively with food was something you could get used to.

While he cut the pork, you took a turn at the eggs and the noodles. You strained the water into a bowl and quickly mixed in the seasoning packets and a few dashes of the soy sauce, leaving the noodles in the strainer. It took you less than a minute to peel both the eggs, gently pressing them and getting that gut feeling that they were cooked just right. 

Hoseok took the initiative to put the pork cutlet slices into a frying pan. He caught you looking at him and he gave you a proud smile, turning his attention back to the slices, flipping them over with his chopsticks. You bit your cheek and put your focus towards cutting the eggs in half, preparing them for presentation.

With a ladle, you evenly divided the soup mixture into two awaiting bowls, gently placing the noodles into the broth.

Atop the noodles, you placed the julienned carrots and capsicums, scallion slices, and mung bean sprouts. Hoseok warned you that he was coming up from behind you with the frying pan and he did you the courtesy of layering a couple of slices of the pork belly on one side of each of the noodle bowls. You placed the egg halves on the opposite side of the bowl and grabbed the salt and pepper grinders, speedily cracking the seasonings over the completed dish.

"Voila!" you cheered, handing him a clean pair of chopsticks. "God, I've been craving this all night," you murmured, tucking into your food with fervor.

Hoseok looked at the bowls in awe, a low whistle escaping his lips, "I had this in my kitchen the whole time?" he picked up the chopsticks, sliding his bowl closer to him.

He collected the sliced vegetables and the noodles between the utensils, bringing it to his mouth, closely followed by a slice of the pork belly and a portion of the soft-boiled egg. His eyes closed and he moaned at the flavors that developed in his mouth. The soft texture of the noodles paired with the sweet, fresh crunch of the vegetables was enough to make his knees weak. The pork and the egg complimented the dish perfectly.

While he ate, Hoseok was quietly watching you from the corner of his eye, slurping his noodles in silence. He saw the way you visibly savored each and every bite of your food, finding himself entranced with the way you licked your lips to collect the delicious dew that was the noodle broth. You glanced his way, smiling with strands of noodles trapped between your lips when you caught him looking at you. 

He chuckled at your humorous display, shaking his head at you and finishing off the remainder of his meal.

Hoseok admittedly felt a little foreign in the kitchen at first. He hadn't cooked a proper meal like that in a while. Since his ex preferred to order in or go to a restaurant, his kitchen had basically lost its purpose over the course of his relationship with her and consequentially, after the relationship. He'd gotten so used to just cooking ready-made meals or ordering food that he'd forgotten how good it felt to actually make something so fulfilling.

"Well, damn," he said to you, patting his stomach with a satisfied look on his face. "That was probably the best home-cooked ramen I've ever had," he confessed, earning him the sight of your blushed cheeks which he secretly relished. "But don't tell my mom I said that, she might kill me," he added.

"I promise," you assured him with a lighthearted giggle. "I could probably show you how to make the noodles from scratch, that's what I usually do if I have the time, otherwise I just use ramen packets."

Color him impressed. He looked at you with a wide grin and he was flushed at the prospect of seeing you again in the future, no matter the context. "If you teach me how to make noodles, I think it's only fair I give you something in return."

Your cheeks turned red, "Maybe you could teach me how to dance. Unlike my sister, I was born without rhythm," you laughed, pressing your hands to your face to try and hide the redness.

He struggled to suppress his smiling, his cheeks beginning to ache. "It's a deal."

The pair of you collected the dishes and you helped him to clean up the kitchen. As you wiped down the countertops and discarded the scraps, he washed the dishes and placed them on the drying rack. 

When you were both finished, you removed the apron and let out a sigh of relief. He eyed you curiously and asked, "Do you want a change of clothes? I can grab something more comfortable if you'd like."

"Ah, I think I've imposed on you enough–" you began to say before he raised his hand. 

"Just say yes," he smiled down at you kindly, waiting for your response.

"Y... Yes," you finally said to him, fidgeting with your hands.

Your feet silently padded against the floor, following him as he turned down the corridor. When he stepped into what you assumed was his room, you waited patiently at the door for him. He returned with a sweatshirt in one hand and sweatpants in the other, he pushed the clothes into your hands and he showed you where the bathroom was.

"W-wait!" you called out to him before he left. He turned around, looking at you expectantly.

"My, uh," your murmured, "Dress... Can you unzip it for me?"

Hoseok paused and he went to say something but thought against it, speechlessly returning to the bathroom door where you were waiting. You turned around for him and moved your hair away from your neck, exposing the tab to the zipper. You felt his warm breath fan out against your skin, undoubtedly making you shiver in his wake. You were silently hoping that he didn't see.

Behind you, you could hear him exhale a shaky breath as he gripped the tab and slowly pulled it down. As he pulled, the fabric spread over the width of your back, revealing your soft, tan skin to him. He let go of the zipper once it'd reached the small of your back, quickly looking up to the ceiling to avoid your gaze. 

Turning around, you saw him looking away from you which made you snort in laughter. Deliberately trying to fluster him wasn't your intention but you'd do it again if it meant you got to see him like this again. You gently pressed your hand against his chest so he was out of the way of the door. You closed it in front of his face and tried your best to suppress your giggles.

On the other side of the door, Hoseok was yet to remove his gaze from the ceiling. He felt trapped in this position, the only thing he could feel was the remaining warmth of your hand on his chest. He had not been in such an intimate position since... Her.

This wasn't the time to be thinking about her.

He shook himself out of his paralysis, moving swiftly to a more appropriate location. He didn't want to imagine the look on your face if you'd open the door to find him still standing outside waiting for you.

Hoseok waited patiently on the sofa, fiddling with the remote and turning on his Netflix.

Wow. If the ramen wasn't suggestive enough, then the Netflix one was gonna be the nail to his unintentionally suggestive coffin. Maybe he should change it to YouTube, he thought to himself before you stepped out of the shadows of the corridor.

As soon as he saw you, his breath hitched in his throat. The black sweatshirt he had lent to you was far too big, almost dwarfing your small form entirely. It ended just above your knees and you'd rolled the sleeves up to your wrists. The cuffs of his grey sweatpants were also rolled up, wrapped thickly against your shins. On the one hand, you felt that you looked a little silly but you were thankful for the drastic change in comfort. On the other hand, the only word on Hoseok's mind upon seeing his clothes on you was 'adorable'.

"Thanks for this," you quipped, spreading your arms out and doing a spin for him. Hoseok smirked and quietly laughed at your display, running a hand through his hair.

He cleared his throat and motioned you over to the sofa, "Does the chef have any recommendations?" he asked you in jest, looking at you in suspense. You giggled at his mention of 'chef', tucking a hair behind your ear shyly. 

"So ramen was the main course, and for desert... I think maybe a nature documentary is on the menu," you quirked an eyebrow at him, eager for his reaction to your suggestion. He smiled, leaning back into the soft cushioning of his sofa.

"Nature documentary it is," he echoed your words with a soft smirk. You smiled up at him gently, shifting further back and situating yourself into the cushions. He dimmed down the lights and grabbed a neatly folded pile of fluffy blankets from the opposite end of the couch, placing one of the fluffy fabrics over you before wrapping himself in his own blanket.

When the nature series had begun, you were less than a foot away from him, snuggling your warm blanket and animatedly sharing your thoughts on what you thought the best qualities were of each and every animal that came across the screen. He'd turn to look at you every time you started one of your mini speeches, listening intently to what you had to say.

After three episodes, Hoseok had managed to inch closer to you by jumping every time there was a particularly alarming cutscene of some predator in their natural habitat. It wasn't on purpose. In fact, he was contemplating changing the show but hearing your stifled giggles at the expense of his masculinity was totally worth it.

Another episode had passed and with his adrenaline coursing through his veins, anticipating the next frightening cutscene, Hoseok was nowhere near being sleepy but you had other ideas. You had unexpectedly slumped your head against his shoulder, softly snoring away. He almost jumped when you'd made contact, his survival instincts kicking in once a snake had appeared on the screen. 

He contemplated waking you up but decided against it, softening at the sight of how peaceful you looked. His head tilted to get a better look at your face, his eyes roving over each light freckle gracing your nose and cheeks, their parallel shapes being burned into his memory. The lights from the television screen danced across your sleeping form, the loose strands of hair on your face casting shadows upon your skin. You shifted in your sleep, subconsciously wetting your pouty lips before returning to your motionless state. He was amazed that the booming sound effects from the documentary went by you completely unfazed.

Hoseok took this opportunity to sweep back a strand of your hair, tucking it behind your ear. He hadn't done something like that in a while and he was sure that the simple action alone had just discombobulated everything inside his chest. It wasn't because he was in such an intimate space with just some girl, it was because he was in an intimate space with you. Granted, you weren't exactly awake so he stopped himself from staring at you any longer, knowing he'd live with the guilt of being some sort of pervert when his whole purpose of the night was to be a gentleman.

Resist the urge, damn it!

He couldn't exactly help himself though. Over the short course of the night, you had managed to make an impact on him. You'd been thrust upon him so abruptly after Taehyung had spilled his drink on you, and though the scale of the action was so small, it had felt so life-changing. So far you'd displayed your talent for cooking, your love for nature and you'd proved to him that you could match his wit when you were in a comfortable space.

Plus she's the Hwasa's sister, Hoseok thought to himself, she's already used to the lifestyle of being in the proximity of an idol. That is definitely a plus.

He decided that when morning comes, he would ask if you would like to join him for coffee or lunch, excited at the prospect of getting to see you again in the future.

Silently grabbing the remote beside him, he changed the program to something more sleep-friendly. Hoseok flipped through the suggestions and finally decided to change it to Frozen. He clicked on it and nodded off to sleep with a kind, talented, pretty girl on his shoulder. Hoseok felt like he was on top of the world.

You woke up to a loud pinging noise, squinting at the white lights that attacked your vision when you'd fully gained your consciousness. You'd quickly come to realize that you were not in your own room. In fact, the reason for that uncomfortable ache in your neck was because you'd been using Hoseok's thigh as a pillow. With widened eyes, you suddenly felt the weight of his arm on your side, his hand resting comfortably on your waist. 

He looked so tranquil in his sleep, his mouth slightly agape and quiet snores escaping in sync with the rise and fall of his chest. You couldn't believe that you'd fallen asleep on him. He was still in his clothes from the night before, his button-up and black slacks creased all the way to hell, which meant he probably felt too awkward to try and shift you off of him and stayed there so he wouldn't wake you.

Gosh, I'm such an idiot, you groaned to yourself, lifting your head off of his lap. The source of the ping was coming from a phone on the coffee table in front of the sofa. When you picked it up you realized that while it was the same model, it was definitely not your phone. You were about to put it back down until the screen flashed back to life, revealing a notification that made your heart stop.

Calendar: 10 Month Anniversary with Babygirl Moon. Would you like to share?

Holy shit. Jung Hoseok has a girlfriend?

You were mortified beyond belief. You'd just fallen asleep on top of some girl's boyfriend. To make matters worse, his lock screen image was of himself but at the bottom of the image, you could clearly see him holding someone's smaller, feminine hand. If you were in that person's position, you definitely would've been pissed to find how close you and Hoseok had become over the course of the night. But, surely Hoseok would've told you if he was in a relationship... Right? You should've at least spotted some of the signs but there were no physical indications anywhere in the apartment. Where were the spare slippers at the front door? Where was the spare toothbrush in the bathroom? Where was the feminine touch?

The lack of signs didn't exactly eliminate the idea that he had a whole ass girlfriend out there just vibing. That girl was probably 100% oblivious to the fact that some practical stranger was trying to cozy up to her boyfriend, being all intimate and flirtatious with him. The thought of it alone made you cringe with guilt. He was just being a gentleman the whole night. Did he feel sorry for you because you'd humiliated yourself when you saw him for the first time? That must've been it...

Trying to withhold the tears that were threatening to spill over, you moved quietly to avoid waking him up. Moving silently around the apartment, you collected your belongings. The last thing to do was grab your dress which you'd left neatly folded in the bathroom. When you got there, you considered putting it back on so you could take off Hoseok's incredibly comfortable clothes but you'd never be able to zip the dress up on your own.

You didn't want to wake him up to do it for you, no, you wanted to leave without a trace. It was embarrassing for you to think that you could've had something special with him when it was now clear that he had something special with someone else.

Looking at yourself in the mirror, you saw just how idiotic you looked. There were dried dribble marks on the corners of your mouth and one of the tails of your winged liner was smudged away from sleep. Your hair was neat for the most part, save for the back part which had hair sticking out in every direction. Gosh, you didn't know what you would have done if he'd woken up first to see you like this. Quickly cleaning yourself up with the help of some water and the grace of God, you determined that you looked semi-presentable.

You sent a text to Hwasa to pick you up at Hoseok's apartment, in return you received an excess of all kinds of emojis, they appeared to mostly be winky faces and different colored hearts which helped to lift your spirits a little bit. The only thing to do now was to get ready to escape this nightmare you'd found yourself in. You couldn't bear to be there a second longer. The longer you thought about it, the more it made your heart sink. You could've sworn that you felt a connection with him but after knowing he had a girlfriend, you saw your memories of the previous night through a different lens.

Maybe he was just doing everything for you out of kindness, you could see now that you were just some obligation for him.

Shaking away the tear-jerking thoughts, you stepped into the foyer. Pressing your hand to the front door, you struggled to tug your heels back on in silence, dropping your dress and your phone from its weak grip in your underarm, making the items land on the floor with a sharp thwack. 

It seemed that the noise was loud enough to wake up the host, your eyes spotting his fluffy hair emerging over the arm of the sofa. He sat up slightly, reaching out his arms and stretching his neck with a loud yawn. If you weren't so preoccupied, you would've felt compelled to giggle at how cute he looked.

He turned to the source of the noise that woke him up, eyeing you in your awkward position. With one leg raised in the air and one of your fingers tugging on the heel loop of your difficult heels, you just knew you looked silly. As soon as he saw you, he spared you a lazy chuckle and a soft wave of his hand. "Good morning," he said to you, his raspy morning voice sending shivers down your spine. 

"Gosh, what time is it? Do you have somewhere to be? I can take you there if you want–" he rubbed his eyes tiredly, but you decided that you wouldn't let him finish his sentence, his kindness only managing to inadvertently humiliate you further.

"Hoseok, my sister's coming to pick me up," you told him abruptly, lifting your head up high.

He raised his eyebrows at you, surprised at your tone. "Oh, o-okay," he responded lightly, his shoulders drooping a little.

"Thank you for taking care of me last night, I really enjoyed your company. I'll have your clothes cleaned and sent back to you," you pointed at the sweatshirt and sweatpants that he'd lent to you, "And I would like to reimburse you for the food that I ate. I also hope that you and your girlfriend have a wonderful 10 month anniversary," you bowed to him, using all your strength tug on your heel. You bent down and picked up your sequin dress and phone.

"Wait!" Hoseok called out to you, stumbling off of the sofa and tripping up over his own feet, almost smacking his face on the floor. He was trying to absorb all the information that you'd just laid on him, his mind crossing over every detail. Enjoyed his company? Clean and return his clothes? Reimburse him for his food? He couldn't believe it. Before he could speak, he was interrupted by the ping of his phone. He quickly grabbed the device to silence it and his heart sank in his chest upon seeing the calendar reminder flashing on his screen, accentuated by his lock screen image which was of him holding his ex-girlfriend's hand.

He just knew right then and there that you'd seen it. 

I also hope that you and your girlfriend have a wonderful 10 month anniversary.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"Y/N, this isn't what it looks like!" he implored, rushing to get to his feet but he ended up slipping again, the culprit being the blanket you were sleeping with last night.

You ignored his pleading, giving him one final bow. "Goodbye, Hoseok."

You slipped past his front door, closing it behind you.

"No," he murmured, kicking the blanket away and running to the front door. "No, no, no," he repeated to himself, his heart thumping loudly in his ears. Ripping his door open, he saw the doors to the elevator closing. Running out, he reached it just in time for the barricades to close right in front of his face. He repeatedly pressed the button but to no avail. Looking to the top of the elevator entrance, he saw the numbers above it declining, indicating that you were already descending to the ground floor.

"Shit!" Hoseok said to himself, sprinting for the stairs. He'd hadn't run this fast since the relays at the ISAC's, his lungs burning by the time he'd reached the bottom. He spotted you at the gateway to the apartment complex, sliding into a black car with a saddened look on your face. By the time he'd reached the outside gates, it was too late. He watched pathetically as the car sped away along with you in it.

Hoseok stopped himself from trying to chase after the car down the narrow street, his hands angrily fisting in his hair, the burn of his scalp doing nothing to ebb the thumping in his chest. Right now, the only thing he felt like doing was bang his head against a brick wall. How could he be so dense?

If anything was gonna motivate him to do delete those stupid calendar reminders and those images of him and his ex, watching you drive away was gonna do it. Fixing his mistake was of the utmost paramount right now. 

"Hyung!" Jimin cheered upon seeing Hoseok enter their room.

"Ah, I hope you had fun last night, hyung," Taehyung winked, nudging Jimin with his elbow.

"What?" Hoseok furrowed his brows, looking at the pair of mischievous boys sitting before him in speculation.

Jimin smiled proudly, shuffling on the sofa to make space for Hoseok to sit down between him and Taehyung. "Hyung! We're the ones who set you up with that pretty girl up."

Hoseok sat down between them, surprised at hearing that the events of last night were the result of Jimin and Taehyung's plan.

"Mhm, I spilled my drink on her on purpose then left her with you," Taehyung said, waggling his eyebrows at his hyung. "We heard you left the party with her. What was she like and what'd you guys do? Come on, tell us!" 

Hoseok stayed silent, wringing his hands in his lap. He was happy to know that the boys were trying their best for him but his recent loss was still reeling in his mind, the dismayed expression evident on his face.

"Hyung?" Jimin asked, his tone laced with worry, his gentle eyes roving over his older friend's face. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sighed and let out a shaky breath. "I had a great time with her, like an amazing time but... I fucked it up because I'm such an idiot."

Taehyung frowned at his disconcerting words. "What happened?"

He explained the events of last night. 

Taking you out to the balcony and having that pleasant conversation with you.

Asking you to come to his place.

Cooking ramen together.

Lending you his clothes, noting how adorable you looked.

Falling asleep together while watching the nature documentary together. Hoseok purposefully left out the part where he changed the program to a Disney movie.

"I don't see what's wrong," Jimin commented, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, me too," Taehyung added, sharing a confused look.

Hoseok hesitated to tell them what initially went wrong but decided that if he told them, maybe they could offer up a solution to his problem.

"I think you guys know that I've been struggling to get over my relationship with my ex," Hoseok began, clearing his throat. "It's been five months since we've been separated and it's been hard for me to move on from her, y'know? I put a lot of love and energy into my relationship with her so for it to end so suddenly, it hasn't exactly been easy for me to just 'get over it'. Because of that, I haven't had the heart change my lock screen, which is a photo of me holding her hand and I still had a monthly reminder of my anniversary on my phone's calendar," he admitted to them, hanging his head down low.

"When I woke up this morning, she had all of her things and she was getting ready to leave. She told me that she 'hoped I'd have a wonderful 10 month anniversary with my girlfriend'. That's when I knew she saw the anniversary reminder on my phone," he sniffled, swiping his fingers under his eyes to remove the tears that were sliding down his cheeks. "It just really sucks because I had a really good time with her. It was the best I'd felt in a long time and I feel like we had a connection last night but I think she might hate me now. So, yeah, I'm an idiot."

Jimin and Taehyung looked at each other, sharing a look of sorrow and shock.

"I don't know what to do," Hoseok told them, a dejected sigh escaping his lips. He buried his head in his hands, groaning pathetically.

"Hyung, it's gonna be fine," Taehyung rubbed his back reassuringly. 

Jimin hummed quietly, "You should go and find Joonie-hyung. If anyone has some sort of connection with her, it's gotta be him. Dude is so whipped for her big sister it's almost embarrassing."

Hwasa. That's right. Hoseok lifted his head out of his hands, feeling like a light bulb was hovering above his head. He pulled Jimin and Taehyung into a hug, thanking them both for their help.

When he left the room, the pair of them sighed in content, feeling a little closer to their hyung for the first time in a long time. "He'll be fine," Taehyung said to Jimin, bringing his feet up to rest in the smaller boy's lap. "Yeah," Jimin concurred, excited at the prospect of their hyung getting back to his old self. 

As soon as Hoseok opened the door to the living room, he felt Jungkook whizzing right past him, slamming the door shut behind him to barricade himself in Tae and Jimin's room. "Come here you little brat!" Seokjin shouted, chasing after the maknae with a scowl on his face. Ignoring their loud tirade and the sleeping Yoongi on the living room sofa, Hoseok made a beeline to Namjoon's room.

He opened the door quietly and found that his bandmate was having a hushed conversation on the phone. Stepping forward, he could hear him clearly. "Baby, you don't understand! Yes, I'll talk to him... I know you're upset, but you have to hear me out," he heard Namjoon sighing into his phone.

"Is that Hwasa?" Hoseok asked him, not really caring for the nature of his call.

Namjoon turned around and looked at him with a bewildered expression, "What? Dude, how long have you been standing there?" he asked him. 

"Long enough," Hoseok mumbled, stepping forward and snatching the phone out of Namjoon's hands. Before he was able to protest, Hoseok was already turning his back to him, bringing the phone to his ears.

"Ooh, when I see him I'm gonna kill him. You know that, right? I can't believe he would make my sister cry like that. It broke my damn heart seeing that, Joonie."

After hearing that he'd made Y/N cry, Hoseok winced, feeling a tinge of pain flourishing in his chest. Putting her threats to the side, he spoke up. "Hwasa?"

There was a pause. "Is this you, Hoseok?"

"... Yeah."

Upon hearing that it was the subject of her call with Namjoon, she really jumped off. "What the hell is wrong with you, Jung Hoseok? Huh? Why on earth would you take my sister home with you if had a girlfriend? You have a lot of nerve doing that to my sister. When I see you–"

"It was a misunderstanding!"

"Interrupt me again and I'll become your worst nightmare, do you understand me?" Baffled by her dark choice of words, Hoseok was going to respond with a 'Yes' until she cut him off again. "Don't answer that. Now, as I was saying, when I see you again, I'm gonna rip you a new one and choke slam you so hard that your ancestors will feel it."

"Hwasa, I can explain everything."

"She really liked you, you know that right?"

Hoseok choked upon hearing the abrupt news and her usage of the past tense. 'Liked'. "W-well–"

"God, she's baking up a damn storm in there, I feel like the atmosphere is gonna be 20% flour by the time she's done,"

He was confused that she'd add such a strange detail to her argument.

"She bakes when she's sad, Hoseok."

Oh.

"And by the looks of the triple-tiered cakes and the muffins taking over our apartment, it wouldn't take a genius to know that, yeah, she's pretty bummed out."

Hoseok had never felt so bad in his entire life. He was scolding himself internally. If only he just had the strength to just delete those stupid reminders earlier, this all could've been avoided.

"Hwasa, could you send me your address? I'd really like to talk to her in person."

He could hear her scoffing on the other side of the line. "Ha! Yeah, as if I'd do that. You probably just wanna make sure she doesn't blab to the public about your girlfriend. Well, guess what? She's actually a considerate human being so rest assured, you have nothing to worry about."

She had ended the call with him, the monotonous tone filling his ears. "Hello? Hwasa?"

Hoseok cursed, looking at the end call screen on the phone. He looked to Namjoon who'd been watching him the whole time, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Joon, you have to help me," Hoseok pleaded, his whole appearance screaming desperation. Namjoon softened at the sight of him, stepping forward to swing an arm around his shoulder.

"I heard about what happened, I tried to explain it to her but she was too busy ranting about you," Namjoon told him, patting his back comfortingly.

"I messed up big time and I really need to explain myself to her in person. I really like her, man," Hoseok murmured quietly. "I've never felt this way about someone before."

Namjoon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously. "I'll help you out, don't worry."

Despite his bandmate's encouraging words, Hoseok was worried as hell. He double-checked the apartment number in his note's app. His knuckles rapped against the door and he waited nervously for a few seconds for the door to open, which it did, revealing a shocked Hwasa. She slammed the door in his face and he winced, hanging his head down low.

A few more seconds passed and he could hear her screaming from the other side of the door.

"You gave him my address!? Damn it, Joonie!"

The shouting continued for another minute, Hoseok awkwardly dawdling in the hallway outside her apartment.

Suddenly, the door opened. Hwasa stepped forward, grabbing him by the ear and dragging him inside. Hoseok was about to protest but was cut off by the slam of the door behind him. He only had a second to observe their apartment before Hwasa started hitting him on the arm.

"Yah!" Hoseok cried out, rubbing his arm to soothe the pain. 

"I can't believe you," Hwasa seethed, glaring at him.

Hoseok stuttered, asking her, "I-is she here?" 

"No. Now explain yourself, Jung Hoseok," she demanded of him, crossing her arms over her chest with an enraged look in her eyes.

And so he did. He spent five minutes explaining to her how he genuinely enjoyed his time with her sister, talking about how you saw the evidence of his struggles in getting over his ex-girlfriend, mistakenly believing it to be something that it wasn't. He finished off his explanation, looking at her expectantly.

While she silently to take in all of his information, he took the opportunity to look all around their apartment. It was very homely and warm. The living room, where Hoseok and Hwasa sat, was amazing. He saw the family photos scattered around the walls, the vibrant flowers on the coffee table giving the monotone room a pop of color. Hoseok turned his head to see the kitchen which was littered with baked goods of all kinds. Though the sight of the colorful tiered cakes, muffins, and cupcakes was mouthwatering, knowing the reason behind their creation was crushing his soul. 

"It smells amazing in here." Hoseok quipped in an attempt to fill the silence.

"It's the cinnamon," she murmured, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Okay, fine. I see what the issue was but I see another one here," she told him. "I simply refuse to let my sister be some kind rebound for you."

Hoseok launched out of his seat, "Rebound? Of course, she's not a rebound!" he insisted, his face flushed.

"You must've broken up with that girl recently to still have those calendar reminders on your phone," she rolled her eyes at him. Hoseok sat back down slowly, anxiously running a hand through his hair.

"Actually," he began saying, "We broke up five months ago."

Hwasa's jaw dropped. "FIVE MONTHS!?" she shouted. She took off one of her slippers and threw at him, outraged at his confession. 

"You know that makes it worse, right?" she told him, leaning back in her chair with that disapproving look seemingly stuck on her face.

Hoseok exhaled noisily, burying his head in his hands. "I know how it sounds," he told her. "I really do, I know I was stupid. But Hwasa, please. I just need a second chance."

He looked at her expectantly, his eyes wide and glossy with sadness. She softened at his desperate display, sighing and rubbing her temples. 

"Let me tell you something about my sister, Jung Hoseok. My sister is a kind, sweet, and intelligent woman. She's passionate beyond belief and she'll talk your ear off if you let her. I love her more than anything in the world, do you understand?"

Hoseok nodded rapidly, his soft hair bouncing around his head.

"Okay, good. She's on the roof," Hwasa said to him, keeping a trained eye on him. Hoseok shot out of his chair, bowing to her. "Thank you," he told her earnestly, turning to go to the door but she grabbed him by the shoulder, making him face her. 

Hwasa tugged on his shirt so he was leaning forward enough so her mouth was at height with his ear. "If you do some stupid shit that makes my sister cry again, I will shatter your world. M'kay?" she told him, patting his shoulder softly with a confident smirk. He gulped, standing back to his full height. Even though Hwasa was substantially shorter than him and had the face of an angel, she managed to shake him to the core, effectively making him frightened of her.

"Erm, understood," Hoseok gulped, bowing one last time before stepping out the door.

Hwasa flopped back onto the sofa with a groan, "Ugh, men."

His journey to the roof of the apartment building took longer than he expected. Hoseok opted to take the stairs so he had time to think of how he wanted to word out his apology, wanting it to be nothing short of mind-bending and spectacular, or at least good enough that you'd want to share some more ramen with him in the future.

Meanwhile, you were busy tending to the communal garden, pruning the fruits and vegetables diligently. The sun was beating down on you in all your denim overall glory, your sunhat doing a great job of protecting your face from the harsh rays. You were collecting some ripe vegetables from the garden, brushing the dirt and debris away with your gloved hands, placing them gently into the woven basket next to your feet.

You felt your phone vibrate in your pocket. Taking off your gloves, you took out your phone and saw three notifications. Two of them were texts and the other was from the Weverse app.

[BTS Weverse] j-hope shared a moment with you!

Message from Queen Wheein: Good afternoon babe, did I leave my tweezers in your room yesterday? lemme know asap, thx ^_^

Message from Hyejin-eonnieee: good luck xxx

While your sister's text was quite strange and vague and Wheein's inquiry managing to make you chuckle, your curiosity got the better of you, your thumb opting to tap on the Weverse notification. The app sprung to life and the screen loaded for a second before showing you a picture from Hoseok's story. To your surprise, it was a photo of the ramen you'd both cooked the night before, captioned with a small 'best ramen I've had in a long time' at the top right in bold text.

You couldn't recall seeing him take a photo of the meal the night before, making you scratch your head. What was equally confusing was why he even posted the photo. Was he just trying to rub salt in the wound?

With a scowl, you turned your phone off and went back to the task at hand, shoving your phone back into your pocket.

Picking up a small spool of twine and scissors from your basket, you pulled on the string, cutting it off when it was about the length of your hand. You wrapped the string around the mung bean sprouts, tying it off and pulling the sprouts from the roots leaving you with a neat little bundle.

"Hey," someone spoke up behind you, alarming you. You shrieked and fell back onto your butt, groaning at the suddenness, accidentally knocking over your basket at the same time. "Oh, shit– I'm so sorry, are you okay?" the voice said again, the familiarity making your stomach sink. Suddenly, Hwasa's text made sense.

You pushed back the brim of your sun hat to see Hoseok kneeling beside you, his hand on your back. 

"Oh my god, why– what are you doing here?" you asked him, rushing to take a stand, brushing the dust off of your backside.

Hoseok dropped his hand away from your back, visibly hesitating to speak. "I... Uh, shit," he scrunched his nose, running his hand through his hand. "I wanted to apologize to you," he blurted out.

"Apologize for what? I was the one that was overstepping the boundaries," you told him. "But, it would've been nice, y'know, if you told me that you had a girlfriend," you shrugged, turning your back to him, bending down to place your vegetables back into your basket. 

"Y/N, I don't have a girlfriend," he told you, kneeling back down to help you gather the vegetables. Hoseok realized that they all looked familiar. In the basket were the exact same vegetables you'd both eaten the night before with your ramen noodles. The carrots, capsicum, scallions, and the bundle of mung bean sprouts looking ridiculously tempting. 

You paused your movements, hand hovering over the red capsicum on the ground. "B-but..." you murmured, eyes connecting with his. 

"I know you saw the picture and the anniversary reminder," Hoseok said to you, his hand grabbing hold of the handle of the basket. "And, yes, I did have a girlfriend but we broke up five months ago," he bit his lip, looking slightly abashed. "I've been in a pretty low place ever since the relationship so I haven't exactly had the strength to update a lot of basic things in my life, like my calendar..."

"And your lock screen?" You asked him quietly, looking up at him sympathetically.

"And my lock screen," he added, a sad smile on his face. "It's been rough. I haven't been putting as much effort into my work as I should've been and I could feel myself growing tired with the things that usually made me happy," he said, that little voice in the back of his mind scolding him for sharing more details than he ought to.

"I was a little reluctant to go to that party last night but then I met you and you flipped my world inside out. A-and I don't know if it was you that made things seem brighter or if it was the sparkly dress of yours," he chuckled to himself, "But if it's all the same to you, I'd really, really, like to see you again in the near future. I'm hoping that I'm not the only one that felt that connection last night, but if I am then I completely understand if this is making you uncomfortable and... I'll leave if you want me to–"

"No!" you shouted, grabbing his arm, effectively anchoring him to the spot. "Wait, don't go please, I'm sorry," you apologized to him, dropping your hand from his arm. 

"Sorry for what?" he asked you quietly, his brows knit together. He slowly reached towards you, taking your hand in his. "Don't be sorry. I was the idiot and I can't believe it took me this long to realize that much better things existed in the world," he said to you, his eyes boring into yours.

The words you wanted to say were stuck in your mouth, his intense gaze making your knees weak. And to think that he had a girlfriend this whole time... You couldn't believe that the man you had liked for so long was saying all these breathtaking words. If two things were for sure, it was that Jung Hoseok was single and you were embarrassed yet again for being so quick to your judgment.

"It was wrong of me to be so presumptuous," you bit your lip anxiously. 

A lighthearted scoff escaped his lips, "Trust me, it wasn't. I know what it looked like and I can tell you that I would've done the same thing," he said to you, his thumbs lightly running over your knuckles, his gentle gestures making your heart flutter. His reassurance made you melt into his touch, your head tilting to look up to gaze at him warmingly.

He cleared his throat, "But, um, just for future reference, I would never flirt with another girl if I was in a relationship... Just saying," he grinned widely at your giggles, gripping your hand just a little tighter.

"So that really was flirting," you said to him, eyeing the way his thumb gently caressed the skin on the back of your hand. "I thought I was just imagining that."

"So was I, to be honest," he told you, "But then your sister told me you had a crush on me, it was all the reassurance I needed. It also makes my day, like, a thousand times better," he grinned, his other hand coming up to rub your arm.

Your eyes widened, jaw hanging low. Son of a... "Oh my god," you cringed, grabbing the brim of your sun hat to bring it over your face. "Please just let me die," you groaned pathetically, letting go of his hand and squatting down so he couldn't see you.

You could hear his laughter from above. He knelt down beside you, rubbing your back softly. "If it makes it you feel any better, I think I have a crush on you too."

While it made your heart jump in your chest, you were still upset. "You're just saying that so I don't kill my sister," you frowned, distracting yourself by fidgeting the handle of the woven basket.

"Maybe," he grinned mischievously. 

"I, uh, noticed that the vegetables in this little basket of yours has the same ingredients we used last night," he told you, gesturing to the basket in your hands.

"Yeah, I was gonna wash them and send them to you," you told him, eyes roving over the colorful vegetables in the basket.

He snickered, "Wow, you really weren't kidding when you said you were gonna reimburse me," His hand was still roving in soft circles on your denim-clad back.

"I was gonna do it after the clothes finished drying," you gestured towards the clothing line that was on the opposite side of the large roof. Clipped to the rope were his sweatshirt, sweatpants, and your silver sequin dress.

Hoseok's eyes widened upon spotting the clothes. "Oh, damn," he murmured. "Um, well you can keep them if you want. They look better on you anyway," he smiled down at you, the wind making his hair flutter against his forehead. You stared at him in amazement, his smooth words clenching your heart. 

"I wasn't kidding when I said I'd really like to see you again, by the way," he went back to the subject at hand, chuckling nervously and averting his gaze. 

"I'd like that too," you smiled up at him.

"Oh, thank god," he murmured quietly, looking back at you, his face beaming with joy. He stood up, extending his hand out to you for the taking. He pulled you up and smiled at you, his bubbly cheeks shining from the bright sun. 

"Yah!"

The both of you looked to the entrance of the roof, spotting an angry looking Hwasa.

"Clean up the kitchen, dummy. Those cupcakes are everywhere," she told you with an infuriated tone, hands on her hips, and her foot tapping on the ground.

"You be quiet, you lost your scolding privileges when you told Hoseok that I liked him," you narrowed your eyes at her, letting go of Hoseok's hand to point an accusing finger at your sister.

She rolled her eyes at you, crossing her arms over her chest defensively. "Wha– well, someone had to say it!" she argued.

"Um, no they didn't!" you bit back.

"Clean up your cupcakes or I'm telling dad," Hwasa concluded, turning on her heel and retreating back into the building. You gasped, upset that you didn't have a chance to voice your distaste for her use of the parent card. 

You looked back to Hoseok who had an amused look on his face. "Sorry about that," you apologized to him, looking down at your feet.

"Don't worry about it, I've got an older sister too so I know how it feels... She clowns me whenever she gets the chance," he confessed to you, making you laugh in the process.

"Do you wanna get out of here?" he looked to you with an optimistic look in his eyes. You saw that his fingers by his side were reaching out to you. You smiled to yourself, taking his hand in yours.

"Yeah," you grinned at him, pulling him to the entrance of the building.

His grip on your hand tightened, stepping forward to be by your side. "What does the chef recommend?" he chuckled.

"Hmm, coffee with a side of foolishness," you suggested, doubling over with laughter.

"And maybe some hand-holding for dessert?" he raised his eyebrows at you, looking hopeful as ever.

You hummed thoughtfully, "That can be the main course. For dessert, maybe you can teach me how to dance?"

Hoseok was smiling ear to ear, swinging your hand in tandem with his. "It's a deal."

Fin.