#i love how absolutely NOT subtle they are

[carmenberzattosgf]

backseat

Summary: Carmy can’t wait until he gets home to have you

Warnings: general filth. Semi public sex? piv with no protection

Word count: 1.6k

A/N this is all inspired by this lovely ask that I’ll link here. Not proof read at all if you’re reading this the day of posting 💀

Carmy is the definition of a pent up ball of frustration as he scrubs the floor of the kitchen.

It's practically spotless in the first place, but he's determined to wipe down every square inch of the room. He's already taken off his chef whites, wearing his white shirt underneath. The one that hugs his muscles with his every moment.

Service was an absolute mess, and his tedious cleaning of the kitchen is evidence of it. He always stays late after a shift like that, needing some way to release all of his energy so he stands a chance sleeping when finally gets home.

You're leaning on the counter watching Carmy clean. You've already cleaned the stoves twice, and checked all the dates on the food in the walk-in—twice. Carmy finally rises to his feet, but not to leave.

It seems he somehow spots something worthy of wiping down the countertops yet again. That's your last straw.

"Carmy—look at the clock,” you say, pointing to the digital clock on the wall. “It's already midnight. Everything in this kitchen has been cleaned a dozen times. Can we go home, now?"

His arms flex as he takes a rag and begins to wipe the surface. " it’s not good enough," he mumbles, not taking the time to look up at you.

You resort to the only thing you can do that'll distract him immediately. Your hand reaches to squeeze his arm, making him face you. His eyebrows are already scrunched up in a frown like he was about to protest. Your other hand goes up to his cheek as you lean in to kiss him, and every ounce of protest he has in him melts away. He drops the rag on the counter and grabs your waist. You deepen the kiss—or at least try to before Carmy pulls away.

He’s beginning to walk towards the back door before you can even react. “C’mon,”

He says quickly, nodding his head towards the door. “Not going to make out with you here—just cleaned the whole place.” Carmy’s already pulled his keys out of his pocket, ready to lock up as soon as you’re out the door.

You think he’s about to start the car and drive you both home, so you head towards the passenger side door while Carmy locks up. “No. Backseat.” He mumbles, walking up behind you and opening the door for you to get in first. He follows, hopping in and closing the door.

He’s the one to act first this time. His hand grabs you by the jaw and pulls you to his lips. You moan into the kiss, grabbing onto his arms for support. His muscles flex underneath your palms, a subtle reminder of just how strong he is compared to you.

The way Carmy kisses you is intoxicating, licking into your mouth like he’s trying to devour you.

His free hand tugs at your waist, urging you to get on top of him.

You straddle his hips as you fall deeper into the kiss. Your hands touch him everywhere. You squeeze at the muscles of his arms, thread your fingers through his hair, and push down against the tense muscles of his stomach.

You cradle his face in your hands and pull back for a moment. His pupils are blown wide, and his mouth is shiny with a mix of your saliva and his. Your eyes trail down to his lips, focusing on them. They’re flushed and swollen from the kisses.

Your thumb reaches out to trace his bottom lip, pressing lightly on the skin. “You’re so pretty, Carm,” you whisper gaze transfixed on his mouth. He groans the second the words leave your lips.

“Fuckin’ hell—you know you can’t just say things like that, baby.

“But it’s true, and I don’t say it enough.” You finally remove your hand from his face, moving it to his arm instead. Your finger traces the lines of his tattoos. “Every part of you is pretty.”

His hands trace up your spine at that, pushing your shirt up. His fingers are gentle against your skin, but push the fabric up hastily.

“Want this off—wanna see you.” You giggle at Carmy’s eagerness, but nod quickly at his statement. You help him take your shirt off, trying not to hit your head on the roof of the car in the process.

His bright blue eyes take in the newly exposed skin. It’s nothing he hasn’t seen before, but he always traces his eyes over your body like he’s seeing it for the first time.

Naturally, your hands reach back to unclasp your bra, but Carmy stops you before you can undo the clasp. “No, no—keep it on. I love this one on you,” he mutters. The bra you have on is his favorite; he picked it out himself a few months ago.

Carmy leans in to start pressing kisses onto your neck. His hands multitask while he sucks at your pulse, first getting your pants button undone before tackling his belt. You already know at this point that you’ll have quite a few marks above your shirt collar to conceal in the morning.

You crawl off of him to pull down your pants and underwear, discarding them on the car floor before he tugs you by the arm to straddle him again.

Carmy can’t help his wandering hands. The second your back on top of him, his hand travels up your thigh to your center. He lets out a rough groan at the feeling of your wetness on his fingertips.

“Holy shit you’re wet—thinking about me all service?” Yeah? That why you were so eager to leave the kitchen?”When you don’t reply immediately, two of his fingers press against your clit, making you gasp.

He lifts up his hips to push his jeans and underwear down far enough to free his cock. He doesn’t care enough to remove anymore clothing.

Carmy holds his length, and traces the head through your folds, thoroughly slicking up his dick. You whine at the sensation of him at your entrance, so close to where you need him.

“Please. Don’t wanna be teased—need you Carm,” you beg.

“Go ahead then, baby. Sit on my cock.”

Wasting no time, you sink down onto his length slowly, burying your face into his shoulder as you whimper at the stretch. He grabs your hips more firmly than before, not letting you take too much at once.

“Shh—I know, baby. Feels really deep like this, yeah?”

“Mm—“

“Doing so good. Just keep taking it nice and easy—almost there.” He gives your hips a squeeze of assurance as he guides you to sink down further onto him.

You both moan loudly when you finally bottom out on his cock. Your hips are completely flush with his as you take a moment to catch your breath. Carmy removes one of his hands from your waist to tug your head out of the crook of his neck.

“There, now I can see my pretty girl,” he whispers.

You move your hips in slow deep grinds first, stimulating your clit at the same time. Carmy’s looking up at you like you’re an angel in his presence. His mouth is dropped open trying to take a breath while he watches you ride him. Carmy let’s you go at your own pace for awhile, but he grows restless.

His hands grasp onto your hips and push them down on him, nudging his cock even deeper inside of you. His moves a hand to the small of your back and urges you to rock against him. “That’s it—J’st like that—good girl.”

“Carmy—Carmy, Carmy, Carmy,” you whimper, voice full of need. “Please, I can’t—“

“Need me to help?”

Your legs have grown tired, the leather of the seat digging into your knees. “Mhm, please.”

In the next moment, he’s wrapping both of his arms tightly around your body. With his strong arms, he lifts you up and starts slamming his hips into yours.

You hide your face in his neck again, clinging to his body as he thrusts into you at a rapid pace. The angle makes his cock hit right up against that spongy spot deep inside you.

You can’t hold back the whines you’re releasing; Carmy knows every spot to hit to bring you to orgasm.

“Fuck—“ he groans. “Look, look at the windows,” he says. His voice is rough, like he’s barely holding on from falling over the edge. You lift your head to listen to him. The windows are covered in a dense layer of fog from all the heavy breathing.

“See that? Look at what we did—just couldn’t wait to have me could you?” He’s not expecting an answer. He knows you’re too close to form a coherent sentence, so he keeps up the pace of his hips.

He continues to hold you up with his right arm, but lets his left hand slide between your bodies so he can circle your clit with this thumb. That’s all it takes for your peak to wash over you as your legs shake from the high.

The pulsing of your cunt around his dick brings Carmy quickly to orgasm, spilling deep inside of you.

You rest in Carmy’s arms, trying to finally catch your breath. His head leans back against the headrest as he groans. “Fuck—now I really don’t feel like driving home.”

“Well maybe next time we can try to leave the restaurant at a normal time and this wouldn’t happen.”

You don’t miss the look in Carmy’s eye before he speaks. “What if I want it to happen again,” he says with a boyish grin.

[skylin-files]

girl code ⋆ na jaemin

pov: your best friend's former situationship started hitting you up. what could go wrong?

pairing: college student!jaemin x college student! yn

featuring! winter of aespa, nct members

note: this is part three (final part). i hope you like it; your comments will be highly appreciated. ♡

check other parts here: part 1 | part 2

── .✦

You found yourself zoning out in the cafeteria, barely touching your food, while both Haechan and Mark watched you with concern.

Winter’s silence—ignoring you and not replying for two days—wasn’t helping either. Perhaps luck was on your side, as your lab class with Jaemin had been postponed due to your professor’s flu.

Occasionally, you’d cross paths with Jaemin in the hallway. You tried to appear neutral, but the heavy weight in your stomach was impossible to ignore every time you saw him. At the same time, you couldn’t deny how much you secretly liked feeling his gaze linger on you as you turned away.

It had been two days since Mark sent the group photo and two days since you last heard from Winter.

It was the end of your final class, and as you placed the last of your things in your locker and slammed it shut, you nearly jumped at the sight of Jaemin leaning casually against the locker next to yours.

"Hey," he greeted, his voice soft. You blinked, trying to steady yourself, and whispered back, "Hey."

You watched him as he straightened up from his relaxed position, seeming to wrestle with his thoughts, hesitating before speaking.

"How are you?" he asked. His tone held a subtle weight, as though he wanted to ask more but held himself back. You hadn’t been replying to his messages like you used to, and though he clearly noticed, he chose not to press further.

"I’m okay, just busy," you answered—a tired, overused excuse. It was obvious Jaemin didn’t believe you, but he only nodded in response. "Can I get you a coffee?" he offered.

Did you want to say yes? Absolutely. But was it the right thing to do? You weren’t sure. Caught between the pull of a heart yearning for love and a mind that kept shutting it out, you felt a pang of helplessness.

"Sure," you murmured, almost to yourself, the word slipping out with a faint sense of defeat.

── .✦

"One americano and an iced caramel macchiato for Jaemin," the barista announced.

Jaemin gathered both drinks, and while you went to the restroom, he placed them at the table by the time you returned. The two of you settled into a cozy seat at a café near campus, the same place where you and Winter usually hung out. As you sat there, your thoughts drifted to your best friend, and a somber look crossed your face, which Jaemin quickly noticed.

"We haven’t seen much of each other lately," he remarked, though you couldn’t quite read his expression.

"Well, our professor has the flu," you replied. Jaemin simply nodded, taking a sip of his drink.

The silence lingered for a while, and once again, it felt like he was on the verge of saying something but was hesitating. Finally, he spoke up. "I missed you."

As you were about to take a sip from your cup, you froze for a moment, the cup hanging just a few inches from your lips.

"I missed you too, Jaemin," you replied, though deep down, you couldn't help but feel that developing feelings for Na Jaemin might be the most ironic twist fate had thrown your way.

"I want to be upfront," he started, and you could feel your heart race. "I’m not sure if you're intentionally ignoring me or if I did something wrong," he added.

"Your actions toward me have been confusing." You cut him off, attempting to conceal the real reason behind your behavior—the fact that you knew about him and Winter. As you spoke, you noticed Jaemin’s eyes soften.

"I know," he replied softly. "That’s why I’m here. I want to clear everything up."

For a moment, you found yourself wondering if what you had said was just an excuse, a way to justify your actions. Deep down, you realized that part of you was also eager to discover if Jaemin felt the same way about you as you did about him.

"The things I’ve done with you, the things I’m doing now, and the things I’m about to do—I'm not doing any of this just to be friends," Jaemin confessed. "I wanted to be clear and be 100% honest with you, because this is how it needs to be for it to work."

Hearing him speak so openly, you knew exactly where this conversation was headed.

"Your best friend, Winter... remember when you said she had a situationship here on campus?" Jaemin asked. You could only nod, finally bracing yourself to hear the confirmation.

"That was me," Jaemin admitted. You weren’t sure whether to feel heartbroken, knowing that your best friend was the failed situationship of the first boy you'd ever liked, or relieved, remembering how Jaemin had opened up about his past situationship with you.

"You told me that your first and last situationship was one of your biggest regrets. You said you didn’t want to go through it again, that it was pointless, a waste of time. That was Winter?" you asked, and Jaemin nodded in response.

Was it wrong to feel a sense of relief at his answer? He was clearly over your best friend, yet you couldn’t shake the guilt that lingered deep inside.

"I want to be completely honest with you," Jaemin said. "I like you, and if you feel the same, I’ll do everything I can to make it work. But that can only happen if I tell you this."

Both of you understood the consequences. You hadn't known that Jaemin was Winter's past situationship, and Winter hadn’t even mentioned it when you showed her the picture of you and Jaemin together. As for Jaemin, he was aware that you and Winter were best friends, but his feelings towards you all came naturally, and his intentions were sincere—what he felt for you was real.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner, but now that what I feel for you is clear, I knew you needed to know," Jaemin said.

His words made your heart sink. You appreciated Jaemin for being honest, but at the same time, you couldn’t help but feel a wave of sadness. Winter, your best friend for years, couldn’t even face you or talk to you about it over the phone.

You never understood why girls would lose their minds over a boy, not until Na Jaemin came into your life. You could only smile wistfully, never expecting to find yourself caught up in this kind of situation.

"I actually knew since two days ago," you finally confessed to Jaemin. "Winter, she’s been ignoring me. She even soft blocked me and my friends on social media," you added, referring to Haechan and Mark.

You paused for a moment, then looked at Jaemin and said sincerely, "Thank you for talking this through with me," feeling a deep sadness in your stomach. "But I need some time," you added, almost as if you were saying it to yourself rather than to Jaemin.

He nodded in response, and you could see a smile on his face, though it carried an undertone of sadness. "I understand," he replied.

You left the café and as you walked a few blocks away, the rain began to pour. Quietly cursing, you realized you didn't have your umbrella. But when you checked your bag, you found one tucked inside.

It wasn't yours, but it looked familiar.

You sighed as you realized it must have been Jaemin's—he must have placed it in your bag while you were in the restroom.

── .✦

The rhythmic sound of the cheerleading team's synchronized movements echoed through the gym as they practiced. For the past few days, Winter had dedicated all her time and focus to cheer, as if nothing else mattered.

When practice finally ended, she sat on the benches while the rest of her teammates left. She was alone in the gym, at least until footsteps echoed in, though she didn’t initially pay much attention. It wasn’t until the footsteps stopped in front of her that she looked up from her phone—it was Jaemin.

Winter froze as Na Jaemin stood in front of her in the university gym. "Are you lost?" she asked with a chuckle, trying to mask the uneasy feeling swirling in her stomach.

"We need to talk," Jaemin said plainly. Winter couldn’t stop the frown that formed on her face, starting to piece together the real reason he was there. Jaemin wasn’t there for her—he was there because of her best friend.

"If you’re here to tell me to talk to my best friend, then you should just leave," Winter snapped, standing and hastily gathering her things.

"You’re selfish, you know that?" Jaemin’s words caught her off guard, but she continued packing, determined to ignore him.

"You cut me off when I wanted to court you properly. And now that I’ve started liking someone who’s ready to commit the way I am, you’re acting like you’re the one who’s been dumped," Jaemin said, his usual calm demeanor replaced with frustration.

"She’s my best friend!" Winter lashed out, nearly throwing her things in her anger as her voice echoed in the empty gym. Jaemin and Winter locked eyes, tension crackling between them.

"This is the first time she’s liked a guy, but I know she understands what girl code is," Winter said, her voice faltering. Even as the words left her mouth, she felt foolish. Jaemin had never truly meant anything to her; their connection had been casual. Yet somehow, her pride and ego felt bruised, as if her very identity had been challenged.

"If you wanted her to follow girl code so badly, why didn’t you confront her about it?" Jaemin shot back, his tone sharp. "Why did it have to be me telling her about us? Why did her other friends have to find out before she did? You weren’t honest with her."

"I was honest! Not entirely," Winter countered, her voice rising in defense. "But when I said you two looked good together, I meant it. You did look good together." She paused, her voice trembling now. "But that doesn’t mean it didn’t make me feel sick to my stomach," she admitted, her frustration spilling out in every word.

Her hands trembled as she spoke, guilt crashing over her. Winter felt like the worst friend, the worst person, for the way things had turned out. She hated the way she felt but couldn’t deny it.

"You two looked so good together that it started to hurt," Winter admitted, her voice heavy with emotion. "But I don’t have the right to feel that way because I was the one who cut you off. We had nothing, and I didn’t do anything to change that. I didn’t stop her from seeing you."

Winter’s frustration was palpable, but it wasn’t directed at Jaemin or her best friend—not really. Deep down, she was angry at herself, though she desperately wished she could blame someone else. The weight of her own choices and inaction bore down on her, leaving her overwhelmed with regret.

Winter felt a wave of helplessness as she locked eyes with Jaemin, her mind briefly imagining what it might have been like if she had given him a chance—if she had taken him seriously. But reality pulled her back, and she could only shake her head in resignation.

"Just take care of her," she said softly, her voice heavy with emotion.

"I know you will, but please, take care of her. She's been looking out for me for years, and she deserves someone who will do the same for her." She was referring to her best friend. Clutching her gym bag tightly, she turned and walked out of the gym.

Jaemin stood frozen in place, the sound of the gym door slamming shut echoing in the empty space. Letting out a deep sigh, he pulled his phone from his pocket.

Your name was on the screen—the call was still ongoing. You had heard everything.

Every word, every emotion in Winter’s voice, every part of the conversation. You had heard it all.

── .✦

Your lab classes had resumed, but Jaemin was no longer seated beside you. At first, it stung, but then you realized why he had moved. He was doing it for you—giving you the time and space you said you needed.

Days passed, and you could still feel his gaze linger on you when you weren’t looking. The moment you no longer sensed his eyes, you found yourself testing your luck, stealing glances at him as if trying to grow accustomed to admiring him from a distance.

It was bittersweet, almost cliché.

A sadness settled over you as you wondered: Is this your reality with Jaemin? To admire each other from afar? The thought crept in—perhaps you and Jaemin were better at yearning for each other than at actually being together.

Not long after Jaemin spoke to Winter, you received a message from her. It was brief, only a few words:

Winter: “I’m sorry. I hope I can talk to you properly soon. I love you.”

You didn’t bother replying. It was clear she wasn’t ready to have an honest conversation or fully confront the situation. And as much as it hurt, you knew you had to face it on your own.

Weeks passed, and another group task was assigned during your lab class. As usual, everyone was instructed to write their partner's name on a piece of paper.

Glancing around the room, you noticed Jaemin's seat was empty. Your grip on the pen tightened as an internal battle raged between your heart and mind. Letting out a quiet sigh, you decided to follow what you truly wanted.

Carefully, you wrote your name on the paper. Just below it, you added "Na Jaemin."

Staring at the name, you gave a small nod before rising from your seat to submit it to your professor.

"He won’t mind, right?" you murmured to yourself, hoping you were right.

── .✦

Jaemin sat in the cafeteria with his best friend, Jeno, who was happily devouring his lunch.

“Are they not eating lunch today?” Jaemin asked, glancing at his watch. He was referring to you and your friends, who usually occupied the far end of the cafeteria.

“She’s in the library,” a familiar voice chimed in, followed by the loud clatter of a food tray being slammed onto the table, startling both Jaemin and Jeno. The voice belonged to Haechan, who had appeared out of nowhere, with Mark trailing closely behind, carrying his own tray.

“Be careful,” Jeno muttered, giving Haechan a side-eye, but Haechan merely shrugged as he and Mark casually settled into the seats across from Jaemin and Jeno.

“Why are you guys sitting here?” Jeno asked, giving Mark, his classmate, a friendly grin afterward, pointing toward the end of the cafeteria where Haechan and Mark usually sat. Both Jaemin and Jeno looked at them, confused by the sudden change in routine.

"You were looking for us, right? It would be easier if we sat closer to you," Haechan joked.

"It would have been easier if you brought your friend with you," Jeno retorted, referring to you, earning a glare from Jaemin. "As Haechan said, she's in the library," Mark added.

An awkward silence settled over the table until Haechan broke it, clearing his throat to grab Jaemin's attention. "Do you still like her?" Haechan asked casually, causing Jeno to nearly choke on his food at how blunt Haechan was.

"What?" Jaemin responded, and Mark rolled his eyes at the answer.

"One of our seniors is planning to ask her out," Mark added, prompting another "What?" from Jaemin, this time it was so loud that people nearby started giving them puzzled looks.

"Yeah, so you'd better get your act together. A month is plenty of time for space, right?" Haechan teased, casually chewing his food.

"Oh, and she wrote you down as her lab partner, so I guess that's your cue to stop this silent treatment," Haechan added, prompting Jaemin to jump out of his seat, leaving his food untouched as he rushed to the library where the duo had said you were. He had only missed one lab class, and this is what he returned to.

Jaemin silently thanked his lucky stars. If he had been there, would you still have written his name as your lab partner? No one could know for sure, but he quietly appreciated the universe's strange twist of fate—giving him a headache that day, which kept him from attending the class and the calls.

Jeno simply watched his best friend dash off, shrugging before going back to his food. He then looked at Mark and Haechan sitting across from him. "So, is it true that one of your seniors wants to ask her out?" Jeno asked.

"Nope," the duo replied in unison.

── .✦

Peeking through the library, Jaemin let out a sigh when he didn't see you. You must have already left. With lab class not until tomorrow, Jaemin considered texting you but hesitated, thinking it would feel strange to reach out after a month of silence. He decided to wait until the next day instead.

As the last period ended and he walked through the campus gates, Jaemin sighed again when rain began to drizzle. He scratched the back of his neck, deciding not to waste time by waiting for the rain to stop. It wasn’t too heavy, so he kept walking, feeling the droplets on his skin. Pausing at the stoplight, he waited for the signal to turn green. That's when he noticed the rain no longer falling on him.

Looking up, he saw you holding an umbrella over his head.

"You shouldn't walk in the rain, you might get sick," you said, making Jaemin freeze for a moment as he realized it was you. The umbrella he had placed in your bag during your last meeting at the café was now in your hands.

"I don't want my lab partner missing another class," you added, trying to sound casual, but the blush on your cheeks betrayed you.

Jaemin couldn’t help but smile, a wave of happiness swelling in his chest. He nodded and reached for the umbrella, but your hand brushed against his, making him hesitate. Without thinking, he ended up holding the umbrella for both of you.

"Thank you," he said, his heart racing slightly. You could only smile in response, at a loss for words.

It had been some time since you were this close to Jaemin, feeling the warmth radiating from his body as you both shared the umbrella. Jaemin’s phone vibrated, a notification popping up. You couldn’t help but shake your head slightly, a bigger smile spreading across your face when you saw it was a message from Jeno.

Jeno: “Thank me later! She asked me about your last class.”

Jaemin smiled at the text before turning off his phone, his expression suddenly shifting to one of seriousness.

"Is it true that a senior wanted to ask you out?" he asked out of nowhere.

You looked at him, clearly confused. "What? What senior?" you replied, bewildered.

Jaemin studied your face for a moment, sighing as he realized Mark and Haechan had been playing a prank on him. "I hate your friends," he muttered, pulling you closer so you wouldn’t get wet from the rain.

── .✦

You and Jaemin resumed talking comfortably after that, with the two of you becoming lab partners again. Thankfully, Jaemin didn’t mind, and in fact, he was quite happy about it. He started sitting with you again in class, and during breaks, your friend group began sitting together with Jaemin and Jeno.

The attraction between the two of you? It was clearly still there, but now the signs were more obvious.

Jaemin no longer hesitated to hold your hand, kiss the back of your hand—whether it was randomly, out of boredom, or as a simple gesture to show his adoration for you—buy you lunch, carry your bag, and walk you home like before. He’d share his headphones with you, always finding a reason to walk by your side, even if it meant taking the longer route. Na Jaemin would take note of all the small things you liked, showing just how much he cared.

You weren’t being subtle either. Instead of admiring him from afar, you now had the chance to admire him up close as he focused on the lab report beside you. You’d make little excuses to talk to him, always try to sit next to him, finding small ways to be near him. You’d even send him little texts just to check in, and when you saw new art galleries or exhibits in town, you’d share them with him, suggesting that the two of you go visit together.

These are just a few of the many ways the two of you express your growing feelings for each other. After a few weeks, Jaemin began courting you, showing you just how serious he was about his feelings. This time, you chose to follow your heart.

Whenever you were with Jaemin, you’d find yourself staring at him for a while, watching a soft smile form on his lips whenever he caught your gaze. Every moment spent with him was filled with gestures of affection, and each one made your heart flutter with happiness.

── .✦

It was a special day—the annual cheer team competition, a major event for universities, where cheer teams from different schools came together to compete.

Your and Winter's universities were among them.

Since Winter was part of her university's cheer team, you knew you'd be seeing her today. Although you hadn’t spoken to her since her last message, you often found yourself checking her social media to keep up with her. From her posts, you could tell she’d been busy with cheer and had started partying less. You even came across a post where she had tried baking—a new hobby she had taken up to keep herself occupied. Sometimes, you wondered if she thought of you as much as you thought of her, or if she ever stalked your social media or checked in on your friends' posts to see how you were doing.

“Hi, here’s a free cupcake for you!” one of the students from another university said, offering a cupcake with their cheer team's name on it.

“Oh, but I’m from a different university,” you chuckled.

The person smiled and insisted, “This is a friendly competition! Take it.”

You accepted the cupcake with a thank you and made your way to your seat, where your friends and Jaemin were already waiting.

You glanced at the cupcake, noticing it had the logo of Winter’s cheer team on it. A soft smile crossed your face as you realized it was from her team. You missed Winter so much.

As you began nibbling on the cupcake, you shared it with Jaemin, unaware that Winter herself had baked it. She and her team had made the cupcakes for their supporters, and she knew you'd be there. Winter could only smile to herself as she watched you in the crowd, munching on the cupcake she had made.

Winter noticed Jaemin sitting beside you, opening a bottle of water for you while you enjoyed the sweet treat. This time, she didn’t feel that uneasy knot in her stomach. Her smile wasn’t bittersweet; it was genuine.

Fuck Girl Code.

Na Jaemin was truly looking after you, just as she had hoped.

"I hope you don’t think of me too much, I don’t want you to be sad over someone like me," Winter whispered to herself, watching as you and Jaemin laughed at something, Jaemin kissing the back of your hand as if it were second nature.

Suddenly, your eyes met Winter's. You were taken aback to see her looking at you, but instead of turning away or ignoring you, Winter gave you a warm smile. You returned the smile, and maybe, for now, that was all that mattered.

── .✦

tags: @carelessshootanonymous @taliaamara @zgzgzh @tinyzen @urlocalbeaner5 @profoundruinsunknown @lovesuhng @moryymor @haechanmybaechan @mmjhh1998 @cottonjaems @darumdarimdaa @hyucksnctzen @cherryynoir @haechanahceah67 @cigarettesafterjae @eternoange1 @yananluvclub @doubledoie @t-102 @nosungluv @aracy @haesluvr @charlunaotte @hyuksworld @maarslvr

[lamemaster]

Things the Silmarillion elves find adorable about a human reader

After surveying the recurring elves of this blog, here are seven things they find adorable about humans:

Waving Greeting

Maedhros froze the first time you did it. Across the military camp, you excitedly waved at him. Raising your arm high, you waved, smiling broadly, and your elf froze in his path. For a fleeting moment, he thought it must be someone else you were so happy to greet. But no. It was him. With unpracticed-stiff movements, he raised his own arm and waved back. He watched as laughter bubbled out of you, and you ran to him, leaving him utterly dumbfounded yet his heart leaping out of his chest.

Baggy Clothing

Glorfindel tries not to stare, but by Elbereth, it is hard. Drowning in his robes, you look utterly adorable. The way the sleeves flow down your arms, completely covering your hands, and how the fabric pools around your feet, it’s enough to make him squeal. He worries briefly that you might trip, but for now, he’s too busy enjoying the sight. Picking you up in his arms, he resists the urge to squeeze you, mindful of the last time he tried and how poorly that ended for him. Still, his heart aches at how endearing you look, swallowed by the robes that were never quite meant for you.

Breathless Laughter

The entire palace can hear it. Yet this does not stop the subtle smile it puts on everyone’s face. Sitting across from you, Finrod watches you wheeze with laughter, clutching your stomach as you fall off your chair. Your face is red, your eyes brimming with tears. “I think I peed a little,” you whisper through giggles as your friend continues laughing uncontrollably. Finrod loves the sight of such unrestrained joy, raw, rugged happiness amid marred lands. How wonderful it must be, he thinks, to express joy so freely.

Apologizing to Inanimate Objects

It’s not the first time Maeglin has seen you do this. Bumping into a corner, you mutter a quick “Sorry,” rubbing your arm as though the object could feel pain. Wooden crates, rocks, curtains, tables, nothing escapes your apologies, and Maeglin secretly adores it. It’s such an absentminded habit, and yet it speaks volumes about your nature. There is, however, one exception: when you stub your toe on something. Then, your mouth lets loose with the vocabulary of a seasoned sailor. Much to his dismay (and secret delight), Maeglin finds even this utterly endearing. But there’s absolutely no way he’s telling you that. He keeps that fondness locked away where you’ll never uncover it.

Love for Blankets

Fingon has trekked across the Helcaraxe. He knows the cold and understands the precious value of warmth. Yet, his appreciation pales in comparison to yours. He absolutely loves your ritual of joy at the sight of your bed. The way you jump into your blankets, rubbing your feet together, scrunching your eyes shut, and giggling. It’s a sight he never tires of. On nights when he gets to witness this, Fingon even mimics your antics, despite not feeling the cold himself. He delights in how you grin and snuggle into him, often followed by your sneaky attempt to press your freezing feet against his. Though he feigns annoyance, he treasures every moment of it.

Physical Touch

Beleg smiles broadly the moment you enter a room. Without fail, your eyes scan the space until they find him, and then you make your way over to sit beside him. Every. Single. Time.

He loves how humans gravitate toward physical closeness, finding contentment in proximity alone. Unlike elves, who feel bonds through senses, heartbeats, or thoughts, you seek him out with pure will. Every time you do, Beleg can’t help but put his arms around you, squeezing you in a way he’s seen you do to him. And when you hum contentedly, he melts just a little more.

Baby Voice

Celegorm can’t help but laugh at the way your voice softens when you bend down to pet Huan. Every time you see the hound, you greet him with exaggerated enthusiasm, “Who’s a goob boy?” Celegorm has, on several occasions, reminded you that Huan is older than your grandfather, older than your entire kind, in fact. Yet this knowledge hasn’t dimmed your excitement one bit. Your bubbly tone, the kisses on Huan’s paws, the endless stream of pets, Celegorm finds it both amusing and endearing. Much to your credit, Huan is completely putty in your hands.

[frownyalfred]

god i am just exploding thinking about bruce and sex in the arkham prince au. there is absolutely no way he’s not accustomed to exchanging sex for favors, information, anything he wants or needs. he’s no stranger to doing it to protect his kids, particularly with guards and medical staff; if bruce is available, they generally take him over dick, and if they don’t, he finds a way to ensure they can’t take anyone. it turns out that deaths that can’t be traced back to you sometimes require outsourcing, and outsourcing requires payment, and rich as he is on the outside, payment on the inside does not mean money

so arkham prince bruce comes to view sex and attraction as tools in a way not dissimilar to brucie. they’re double-edged swords. more than one bruce has had to deal with obsession, stalking, undesirable consequences. more than once bruce has had to deal with the arkham staff assuming they have free license to do with their prince what they wish. but it’s also a means of connection, one of the very small number of ways bruce ever touches another person without inherent violence, and arkham prince bruce is even more starved for genuine human connection than the batman, so…

…he ends up digesting clark’s attraction to him in stages, over years

- he immediately notices that clark thinks he’s handsome; not especially noteworthy, as nearly everyone does, and although it’s fun and easy to fluster the awkward kansas boy with his biting kind of charm it’s also not ultimately that productive, because

- the awkward kansas boy is superman, and superman is not random guard number eight who can be persuaded to use bruce’s mouth in exchange for looking the other way at just the right time. superman, despite his glaringly obvious physical attraction to bruce, does not seem like he wants that. it’s something of a novelty, and bruce reformulates his strategy

- but the ensuing seduction attempts, each more subtle and meaningful than the last, yield nothing. when bruce goes out of his way to appeal to clark, he might get a blush or an eye roll or a mock-scandalized half-serious request to stop. it’s when he’s not going out of his way to appeal to clark that clark actually seems the most enchanted

- and it takes a bit, partially because clark is guarded enough that he doesn’t fall instantly in love with the prince of arkham and partially because bruce for all his genius has the emotional intelligence of a dead salmon, but bruce comes to realize that clark…doesn’t just want to fuck him? clark…isn’t just taking advantage of the asset bruce is to the justice league on alternate tuesdays? clark…loves him? and seems to express this by going out of his way to be seen in public in gotham, and loudly talking about how it’s a city with a heart of gold beneath its dark and bloody exterior?

if bruce ever offered up any kind of requited affection after clark has decided to trust him, clark would be ON THAT like white on rice, thinking to himself that he knew there was still space in bruce’s heart to love another person the way he loves gotham. he’d be giddy and thrilled right up until he realizes (possibly in the middle of sex) that bruce isn’t touching him and letting himself be touched because he wants clark, he’s doing it because that’s how he keeps the favor of powerful people. unfortunately, x-ray vision doesn’t work on feelings

This is dark and I love it. But it’s oddly in character for Bruce even in this AU, using his body to achieve his goals, detaching emotion from the physical. And Clark being the one person to make him want to open up and change that…

[asheepinfrance]

nurse... nurse she's out and she's art posting. god... oh god nurse. Anyways I wrote this in like 20 minutes and did not proof read it but i love my boy! i love my little rat man! and he deserves a little post. will have a patrick post soon :))

Being 18 is fucking weird, man. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. There’s still acne cropping up where it’s most noticeable, sweat when there’s no heat, but with all the added pressures of legal adulthood, and, worst of all, a just-above-teenage mind that insists on wandering. If Art could have gotten through a single senior year English class without staring at that one girl in the third row and having to cross his legs, which he swears is subtle, he’d be convinced of miracles. But it’s summer break now, and that means he’s free to do as he pleases. As he pleases, for the time being, is lounge on his porch steps, throwing a tennis ball up… and then down… and then up again… then back down. Fascinating stuff, really. That’s just about as satisfying as a sticky, early-June day can be until he sees just about the prettiest girl, like, ever, walk by. She must be the most gorgeous thing he’s ever laid eyes on. He’s convinced of it. She’s practically strutting down the sidewalk, which is so uneven it should be considered a safety hazard, like she owns the place. Does she? Who cares. Pretty girl. Pretty, pretty girl with pretty, long legs and pretty long hair and oh jesus christ, why is she looking this way-

 “Hey, you, uh… dropped this, so…” Oh god, she’s standing so close. When did she get all the way here? If he reached out a hand just the slightest bit, he’d be touching her soft-looking thighs and it’s enough to leave him panting. Thank god it’s hot, at least he’ll have a valid-sounding excuse for it. He’s vaguely aware that she’s holding out a tennis ball that he’d apparently dropped… he genuinely didn’t notice a thing. “Yeah, I- Huh! Yeah, thanks.” And now he’s standing there, and she’s standing there, and he needs to get her to talk again. He didn’t memorize her voice the first time. “Do I know you?” He leans back on his palms, knee over knee, and he’s sure he looks absolutely badass. The smile that grows on her face shows it’s something more akin to ‘child with a playground crush’. “No, I’m just visiting. My cousins, I mean. His name’s Cooper, you know him?” Cooper. As in Cooper Friedman with the giant glasses and chronic B.O? How the hell are they related?? “Cooper? Aw, man, that’s my best bud. We should all… hang out or something while you’re in town. You know… since me and him already hang out all the time…”

She quirks a brow, barely suppressed grin on her face. “You hang out with Cooper?” He’s about to insist that yes, they’re just the bestest of friends, when she laughs. She laughs and it’s so real and raw and human and he can feel his lips curling into that stupid, mousey smile he’s so unconfident about. She doesn’t seem horrified by it. Win. “You’re too pretty for that shit, dude-”

“Art! It’s Art.” How cool and not desperate sounding at all. Awesome, bad-ass, tough guy behavior, really. “Well then, you’re too pretty for that shit, Art.” Oh wow. Oh wow, she said his name. She said his name and he finally understands the universe. The universe is one pretty girl saying your name with the sweetness usually reserved for someone much nearer and dearer than a perfect strange. 

Oh my god. Did she say pretty? The realization hits him in the stomach like the many poorly-aimed (purposefully or otherwise) tennis balls that he’s taken to the gut. He’s sat there gaping like a fish, and she tilts her head with a grin, seemingly unbothered. If anything, she’s amused. He’ll happily make a fool of himself around the clock to see her smile like that. After a few more seconds of fool-making, she just shrugs the interaction off, seemingly having found as much entertainment in him as she could. She offers him a little finger wave, a smile that’s just a bit different than the other ones, and a “Bye, Art” that could kill a man. Specifically, a man named Art Donaldson, who’s still staring at her with stars in his eyes. “Yeah… yeah, bye” and he’s still grinning and he has to repeat his senior-year English routine of crossing his legs. She doesn’t mention it when she walks away, so she must not have seen. He’s silently thanking the universe for his subtlety. 

She absolutely noticed.

[dollediary]

I’m So Sick of Me Too

pairings ❥ jay x fem!reader (ft. eric from the boyz)

point of view ❥ third person, omniscient

warnings ❥ N/A

synopsis ❥ after what felt like a sudden breakup with her boyfriend of many years, y/n finds herself holding onto the remaining pieces chipping from a failed relationship. after wallowing in an isolated self pity, her two best friends convince her to go to a party where she meets the perfect boy to fill the void. unsure if her attraction is genuine or a distraction, y/n has one choice to makeㅡ be with her newfound lover or make it work with her first love.

genre ❥ angst, smut

word count ❥ 15,515

taglist: open, just ask!

author’s note: sorry i’m posting this a little later than i had hoped, i just wanted it to be absolutely perfect. ignore any errors, please and thank you. let me know how yall like it! and feel free to leave any future scene suggestions. the plot is set, but the story is an open book.

SERIES MASTERLIST | NEXT | ENHYPEN MASTERLIST

ONE.

“babe,” y/n’s voice pulled jay out of his thoughts. he turned his head to look at her, her expression filled with expectancy—the kind that made his chest tighten. he already knew where this was headed. another argument. “you good?” her question was simple, but jay knew any response could open the floodgates.

it was one of his only days off after a long, grueling week. he was utterly drained. all he wanted was a moment of peace. the energy to engage, to explain, wasn’t there. “yeah,” he muttered, giving her a small nod before turning back to the tv. propping his feet on the coffee table, he stared blankly at the screen, hoping she’d let it go. but the silence only seemed to amplify the tension between them.

y/n shifted in her seat, clearly unsatisfied. “okay…” she replied, her tone trailing off before she reached for the remote and paused the show. the sudden silence made him tense. “then why are you so quiet today?” she pressed, her voice carrying an edge.

jay’s fingers tapped idly against his phone. he exhaled slowly. “i just don’t feel like talking right now,” he said, his voice firm but measured. he hoped that would be enough, but he knew she’d likely not take the hint and let him be. “and i’m not trying to argue either.”

y/n’s eyes narrowed slightly at his last sentence, a feeling of defensiveness rising within her. “okay, well, you haven’t said anything in the past hour. you can save the attitude—i was just checking on you.”

his jaw tightened. “i don’t have an attitude, y/n,” jay said, his tone now laced with frustration. he set his phone down on the armrest, resisting the urge to rub his temples. his shoulders stiffened as he tried to focus on keeping his cool, though irritation bubbled under the surface.

y/n crossed her arms, her voice raising with aim. “and i’m supposed to know that how? show me, don’t tell me.” she tilted her head, raising an eyebrow in challenge, her expression poking at the remaining fragments of his patience.

he turned his head toward her, his gaze heavy. “can you not right now?” the plea in his voice wasn’t subtle and his request didn’t fall deaf on her ears. a flip switched inside of her. her angry facade seemed to quickly chip away, and her true emotion seeped through.

“not what? i’m just trying to spend time with my boyfriend,” she shot back, her voice cracking with the weight of unspoken hurt. “the boyfriend i haven’t seen in forever, mind you, because he’s been working all week.”

by now her voice was soft, trembling. each breath she took was weighted in fear of misinterpretation. “and i’m so sorry if it’s selfish of me, but if there’s any day you feel like ‘not talking,’ why does it have to be the one day we actually get to be together?” she averted his gaze, fidgeting with the buttons on the remote, a quiet plea for understanding.

the words hit him, leaving his breath caught in his throat for a moment. he opened his mouth, searching for any way to defend himself, but nothing felt right. “me not talking doesn’t have anything to do with you,” he finally said, leaning back to lay more on the couch. his voice was tight as he moved his gaze to look past her, crossing one leg over his lap, and tapping his foot on the floor with the other.

y/n let out a bitter laugh. “yeah? well, guess who’s the only one being affected by it?!” the volume of her voice caught both of them off guard. shit. she swore she didn’t mean to yell. before she was able to react, to apologize, or at least explainㅡ jay had already straightened himself up, shooting her a warning gaze.

“stop it, y/n.” his voice rose slightly this time, betraying his simmering frustration. her shoulders slugged, her face turning with every muscle trying to hold back the tears brimming. it only heightened their presence as she began blinking them away.

“i just want to talk,” she said, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions as they spilled over, unable to bear the sting of his distant demeanor any longer. “am i really that uninteresting that my own boyfriend doesn’t even want to have a conversation with me?”

the air between them grew thick with unspoken words. the silence stretched long enough for both of their thoughts to race. for jay, it was a desperate search for the right words, something that could fix this—or at least end it. for y/n, it was a growing ache in her chest, a sense that something irreversible was about to happen. she began rubbing her arm softly in a back and forth motion, anticipating.

when jay finally spoke, his voice was steady, deliberate. “i want to break up.” the words hung in the air. she found herself remaining silent as she looked at him, unsure of what to do. while this wasn't exactly something new for them, there was something different about the look in his eyes this time around. their eyes stayed fixed on each other, a distant gaze in place of connection. his words echoed loudly in her ears.

her lips parted slightly, but no sound came out. she blinked, her mind racing to catch up. surely, this wasn’t real. surely, he didn’t mean it. her body stilled as she unconsciously dug her fingernails into her arm amidst the comforting massage. her eyes glazed over with tears, squinting in confusion, her heart racing as jay moved to sit closer to her. “what?” was all she could manage to get out, her voice barely above a whisper.

jay didn’t look away this time. his gaze was heavy, tired, but unwavering. “i mean it,” he said, quieter now, but no less certain. looking down, a sigh left his lips. he fought for a moment with her frozen grip before he was able to pry her arm off, stopping her from causing any further harm to herself. and now, all she could think about was how the feeling of his skin on hers hurt so much more. he was looking at her now, but the contact lasted no longer than a second before he turned away. “and i- i thought about it a lot. it’s what’s best for us. i just don’t think we’re good for each other anymore.”

“how can you say that, jay?” her voice cracked as she blinked, tears finally escaping along with a small sob that hardly went unnoticed in the now painfully silent room. she maneuvered, her eyes searching for something in his. he looked at her again with a look she’d never seen before. it scared her. “no. we’re not the kind of couple who breaks up. that’s not how this works, you said that yourself.” indignation clear in her voice, it was hard for her to hold back the resentment she was already starting to feel. 

jay only sighed, regretful of his open and now outdated mindset. if he had known their relationship would turn out the way it did, he would have just stayed quiet. in the past she was successful in avoiding his serious attempts, several times, with that reasoning. it was always the most convincing point to get him to stay, she knew he hated not staying true to his word. he hesitated, his cautious gaze meeting hers before he continued. “i'm not happy.”

she had never heard those words before, and their weight hit her hard, leaving her stunned. this couldn’t be real. panic flared in her chest as she grasped for something, anything, to turn the conversation around. “i think this is just one of your moods—” she started, her voice trembling, a fragile attempt to mend what was breaking before he interjected.

“no, y/n. i mean it this time. i can’t do this anymore.”

reading the room became difficult, the usually familiar scene felt foreign now. she didn’t recognize any of the territory that was being invadedㅡ she didn’t know what to do. shaking her head, she offers a small, corner lifted smile. “but we always get through it, jay.“

“it’s different this time, y/n.”

“and why is it different now?” her voice wavered, caught between desperation, anger, and disbelief. her emotions swirled like a storm. staying composed felt impossible; every attempt to ground herself  only deepened the ache in her chest. everything was hurting, and all she could do was wish, futilely, that none of this was real.

“this," jay said, physically motioning to the state of the conversation. he turned away to wipe away the stray tears that managed to fall in between blinks. “nothing ever changes. all we do is argue.”

“all couples argue, jay. that’s the reality of things,” she said, the calm in her tone an abrupt contrast to her previous attitudes. “relationships take work, jay. and we always make it work,” her eyes darted to his, desperately looking for any newfound doubt in his words. but there wasn’t any.

“it's not.. just about that," jay said, shaking his head, his voice barely above a whisper now shameful of what he was fixing to admit. “i've tried so hard to make it work, but i'm unhappy, y/n. and i hate that i feel this way, but sometimes it feels like i hate you as much as i love you. do you even know how much that tears me up inside?" his face was repentant at his admission, it was a sinful hidden thought that he previously denied since its first conception. he never wanted to verbalize it because it only highlighted how shitty he truly was to feel that way toward her.

"you don’t mean that." y/n shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut as if the gesture could block out the anguish his words just caused. her body went cold, her senses wasting no time overwhelming her all at once. jay bit the inside of his lip, his teeth silently clattering against the soft tissue.

everything in his heart ached, a deep, unrelenting pain that seemed to grow with every second. he was caught in conflict—the desperate desire to follow through with the breakup, to free himself from the heaviness that had been suffocating him, clashing with the torment of knowing how deeply his choice would hurt her. it wasn’t just her pain he feared; it was his own, the thought of watching her break because of him. but he had to do what was right.

"i wish i didnt, but it's the truth, y/n. i can't be who i want to be in this relationship. i can't keep living like this."

"jay…" his silence now weighed more than any words could, it tore through her like a jagged blade. "is this really what you want?" for a moment, his eyes softened, but it was gone before she could catch it. the silence stretched, heavy with all the words he couldn't say. she wanted to cling onto the fleeting feeling, to believe it meant he was having doubts. but when his lips parted, it wasn't the response she was hoping for.

"it's for the best."

“no, no, no, no,” the finality of his words shattered what was left of her hope. the barrier of control she had on her emotions ruptured as she shook her head. she hesitantly reached her hand out, pulling it away quickly to avoid any more possible rejection from the boy. her heart couldn’t endure much more. "please.. don't do this."

"i'm sorry, y/n," he slowly approached her, wrapping his arms around her. she let him pull her into a hug, holding him close and tight as she allowed all of her anger and grief to wash away along with the salty tears staining her cheeks. though allowing his embrace would only further affirm her acceptance of the end, which is the last thing she wanted, she needed to feel his touch. especially knowing this may be the last time he'll ever hold her.

her chest tightened as she buried her face in his chest, clinging to his steady heartbeat, a cruel contrast to her own. neither of them spoke or moved for a while. a couple minutes in, she noticed that he was now trembling against her. it broke her heart even more. from the way he seemed to hold her just as close for comfort, she knew it was hurting him too. she supposed, maybe, it was for the best. she pulled away slightly, quickly regretting it as she saw how his eyes were red and glistened over, cheeks wet with the silent tears he shed. "can we at least be friends?" the words felt hollow, a desperate attempt to keep him in her life, even though she knew it would never be enough. 

he only nods though he knows she didn't truly want that for herself. placing his hold on her arms, gently before slowly removing himself from her embrace. he wiped away his tears and cleared his throat. the only thing on his mind now was getting out of there before he could go back on his word. he had to remind himself that this was the right thing to do. even if it meant hurting them both. clearing his throat he spoke up, regaining his composure to be the voice of reason they needed in the moment. "i guess i should head out now. i think we both need time to ourselves.”

"yeah.."

he took the time to quickly head to the door without waiting to see her reaction. his hands were shaking, the weight of the world only seemed to press down upon his shoulders, only now wishing he could've pushed through and tried to make things work one last time. but he knew that wasn't possible, and it just wasn't worth putting her through any more than he already had. the door clicked shut behind him, leaving an echo of silence in his absence.

the month after the breakup felt like a blur for y/n. while the world around her seemed to move forward, she remained stuck in a loop of missing jay, reaching out to him, waiting for his replies, and doing everything in her power to keep their connection alive despite the fact that he was clearly starting to pull away.

she couldn’t help it. every morning she found herself wanting to talk to him, by any means. today was no different as she looked at her thumb hovering over his contact. it had become almost instinctual, reaching out to him no matter how embarrassing it was starting to become. she took a deep breath, ignoring her reluctant thoughts and started typing.

heyy jay :) haven’t heard from you in a minute. everything okay?

she sent it before she could second guess herself, staring at the screen as the message went through. her heart raced as she waited for his response. then, the minutes passed, stretching into what felt like hours. she spent a while scrolling aimlessly through her notifications, trying hard to look for the one label that refused to appear. two hours had gone by, and still nothing.

she clicked the power button with a sigh, pulling her legs closer to her chest as she rested her chin on her knees, staring blankly at the phone. the silence of her lonely apartment felt so loud now. the lack of response made the small ache in her chest turn into a deeper, more persistent pain. she hated feeling this way, vulnerable, needy, desperate. it wasn’t like her.

she remained frozen in her spot on the bed, feeling like she couldn’t move until she got what she wanted. juggling through every scenario in her head, she almost began sinking into the self loathing feeling. but one look at the clock on her lock screen seemed to pull her out a little bit. she reminded herself that being pessimistic was the last thing she needed to do. instead, she should speak her desire into existence. “calm down, y/n,” she whispered to herself. “it’s still early. he’ll reply later, he always does.”

getting out of bed, she stretched a bit before making her way into the kitchen. at least, this time around, she could still make the most of her day. she was lucky in that sense; it was getting easier to distract herself from thoughts of him. before she realized it, hours had gone by and she was sitting in her living room watching tv when her phone finally pinged.

muting the sound of the show, she quickly glanced down, her heart nearly pouncing out of her chest. jay’s name. her fingers hovered above the screen, the moment she read his texts, that feeling of dread that she’d been holding back all day crashed over her. it felt like he’d handed her a piece of paper instead of a message from someone she’d spent every waking moment with for years. it was brief and impersonal, so unlike jay, yet so familiar as of late. 

hey, yeah. things are good, just tired

she stared blankly at the message for a while, continuously rereading, mouthing the words in every tone she could, trying to read in between the few lines he offered her, but it was impossible to make something out of nothing. and it felt like he was doing the bare minimum, acknowledging her existence by replying as if it was an obligation he had to fulfill. she figured that her reply could spark a more active response. 

i feel you. guess it’s been rough for both of us, huh. i hope you’ve been good otherwise. it’s getting colder these days, hope you’re staying warm ☺️

she waited in the chat upon seeing that he immediately opened her text, watching the three dots bubble up on her screen, only to vanish soon after. she stared at the notification as it remained unanswered for a while. “read at 2:23pm.” twenty minutes had gone by and she was unsure of what to say next or if she should say anything at all. 

despite her first failed attempt, y/n decided to brush it off and push forward. biting her lip, she took her time drafting and perfecting her next message. whatever she was going to say next had to warrant a response. if he saw how bad she wanted to talk, surely he’d give in. jay was never the kind of guy to intentionally neglect her feelings. it wasn’t in his character to hurt her. 

so, what’s been keeping you busy lately?

she typed, trying to sound casual, but her confidence faltered when she read it over. it was the kind of text she would’ve sent months ago, back when their relationship was solid and they could talk for hours without feeling the need for a pause.

this time, her message read “delivered”. but she watched as the three dotted bubble appeared again, and decided to leave the app while she continued waiting. this time, he would respond differently, she thought, he had to. holding on to a glimmer of hope, she gave it thirty minutes. but her phone only went quiet. what a waste.

opening instagram, she opted to scroll to distract herself from thinking of him further and that’s when she saw it. jay’s story. it wasn’t anything remarkable, just a picture of him out with some of their mutual friends. but the fact that he was posting on his story, without replying to her text, stung. she scoffed in an attempt to brush off the hurt she was beginning to feel, telling herself it was no big deal. it didn’t help much. no matter how she tried to view it, it was a silent reminder that his focus was elsewhere now. 

but, maybe it was nothing. maybe he just didn’t feel like texting. she tried once again to reason, but the thought still lingered, gnawing at her. why couldn’t he just reply? it was evident now that jay just wasn’t going to reach out on his own; he wasn't going to do anything. she’d have to be the one to make the effort, while holding onto the hope of things going back to how they were. maybe she was being too much, doing too much. “if i leave him alone for a few days, he’ll feel it, too.”

it had been days now and the reality of the situation was truly starting to sink in. over the span of the weeks they’d agreed to be friends, jay’s attempts to deny more interactions had finally come to an end. they were flat out doing no contact now. she tried deactivating her social media accounts in an effort to stop hurting herself further by looking at his page, but all it led to was viewing anonymously online. she wasn’t talking to anybody at that point, burying herself deeper into isolation as she began ignoring even her own best friends. but, it wasn’t something the girls were taking lightly.

she was laid out on the couch, the living room becoming a pigsty she found refuge in. empty bags of chips, noodle packages, discarded water bottles, candy wrappers, as well as tear soaked tissues flooded the table and floors. she lay sprawled out on the couch watching a romance k-drama, feeling envious of the love that the main character was receiving though she was barely paying attention. she was moreso staring through the screen rather than at it, not bothering to retain much of the plot, just trying to fill the void in any way she could. 

she barely flinched upon her doorbell ringing. in fact, she didn’t even hear it. pulling her blanket more over her body, she closed her eyes, not opening them until she heard the beeping noises her door only made when the passcode was being typed in. she shot up in a panic. only three people knew of her codeㅡ one of them being jay, and she could not risk him seeing her living in such an unkempt manner. making quick of her movements, she grabbed an armful of the trash and ran to the kitchen to toss it out. she stayed in the kitchen grabbing a trash bag as she heard the door open and shut, followed by light footsteps. a familiar voice called out.

“y/n, are you home?”

“yujin?” two girls, yujin and chaewon, walked into the living room grimacing at the state it was in. a small hint of rotting processed food was pungent in the air, to which the girls slightly scrunch their noses at. y/n couldn’t hide her disappointment as she walked into the room, the trash bag rustling with each step. “chae? what are you guys doing here?”

chaewon immediately recognized the girl’s expression and playfully rolled her eyes in an attempt to lighten the mood. “wow, we’re so happy to see you too, y/n.” her words make y/n mentally facepalm at the rudeness she’d unknowingly displayed, frowning as she walked  closer to them. without a word, the girls begin picking up the trash, discarding them into the bag y/n held. yujin wasted no time wondering off to get cleaning supplies, coming back to wipe the table. it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence they sat in while they cleaned, but it was clear that something definitely needed to be confronted now.

“sorry guys. i was just expecting someone… you know, else.”

“like who? he who shall not be named?” yujin asked, referencing jay, but it only made y/n grimace. the girl had struck a nerve. the statement only made her think of him more. it wasn’t yujin’s fault, though. none of her friends even knew they weren’t on speaking terms anymore. a knot formed in y/n’s stomach having to silently acknowledge how silly her initial thoughts were. jay had made zero effort to even talk to her, what sense would it make for him to visit?

“i don’t know.” but she did, and so did they. that’s why they were here to begin with. after the mess was all cleaned up, and you could finally see the beauty that was y/n’s living room again, they guided y/n to sit on the couch. chaewon was perched on the arm of it while yujin sat cross-legged on the floor, both watching y/n like she was an emotional bomb ready to explode at any given moment. the tension in the room felt like a third guest.

chaewon, the usual mediator, broke the silence first. treading lightly on upfront confrontation, she decided to stick with a lighthearted approach to the situation. what y/n needed was a friend, not a therapist. “okay, spill. when’s the last time you left this place?”

y/n’s silence spoke volumes as she sighed, hugging a throw pillow to her chest. “i don’t know. a while?” it wasn’t like she wasn’t keeping track, she could tell you it's been 33 days since she last saw jay, 11 days since he stopped viewing her story, and 9 days since his last text to her. how long she had been in her isolation, though? she couldn’t say, all the days seemed to blur in that category.

 yujin raised an eyebrow. “define ‘a while.’ days? weeks… a month?” 

now, y/n’s voice was barely above a whisper. “two weeks, maybe.”

“two weeks?!” chaewon groaned, grabbing the throw pillow and swatting y/n with it, adding a bit of force in an attempt to knock some sense into the girl. she supposed she underestimated how much it was affecting y/n. though she was upset at the girl’s response to her breakup, she felt worse that she didn’t think to step in sooner. “babe, no wonder. you’re practically fermenting in here. i don’t hate to say this, but it’s time for divine intervention.”

y/n sucked in a breath, but didn’t argue. instead, she stared at the freshly cleaned coffee table, her thoughts wandering back to jay. the way he used to rest his feet there, watching tv, the way he—

yujin snapped her fingers in front of y/n’s face. “nope. i can see it in your eyes— we’re not doing that today. chae, tell her the plan.”

“ah, right! the plan,” chaewon said, leaning in with a grin and wiggling her eyebrows, “is simple: you’re coming with us to a party tonight. and before you even start, you’re not busy, you’re not tired. none of that. i don’t want to hear any excuses.”

y/n’s face scrunched as she blinked. “a party? seriously? what are we? teenagers?”

“yes, seriously,” yujin said, standing up and grabbing y/n’s hands to pull her to her feet, the girl not fighting back as she stood. “you’re never too old to party. and, girl… you need this. sitting in here is only hurting you, and you know it.”

“but—”

“yes, butts! that’s exactly what i expect you to be shaking tonight,” chaewon interjected. “yujin and i already have the vision. you’ll pop out in a bomb ass outfit, we’ll pregame to set the mood, you know just get the vibes up. it's gonna be fun!” her eyes twinkled as she envisioned the whole scene. she waved her hand, slowly moving it in front of her face as if the girls could see what she was imagining. “you’ll drink a little, dance a little, smoke if you’re feeling good, and maybe even forget about… him.”

the slight, bitter acknowledgment of the boy left y/n feeling a lump form in her throat, she tried to shake off the thought of jay from creeping up again. but it was hard to stop once she already started, and everything in her heart was telling her no. a party was the last thing she needed. she could barely hide her hurt from her own friends, how could they expect her to pull through for hours at a party?

“i just don’t think i’m ready.”

“is that not the point?” yujin said gently, softly caressing y/n’s face with a sympathetic pout. the girl could only look away, feeling as though her eyes would be a dead giveaway to the truthㅡ it would hurt too much. sensing the mood shift, yujin sighed. “hey. you don’t have to be ready to start moving on, we don’t expect you to. we know how much you lovedㅡ sorry, love that man. but staying alone like this isn’t good for you, y/n.”

“you’ve even pulled away from us, we’re worried about you,” chaewon nodded, walking over to the girls and grabbing y/n’s hand. “all we’ve been thinking about lately is you. how you’re feeling, how you’re doing, constantly wondering if you’re okay. and now that we’ve seen the mess you’ve found comfort in, in your solitude, you deserve to at least get your mind off of it for one night. then we can start helping  you heal tomorrow.”

the unshakeable resistance y/n once had, started to falter as she looked at her friends’ determined faces. they weren’t just here to drag her out of the house, they genuinely cared. she wondered how much her absence, and wallowing in self pity, was truly affecting the people around her. even if she wasn’t entirely sure that she wanted to go, maybe it was worth a shot. after all, they went through the trouble of planning things out, as well as helping her clean her depressive mess. it was worth trying for them.

“fine,” she muttered. “but if it sucks, i’m leaving early.”

“deal,” chaewon said, clapping her hands. “now, let’s find you something hot to wear. i heard jay’s not going to be there, but let’s make him regret losing you anyway.”

yujin laughed, linking her arm with y/n’s and leading her toward the bedroom. the world seemed to start shining brighter as they walked. “yup. and who knows? maybe you’ll meet someone new.” y/n could only give a small, reluctant smile at the words. she wasn’t sure she believed their optimism, but for the first time in weeks, she felt hopeful. even if the night didn’t fix her heartbreak, at least she wouldn’t be alone with it. and, well, she’s got a blackout long overdue.

after showering and getting ready on their own, it was time for yujin and chaewon to work their magic; “project sad bitch to bad bitch” as yujin proudly proclaimed. chaewon flipped through y/n’s closet quietly, her fingers brushing against the variety of fabrics and patterns hanging from the hangers. “god, y/n,” the girl giggled in disbelief. “do you even wear half of this shit?” y/n only shrugged from her spot on the bed, towel wrapped snugly around her body barely blocking the AC’s cool breeze on her moist skin.

“i don’t know. maybe.”

“seems like you don’t know a lot of things lately, huh?”

“hm, i guess not.”

yujin sat cross-legged on the floor, unpacking her makeup bag and moving a lamp to complete her little setup. huffing at the attitude her friends were catching with each other, she turned to y/n with pleading eyes. “look, we’re not leaving until you’re ready. and no,” she added, looking up at the shivering girl. “sweatpants are not an option.”

confusion flooded y/n’a face as she tilted her head at the girl. “i wasn’t going to wear sweatpants.”

“good,” chaewon said, getting to the back of the closet, a small gleam catching her eyes. pulling out a simple satin slip dress, eyes widening with a smile at the piece. the dress that was destined for setting the mood. “ooh, now this could work.”

y/n eyed the dress and shook her head immediately. it was a part of a lingerie set that she had misplaced, something not meant to be seen in broad daylight, let alone by strangers at a party. she coughed, swatting away the memories that flooded back at the sight of it. there was no way she could wear that. “no. it’s too… i don’t know. they’re pajamas, it’s too much.”

“it’s not,” yujin said firmly, standing to drape the dress against y/n’s frame, already planning out the makeup look she could do to compliment it. it was clearly the best option they had, its slight sexual undertones only further confirming it was the key to a perfect night waiting to happen. “pajamas or not, it’s perfect. beyond that even. tonight’s not about hiding anyway.”

y/n could only sigh in response, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her towel. “i’m not trying to hide, i just don’t feel like being seen.”

“is that not the same thing?” chaewon said, crossing her arms as she gave y/n a reassuring look. “look, we’re not saying you have to feel like a star tonight. we just want you to feel…you know, more like yourself again.”

yujin crouched in front of y/n, her expression softening. giving her best puppy eyes, she pouted and held hands up to the girl, begging with a small shake to emphasize her desperation. “just try, okay? it’s one night. you deserve to feel good about yourself, even if it’s just for a few hours.”

“i don’t feel bad about myself-” she paused when the girls gave her a knowing glance, making her stumble on her words. she glanced between them, her chest tightening. they weren’t forcing her, but they weren’t exactly letting her disappear, either. “you know what? fine,” she said finally, reaching out to take the dress. it was true, the dress was beautiful. the rose pink color highlighted by the sheen of the satin, with black laced edges adding the perfect contrast, made it a staple piece. she had forgotten all about its aura.

“that's what i’m talking ‘bout!” chaewon grinned and reached down to give yujin a round of high fives, their squeals only projecting a small portion of their excitement. y/n took the hanger and made her way into the bathroom. after a few minutes of staring at her reflection in the mirror, she stepped out in the dress. the fabric clung to her frame delicately, the soft sheen catching the light. she looked gorgeous, even with her hair undone. the room was silent as they shamelessly gawked at their best friend who only shifted awkwardly under their gaze.

“wow,” yujin whispered. “you look…”

“so fucking beautiful,” chaewon finished.

y/n only turned to look at herself in the mirror again, her lips pressing into a thin line. hesitant, she stared and tried to do some test poses. she just didn’t know how to feel. an internal scream match ensued, her thoughts becoming two conflicting forcesㅡ one side screaming no, the other trapped in a state, wondering: could i? shaking away her thoughts, she goes with her initial one. “i don’t know, guys. it's not me.”

“it is you,” yujin said gently. “maybe a part of you that you’ve forgotten about, but it’s still you. it wasn’t in your closet for no reason.”

while she wasn’t wrong, the reason definitely wasn’t for this. nonetheless she swallowed the lump in her throat, nodding slightly. juggling the pros and cons in her head, she made note of their actions that led her to this point. she owed it to them. “okay,” she said quietly. “let’s go before i change my mind.”

“makeup first~” chaewon sang out as she guided y/n over to the area where yujin had set everything up. “and i can do your hair, too. two birds, one stone. let’s go.”

the city lights blended into a colorful gradient of neon streaks as the taxi sped through the bustling streets. inside, the atmosphere was electric. y/n, chaewon, and yujin sat in the back, their laughter and chatter blending with the rhythmic hum of the car, the radio playing joyful tunes only further setting the mood.

chaewon, ever the instigator, held up a bottle of peach flavored soju, opening it and holding it to the roof. there was a gleam in her eyes that demonstrated her happiness more than words could explain. “to a night of unforgettable memories,” she declared, her tone light as she carefully waved the bottle mischievously. “with my very best friends.”

yujin grinned, lifting an imaginary bottle as well, reaching over chaewon’s lap to grab y/n’s hand and force her to do the same. “and to making sure y/n doesn’t regret this tomorrow,” she teased.

y/n chuckled a genuine, hearty laugh as she shook her head. “i’m not the one who needs to worry,” she retorted, her voice light but with a hint of challenge. she reached into chaewon’s bag pulling out a plastic shot glass. “is this even smart to be doing in a moving car?”

“yolo,” chaewon smiled in response, pouring a generous amount into the cup, nearly filling it to the brim. “bottoms up,” she urged, her tone playful yet insistent. with a resigned smile, y/n took the shot, the sharpness of the soju’s flavor warming her from the inside. she licked her lips and handed the cap to chaewon, who refilled it with a flourish.

“your turn,” chaewon said, carefully handing the cup to yujin who playfully raised an eyebrow, feigning fake reluctance. “peer pressure at its finest,” she laughed, but took the shot with no hesitation. the trio continued their pregame ritual, the taxi’s interior filled with their laughter and the clinking of bottles. as the cityscape passed by, the anticipation of the party awaiting them grew, each of them eager for the night that awaited them.

when the taxi pulled up, the bass from the party reverberated through the car, the music and laughter spilling out into the cool night air. y/n giggled, already feeling the happy buzz of the drinks from the ride over. chaewon and yujin, also tipsy, were practically bouncing with excitement as they stepped out of the car.

“drive safe, dear! have a good night,” chaewon waved to the driver. as they stepped through the door, they were immediately hit with the scent of perfume, alcohol, and excitement. the large living room was filled with people laughing, dancing, and chatting in their own little groups. y/n swayed slightly to the rhythm, the tipsiness from pregaming still actively lingering in her veins. chaewon and yujin were right beside her, their laughter bright and carefree, matching the energy around them. she pulled her jacket tighter, but it was more out of habit than discomfort.

at first, y/n did feel a bit out of place, but chaewon immediately linked arms with her, pulling her further into the scene. “you’re gonna love it here, i promise,” she grinned, her voice a little louder than usual to compensate for the music’s volume.

yujin, already catching the beat of the music, nudged her playfully. “yeah! tonight’s for fun, no worries.” they made their way over to heeseung, the host, who greeted them with a friendly smile and a quick hug. “hey, guys. glad you could make it! the party’s just getting started.”

y/n couldn’t help but stare at the man in front of her. he was tall, dark, and handsome. the small rose tint that coated his cheeks, caused by the alcohol, pulled the whole look together. it was hard to look away. wow. upon noticing this, chaewon leaned in, whispering to y/n, “heeseung’s the best. and he throws the best parties.”

y/n smiled as she finally broke her stare to meet chaewon’s eyes, her voice a little slurred but still light. “yeah, he seems chill.”

heeseung turned his attention to the girl who wasn’t as familiar with him, his smile faltering just a little. he leaned in closer to chaewon, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone so that y/n wouldn’t hear. “by the way, jay ended up changing his mind about not coming. he’s over there,” he said, glancing toward the other side of the room where jay stood talking to some guys.

his words seemed to sober chaewon up a bit as she tried not to make a reactive face as her eyes followed to where he was motioning to. there he was in the flesh, having the audacity to be enjoying himself while his ex-girlfriend still had the luxury of not knowing of his presence. and chaewon needed to make sure to keep it that way all night. instead, she flashed a quick grin, pulling y/n into the next part of the conversation. “man, we’re taking a cab home. you know what that means?”

“we can get fucked up,” y/n exclaimed doing a little happy dance, humoring the few that could hear what she was saying. heeseung only offered chaewon an encouraging smile, though he wasn’t sure her approach was the best. but what did he know, he was too drunk to really care about it past surface level. yujin, just as blissfully unaware of the situation, grinned ear to ear and high-fived y/n. “now that’s the energy i love to see!”

“yeah, yeah. let’s go mingle now!” chaewon said, waving to heeseung as she led the trio made towards the main area where majority of the people occupied. and of course, with no sign of jay. she spotted jake and sunghoon nearby, and with a social grin, she guided the girls along to greet them, reminding herself she needed to enjoy her time too.

“jake! hoon!” she called out, her voice full of energy. jake looked up from his conversation and grinned, his eyes trailing to each face as he greeted them. “chaewon, yujin, and… no fucking way. is that y/n?! in the flesh?!” he went over to give her a hug, and it signaled to her that he was definitely drunk. “finally, we get to see your pretty face again. it’s about time you join in on the fun!”

y/n, although a little confused, returned the hug and gave the boy a playful smile. “yeah. i guess i needed a little push to leave the house. you know how breakups get you sometimes,” she joked. probably not the funniest thing she could’ve said, but it was real.

sunghoon raised an eyebrow teasingly, making sure not to dwell on the literal aspects of it. he looked her up and down, almost drooling at the sight of her. the way the dress hugged her body, the way her jacket complimented the colors perfectly, even her flats fit the look. “well, i guess it worked out nicely. you look like you’re doing great now.”

yujin laughed, leaning in as if she were about to say something revolutionary. “it’s the party effect. you get here and forget everything.”

“just what i needed,” y/n said, letting herself get lost in the music. she wondered why she avoided everyone for so long. their presence made her feel ten times better in a couple of minutes than she’d felt on her own all month. it was refreshing.

“that’s the spirit!” jake grinned, looking past the girls to see jay walking over again with drinks in hand. thinking quickly, he gestured to the group behind him. “hey, rina and winter are over there. go give them a pleasant surprise.”

chaewon quickly perked up with enthusiasm at the mention of their other girl friends. “ooh! let’s go say hi!”

they headed over to karina and winter, who were standing by the snack table. karina greeted them with a playful smile. “there you guys are! i thought you’d bail on us. hey, y/n! it’s nice to see you again,” her eyes smiled at the girl, admiring the glow. maybe time away was what y/n needed to prosper. karina, like everyone else, was happy to see her again nonetheless.

y/n shook her head, her drunken voice bubbling with laughter. the world seemed to have a hint of saturation to it that she hadn’t seen in a while now. she couldn’t help but to pull karina into a hug, the gesture surprising both of them at the suddenness. “hey! and of course not. we just had to make sure we were up to par. can’t all be natural beauties like you girls.”

“oh stop it, y’all are gorgeous,” winter chimed in, raising her cup with a sigh of content before taking a sip. “man, i needed this after midterms. nothing better than a heeseung party to recharge your academic battery.”

“you know, for a guy that’s so popular amongst everyone, i'm surprised i didn’t know him before this,” y/n pondered for a second. the group laughed, “well, welcome to the real world outside of a relationship. people start existing again.” and soon enough, they were swept up in more conversation and dancing. after a few shots, y/n could feel herself getting lost in the rhythm, her laughter mixing with the music. as they moved back to the dance floor, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she could forget about the weight of it all—at least for tonight. her tipsiness had her in an effortlessly happy state, but she felt like it could be more hype. she leaned closer to chaewon and yujin, raising her voice slightly to be heard over the bass.

“i’m gonna grab a drink,” she said, her lips curling into a small smile. “you guys want anything? shots?”

yujin’s eyes lit up, and she nudged chaewon. “ohhh my god, yes. shots sound perfect.” chaewon grinned, raising her hand slightly. “tequila, if they have it. lime, salt, the good shit, you know how i like it.”

y/n laughed, making mental note of the girls’ orders. “got it, tequila on the rocks for the baddies. i’ll be back.” she spun on her heel, her steps sure as she wove through the crowd, the glow of the party lights casting a warm glow on her skin. emboldening her every move, the alcohol seemed to sink deeper into her veins, the electric energy of the room carrying her forward with effortless grace.

the kitchen set a different mood in contrast to the other rooms she and her friends had occupied that night. the loud, bass-heavy music from the living room was muffled here, replaced by softer chatter and the occasional clink of bottles against glasses. the room smelled faintly of spilled liquor and citrus wedges, surprisingly pleasant, and the counters were crowded with a mess of an inviting display of liquor bottles and red cups.

she ran her hand along the countertop that was cool on her heated skin. her eyes skimmed the options in front of her. there the tequila was for chaewon and yujin, but which brand to choose? she didn’t know. she bit her lip, trying to focus despite the pleasant buzz in her head craving excitement. she didn’t even realize a male figure had made his way over to her.

“tequila, huh?” his voice was smooth, unexpected, and it instantly pulled her attention to the right. there he was, leaning casually against the counter, his posture relaxed but commanding. the soft golden light from the kitchen highlighted his sharp features, a warm glow casting over his slightly tousled hair and the inviting grin that played on his lips. 

she blinked, momentarily thrown off by his presence. there was something boyish about him, yet his looks contrasted the calculated composure in his eyes. once she realized her staring, she quickly recovered, her lips curving into a teasing smile unsure of where such confidence came from.“depends who you ask.”

he chuckled, the sound low and light, yet somehow warm despite its brevity. “true. i guess it depends on the night, too,” he mused, his eyes casually following her movements—curious, but not intrusive. his gaze lingered on the tequila bottles, gesturing to it. “bold choice, though,” he added, his tone easy and confident. “i guess it suits you.”

y/n tilted her head slightly, looking at the bottle she’d unknowingly chosen. her lips curved into a small smile, intrigued by his words. “what makes you think that?”

he shrugged with effortless charm, his laugh hypnotizing, like the world stopped with each chuckle that escaped his lips. and she was almost sure it did. “you’ve got this energy—like you’re fun, but there’s more to you than what meets the eye.” her eyebrows furrowed faintly in intrigue, but she kept her tone playful, tinged with a hint of caution. just because he seemed funny, and attractiveㅡ well, insanely attractive, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep her guard up; he was still a stranger. but his words seemed to draw her in nonetheless.

“you’ve got a lot of assumptions for someone i just met.”

“maybe,” he said with a slight shrug, “but i’m usually right.” he extended a hand toward her, his grin widening. “i’m eric, by the way. figured this was a good time to properly introduce myself since i’ve seen you around but never got the chance.”

she glanced at his hand before shaking it, his palm warm and his touch firm. “y/n,” she said simply, letting her name hang in the air for a moment. he shook her hand, slow and drawn out, before he reluctantly pulled away. it didn’t go unnoticed. he repeated it as if trying it out for himself, the syllables making themselves at home on his tongue. his grin softened into something more genuine. “that’s a pretty name. suits you.”

a faint warmth crept throughout her body at the compliment, but she quickly masked it with a smile, biting her lip as she tried to ignore the heat making its way to her cheeks. “thanks. so, you’re just out here handing out compliments tonight, huh?”

“only when they’re deserved,” he shot back smoothly, his gaze unwavering. there was something so captivating about him. his personality, maybe even ego, seemed big, but his confidence wasn’t overbearing. it was enticing and y/n found herself relaxing more, her initial purpose for coming to the kitchen already slipping her mind. “so, do you always pick tequila at parties, or is tonight special?” he raised an eyebrow slightly.

“tonight’s definitely special,” she replied, leaning against the counter herself now, mirroring his relaxed stance. the corners of her lips tugged upward, her drunken state aiding in loosening her posture. “but i’ll admit, it’s not my usual go-to.”

her words made him grin, his expression lighting up as if he’d just found the perfect opening to extend their conversation. his face seemed to soften slightly, and for a moment, y/n couldn’t help but envy how his confidence radiated. he knew how attractive he was, and knew exactly how to lean into it without making it feel forced.

“lucky for you, i’m a tequila enthusiast,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows, already reaching for the bottle and two shot glasses. his movements were sure, natural, as if he’d done this a hundred times before. everything about this man highlighted how sure of himself he was, like he knew the line between charm and arrogance and danced on it perfectly. “mind if i join you?”

y/n let out a small laugh, her gaze following his every movement as he poured the tequila. there was something mesmerizing about the way his hands worked—the smooth, controlled motions, his fingers brushing over the counter as if every little touch was intentional, effortless. the lighting of the room seemed to accentuate the sensuality of the moment; it made the air feel charged. everything about him, from the casual lean to the way his eyes stayed locked on hers, felt like a slow dance, a tension hummed between them.

“you know what? sure, why not?” she finally managed to say, her voice a little breathless, though she couldn’t quite tell if it was from the alcohol or the way the scene had shifted. eric slid a glass toward her, his fingers grazing the edge of the counter, his movements slow as if savoring the moment. he leaned in just enough to hold her gaze, his eyes glinting with a playful spark, and she felt her heart race a little. raising his glass, his smirk widened. “to… letting loose and making the most of tonight?”

y/n’s lips parted in a smile that felt so easy, so unguarded, like it was the most natural thing in the world to let go and enjoy the moment. all her worries of the night seemed to slip her mind as she tapped her glass against his, the muted background becoming more apparent making the brief clink of glass feel louder than it should have. “cheers to that.”

they downed the shots in unison, the tequila burning a familiar path down her throat before settling into a warm heat in her chest. she grabbed a slice of lime as a needed chaser, squeezing the sour juices into her mouth. now, the buzz she’d felt earlier amplified, wrapping around her like a comforting haze. she could feel herself relax further as eric leaned in closer to keep the conversation flowing. their eyes meet again and an unfamiliar, yet alluring feeling crept up. he was so captivating. one look from him felt like transcending.

“so, what about you?” she asked, setting her glass down with a soft clink against the counter. she was becoming more curious about him. every second, imagining his life story, his reasons for coming, who he came with, she wanted to know everything. her tone carried a teasing edge as she raised an eyebrow. “are you the life of the party or just here to keep an eye on the tequila?”

he chuckled, his shoulders shaking slightly as if her words had struck the right note. there was something disarming about the way he laughed, and y/n couldn’t help but feel a small surge of accomplishment, her desire to keep conversing growing. “somewhere in between,” he admitted, his smile widening, the confidence in his voice undeniable. “but tonight, i think i’m here for more interesting conversations.”

the subtle compliment tugged at y/n, piquing her newfound confidence and before she knew it, she was leaning in just a little more, drawn into the rhythm of his words. she’d forgotten how much fun it was to flirt, how desirable she was over the years. none of this was one sided. “well, lucky you ran into me, then.”

“lucky, indeed,” eric replied, his voice dropping just enough to carry weight, and his gaze shifted to hers with intensity, the moment stretching out longer than expected. her breath hitched. it felt like time slowed down for just a second before she regained her composure. before she could fully process the warmth creeping up her spine from eric’s gaze, a shift in the atmosphere almost caught her attention. across the kitchen, jay walked in, his empty beer bottle dangling carelessly from his fingers, searching for somewhere to dispose of the glass. his expression was relaxed at first, but the moment his eyes locked onto her frame, he froze.

y/n didn’t notice him immediately either. her back was turned to him and she was much too absorbed in her conversation with eric. but jay was peeping everything. the way she laughed, the way she leaned just slightly toward eric, and most notably, that dress. it wasn’t just any dress. it was his favorite, the one she had only worn on special occasions, none of which ever saw light beyond the bedroom.

a knot twisted in jay’s chest, and his mind spun with a rush of emotions—anger, jealousy, and regret. he couldn’t pinpoint which hurt more, but they all clawed at him. was she just here for sex? and was she wearing that to enhance her attraction? he was convinced the second he heard the sound of her laughter, consumed by whatever sweet little nothings eric was telling her as she leaned in toward him. it stung. he hated how much power she still had over him, how she could still hurt him so deeply without even realizing.

eric, perceptive as ever, immediately caught the shift in the air. when his eyes flicked over jay and back to y/n, his grin widened ever so slightly. without missing a beat, he poured another shot, his movements casual yet carrying a certain smugness as he slid the glass toward y/n. “ready for another?” he asked lightly, though his gaze hardly wavered from jay.

“absolutely,” she replied with a laugh, oblivious to the silent exchange happening right in front of her. she was too intoxicated, both from the liquor and eric’s attention—to feel the tension brewing. the scene unfolding in front of her went unnoticed. eric, with his charm, was asserting his dominance over jay in a way that was bold, yet subtle enough to fly under y/n’s radar.

eric poured his own shot with an almost lazy confidence, his movements smooth and conceited as though every action was meant to say, i’ve already won. raising and clinking his glass with y/n’s, his lips curved into a subtle smirk as he downed the drink. while she threw her head back to get the shot out the way, his eyes were locked onto jay’s. the air in the kitchen thickened, growing heavier with the unspoken tension that hung between the two men. jay’s jaw tightened, his fingers curling firmly around the neck of his bottle as he forced himself to relax. but his pride just wouldn’t let it go. he needed to act, to remind this guy—this nobody, who y/n truly belonged to.

his steps were calculated as he moved further into the kitchen, making it seem as if he hadn’t noticed them at all. his presence, though originally unacknowledged, was impossible to ignore. without sparing so much as a glance their way, jay reached for a bottle on the counter, his movements nonchalant and composed.

“hey, eric, pass me the bottle opener,” he said, his tone calm, detached, as if the moment held no significance. but the sound of his voice was enough to pierce through y/n’s bubble of drunken bliss. her laughter faltered, the warmth that had fueled her moments before were replaced by a quick, relentless, almost sinking ache. eric, with his focus now shifted to jay with a scowl, straightened up as he titled his head. they were now challenging each other in front of their pursuit.

“it’s right there, get it yourself,” eric made no effort to mask the irritation the boy’s presence brought him. y/n turned slowly, her heart lurching at the sight of jay. what the fuck was he even doing? did she even actually like eric? the thoughts ran through her mind, quick and unforgiving. as her gaze remained on jay, everything else faded into the background. eric’s presence, his charm, the tequila-fueled buzz— all evaporated. jay’s movements were precise, impersonal. though he stood just a few feet away, his eyes never met hers. it was as though she didn’t even exist to him, a realization that stung more than she’d anticipated.

with a swift motion, he grabbed the opener, popped the cap off the beer, and set it back on the counter. without another word or glance, he turned on his heel, a smug scoff leaving his lips as he disappeared into the crowd. his shoulders were tense, and his strides were agonizingly slow. y/n watched him leave, her heart sinking further with each step he took. her fingers curled against the countertop as she let out a sigh, gripping it tightly as she struggled to steady herself, her knuckles paling from the effort.

“you okay?” eric’s voice softened, his earlier confidence giving way to a tentative concern. his hand brushed her shoulder lightly, but the touch barely registered. all her thoughts, all her feelings, were consumed once again by jay, and the space he left behind. eric felt like a distant blur in comparison.

“yeah,” y/n replied quickly, though her voice was tight, almost robotic now. she forced a smile, but it was weak. she averted her eyes, unsure of where to look anymore. she was too ashamed to be present in the moment now. “it’s whatever. i don’t even know that guy anymore.” the words were meant to sound indifferent, maybe even lighthearted, but her tone betrayed her, emotions seeping through. 

eric hesitated, his eyes studying her face. he could see the way her confidence had crumbled the moment jay walked up and felt a pang of guilt knowing he’d inadvertently caused it. but an unfamiliar feeling sparked within him as well. he wanted to make her forget about jay entirely, to erase whatever hold he still had on her. what had started off as an obvious attempt at a one-night stand, had suddenly turned into something more. eric wanted to be the one she thought about, the one she wanted, the one who could make her feel again.

y/n leaned against the counter, her glass clutched tightly in her hand, staring at the floor like it could offer her some kind of escape. it was quiet as the pair decided not to say anything. she didn’t mind it though. the weight of jay’s acknowledgment—or lack thereof— was still hanging over her like a storm cloud. and in her drunken state, she didn’t know how to process what she was feeling now. chaewon and yujin‘s comfort was rooms away, which she supposed was for the better. she didn’t want to bring their mood down with hers anyway. the dull thud of bass from the next room gave her a headache, and the warmth of the kitchen suddenly felt stifling.

she poured another shot and quickly downed it, sucking in a deep breath as the warmth shot throughout her body. her mind replayed the earlier scene on a loop—his voice, the dismissive tone, the way his eyes never bothered to look her way. a desperate part of her had hoped for more, craving at least some shred of emotion from him. instead, all she’d gotten was proof of how much she still cared, and how little he did. she bit the inside of her cheek to keep her tears at bay, her pride refusing to let them fall.

“hey.” y/n’s head snapped up, startled by the soft voice that cut through her thought process, reminding her she was still at the party. eric now stood a few feet away, his hands shoved into his pockets, a relaxed posture with a steady gaze. he tilted his head slightly, offering her a small smile in an attempt to ease her mind. “wanna just get out of here for a bit?”

for a moment she just stared at him, her brain debating on his offer. the idea of leaving the kitchen, and the weight of jay’s presence hanging over her, felt like relief. but going somewhere with ericㅡ a near-stranger? she wasn’t sure. her grip on her drink loosened slightly, her nails no longer digging into the condensation-soaked glass. “where would we even go?” her voice came out quieter than she intended.

“don’t know,” he shrugged, now leaning against the doorframe. “anywhere but here. upstairs, outside… we could raid his snacks,  whatever helps.” his tone was casual, but there was something in the way he watched her that felt intentional. he sensed the remaining turmoil in her heart and wanted to pull her away from it.

y/n glanced at the doorway he motioned to, then back to her drink. the thought of staying here, rooted to this spot, after jay’s appearance felt unbearable. so, without answering, she set her cup on the counter with a soft clink and gave him a small nod. eric’s smile widened just slightly, enough to make her cheeks flush again. “come on,” he murmured, motioning for her to follow him.

he led her to a quiet balcony on the second floor of the house, away from the pulsing music and swarm of people. the cool night air hit her face, and she zipped her jacket as she wrapped her arms around herself. she was thankful for the moment of calm that wasted no time washing over her. eric handed her an unopened bottle of patron that he’d snagged on their way up, giving her a reassuring smile.

“for the record,” he said, leaning against the railing, his tone measured, almost casual, “whatever he did to you? screw him.” his eyes stayed fixed on the city lights below, the ambient hum of distant car horns and the occasional gust of wind filling the silence. he didn’t look at her, as if giving her the privacy to feel whatever she needed to without his gaze adding weight.

y/n let out a weak laugh, but it cracked halfway through, dissolving into a shaky exhale. leaning on the railing herself, her eyes wandered to the darkened yard below, its emptiness mirroring the void she felt in her heart. her voice wavered when she spoke. “it’s not that simple.”

“maybe not,” eric shrugged, the softness in his voice tugging at her like a thread, unraveling the tight knot she’d been holding together. “but he doesn’t get to ruin your night.” he turned slightly toward her, his expression thoughtful, though his gaze never pressed into hers too directly. her throat tightened, and before she could stop herself, tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, blurring the faint glow of the city. she swallowed hard, shaking her head as if to ward them away. turning from him, she choked out a laugh, “god, i’m sorry. this is so stupid.”

“it’s not stupid,” he said with quiet conviction. he didn’t step closer, deciding it was best to keep respecting the fragile space between them, but there was something solid and grounding in his presence nonetheless. “you’re allowed to feel how you want to feel, y/n. no one gets to decide that for you.”

her fingers hastily brushed at her cheeks,trying to swipe away the evidence of her emotions as shame crept in. traces of her makeup found refuge on her jacket in the process. she was sure she looked as much of a mess physically as she felt mentally. his words lingered, and she appreciated him not demanding a response, just offering a truth she hadn’t yet been able to admit to herself. “i don’t even know why i’m crying. it’s just… all i wanted was to be able to forget about him for one night.” her words hung in the air as she tightly crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to hold herself together. saying it out loud made the hurt feel all the more real, the pressure pressing harder against her ribs.

“getting over someone takes time,” eric said, his voice steady and thoughtful, as though he’d carefully considered every word. his eyes flickered toward her briefly, searching for a reaction before continuing. “especially someone who meant a lot to you. i heard you guys were together for a couple of years; i don’t think anyone expects you to bounce back quickly. and just because you’re not there yet doesn’t mean you won’t get there.” his words settled over her, profound, like the softest form of reassurance she had been needing. y/n felt her shoulders relax and she finally exhaled, her breath fogging in the chilly night air. the weight of her emotions felt a little lighter now. eric held up the unopened bottle between them, his grin softening the mood further.

“how about this? one drink, and we’ll make a pact: no more thinking about jay tonight.”

her lips twitched into a small, reluctant smile as she reached for the bottle, the faintest trace of amusement breaking through the fading sadness. when in doubt, drink it out. “deal.” the bottle moved back and forth between them as the conversation flowed, each sip peeling away the mysterious layers between the two. eric had a way of drawing her out. his humor was witty, his stories were full of vivid details that made her forget the remaining ache in her chest, little by little. she felt like she could breathe again.

the two talked about everything and nothing: bad movies, dream vacations, even the weirdest things they’d done as kids. eric was so easy to talk to. in a way that felt natural, his teasing was playful but never too much, and his laughter warm and infectious. with every story exchanged, y/n found herself leaning further into the conversation.

at some point, the conversation slowed, the hum of the city below filling the quiet. y/n’s gaze drifted to eric, who sat just close enough that she could feel the warmth of his presence. the soft glow of the house lights framed his features—his sharp jawline, the slight curve of his lips, and the depth in his eyes that seemed to catch everything without needing to say much. she had noticed before how effortlessly handsome he was, but in the stillness, she could see it in all its glory because now he wasn’t even trying.

“what?” he asked, his voice breaking through her thoughts, low and teasing but not unkind. he kept his eyes on her, a gleam shimmering ever so slightly. she blinked, her cheeks heating as she fought hard not to look away.

“nothing.”

eric tilted his head, a small, knowing smile tugging at his lips. “you were staring. i’m not complaining, just… curious.”

y/n’s heart stuttered, her defenses unraveling under his playful yet gentle tone. she dropped her gaze to the bottle between them, her fingers brushing against the cool glass. “i wasn’t staring,” she mumbled, though the blush deepening on her cheeks betrayed her. he leaned in slightly, not enough to overwhelm but just enough to close the gap, his voice quieter now. 

“sure you weren’t.” their proximity was close enough to feel his breath warm on her nose. a closeness that felt almost forbidden. it felt good. there was something in the way he looked at her, prolonged and intent, as if he could see past what she was trying to hide. it made her stomach flip, her mind race. the space between them felt charged, the kind of silence that wasn’t empty but filled with things neither of them knew how to say.

she tried to focus on the city lights, the buzz of music from the party beneath themㅡ anything but him… but her gaze betrayed her again. when she looked back up, he was still watching her, his expression shifting into something unreadable.

“you know, you’re… different than i expected,” he said finally, his voice soft, almost hesitant. he was peeling back a layer of himself that he didn’t often share.

y/n’s brows furrowed slightly, her mind catching the weight of his words. curiously, she leaned closer despite the space being noses apart as a result. “different how?” she asked, her voice quieter now in fear of the moment shattering if she spoke any louder.

“in a good way,” he replied, the corners of his lips lifting in a slight smile that was both shy and sincere. the energy picked up, dissipating from its once lustful state into something new, softer and more vulnerable. “like… i don’t know. just better.”

the simplicity of his words struck her harder than she expected. there weren’t any grand gestures or overly thought-out declarations with them, yet somehow, it made them feel all the more genuine. she didn’t know how to respond, so she didn’t. instead, she just looked at him, her lips parting slightly as if the unfolding moment had stolen the air from her lungs. the outside noises of the world faded into nothing, narrowing to just the quiet breaths they shared on that balcony.

time seemed to slow as the remaining space between them shrank. his gaze dropped, flickering to her lips for the briefest moment before meeting her eyes again, a silent question lingering in the space between them. she felt renewed, her heart was racing as her mind scrambled to make sense of it. but there was no time to think, no time to overanalyze; her body moved before she could stop it.

her lips met his, softly at first, testing the waters. there was hesitation on both ends, a mutual uncertainty. then the kiss deepened, the weight of the night pouring into every movement. she leaned in closer, her hands finding their way to his shirt, gripping it tightly as if afraid he might pull away. his fingers ghosted over her jaw, anchoring her in the moment, grounding her as the rest of the world seemed to spin. it wasn’t perfect, it was messy and uncoordinated, a clash of emotions and impulse—but it felt real, raw in a way that made her melt into his touch. and for the first time in what felt like forever, she let herself be vulnerable. she let herself feel.

but just as quickly as it started, the kiss ended as reality crashed back in. y/n pulled back abruptly, her hands flying to her stomach as a sudden wave of nausea hit hard, quickly climbing its way up from her stomach. “oh no…” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper as she almost teleported to the other side of the balcony. there was no way. eric’s eyes widened, concern flashing across his face as he instinctively moved to reach out toward her. “you okay?” he asked, moving his hands back after seeing her lack of response to the gesture. she shook her head, the motion only making her feel worse. 

“i think i’m gonna—” she realized she pushed herself to her feet too quickly, her delayed reaction to the sudden movement sent her balance teetering. eric was beside her in an instant, steadying her with a hand on her arm as she stumbled toward the railing.

“whoa, whoa—hold on,” he said, his voice calm but urgent. “deep breaths, okay? i got you.”

y/n clung to the cool metal railing, squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to steady her breathing. the nausea roared louder, her stomach churning violently. she hated how vulnerable she felt, she hated that she couldn’t keep it together.

“i’m so sorry,” she whispered shakily, leaning forward in case the inevitable happened. her whole body was in panic mode, trying to ground itself but every attempt it made only escalated the situation. the only thing saving her from completely coming undone was her pride. she refused to embarrass herself in front of the handsome man that kept her company.

“don’t apologize,” eric said softly, his hand still resting on her arm. the touch was enough to distract her as her senses focused on the warmth it offered. “seriously, it’s fine. just focus on breathing. we’ll get through this.” her cheeks burned with embarrassment, but there was no judgment in his voice, no awkwardness, just comfort laced with concern. he was drunk too, anxiety building at how the situation could possibly unfold. y/n clung to the railing as the nausea finally overwhelmed her. the world around her blurred, and every sound muffled like she was underwater. her knees buckled slightly, and eric was quick to catch her as she vomited over the balcony, quietly thanking god that nobody was in the backyard.

 “yeah,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “i think you’re done for the night.” she tried to mumble a response, but her words came out slurred and incoherent. her body felt heavy, the buzz of alcohol overpowering every sense as she vomited again. now she was sobbing curses keeping her eyes squeezed tight, as if it could block out the predicament she was in now. eric had to think fast, he couldn’t just leave her out here. but he also cared for her reputation, and taking someoneㅡ in her state, back with the majority was just begging to be social suicide. 

“okay, hang tight,” eric said, carefully easing her down to sit on the floor of the balcony, leaning her against the railing for support. she was barely responsive, her eyelids fluttering as exhaustion took over. he wanted to bring her inside the room, but if she kept going at the rate that she was, laying down would be a safety hazard. he hated it, but the best option would be to leave her outside. he sucked in a breath, crouching in front of her, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face. “i’m gonna find your friends, okay? just stay right here.”

y/n’s head lolled slightly. he made his way back into the main, more populated areas of the house, scanning the crowd for any sign of the two girls she’d been with earlier. it took a few minutes and some questions to a few strangers, but eventually, eric found chaewon and yujin near the living room, both mid-conversation with a group of people. “hey, uh,” eric interrupted, his tone urgent enough to grab their attention immediately. “y/n’s on the balcony. she’s not feeling great. i think she needs you.”

chaewon’s eyes widened as her head snapped towards yujin, they had forgotten about y/n in their inebriated state. they actually learned of the kitchen situation shortly after it happened because jay had come by and interrupted their conversation with jake to vent about it. they only let her be after hearing of her moment with eric because a distraction was what they were originally hoping for. they didn’t take into account it could go left. “what the hell is she doing out there? is she okay?”

“she’s like… out of it,” eric said, his hands still in his pockets but his shoulders tense as they picked up the words he wasn’t dropping: a few too many drinks, half of which her body weight couldn’t hold. “she needs to go home.” yujin didn’t hesitate, grabbing chaewon’s arm as they followed eric back to the balcony. chaewon couldn’t help but cry the whole way up.

“fuck, we might just be the worst friends alive,” she sobbed, her feet scurrying to keep up with the other two as each sob slowed her down. yujin, sensing the need for a level headed person in the room, pinched chaewon’s cheeks once they reached the bedroom leading to the balcony. “we can unpack that later. she needs us now. so suck it up cause we have to act like we know what we’re doing.” her words leave no word for arguments, so chaewon just nods putting on her best poker face despite the regret that still panged at her heart.

when they opened the door to finally arrive on the scene, y/n was no longer slumped against the railing. she was laying on her side curled into a ball, eyes closed as she emphasized each breath she let out to calm her nerves. “oh my god, y/n,” chaewon muttered, kneeling beside her. the girl only croaked her name in response, a pout eliciting a downpour of tears. she felt a sense of relief washing over her at their presence. yujin crouched down as she and chaewon lifted her body up, y/n doing her best to push herself up with her arms. “what made this happen?”

“it’s kind of my fault. jay upset her while we were taking shots. it bummed her out, so we came up here to recharge… drank a whole bottle of patron,” eric trailed off as he recollected their actions leading up to it, the impulsivity being highlighted as a disaster waiting to happen. rubbing the back of his neck, he cleared his throat. “yeah, so it’s totally my fault.” chaewon and yujin wasted zero time verbally agreeing with him. he didn’t take it personally, thoughㅡ in hindsight, he could’ve approached the situation better. “sorry, i wasn’t really thinking. i just wanted to make her feel better.”

“well, thank you,” yujin said, her voice sincere as she looked at him. chaewon and yujin carefully helped y/n to her feet, draping her arms over their shoulders. eric lingered for a moment, his gaze softening as he looked at her one last time. she looked an absolute mess. her mascara ran in uneven streaks tracing her cheeks, while smudges of foundation, blush,and faded lipstick clung desperately to her skin. he felt horrible for how bad her night turned out. “she’s gonna be okay, right?” he asked, his voice a tinge quieter now.

“yeah,” chaewon said, tight-lipped with a small nod. “we got it from here, thanks for looking out for her.” eric nodded, stepping back as they carried y/n away. he stood there for a moment, watching until they disappeared into the house. with a deep breath, he turned back toward the balcony railing, running a hand through his hair as he tried to shake off the lingering worry. what a shitty first impression to leave. he almost wished that they had saved some alcohol, he needed another shot.

in the backseat of the taxi, y/n slumped against chaewon, her head heavy with a mouth that insisted on being anything but quiet. “i wanted to stay with him,” she mumbled, her words slurring together. her voice hiccuped slightly, carrying the unmistakable edge of drunken frustration. she replayed fragmented memories of their time together from the kitchen to the balcony. “why’d you make me leave? he was—he was so damn nice to me. oh my god, he was so sweet y’all. and he was so cute.”

chaewon yawned with a sigh, exhausted and clearly drunk, but trying her best to be a comforting friend, rubbing y/n’s arm. “yeah, yeah, i’m sure he was cool. but we had to leave, y/n. you could barely stand.”

“you were blackout drunk,” yujin chimed in from the passenger seat, twisting around to face them, her own cheeks flushed from the night’s drinks. “like, not just tipsy. you were gone, babe. eric literally told us to get you home.”

but y/n wasn’t having it. she sat up abruptly, her movements wobbly as she gestured with exaggerated fervor. “i liked him, though! he was—such a sweetheart. like, he said all this nice stuff. and we—” she paused, her drunken mind struggling to piece things together. rubbing her thighs together, her mind went straight to the kiss they shared. knowing chaewon and yujin, they wouldn’t let her hear the end of it if she dropped that kind of info. so, she opted to stop herself, quickly changing the subject. a little secret never hurt anybody.

“he was—he was talking to me, and then you guys just pulled me away.” images of how she interpreted the situation plagued her mind, as if they were plotting against her to keep her from her prince charming. “it wasn’t fair… what if i never see him again?” she slumped back dramatically, her head falling against the window with a loud thud but she wasn’t even phased by the pain. “this is so unfair.”

chaewon’s expression softened, her teasing edge melting away as she gave y/n’s arm a gentle squeeze. her voice was quieter now, reassuring, like she was trying to ground her moody friend. “you know you can keep talking to him, right? it’s not like you’ll never see him again.”

“how?” y/n exclaimed, throwing her hands up dramatically. her voice carried the same exasperation as a frustrated child, her bottom lip already jutting out in a pout. it seemed impossible, like meeting him was a once in a lifetime chance she’d fumbled.

“i don’t know, romeo,” yujin quipped, glancing back at her. “you got his number, didn’t you?” there was a glint of amusement in her tone, and it took everything not to laugh at y/n’s growing dramatics.

y/n blinked, suddenly caught off guard. “damn it,” she groaned, flopping back against the seat as the realization hit her. “i didn’t even think about that!” her voice rose in pitch as her frustration bubbled over. with another groan, she slumped forward again. “how am i supposed to find him now?”

yujin shook her head, her own buzz making her grin widen as she scrolled through her phone. “hold on,” she mumbled, squinting at the screen as she scrolled past posts and messages. “i think we follow him on instagram. chaewon and me, at least.”

“you’re kidding,” y/n said, her tone filled with disbelief as her wide eyes snapped to yujin. she was almost jealous, she wanted him to follow her too. well, maybe more than a follow. she had a list of things she now wanted from the boy, few of them being internet bound. 

“mmm, nope. see? it’s right here,” yujin turned her phone toward y/n, showing her eric’s page. it wasn’t much from what she could see. just a regular layout, posting at normal locations yet somehow making the mundane parts of life look vibrant. so dreamy.“i’ll send you his profile.”

for a moment, the drunken haze clouding y/n’s mind seemed to part, and a flicker of hope broke through her frustration. her face softened, and she looked at her friends with a mixture of gratitude and awe. “you’d really give it to me?” her voice was quieter now, almost shy, but the happiness behind her words was hard to miss.

“of course,” yujin said with a shrug, her fingers already flying across the screen to send his profile link. her tone was casual as her eyes flicked to y/n. “but, like, maybe don’t embarrass yourself, okay? just be chill.” she raised an eyebrow, her gaze flickering between concern and amusement. “if you’re even capable of that right now.”

chaewon snorted beside her, the sound sharp and short, like she’d tried to suppress it but failed miserably. the corners of her lips twitched upward as she pressed her knuckles against her mouth, shaking her head at the scene unfolding before her.

“hey,” y/n shot back, the sound more of a whine than a true protest. her pout returned in full force as she crossed her arms over her chest like a petulant child. “i am capable of being chill.” but the way her words were slurred slightly at the edges and so over-exaggerated, made her claim hilariously unconvincing. her friends didn’t need to say anything, her actions spoke loud enough.

“sure you are,” chaewon said, laughter bubbling up from deep in her chest as she leaned back into the seat, shaking her head. the way she said it seemed to playfully poke even more holes in y/n’s already shaking defense. her amusement was contagious, setting off yujin, who burst into laughter that echoed through the car. “there, it’s sent,” yujin said between giggles, her cheeks beginning to ache from smiling as the notification lit up the screen. 

she waved it at y/n who then grabbed her phone and stared down at the notification, her lips twitching as her pout faltered. even though she tried to hold on to her dramatic indignation, the warmth of her friends’ laughter was pulling her out of her sulk. she wasted no time exploring his public profile, staring down at it like it held all the answer to life’s mysteries. a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

as the taxi rolled to a stop in front of y/n’s apartment, her eyes stayed glued to one of eric’s posts. the glow of the screen illuminated her face as she scrolled through his pictures, lingering on one in particular—a candid shot of him laughing, his head tilted back and his smile wide. “he’s cute, right?” she slurred, her voice tinged with both awe and disbelief as she held the phone up for chaewon and yujin to see. “yeah, real cute,” yujin replied without even looking, her tone dismissive as she hooked her arm under y/n’s to help her out of the taxi. chaewon grabbed y/n’s other arm, the two of them exchanging knowing glances over her head.

“now come on,” yujin added, her voice straining as y/n leaned heavily on her. “let’s get you inside before you pass out in the hallway.”

“i’m not gonna pass out,” y/n protested, though her sluggish movements and the way she was tripping over her own feet, told an entirely different story. her attention drifted back to her phone. “he’s so cute,” she declared dreamily, clicking on another one of eric’s posts. she zoomed in on his face scrutinizing every detail like she was solving a puzzle.

her knees buckled slightly as she let out a squeal that blended into a wistful sigh, her head tipping back dramatically. the sudden motion nearly sent all three of them tumbling to the ground. “y/n, focus!” chaewon scolded, groaning as she tightened her grip to keep her upright. together, they stumbled through the front door, chaewon’s voice laced with equal parts exasperation and amusement.

“i am focused!” y/n shot back, though the way she swayed suggested otherwise. with a flourish, she exited out of the post and opened eric’s dms, her fingers flying across the screen. “i’m texting him right now,” she announced proudly, her voice brimming with determination.

“just don’t say anything stupid,” yujin laughed, typing in the apartment code and holding the door open for them. her tone held a faint edge of concern as she glanced over at y/n, whose fingers kept typing away. y/n, entirely oblivious to her surroundings, was deep in concentration, her thumbs working faster than her intoxicated brain could keep up. she hit send on one message, then another, a giddy smile spreading across her face as the chat filled with her messages. “he hasn’t seen them yet,” she mumbled, almost like a child waiting for a toy to arrive.

chaewon and yujin exchanged a look, their laughter bubbling up again as they guided her toward her room to toss her on the bed, watching as she remained entirely consumed by her mission. “you’re a mess,” chaewon teased, shaking her head, though there was no mistaking the fondness in her voice.  after ridding themselves of their shoes, the three girls were quick to undo the chaos of the night. yujin wiped away her smudged eyeliner with one of y/n’s makeup wipes, while chaewon rummaged through a pile of clothes, discarding her dress before tossing a baggy hoodie on.

y/n, still buzzing from both the alcohol and her excitement, sat cross-legged on the bed, clutching her phone. amidst the silent ruffling of materials as the girls were focused on their respective activities, her phone buzzed. the room was momentarily filled with a high-pitched squeal as she threw her head back dramatically. “he replied!”

“oh my god, already?” yujin asked, peering over y/n’s shoulder.

“what’d he say?” chaewon added, leaning in, her curiosity piqued.

but y/n didn’t answer, her face going slack as she hunched over her phone, completely absorbed in whatever eric had sent. the other two exchanged glances before shrugging, quietly finishing up their nighttime routines while y/n sat frozen, eyes reading each thing he sent. suddenly, she let out a gasp, breaking her silence once again. “he gave me his number!” she screamed, clutching her phone to her chest like it was a prized possession.

chaewon raised an eyebrow. “well, are you gonna call him?”

y/n shot her a look that screamed duh, her fingers making quick to save his number. without hesitating, she dialed it, ignoring the way her heart was trying to beat its way out of her chest. “oh my god, you’re calling now?” yujin asked, half-laughing as she tossed herself onto the bed.

“shh!” y/n hissed, holding a finger up to quiet them. she brought the phone to her ear, biting her lip as the dial tone hummed in her ear. the sound seemed to stretch on forever, each ring louder than the last.

“what if he doesn’t pick up?” chaewon whispered, leaning closer to yujin with wide eyes.

yujin grinned. “then she’ll probably—”

“hello?”

his voice cut through the line, smooth and casual, yet undeniably familiar. y/n froze, her lips parting as the realization hit her. “uh—” she started, but her voice caught in her throat, her mind racing to find the right words. chaewon and yujin exchanged a glance, their amused smiles fading as they watched y/n’s expression shift into something softer, more vulnerable.

“hello?” he said again, a touch of curiosity creeping into his tone.

y/n exhaled slowly, closing her eyes as if bracing herself. “hey, eric,” she finally said, her voice quieter than she intended. muting, she turned to the girls. “i’ll be back.” and with that, she slipped out of the room, leaving her friends behind as the door clicked softly shut.

[evertidings]

Can I just say how much I love your game?? Visual novels are usually the more well known when it comes to pick-and-choose games so I was really surprise to see the term "interactive fiction" for once. Immediately got hooked by the overall design of the game along with the brief description (I saw this at itch.io) of it and I loved every moment of reading through the text. I'm not sure if it's just me (as I don't play visual novels much and have never tried interactive fiction before) but I love how the choices we make actually do affect the story in the next scenes. Whether through subtle detail or how much we end up knowing after it or whatever else is chef's kiss. BTW A is my absolute fave. I played the game twice now where the first I stuck to what I was most likely to do and the second to appease my need for A, picking every romance option possible for them.

Fun fact, I also learned about the term "interactive fiction" through visual novels. Funnily enough, I was apprehensive about them at first because I thought I wouldn't be able to enjoy them without the visual aid, but alas, here I am with my own.

I do still enjoy both genres though; they each have their pros and cons. While I love the art of visual novels, I think (at least from the one's I've played) there can be more variety with choices and code in a text-only based game, so you win some and you lose some.

Regardless, thank you for playing! I'm glad you like it (and [A]) <3

[ranny-gazoo]

I decided to make a little comic fanart for @spark-hearts2 !! I had extra time, hyperfixation, and a dream. This fic (Therapy but it’s just Zooble Interrogating Caine) is absolutely amazing and a very good read, I freakin loved it! This particular fanart is based on a scene from Chapter 3. It’s also linked below

Drawing this was an absolute blast and really helped me out with art block. I’m actually thinking of doing another comic with some other scene ! Fun fact, there’s a really subtle reference to AM (I have no mouth, and I must scream) Mostly just an emphasis on some words.

(Also my first tumblr post! I’m still trying to figure out how to navigate around so apologies for any oddities in the post lol)

[thollandsgirl2013]

Idea :- peter just absolutely fucking loving how the reader smells and just getting hella clingy.

I saw someone write something similar but I would love to see ur take on it

Hi there! Thanks for the request and sorry for the delay.... I tried my best, hope you like it 😊

༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥

Parings → Peter Parker x Reader

Warnings → Fluff, Suggestive themes, Teasing

Summary → Peter becomes obsessed with Y/n's scent after using a new body wash, leading to clingy behavior.

You stepped out of the shower, wrapping a fluffy towel snugly around yourself as the warmth of the steam lingered in the air. Droplets of water clung to your skin, sliding lazily down your arms and legs, and you shivered slightly, the cool contrast against the humid bathroom. The soft, sweet scent of your new body wash filled the room—a blend of vanilla and lavender that was both calming and intoxicating, like a warm hug wrapped in a field of wildflowers.

"Smells good," you thought to yourself, running your fingers through your damp hair, untangling a few stubborn knots. You caught your reflection in the mirror, your cheeks pink from the heat of the shower, and a small smile tugged at your lips.

Once dressed, you stepped into the living room, where Peter was sprawled on the couch, his back against the armrest and his legs stretched out. His hands were busy tinkering with a small gadget, his nimble fingers twisting and adjusting pieces with a precision only he could manage. The faint hum of the TV played in the background, but Peter's focus was entirely on the device in his hands.

The moment your footsteps sounded against the floor, his head snapped up. His brown eyes, warm and inviting, locked onto you, and a lopsided smile spread across his face, lighting up the entire room.

"Hey," he said, his voice light, carrying a hint of affection that never failed to make your heart flutter.

"Hey, baby," you replied, your tone soft as you crossed the room, making your way toward him. You aimed for the empty space beside him, planning to plop down, but before you could fully sit, Peter’s hands caught your waist and effortlessly pulled you into his lap.

A surprised laugh escaped your lips as his arms wrapped securely around you, and he buried his face in the curve of your neck. The sensation of his curls brushing against your skin sent a ticklish warmth spreading through you.

"Peter!" You squeaked, half-laughing, trying to squirm away. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," he murmured against your neck, his voice low and slightly muffled.

It was then you felt it—the subtle way he was inhaling deeply, as though committing your scent to memory. You blinked, slightly taken aback, before pulling back just enough to meet his gaze.

"Are you… smelling me?" You asked, a teasing lilt in your voice.

Peter froze for a moment, his lips parting as if to deny it, but then he chuckled, his sheepish grin breaking through. "Uh, maybe?"

You tilted your head, raising an eyebrow as a playful smile curved your lips. "Weirdo."

He shrugged, unbothered by the label, and tightened his hold on you, his hands resting warmly on your waist. His nose found its way back to your shoulder, and you felt the gentle nuzzle of his skin against yours, the action so soft and intimate that it sent a rush of warmth flooding your cheeks.

"You smell so good," he murmured, his voice low, carrying a hint of awe, as though the scent alone had left him mesmerized.

Your cheeks burned a little hotter at his words. "It's just my new body wash," you said, brushing it off, though your heart swelled at the way he said it, as though it was the most remarkable thing in the world.

"Well, I love it," he replied simply, leaning in to plant a kiss on your collarbone. His lips lingered for a moment, warm and soft against your skin, before he pulled back, his eyes sparkling with affection.

-----------------------

Over the next few days, Peter’s clinginess reached new heights, leaving you both amused and exasperated.

He was always hugging you, his hands constantly seeking the comforting familiarity of your waist, back, or arms, as if the mere touch grounded him. Whenever you stood still for more than a moment, Peter would find his way to you, his arms looping around your body in a warm, secure hold.

One evening, while you were at your desk poring over your notes, Peter crept up behind you. You felt his presence before you saw him, the faint rustle of his movements and the warmth of his body radiating close. Then, without a word, his arms slipped around your shoulders, pulling you back gently against him. His face nestled into your hair, and you felt the soft exhale of his breath tickling your ear.

“Peter,” you sighed, your tone caught between fondness and exasperation as you tried to refocus on the textbook in front of you.

“Hmm?” He hummed innocently, his lips brushing lightly against your temple as if to pacify you.

“I need to study,” you said firmly, though the corners of your mouth twitched with a smile.

“And I need you,” he replied, his tone light yet undeniably sincere, his grip on you tightening slightly as if he feared you might vanish.

You turned your head to look at him, raising an eyebrow in playful accusation. “What’s gotten into you lately?”

“Nothing,” he replied far too quickly, his gaze darting away to avoid your knowing stare.

“Peter Benjamin Parker,” you teased, your tone mock-stern, “you are the worst liar.”

His lips twitched as he tried to suppress a grin, but he said nothing, leaving you to shake your head and turn back to your notes, a small smile lingering on your lips.

------------------

Later that week, you were curled up on the couch, trying to read a novel for class. Peter sat next to you, his arm casually draped over your shoulders. You thought he was scrolling through his phone, but his constant shifting told another story. Every few minutes, he scooted closer, pressing his body against yours until there wasn’t a single inch of space left between you.

“Peter,” you said without looking up from your book.

“Hmm?”

“You’re squishing me.”

“I’m not,” he argued softly, resting his chin on your shoulder.

“Yes, you are,” you said, turning to meet his pouty expression.

“Fine,” he said, but instead of moving away, he shifted his position, wrapping both arms around your waist and pulling you into his lap.

“Peter!” You exclaimed, trying to wriggle free, but he held you firm, his grin widening.

“This is better,” he said smugly, his chin now resting atop your head.

“You’re impossible,” you muttered, though your voice lacked any real frustration.

“And you love me for it,” he teased, pressing a kiss to the crown of your head.

You sighed, giving in, and leaned back against him. “Lucky for you, I do.”

Peter’s grin softened into a smile, and his arms tightened around you, his hold feeling like the safest place in the world.

----------------------

At night, it was even worse.

You’d be lying in bed, cocooned under the blankets, trying your best to get some sleep, but Peter’s restlessness made it nearly impossible. He wouldn’t stop fidgeting, shifting every few minutes to wrap himself closer around you. His arm slid over your waist, pulling you into his chest as if you might disappear in the night.

“Peter,” you mumbled sleepily, your voice muffled against his warm shirt. “Can you stay still for five seconds?”

Instead of answering, he pressed a soft kiss to your cheek, his lips warm against your skin. You felt his breath, light and even, brush against your temple as he nuzzled into your neck, his curls tickling the sensitive skin there.

“Peter,” you sighed again, more firmly this time, but he only tightened his hold on you, his legs tangling with yours as he wrapped himself around you like a koala. His weight pressed against you, making you feel simultaneously secure and slightly squished.

“I’m trying to sleep,” you mumbled, trying to adjust your position, though his grip didn’t budge.

“I can’t help it,” he whispered, his voice low and full of affection. His lips brushed against your ear as he spoke, sending a small shiver down your spine.

You groaned softly, half in frustration and half in amusement. “You’ve said that a hundred times.”

“Because it’s true,” he insisted, his tone gentle but sincere. His nose grazed your jawline as he buried his face in the curve of your neck again, inhaling deeply like your presence alone could soothe him.

You exhaled, your annoyance fading into fondness as his steady breathing began to calm. "Peter," you murmured one last time, though there was no real conviction in your tone anymore.

“Shh,” he murmured sleepily, his voice muffled against your skin. “Just let me hold you.”

And despite your earlier protests, you gave in, relaxing into his embrace. You felt his arms slacken slightly as his breathing evened out, and before long, the soft rhythm lulled you into sleep.

---------------------

You lay sprawled on the bed, utterly spent, your muscles pleasantly sore from the night’s events. The cool sheets beneath you felt like heaven against your heated skin. Peter propped himself up on one elbow beside you, gazing down with that familiar, goofy grin that never failed to make your heart skip a beat. His fingers traced slow, lazy circles along your bare hip, the featherlight touch soothing and intimate. Every so often, his lips brushed against your shoulder in soft, lingering kisses that sent a shiver down your spine.

You loved Peter. Truly, you did. But two to three rounds a day? Yeah, your body had its limits. You loved being with him in every way, but right now, you needed rest.

“Pete,” you groaned, your voice a mix of laughter and exhaustion. “I love you, but I’m so tired. Can we just... rest for a bit?”

Peter’s grin faltered, replaced by a dramatic pout. His eyes widened into the patented puppy-dog look he knew you couldn’t resist.

“But you smell so good,” he mumbled, leaning in to bury his face in your neck with an exaggerated sniff.

“Peter!” You laughed, weakly pushing at his chest. “What is with you lately? You’re like... obsessed!”

He froze mid-sniff, his nose still pressed against your skin. For a fleeting moment, you thought he might actually stop and consider your words. But then his arms tightened around you, and his grin returned, boyish and unapologetic.

“Can’t help it,” he murmured, pressing himself closer. “You’re just... perfect.”

“Peter.” You shifted slightly, sitting up just enough to give him a pointed look. “I’m serious. What’s going on? You’ve been acting so weird for days. Did something happen?”

He hesitated, his cheeks flushing a deep shade of red. Scratching the back of his neck, he avoided your gaze like a kid caught stealing cookies.

“I, uh... it’s kinda embarrassing,” he muttered.

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Try me.”

He sighed dramatically, flopping onto his back and draping an arm over his face like a character in a soap opera.

“Okay, so... you know how I have heightened senses, right? Like, my hearing, my reflexes, and, uh, my sense of smell?”

You nodded, sitting up straighter. “Yeah, so?”

“Well, apparently, my sense of smell is... really heightened. And, um...” He peeked at you from behind his arm, his face growing even redder. “You smell really good. Like, insanely good. Your new body wash is... kind of driving me crazy.”

You blinked, processing his words. “Wait. So all of this—” You gestured between the two of you, your lips twitching in amusement. “The hugging, the sniffing, the cuddling, and the 24/7 horniness—it’s because of the smell of my body wash?”

Peter winced, groaning as he buried his face in the pillow. “Don’t say it like that! You’re making me sound like a total weirdo!”

You couldn’t hold it in—you burst out laughing. Clutching your sides, you doubled over, tears pricking the corners of your eyes from the sheer absurdity of it all.

“Stop laughing!” Peter whined, his voice muffled against the pillow. “I knew I shouldn’t have said anything!”

“I’m sorry,” you wheezed, trying to catch your breath. “It’s just—you’ve been driving me crazy this whole time, and it’s because of soap? Oh my God, Peter!”

“It’s not just the body wash!” He blurted, lifting his head enough to glare at you, his cheeks still flaming.

You paused, your laughter dying down as curiosity took over. “What do you mean?”

Peter groaned again, dragging a hand down his face. “It’s... it’s you,” he admitted quietly. “Your natural scent is already sweet—like, ridiculously sweet—and the body wash just makes it even sweeter. And with my senses being heightened, I can’t help it. I can’t get enough of you.”

Your heart softened as you watched him, cheeks pink and eyes darting nervously, clearly worried about your reaction.

“So... you’re saying I naturally smell good, but the body wash is like... an extra kick?” You teased, grinning.

Peter groaned, flopping back onto the bed and throwing an arm over his face. “This is so embarrassing.”

You giggled, leaning over to press a kiss to his exposed cheek. “You’re unbelievable.”

Peter peeked at you from under his arm, his pout so endearing that it only made you giggle harder. “I hate you,” he muttered, though his tone lacked any real bite.

“No, you don’t,” you teased, ruffling his curls affectionately.

He sighed, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you back down beside him. “You’re mean.”

“And you’re ridiculous,” you shot back, settling into his embrace.

He huffed dramatically, though the smile creeping onto his lips betrayed him. “You’re lucky I love you.”

You smiled, resting your head on his chest as his hand found its familiar place on your hip. “I know. And for the record, I love you too. Even if you’re a total dork.”

Peter grinned, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head. “Good. Because I’m not stopping anytime soon.”

You groaned, feeling him shift closer, his lips trailing down your chest with a clear intent. “Peter,” you said, exasperated but amused. “No. I need rest.”

“Just one more time? Please?” He murmured against your skin, his voice low and teasing.

You sighed, rolling your eyes but unable to resist the pleading look he gave you. “Fine,” you relented with a small smile. “But this is the last time you’re in me tonight, Parker. I mean it.”

He grinned mischievously, already moving to kiss you. “Deal. Last time. Promise.”

You shook your head, laughing softly. “You’re impossible.”

And as his lips captured yours, you thought to yourself that rest could wait... just a little longer.

‎∗ ࣪ ˖༺ 𓆩☆𓆪 ༻˖ ࣪ ∗

[lambilegs]

UNWRAP ME! (LEE HARKER X READER)

contains: ERMMM really nasty sloppy bday sex I'm sorry, g!p lee, breeding kink, spanking, dirty talk, bondage kink (reader is tied up in ribbons and bows), not proofread, reader's body is referred to w the terms "pussy," "cunt," "clit" divider by: @/crylynnluv

"lee! lee -- ah," you whine into your girlfriend's pillow, the spit dribbling from your hanging mouth dripping onto the beige fabric and leaving a wet spot.

you had suspected that lee would like your little idea, but god, not this much. but, you can't be too surprised -- your entire relationship with her has been comprised of many, many moments of revelation where you realize just how much of a freak your girlfriend is.

and today was no exception. god, the way her eyes had flashed, her mouth pinching into a firm, focused line when she spotted you kneeling on her bed, ribbons tied around your wrists, thighs and ankles, a big, red bow stuck on your tummy. it was practically like a low flame was set alit in her dark eyes, burning and ready to surround you in the warmth of her gaze.

without even uttering a word, she had stalked up to you, eyes narrowed on your form, roving around you as if she had all the time in the world. which she did, but just the fantasy of what she'd do to you had gotten you wet and aching, ready to be absolutely devoured by her.

your thighs had tightened together, desperate to get any sort of friction on your needy cunt as you watched her strong, graceful fingers undo the latch to her belt, sliding it off and tossing it to the ground. your hips practically bucked mid-air when you spotted the growing tent under her grey slacks, stretching over the hard-on. you licked your lips, eager to get a sight of her pretty cock, maybe suck her off until she creams your mouth.

instead, she gently pushed you face down, nails digging into your hips as she easily hoisted you so that your ass stuck up in the air. the manhandling of you had your facial features tensing up, clit beginning to throb in want of her.

she sates it momentarily, ducking her head down and dipping her face into your wet mound. you immediately hissed at the content, her nose nudging against the opening of your pussy as her tongue flicked along your swollen bud. her large hands groped and squeezed at your ass cheeks as she sloppily ate you out, small, raspy little moans of her own getting lost in the squelching noises of your gushing pussy.

"the things you get up to when I'm not here," she mused quietly, her tongue flattening to run fat stripes along the entire length of you.

"it's your birthday," you said feebly, the words littered with small moans and whines.

you feel the curve of her mouth as that subtle, sweet smile of hers you oh-so-love blooms on her face. "yeah, it is."

with one last kiss delivered to your swollen pussy, you hear her standing up behind you, unzipping her pants in one smooth motion. you feel like you're in heat or something, your hole clenching just from the sound of her tugging her pants down, followed by the wet noises of lube getting lathered onto her length.

and in a matter of moments, you wind up where you are now. she took no time to go slow, her thick cock immediately set to pumping steadily in you as her thumbs stroke at your hips. it sounds absolutely filthy, the length of her making slippery noises as she plugs you up with each thrust. your hole stretches deliciously taut to accommodate her, latching onto her stiff length as she fucks you with measured, hard thrusts, the tip kissing your g-spot with every deep, intentional push.

your arms ache with the strain of still having them tied in the velvet ribbons, but it almost makes you ache even more, to know you're completely at her mercy, ready to take whatever she has to give you.

"what even gave you this idea?" she grunts, her words breathy and high from the exertion.

"I--I," you stumble, mind numb from the overwhelming, hot pleasure surging through your body, straight from your hole right into your tummy and legs. "I don't know, I just thought it'd be hot."

it's quiet for a few seconds, nothing filling the room but the wet smacks of her heavy balls against your clit. god, you want them in your mouth so bad, mouth practically salivating at the thought of the come probably loaded in them.

she finally rasps, "well, you were right."

feeling slightly delirious from the praise, you giggle. "oh, yeah?"

a shuddering breath, accompanied by a rough, "yeah," is your response.

god, you want to hear those noises even more, want to irk her more. "yeah? wanna give me a nice little creampie for your birthday?"

something toeing the line between a scoff, gasp and moan is your response, and it sparks even more courage in you. the high of spilling senseless words, releasing all your desire, is practically a high you're buzzing off of.

"tell me, lee," you whine, half your face sunk into her soft blankets. "you wanna come in me then lick it out after? have a sweet treat for yourself?"

a sharp slap to your ass is what you get in return and you cry out, the burn only adding to the mixed sensations of pleasured aches and stinging pressure. lee gives into a brutal pace right after, her cock ramming into you without a moment's ease, your poor g-spot relentlessly toyed with as she does.

"you're too much," she murmurs, fingers brushing against the ribbons sinking into your thighs, the pad of her index dipping under it as she fiddles and tugs at it. "so dirty."

you huff a soft laugh into the pillow, the noise shattering into a moan as she continues thrusting into you. in a few moments, she's leaning over you, her sweat-drenched shirt rubbing against your back as she leans over to untie your hands, the ribbon fluttering off. you nearly sigh in relief, twisting your stiff limbs.

she pulls back, her hands right back on your back, pinching your side, which ignites an embarrassingly high squeal from you.

"rub your clit."

the command is low, gruff and makes you bite your lip in desire. you fumble for a moment before sliding your hand down, poking your index finger to flick the pad along your stiffened bud. it's been begging for attention this entire time, so to finally rub and sate the longing that's caused it to swell feels like an ascension.

you can tell lee is tipping on the edge of orgasm, hushed words beginning to fall from her lips that send your walls squeezing onto her dick.

"fuck, you're so tight," she whispers, her voice sprinkled with tremors.

"is all for you," you heave out.

"I know," she murmurs, the flat of her palm running down your spine, tugging once on your hair and breathlessly laughing when you yelp at the sharp sensation. "you're gonna look so good with my come in you."

your shoulders twitch at the blunt, nasty words, and you shakily say, "I will, I will."

"then, do it. come for me."

her thighs smack hard against your ass, nails sinking into your skin as she continues driving into you. you turn your head back, hazily watching her, nearly unravelling at the sight of her biting her lip, eyes fluttering open and shut. you softly gasp when one hand slinks down and she begins fondling with her balls, rolling them against her fingers.

and at that, you come hard. with a high keen, burying your face and biting into the fabric as the tighten with you rips open, sending waves upon waves of a floaty sensation rippling through your body. a choked cry bursts from your open lips, your eyes squeezing shut as you writhe, nipples rubbing along the sheets.

lee follows you soon after, her heavy gasps breaking into a long, sweet moan as she unloads in you. you feel the warmth of her seed coat your inner walls as it bursts into you, spurts of it shooting in your hole and making you so delightfully full. you shiver upon the sensation of it, having a part of her buried so deep in you making your eyes shut in total contentment.

when she eases out after you both collect your breaths, she helps you onto your back, lowering herself next to you. her face is covered in a sheen of sweat, her upper lip salty with the taste of it as she presses a kiss to your lips. when she pulls away, her chest still rising and falling, she whispers, "thank you," her fingers still fiddling with and twisting the ribbons on your stomach. "that was -- hot." she blinks hard at your shoulder after the admission, her lips pressed in in hesitation.

you giggle, ducking your head down to peck her chin. "yeah? you liked your birthday gift?"

she hums, her palm rubbing along your tummy, thumbing at the big bow there. "yeah." after a beat, she confesses, "hearing this kind of idea would usually make me cringe. but -- well, it actually suited you."

your mouth twists in amusement. you can't even possibly count all the times lee seemed indifferent to something romantic or sexual before experiencing it with you. "so, should we make it a yearly tradition?"

her mouth curls into a soft simper. "or monthly."

"pervert."

she snorts. "who's the one waiting on my bed covered in bows?"

"who's the one who fucked me on sight?"

she turns away, slowly shaking her head as her cheeks redden. "well, I-- it was to be expected."

"uh huh, because beneath all the reservations, you're just a little pervert with a breeding kink." your tone shifts to matter-of-fact, internally delighting at the way lee fidgets scoffs softly, embarrassment still evident in her fidgeting.

"like you're any better."

the low tone of her voice has you clenching your thighs together, which makes a loud, wet noise.

lee immediately picks up on it, her eyes darting down. "hm -- you did propose I have a, what do you call it, 'sweet treat' after, right?"

you gulp. "um, yeah."

her smile widens, and she raises her eyes to you, the skin around them crinkled. "I think I'll have it now."

[unempowered-paradigm]

i am absolutely biased and projecting but plz hear me out on Philadelphian Angel because not only does Angel perfectly fit in with the chaos we wreck during every super bowl, the only thing better than a short tempered east coaster with an accent is TWO OF EM

See the Philly and Pittsburgh accents are much more subtle than Milo’s Brooklyn/Jersey accent. You can hide it until you have to say words like ‘water’ but Dahlia’s in California, and like any Philadelphian who’s lived outside of Philly, they know how to cover up even the words that usually give away our accents.

Angel meets Milo, instantly hears the accent. Angel has a choice to make. They can smile and make a mental note to start emphasizing their T’s or they resume a faux rivalry that has lasted GENERATIONS. A rivalry that has lasted so long it has its own wikipedia page: Philadelphia Eagles Vs New York Giants (also side note if u headcanon Milo as New Jersey rather than New York it still works cause northern New Jersey still root for the Giants lol)

And it doesn’t even matter if you don’t think either of them would be into football because, like, neither are half of us Philadelphians. I don’t watch because I like football, I watch so I can know when I can rub our win in their faces.

The first words Angel says to Milo?

“GO BIRDSSSSS 🦅”

And it makes perfect sense, what other city could be described as a menace. We don’t have a particularly high crime rate compared to New York, but we have a history of messing shit up just for the sake of it. Especially when it comes to the Eagles. When the Eagles won the super bowl in 2018, Eagles fans flipped a car.

No one was hurt, no one was violent, this was a celebratory car flip. For fun.

Philadelphias government grease our street lamps with gear oil every time the Eagles make it to the super bowl to stop us from climbing them and it never works.

And it starts out playful, but after their covert breach, once they learned that Milo was pack rather than just David’s coworkers/friend, it was ON. because the one secret we have is that the more we love the person the more fun it is to fight with them on this. (And it literally took until me writing this to realize my two closest friends are both from different parts of New York City skdjdhsj)

And also it starts out small but when super bowl season comes around??? Angel starts showing up to pack events in an Eagles jersey and jeans, because every Philadelphian owns a jersey. (I don’t even live in Pennsylvania anymore but I still wear my Barkley jersey at least once a week,saquon barkley please marry me), I could go on and on but long story short, I think when David found his mate, Milo found his lifelong nemesis ❤️

Also I love the idea of the pack finding all the worst words we say, like 'water' and 'orange' and Angel being embarrassed but also big bonding moment and David loves seeing them so welcomed into his pack.

That's basically all I got but here are some funny philly things that I think Angel would do:

Uses "D'Jeet?", which is our crumpled up way of saying"Did you eat yet?"

Goes wild for Philadelphian Water Ice and emphasizes how we pronounce it as ‘wooder' just to annoy Milo.

CHEESESTEAK WIT WHIZ AND ONIONS 🗣️🗣️🗣️

Milo and Angel bonding over them both calling ATMs ‘The MAC’

[cosmicbolognesa]

(English version) ''Am I go too fast, Angel?''

|| Another fandom I absolutely love is Good Omens, so here's a little interaction I came up with between Crowley and Freddie Mercury, where Freddie listens to Crowley vent about his heartbreak. I hope you like it! ||

𝖨 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖽𝗂𝗆 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗌𝗈𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖿𝗎𝗅𝗅 𝗈𝖿 𝗌𝖺𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖶𝖾 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝖽𝗈 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗍𝖺𝗇𝗀𝗈 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗐𝗈 𝖨 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗇𝖺𝖽𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗀𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗅𝗒 𝗉𝗅𝖺𝗒 𝗈𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖡𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖵𝖺𝗅𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗈 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗒𝗈𝗎

"Six thousand, six thousand bloody years and counting," he complained once again, rolling over the grand piano. His glasses rested on the left side, and his sorrowful silhouette reflected on the instrument's surface. "Is that a short wait? How can he believe I'm 'going fast'? Do you think I'm really speeding things up? DON'T ANSWER THAT, I DON'T WANT TO KNOW. ACTUALLY, I DON'T CARE WHAT HE THINKS!" The demon didn’t even allow the other to speak.

"Darling," Freddie sighed, "I usually adore your visits during my free time, but tonight I have plans with Brian. So, I would greatly appreciate it if you'd stop writhing around and just tell me how I can help you, love." The man barely brushed the keys with his fingers, humming to himself and occasionally glancing at his friend. "Can I be frank with you?" He played a few notes before lowering the lid and focusing his gaze on Crowley.

The redhead shrugged and flipped onto his stomach, resting his head on his hands. "As if saying 'no' would make a difference. Shoot."

𝖮𝗈𝗁, 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾, 𝗈𝗈𝗁, 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝖻𝗈𝗒 𝖶𝗁𝖺𝗍'𝗋𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖽𝗈𝗂𝗇' 𝗍𝗈𝗇𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍, 𝗁𝖾𝗒, 𝖻𝗈𝗒? 𝖲𝖾𝗍 𝗆𝗒 𝖺𝗅𝖺𝗋𝗆, 𝗍𝗎𝗋𝗇 𝗈𝗇 𝗆𝗒 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝗆 𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗍'𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝖼𝖺𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝖨'𝗆 𝖺 𝗀𝗈𝗈𝖽 𝗈𝗅𝖽-𝖿𝖺𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝖻𝗈𝗒

"I want you to tell me, in your own words and WITHOUT resorting to insults, why it’s so painful for you that this little man asked to slow things down with his… relationship," the singer requested. Despite the softness of his tone, he tried to be firm and to get his dear friend to finally admit what he really felt.

"Friendly relationship, F-R-I-E-N-D-L-Y," Crowley emphasized. He huffed and flipped onto his back again, staring at the beautiful gold chandelier in Freddie's luxurious, spacious living room. "It's not pain, let's start there. It's frustration, for the record. Do you have any idea how much we've been through together? The hundreds of 'random moments' we’ve crossed paths and just happened to help each other out? I'm talking tons of lives, thousands of times where 'by sheer coincidence'—" he drew exaggerated air quotes with both hands— "we ended up in the same place to grab a drink or just chat." As he spoke, memories paraded through his mind at lightning speed. "For Satan's sake, I hate this. I hate feeling the stupid urge to get him those chocolates he loves—and taking the chance to deprive someone else of them, or tempt some overweight monk under a strict diet with a sudden sugar binge—just because I might run into him. I detest that those stupid imported tea bags remind me of him, you know? Every fiber of my being is sick of seeing some damn porcelain tea set and wondering if he has it in his collection."

He fell silent as he noticed Freddie simply watching him with a subtle smirk. Crowley knew that look all too well.

"Darling…" the man attempted, reaching to stroke the demon’s coppery hair.

"No, shut up. Say it, and I'll make you lose that stupidly magnificent voice of yours."

"Crow-leeeey—"

"YOU’VE BEEN WARNED."

Seeing the demon wouldn't relent in his stubbornness, Freddie simply sighed and busied himself brushing his fingers through Crowley's hair. "Why is it so hard for you to accept your fate? Love is, in my opinion, something worth suffering for—even every day of your life."

𝖮𝗈𝗁, 𝗅𝖾𝗍 𝗆𝖾 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗍𝖻𝖾𝖺𝗍 (𝖦𝗋𝗈𝗐 𝖿𝖺𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋, 𝖿𝖺𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋) 𝖮𝗈𝗁, 𝗈𝗈𝗁, 𝖼𝖺𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝗆𝗒 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗁𝖾𝖺𝗍? 𝖢𝗈𝗆𝖾 𝗈𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗂𝗍 𝗈𝗇 𝗆𝗒 𝗁𝗈𝗍-𝗌𝖾𝖺𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝖠𝗇𝖽 𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗅 𝗆𝖾 𝗁𝗈𝗐 𝖽𝗈 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖿𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝖺𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗅𝗅

"I’m NOT supposed to feel ‘love.’ That kind of thing is reserved for the other side and for you mortals. I once told William that, just as he was writing the ending of 'Romeo and Juliet.' You find pleasure in suffering; we’re only meant to add numbers below, not 'experience' things," the demon stated firmly.

"'Not supposed to' is very different from 'not wanting to'… and from what I gather, you’ve spent more time here with us than… you know," he tilted his head downward. "So who cares? Besides, isn’t the greatest act of rebellion to defy what’s imposed on you?" Crowley didn’t reply. That line of reasoning was one of the strongest reasons his friend would inevitably end up among his ranks someday. “Are you sure they didn’t send you from down there, man?” questioned the demon, a little more spirited. In response, Freddie tapped his nose lightly with the tip of his index finger before adding, “Don’t change the subject.”

𝖨'𝖽 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖨 𝗍𝗈 𝗀𝗈 𝗋𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖲𝖺𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝖽, 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗐𝗂𝗌𝗁 𝗂𝗌 𝗆𝗒 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖮𝗈𝗁, 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾, 𝗈𝗈𝗁, 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝖻𝗈𝗒 𝖶𝗁𝖺𝗍'𝗋𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖽𝗈𝗂𝗇' 𝗍𝗈𝗇𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍, 𝗁𝖾𝗒, 𝖻𝗈𝗒?

Finally, Crowley gathered the courage to turn around once more, looking at his friend from where he still sat atop the piano. “Is that what it’s like for you guys?”—his yellow eyes locked on brown ones—“To feel as if you’re thrown into a church, completely naked, then doused with holy water on every inch of your skin while a heavenly choir blares at full volume in the background, every time that person doesn’t seem to feel the same?” The other man laughed at the example, shrugging as he lifted the piano lid again and pressed a few keys. “Oh, darling, I don’t know how terrible that is for someone like you, but for people like me…” he offered a sad smile. “Well, it feels like your heart shatters into a thousand pieces, but you’d die without hesitation for a single look from the person you love. You’d give up anything material, surrender your soul and entire existence just to see them. Sometimes, it’s giving up your own happiness for that person’s well-being,” he explained.\

𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝖾 𝗆𝗒 𝗅𝖾𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖥𝖾𝖾𝗅 𝗆𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖻𝖾𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖠𝗇𝖽 𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝗆𝗒 𝖿𝖺𝗇𝖼𝗒 𝗉𝖺𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗈𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗍𝖾𝗅𝖾𝗉𝗁𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝖶𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝖨'𝗆 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗒𝗈𝗎

“These things are maddening,” he murmured in response to the singer. “In my existence, I’ve seen countless stories, all revolving around love, and let me tell you, they always end badly. Someone gets beaten, beheaded, burned alive, has their eyes gouged out and is left bald, or ends up jumping off the first cliff they see… or the guillotine. And I assure you, we didn’t invent this whole romance thing… though it’s cruel enough that maybe I should look into who patented it.”\

𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗄 𝗈𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌 (𝖨 𝗆𝗂𝗌𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗌𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗇𝗀 𝗁𝗈𝗍 𝗌𝗎𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗋 𝗇𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍𝗌) 𝖨 𝗆𝗂𝗌𝗌 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖶𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝖨'𝗆 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗄 𝗈𝖿 𝗆𝖾 𝖺𝗅𝗐𝖺𝗒𝗌

For a few minutes, neither spoke, each lost in their own thoughts. Freddie played a melody to which Crowley—for once—paid no attention. In his head, he replayed fragments of the conversation they’d just had, struggling not to dwell on phrases like “your heart shatters into a thousand pieces” and “you’d surrender your soul and entire existence just to see them.” Hadn’t he already given himself over to the angel? Hadn’t he long since given up on staying away, ready to follow him anywhere in the world, just to keep seeing those blue eyes he loved so much? That silly little smile before savoring a dessert or trying a new dish at a local restaurant? Didn’t he count the days until their meetings, their teatime outings, or delivering a gift he’d “gotten just to annoy the other side and score points for Hell”? Didn’t he feel something warm and heavy in his chest every time he noticed the disgustingly pure and angelic aura Aziraphale seemed to emanate as he kindly helped every stranger on the street?\

(𝖲𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗈𝗅 𝗈𝖿 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝖻𝗈𝗒𝗌…)

He straightened slowly, hopping down and giving his friend’s shoulder a couple of pats. “You know, I think there’s a table free at the Ritz tonight; I should head off now. Say hi to May for me today and, if Roger calls, give him a whack in the crotch from me.” After their goodbyes, minutes later, Crowley was in the Bentley, driving home

Driving back in style in my saloon will do quite nicely Just take me back to yours, that will be fine (Come on and get it) Ooh, love (There he goes again) (He's my good old-fashioned loverboy) Ooh, loverboy

Twenty minutes later, he was at home, sitting in the chair in his study, dialing a number he already knew by heart. He only had to wait a few seconds to hear his voice, and suddenly, the world felt a little less disgusting.

What're you doin' tonight, hey, boy? Everything's all right Just hold on tight That's because I'm a good old-fashioned (fashioned) loverboy

"Hey, Angel. Got any plans for tonight?"

[poppyquills]

Could you do Miss Peregrine like fluff Alphabet? (If you know what that is)

⊹₊⟡⋆ Miss Peregrine fluff alphabet HCs ⊹₊⟡⋆

⋆˚✿˖° warnings -> none.

⋆˚✿˖° content includes -> just fluff.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Admirer ═ What if they were a secret admirer? How would they act around their crush? And what will they do for them?

Alma Peregrine, ever the composed and reserved woman, would keep her admiration for you a secret. She would prefere neither you nor her wards find out. Alma would observe and admire you from afar, showing her affection for you in subtle ways.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Brush ═ Do they like it when their lover plays or brushes their hair? And do they like to do the same with their lovers hair?

She is very practical about her appearance but she wouldn't mind you brushing and helping with her hair. On rare occasions Alma would even let you play with it after all the children went to bed. She loves brushing your hair and styling it.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Cuddles ═ How do their cuddles feel? How often do they initiate them? And how long do they like to cuddle?

Alma loves cuddling with you in the morning. While she does like to keep to the schedule she would something let is pass and cuddle with you until she absolutely needs to get up. The cuddles don't last more then an hour or two but neither of you mind it.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Distance ═ If they were in long distance relationship, how do they act in it? Do they have any plans of meeting their lover?

She doesn't mind being in a long distant relationship. Alma would make sure to send you letters regulary at least once a week. Every now and then you two would meet up somewhere just to see each other for a bit or you would visit her loop.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Endearment ═ How much and how often do they need their lovers affection? And what do they do when they really need their lovers affection?

She doesn’t openly seek affection but appreciates it when given. When she truly needs it, she’ll subtly linger close, perhaps placing a hand on yours or leaning in slightly, her eyes conveying her feelings.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ First ═ How and where would they spend their first date with their lover?

Her first date wouldn’t be anything special but meaningful. Perhaps a walk through the garden or a quiet evening discussing literature or a small picnic.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Gesture ═ What are their gestures of love? How do they show their love to their lover? And how would they like their lover to show love to them?

Alma shows love through acts of service and thoughtfulness. She might prepare your favorite tea or make time in her busy schedule just for you. She would appreciate her lover expressing love through small, meaningful actions and honest words.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Hands ═ How do their hands feel like? And how willing or how often do they hold hands with their lover?

Her hands are firm yet gentle and soft, accustomed to care. She doesn’t hold hands often, especially not in front of her wards, but when she does it’s deliberate, a way of showing deep affection and reassurance.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ I love you ═ How long did it take them to say those 3 words for the first time? And how often do they like to say it?

It would take her quite a bit before she says "I love you" for the first time, but when she does it’s in a special moment for the two of you. She would say "I love you" quite often, but not in front of the children.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Jealousy ═ What makes them jealous? How easy is it to make them jealous? And how do they act?

Alma isn't a jealous woman, she is confident in your relationship and she trusts you. It would take quite a bit of effort to make her jealous and when she is jealous she would be a bit more sarcastic and annoyed with you then usual.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Kisses ═ How does their kisses feel like? How often do they initiate them?

Her kisses are soft and gentle. She likes kissing you in the morning, before going to sleep or when you two are cooking together but she doesn't initiate them often.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Lazy ═ How do they spend lazy days with their lover?

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Mail ═ How often do they text or call their lover? And why do they do so?

Lazy days with Alma are incredibly rare, but when they do happen Alma preferes staying in bed and cuddling with you a lot longer then usual and spending the rest of the day with you drinking tea and reading books.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Nickname ═ How do they call you? Where did they took this idea from?

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Only for you ═ What's something about them that they're hiding from everyone but their lover? Why did they decide to tell it only to their lover?

She would call you something elegant yet personal, like “Darling” or “Dearest,” finding inspiration in old-fashioned romance.

Alma would share her moments of vulnerability only with you, admitting her fears and doubts about her responsibilities and telling you about her past. She does this because she trusts you deeply and values your understanding.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Perfect ═ What would their perfect date look like?

Her perfect date would involve a quiet evening in a beautiful setting, such as a candlelit library or a serene garden, where the two of you could enjoy each other’s company without interruption.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Romantic ═ What are the romantic acts that they like to show to their lover?

She enjoys classic romantic gestures, like writing you heartfelt notes, surprising you with flowers, or planning thoughtful activities tailored to your interests.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Sleep ═ Their lover fell asleep! What's their reaction?

If you fell asleep, Miss Peregrine would tuck a blanket around you, ensuring you’re comfortable. She’d sit quietly beside you, perhaps reading, until you wake.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Type ═ What's their type? What type of person do they want to spend their life with?

Alma is drawn to someone kind, intelligent, and compassionate. She values strength of character and someone who can share in her responsibilities while providing her a safe space to relax.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Unlucky ═ What was the moment when they were trying to say or do something but someone or something interrupted them?

She was once preparing to confess her feelings to you during a serene moment, only to be interrupted by one of the children causing chaos. Though she was visibly annoyed, she would find another opportunity.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Wedding ═ How do they want their wedding to look like?

Almas wedding would be intimate and elegant, held in a beautiful yet secluded location. She would focus on creating a meaningful ceremony, surrounded by those she holds dearest.

࣪𖤐.ᐟ Zap into their heart ═ The moment they knew they fell for their current crush.

She knew she had fallen for you the first time she saw you protect one of her children, your compassion and bravery instantly winning her over.

[overthinkthis]

15 Day BL Challenge

Day 28: What Love scene gripped you?

Gonna mix it up a little and not say The Sign for once.

Tutor and Fighter in Why R U:

That scene towards the end that starts out with Fighter seducing Tutor and then Tutor turns into an absolute minx in a matter of seconds.

I love the subtle power play and how they seduce each other. It's like they are playing with fire and they both enjoy going up in flames.

15 Day BL Challenge: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

[txttletale]

i really love clownmuffle's role in chicago. she's the highlight of it for me. sometimes i feel like chicago's group-identity-vs.-individualism theme is a bit too much of a sledgehammer to the head but i think that the way that... all of clownmuffle's solitary lone wolf singularity ultimately ends up being reliant on other people, right, that she needs other people's help to maintaion her absolute indpendence she prides herself on, i think that's a really subtle and clever way that the narrative challenges her ideals. clownmuffle reflects on it herself, how much has she given away to other people in order to ensure that's what left is just for herself?

she survives bythos because of hegewisch and madoka. she gets away and makes it to gatinaeu because of murrie, then she needs gatineau to recover so badly she lets gatinaeu retraumatize her (and then cuts off more parts of herself by dissociating away from that harm). she survives the capitol attack because of hegewish and then, when truly 'free', operates as a pawn of her primarily due to an externally (if accidentally) induced loyalty to joliet. then it's berwyn and darien who make her reflect on her own situation, murrie who saves her life yet again... clownmuffle is in many ways this unstoppable singular force of will that warps the narrative around her, but she's only able to be that because of the foundations laid by the people she exists in community with, no matter how much she denies that or tries to escape that. i think it's a really interesting recurring narrative beat, this kind of big lie at the heart of individualism, and clownmuffle is an entertaining as hell character to watch it play out with too

[faejilly]

@rebelren requested the deeply complimentary if slightly broad "I WANT TO KNOW ALL YOUR RICKY/ESTHER THOUGHTS" and I have so many thoughts

let's see where I ramble, huh? There is no plan here? This is mostly just season 1 stuff because that's where I am in my very slow attempt at fic writing.

They very much have a Lois and Clark vibe to me and that is one of my foundational OTPs, so.

She's too smart and sharp for almost everyone else she's ever met but that is in fact what he likes about her. He's deeply impossibly committed to actually being nice and kind and doing the right thing ALL THE TIME without any ability to tell how that's even more unusual than his superpowers absurd good looks and physical abilities and she recognizes that about him.

Ricky is not subtle about his crush on Esther, but he is completely respectful about it. He texts her whenever he has a thought, but that's because he wants her thoughts back, not because he's trying to make her think about him, if that makes sense?

I spent most of the first campaign being very 'she likes him back?' but not sure if I really thought that based on anything she was doing, or I thought that was how the story was being built/structured and it was just gonna... happen. And I was honestly fine with that because Brennan and Zac have such good chemistry, plus the aforementioned respect in approaching the relationship, so I was just gonna take what I got and be happy about it.

BUT on a rewatch (or transcript re-read on the wiki) it becomes increasingly obvious surprisingly early that she is INCREDIBLY KEYED IN ON RICKY AT ALL TIMES and it makes me *pterodactyl screech* a lot A LOT A LOT:

See how quickly she responds to all his texts every time! In group settings even if she hasn't said anything lately she'll usually answer a Ricky-question before anyone else can! She legitimately seems to enjoy figuring out how to rephrase things she's said that were too academic for him to follow!

Like, she's not just humoring him, she is in fact interested in how his mind works and the way he feels his way around information whether or not he understands it in at all the way that she does.

Usually not, obviously, but that doesn't mean his perspective isn't valuable to her.

And also funny, sometimes entirely on purpose, which is again a Lois/Clark thing because Clark is absolutely a bit of a troll about making terrible Superman jokes for no one except himself and eventually also Lois, and Ricky and Esther give me the same "we're in this nonsense together" vibes whenever Zac managed an especially good dumb-but-hilarious-and-not-actually-stupid Ricky line.

I guess what I'm getting at there is that, even beyond the quality chemistry and adorkableness, they genuinely enjoy each other's company, yk? They like each other even when there's an invisible barrier that the audience (and Ricky) can only sort of tell is there that prevents a deeper relationship/understanding during s1.

There's a really good line in a fic, tenets of devotion by fensandmarshes: "[Ricky] took his Oath of Redemption to the world; he took Devotion to Esther, he thinks, no matter that that’s not really a thing." which is I think incredibly accurate and is a thing I am weak for, the conscious deliberate explicit choice to devote yourself to a person because they are perfect for you (even if you are completely aware of their supposed flaws and weaknesses and humanity at the same time). THEY'RE BOTH JUST SO COMMITTED Y'ALL, I'M LOVE THEM.

While I have no problem with inter-party romance and am deeply fond of battle couples and all that stuff, I do think it's important that Esther is not an active party member, and while incredibly competent at it, is not explicitly designed for combat in the same way the PCs are, because despite his skillset, Ricky is pretty damn conflict adverse personality-wise, so it's nice his partner is a research nerd and not usually a combatant.

Because Ricky never wanted a blade. He accepted the Questing Blade but he didn't choose it, it chose him. (Obviously his weapon-searching-arc in s2 makes me feral. Someday I will manage fic about it, hopefully?)

This is a recurring theme in TUC actually, that except for Cody who is definitely the other side of that coin on purpose (sorry not sorry) most of the PCs and their primary NPC friends/relatives/whatever did not go looking for magic or power, but DID accept the responsibility once it happened. (This adds a nice depth to their relationship, the fact that part of why they're careful getting together is that sense of responsibility, so I'm including it here even though it's more about the setting/campaigns rather than Ricky/Esther specifically.)

They have not even been on a date and her curse is broken and they are immediately "let's live a dangerous life together" aka they are my favorite kind of batshit, 100/10, no notes

(I mean, obviously I have a lot of notes. I have all these things I just wrote down, and a fic about the almost-year before s1, and one about the campaign itself from Esther's POV, and a thing about Ricky cataloguing all the ways he'd broken the tenets of his Paladin Devotion Oath as part of his transition to Redemption, and a thing that takes place between campaigns that is mostly smut and crying for probably obvious reasons, and a s2 epilogue mostly about the proposal, (not currently anything during s2 unlike Esther's POV for s1, but I suppose that might change if I ever figure out the stuff that takes place before it), and possibly an AU where the curse wasn't broken before the final battle so when Ricky dies, Esther falls, and an entirely different Curse Breaking Thing After That, so.

So many notes.)