#its so beautiful. so majestic. so earth stopping.

[xeroastry]

THIS IS SO ?!!:!/?/!/?/!!/ (my rants are always jn the tags btw)

I Hate U, I Love U

❝ After finally managing to escape the lifelong rivalry you once had with Yoon Jeonghan, you’re unexpectedly thrown back into the undesirable feud after receiving a scholarship to the most prestigious private school in the city. Despite your attempts to leave the past in the past, you discover too late that you’re the only one interested in letting the vendetta go. Years later, there’s a switch in dynamic when you’re the one unwilling to let it go. ❞

PAIRING: yoon jeonghan x female reader

WORD COUNT: 20.8k

GENRE: enemies to lovers au, rich kid au, college au, model au, fake dating au, angst, (tiniest bit of) fluff, smut

WARNINGS: they’re in high school at the beginning of this, rich boy!jeonghan, frat boy!jeonghan, former rich girl!reader, model!reader, classism, asshole parents, drinking, scheming, mild violence (1 slap), reader and jeonghan are pretty terrible to each other, repressed feelings, revenge is a recurring theme in this, lots of arguing, star-crossed lovers vibes, heavy on the regret, jealousy, fake relationship (but real feelings oops), oral sex (f receiving), unprotected sex, pussy drunk!hannie, cockdrunk!reader, multiple creampies, squirting, overstimulation

a/n: still can’t believe i sat down and wrote this much. hope you guys like it! based on this request (sorry it took so long rip). minors dni!!

You can still remember the exact way you felt when your family lost everything and was left in poverty. Back then, your reality had become a twilight zone that left you feeling misplaced. Fate was cruel to make that exact feeling resurface now as you’re standing at the gates of your new school.

An emotion that could’ve been written off as typical anxiety from being the new kid is actual nerves caused by the unhealthy obsession your parents have with reclaiming the status your family once had. Inexplicably, they both believed the main way to do this is to be better than the Yoon family.

Embarrassing as it is, this fixation of theirs dates back to before you were born. In particular, it’s your mom’s unrelenting need to be better than the Yoons that got you into this unfavorable situation in the first place. She can’t be fully blamed, though. Everything dates back the feud her first husband (your father) has been part of since he was a kid.

As a child, you didn’t fully understand how deep the hatred ran. You also didn’t realize that being the heir to your family’s fortune meant that their vendetta had become your burden to bear (and somehow still was). Naively, you believed everything was over the moment your family was left with nothing. It wasn’t until you were leaving your house that your mom made it clear she still expected you go head-to-head with the heir of the Yoon family.

Believing that Yoon Jeonghan would still be willing to partake in a petty rivalry with you isn’t realistic, but your mom is beyond seeing reason at this point. Restoring the prestige of your family name came before anything now (even reality). In your mom’s eyes, beating the only son of the Yoon family seems to be the only way to do it.

This new-but-not-new obligation is the reason you can’t stifle the sick feeling that overcomes you as you walk through the front gates of the most prestigious private school in the city.

The campus is larger and more extravagant in person. Every single thing—from the wide pathways to the elegant topography—screams money. Students are scattered in front of the building, clad in the expensive uniform that’s currently draped over your own frame. The sight of designer bags, stylish shoes, and glamorous jewelry is a reminder of what once was and will never be again.

As if that daunting fact isn’t enough to make the dread in your gut paralyze you with anxiety, the cold looks you get are. Maybe you’re paranoid, or maybe people are actually sneering at you because they recognize you. Either way, this feeling of wanting to disappear doesn’t go away.

You stop walking to dig in the pocket of your jacket to pull out your phone. It’s a pathetic attempt to look like you’re not a total outsider who would rather be anywhere else. Unfortunately, your actions don’t provide you with the comfort you’re looking for. You wonder if hiding somewhere inside would stifle the nerves you feel. As fate (and your rotten luck) would have it, you don’t get a chance to make that decision.

In a sudden instant, you feel a body collide with your own. You recoil with a surprised gasp when a hot liquid spills all over your chest and torso. The distinct smell makes you panic. Coffee stains are the worst kind, and you just know your mom is going kill you if the uniform she worked so hard to pay for is ruined. Panic seeps into your chest as you start to wipe at your wet clothes without looking up. It’s futile, but just thinking about the consequences that you’re going to face if the overpriced uniform got ruined makes you want to throw up.

“What the fuck!?” The loud yell draws the attention of all the people within the spacious vicinity. “Watch where you’re going, you fucking idiot!”

You furrow your eyebrows angrily, and before you can lift your head to see who’s yelling, you feel an empty cup hit your feet. The remnants of the coffee splatter on your shoes and the lower part of your shins. Somehow, you feel cold despite the coffee being scorching hot.

The surprised guffaws and gasps seem muffled because of how loud your heartbeat is. A yell of your own is building in your throat, but when you look up, you’re suddenly at a complete loss for words. It all feels like some horrible nightmare because you find yourself looking at a face that you never wanted to see again.

Like a scene out of a cheesy movie, your (former) sworn enemy is standing right in front of you.

For some inexplicable reason, you can’t find your voice. You can only stare at Jeonghan with a dumb expression on your face. The embarrassment and anger you feel clash together and whirl inside you like a tornado, but even the intensity of your emotions isn’t enough to get you to express them in the way you want.

Jeonghan feels very pleased with himself until the unknown girl lifts her head. He blinks once, twice, and a third time. This doesn’t have the effect he desires because the image of you isn’t going away. Many years have passed since he last saw you, but he could never forget your face. Jeonghan might’ve thought he was dropped in the middle of some bizarre dream if it wasn’t for the harsh hammering of his heart. It really is you standing in front of him, looking like you’re two seconds away from murdering him.

“What the hell is your problem?” You seeth, no longer able to push down all the anger you’re feeling. “You’re the one who ran into me, asshole!”

Never in your life had you seen someone turn so red in the span of two seconds. You briefly wonder why Jeonghan feels so embarrassed when it’s you who’s dripping in coffee with what feels like the entire world laughing at your expense.

“Y/N?” His voice is incredulous. “What are you doing here?”

It’s a stupid question to ask considering the fact that you’re literally wearing the school issued uniform and have a school bag slung over your shoulders, but you know what Jeonghan actually means: How is it possible that someone like you is attending this school?

You aren’t about to dignify him with an answer since it seems like the watching crowd is itching for a show. Giving him a reaction is only going to make you look crazy, and you won’t give him or anyone else that satisfaction. It seems like you’re the only one that feels this way, though.

“You can’t hand wash the uniform. It has to be dry cleaned.”

Once again, the snickers and mocking whispers sound deafening. Instead of punching him in the mouth like you want, you somehow convince yourself to keep a level head. “Whatever. Move.” You snap before shoving past the stunned boy.

Once you get away from that embarrassing scene and find a bathroom, you shrug off your jacket to assess the damage. A scowl brings down the edges of your lips when you see the dark stains the coffee left behind. With an aggravated sigh, you glance down at your uniform. The front part is somewhat damp and a bit dirty, but luckily for you (and your mom’s bank account) the stains aren’t too prominent.

You take a deep breath before lifting your head and squaring your shoulders. It doesn’t matter that this already feels like the worst day ever, you can’t lose sight of the goal your mom has in mind. And you definitely can’t let Jeonghan of all people derail those plans. Playing into his petty games isn’t something you can afford to do anymore. Not that you want to, anyway.

When you finally calm down and decide to face the day, you find Jeonghan standing outside the bathroom, waiting for you. His shocked gaze from before is long gone and replaced with a hostile one you're more familiar with.

“I guess the standards of the scholarship program have hit an all time low.” He says as he falls into step beside you. “Do you really think coming here is going to change anything? Someone like you doesn’t belong here.”

You try your hardest to ignore him, but he keeps following you. Briefly, you wonder why it seems like he’s eager to pick up where you two left off. Were his parents thinking the same thing as yours, or was this something he was doing on his own?

“I’m talking to you.”

Finally, you stop and turn to him with a mean glare on your face. “I can see the years have done nothing for that pea-sized brain of yours. No matter how much you want me gone, I’m not going anywhere.”

“If you think you’ll somehow claw your way back up the social ladder, you can get rid of that pathetic idea right now.” Jeonghan all but growls, feeling a type of anxiousness he hasn’t in years. “You don’t belong in this world anymore, and you never will.”

Maybe he was right, but that doesn’t matter. You’re not thinking of running away, especially from him. “Scared I’m gonna take your spot at the table?”

“Yeah, right.” He laughs, but it doesn’t sound as confident as he wants. “Someone like you will never take anything from me.”

You look at him and let out a contemptuous laugh. It had been years, but Jeonghan had remained painfully unchanging. The crazed look in his eyes and tone of voice makes you smirk. “You are scared.”

Jeonghan practically has steam coming out of his ears. He can’t say anything, and he’s not entirely sure why. You’re not at the same level as him anymore, but that doesn’t seem to shake any of that annoying self-confidence you’ve always had. Ironically, it feels like he’s the one on unsteady ground. An anxious feeling seeps into his stature because it’s like he can already hear his dad’s disappointed voice for letting you of all people shake him up.

“Well, you should be.” You say, wanting to get under his skin. “Because I don’t need money to get the things I want.”

Maybe those words triggered a reaction out of Jeonghan that was deeper than you realized, but it doesn’t matter. As soon as you got accepted into the private school, your fate was sealed.

The day doesn’t get much better for you as it goes on. Studying amongst the blue bloods wouldn’t be so bad if you happened to be a regular poor person, but since you and your entire family fell from grace all those years ago, you don’t have the luxury of going unnoticed. Their sly comments and sneers don’t hurt, but they are unbearably annoying.

Expectedly, you’ve made no new friends. Nearly every person looks at you like you’re an unwanted parasite, and you have a strong inkling that it has everything to do with what happened with Jeonghan in the morning. It’s not surprising, but it makes you feel more alone than you expect.

When the school day is finally over and you think you can finally get away from all the turmoil you’re feeling, you walk out the building to see the one person who can make this day even worse. Your dad isn’t alone. He’s accompanied by his wife and her son, Seokmin. You barely have time to digest seeing him after so long before he’s turning his head in your direction and makes eye contact.

In a split second, his smile falters until it’s completely wiped off his face. The oh shit look he has on his face makes an unmistakable revulsion force its way up your throat. Many would feel comforted by the sight of their father approaching them, but all you can feel is the dislike and lack of affection you have for him. Briefly, you wonder why he thinks it’s a good idea to come up to you when it’s clear he didn’t know that it was also your first day of school.

“Y/N.” The way he speaks your name is awkward and unsure. “What are you doing here?”

If one more person asked you that, you swear you were going to rip your hair out. Instead of snarking at him to use his fucking eyes and take a look at what you’re wearing, you respond as calmly as you can. “I applied for a scholarship last year.” You tell him, feeling like you might cry. “Mom said she left you a message.”

The grimace on his face makes you feel stupid and embarrassed, but you can’t walk away like you want. It feels like your feet are rooted to the ground, and there’s also the (not so) tiny fact that your mom would never forgive you if you walked away.

“I... I was going to call, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted to hear from me.”

You’re tempted to tell him that you know he hasn’t given you a single thought in the last four years. It’s blatantly obvious that his stepson is vastly more important to him than you are. You know that, and it no longer hurts as much as it used to.

“Mom said she called you last week.” You repeat, trying not to let your voice give away all the emotions brewing inside you. “She wants us to have dinner together tonight.”

His remorseful expression changes, and you know that he’s about to make things difficult for you all over again. “Y/N, today isn’t—”

“Never mind.” You cut him off, not in the mood to hear his excuses. “Your family is waiting for you, and mom’s waiting for me at home.”

Your dad’s wounded expression doesn’t make you feel anything. Especially not when you notice Jeonghan and his idiot friends gawking at you from afar. You don’t give your dad a chance to respond before you turn on your heel and walk away, hoping the angry tears poking the back of your eyes don’t fall before you get out of their line of sight.

The trip home is longer than usual now that you have to take two buses instead of one. It gives you time to think, although, you wish you didn’t have so much time to ponder your rampant thoughts. All you want to do is get home and sleep off the exhausting day you had.

Unfortunately for you, the universe had other plans that went directly against your wishes.

Directly in front of your apartment building, you can see your mom waiting for you. She has a pensive look on her face that can easily been mistaken with vexation, but you can’t be sure when it comes to the same woman who never reacts the way you expect her to. It’s rare to see a bright expression on your mother’s face these days, but she beams as soon as she sees you approaching.

“Y/N!” She hurries over to you with expectant eyes. “Did you see your father?”

You wish she didn’t look so excited as you nod silently, but her eyes seem to shine as she continues with her questioning. “How did it go? Did he agree to come tonight?”

Of course she only cares about that. Not how your day at a new school was or if you were adjusting well. She didn’t care if you liked the school nor was she interested to know if you made any friends. It’s not disappointing anymore, just irritating.

“He didn’t know that I got a scholarship.” Like she told you a month ago. “He didn’t even show up to see me.”

The excited smile slips off your mom’s face instantly. Her gaze turnes dark as a deep frown settles on her features. “What? How could you be so stupid?” Her voice rises into a hysteric yell. “I ask you to do one thing, and you can’t even do that right!”

You clench your jaw as if that will somehow relieve the anger that’s washing over you. Her degrading words are nothing new, but today it’s getting to you more than usual. “It’s not my fault he wants nothing to do with us. I told you—”

“Shut up.” She growls. “I don’t want to hear your excuses. I knew I couldn’t count on you.”

A humorless laugh rips from your throat before you can stop it. “Then you should’ve talked to him yourself instead of making me do it since you’re the one who wants to beg him for money.”

Knowing exactly how to get a reaction out of your mom is always satisfactory, until it isn’t. “I’m only doing this for you! Do you think I want to beg him for money after he abandoned me? All I’ve done since he left is try to give you a better life, and I’m sick of you punishing me for it!”

You could’ve laughed at the absurdity of her words. How could she think that when all these years it felt like you were the one being punished? Instead of telling her some overdue truths, you let out a quiet scoff. “Whatever. He wasn’t going to agree to come no matter what I said to him, and you know it.”

Her silence feels like a victory, but it’s a temporary one. “What I know is that you’re only capable of disappointing me.”

You don’t get a chance to respond before your mom brushes past you with an infuriated scowl. You look back angrily, watching her storm into the building. There’s a familiar anger burning fiercely in your chest as the argument lingers in your mind. She’s not worth your anger, but you can’t stop the overflow of every ugly emotion you’ve been bottling up since the morning.

Things don’t get better after that first day.

Unfortunately for you, going to the city’s most expensive private school doesn’t get any easier with time. The year passes by slowly, and you can’t truly enjoy it because you’re either studying or working. It’s hard to do both, but you aren’t left with much of a choice since your new school brought about unexpected expenses that your mom can’t afford to pay for alone.

As the months pass by, you wonder if all your hard work is really worth it. This dangerous thought lingers in your mind when you get to school on a rainy day after missing your first bus. You’re wet, cold, and tired. After pulling an all-nighter because you had to study for your history test, you’re not in the best mood. And because you apparently had the worst luck ever, Lee Seokmin just has to approach you to remind you that your dad’s birthday is just around the corner.

“Is there a reason you’re telling me this?” You wonder as you half-heartedly shove books into your locker.

“I just...” Seokmin’s voice is meek and nervous. “Are you going to come to his party this time?”

It’s funny that he assumed you were invited this time or any of the other times. “No. I have work that day.”

It’s not exactly a lie. Despite not knowing what day the celebration would be, you knew that you’d either be busy studying or working. Not that this seems to click with the trust fund brat that was abnormally attached to your father.

“You can’t ask for the day off? It would mean a lot to dad if you came.”

His sentence makes your chest and stomach tighten with incredulity and annoyance because it’s so out of touch with reality. You can’t even laugh or feel angry. It’s tempting to tell him that you know your dad couldn’t care less if you went to his birthday party since he hadn’t even bothered to tell you when or where it was happening. Somehow, you manage to stifle your growing ire to respond civilly.

“It’s not like he’s going to be devastated if I don’t go.” You say calmly despite wanting to express the emotions that keep gnawing at your chest.

Seokmin frowns at your impassive attitude. “Of course he’ll care. He’s still your dad—”

“Listen.” You cut him off, slamming your locker shut and finally turning your angry stare at him. “You don’t know shit. Just because he’s played the part of the perfect daddy with you for years, doesn’t mean that’s who he is. So just leave me alone before you piss me off.”

Seokmin shifts uncomfortably, wishing that he hadn’t said anything in the first place. He never meant to antagonize you despite what you’re clearly thinking. He just wants to find some common ground with you. Childishly, he believes it’ll get rid of the guilty feeling he gets every time he sees you.

“Sorry.” Seokmin whispers. “I’ll leave you alone.”

Taking out the resentment you have for your dad on Seokmin doesn’t make you feel better. Somehow you manage to feel even worse after he walks away from you. This dejecting feeling doesn’t go away even as the day goes on. It actually gets worse when you sit down at the library to study during your free period.

It feels like your mind is coming to a crashing halt after being on overdrive for months. You try to pull through even though you’re fucking exhausted. All the effort you’re putting into your studies is so you can win the Merit Scholarship that would pay for your college, and burning out at this point in time wasn’t an option. The prospect of finally piecing your life back together to the way it was before makes it a little easier to ignore the fatigue and stress that lingers in your bones.

But for some reason this day (and the universe) seemed to be working against you.

“You’re fucking lying.” The voice is familiar, but you can’t place it.

“I’m not.” Now there’s a voice you recognize. It belongs to Joshua Hong—a.k.a the evil church boy who identifies as Jeonghan’s bestie. “I was there when he did it.”

“There’s no way Yoon Jeonghan applied for the Merit Scholarship.”

Those words make you freeze. Everything around you becomes a blur as disbelief clouds your senses. Instead of your mind racing with an excess amount of thoughts, there’s only one that keeps bouncing around in your mind: Yoon Jeonghan did this on purpose.

“He turned in the application months ago.” You swear you can hear a smirk in that deviant’s voice.

“Did his family go broke or something?”

“Yeah, right.” A different voice scoffs. “His dad just donated more money to have the arts building expanded. He definitely doesn’t need that scholarship.”

There isn’t many things you can see eye-to-eye on with the snobs at your school, but that last statement is definitely one thing you can agree on. Yoon Jeonghan doesn’t need the scholarship. If you were anyone else, you would think him applying for the scholarship was some mystery with no reasonable explanation, but you know better. This was all because of your refusal to concede to him. Your actions had obviously struck a nerve with his pride, and now he was going to hit you where it hurt.

You can’t even be fully angry. Not when it’s such a well thought out scheme. Still, you feel sick and unable to keep siting still to study. So you quickly gather your stuff and leave the library without noticing the pair of eyes that are watching your every move.

Josh snorts and pulls out his phone, quickly typing a message before sending it out with a satisfied smirk on his face.

It’s done. You should’ve seen her face LMAO.

If you think you can leave school peacefully to try and feel better, you’re proven wrong when you run into Jeonghan as you’re going home.

“You’re leaving already?” He says in a sickly sweet voice as he starts walking beside you. “Maybe you should stick around and study. You won’t win the Merit Scholarship by slacking off.”

“I don’t need to try that hard to beat you.”

There’s a subtle change in Jeonghan’s eyes as he glares at you. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Don’t forget that no matter how smart you are, you’re still a nobody to the people that matter.”

Maybe you should’ve been less naive of the situation. Jeonghan was an asshole, but was also right. You just didn’t know it yet.

Jeonghan begins to bother you more often after he lets you know he wants the scholarship. The remainder of the year he constantly torments and mocks you with the help of his snobby friends. Ignoring them isn’t easy, but the thought that you won’t have to put up with them for much longer helps you power through.

Before you know it, the day the winner of the scholarship will be announced arrives.

The school has an entire ceremony dedicated to academic excellence, and you happen to be one of the students being honored. Friends and family were all encouraged to come since they were giving out multiple awards. Since Seokmin wasn’t getting an academic award, your dad didn’t bother to show up, but he did encourage you to beat Jeonghan via text. You didn’t care so much because you had your mother there, and for the first time in a long time, she seemed genuinely happy. You could see her beaming at you proudly from where she sat.

In spite of all the arguments and resentment, you were thrilled that all your hard work had paid off. Finally, you were going to get your life back. All you had to do was win the scholarship and everything else would naturally fall into place. You’re seated in the second row as the head of the foundation that provided the scholarship steps up to the podium to announce the winner.

Unfortunately, the name of the recipient for the Merit Scholarship is not yours. Maybe the blow wouldn’t have been so devastating if the name that was announced didn’t belong to Jeonghan.

That asshole is sitting in the row in front of you, and like the final killing blow he always delivers when messing with you, he turns around to give you a triumphant smirk. Anger and disappointment clash inside you as if fighting for dominance to see which one is the more prominent feeling. You can feel your hands trembling and your throat tightening. The situation is unjust and cruel, but that doesn’t seem to matter to anyone except you.

This intense feeling worsens the more the situation sinks in. You don’t even want to look at your mom because you know she’s the only person who’s more angry and humiliated than you are. Everyone is cheering and clapping, but you physically can’t join in. Pretending to be happy for someone who had quite literally just ruined your life was something even you couldn’t do.

When the ceremony is over, your mom doesn’t say anything. Her expression is grim and veiled with muted anger. It makes the nerves in your stomach coil into an uncomfortable knot as you follow her out of the auditorium. You can’t say anything as a thick silence engulfs you because you know anything you say won’t be enough to appease her anger.

“This is just fantastic.” Her words come out in the form of an insincere laugh. “I worked my ass off to send you to this damn school, and this is how you repay me?”

It’s tempting to tell her that you’re the one who worked hard to get into the school despite never wanting to step back into this world, but instead you bite your tongue. After all, there’s no point in arguing with her. No amount of rage or disappointment will change the fact that you won’t be able to afford your dream college. With your current financial situation, pursuing higher education was out of the question, and because of your loss, so was the relationship with your mother.

“After all I’ve sacrificed!?” Her angry voice seems to echo throughout the large hallway, and you can feel the lingering people start to stare. “I’ve given up my entire life for you, and you couldn’t win that damn scholarship! You lost it to Yoon Jeonghan of all people!”

“Mom.” Your voice is flat and tired. “That’s enough. People are staring.”

Pointing that out would usually be enough to get her in check, but the deranged look in her eyes tells you that her anger goes beyond any embarrassment that her behavior might cause. “You’re not even sorry, are you?” She scoffs in angry disbelief.

“Neither are you.” The words come out before you can stop them. “You never had a problem with using me as your meal ticket until I didn’t win, right?”

You hear a chorus of shocked gasps when a cold hand collides with your cheek. A stinging sensation is left behind that has a different type of anger coursing through your veins. Your hand trembles as you bring it up to hold your throbbing cheek. Angry tears pool in your eyes as you look into your mother’s remorseless eyes.

“How dare you speak to me that way?” Her voice borders on a yell. “Every single thing I’ve done has been for you and your future. If I knew you were this useless, I wouldn’t have bothered.”

Your mom brushes past you as if you’re a perfect stranger to her. As if you mean nothing to her anymore. Holding the stinging tears in your eyes is painful, but that doesn’t compare to the hurt your mom’s words left behind.

Anger and misery collide together to form a weighing pressure on your chest that makes it difficult to breathe. It feels like your throat is closing in on itself, and you wonder if it’s because of the sob you’re holding in. The heavy tears fall from the top of your lids before you can try to blink them away. It’s humiliating, but you can no longer suppress your emotions like you’d been doing the whole time.

The burning sensation in your cheek has turned into a dull ache at this point, but all you can focus on is the feelings that are eating you from the inside. You see your peers and their families gawking at you. The whispers, snickers, and pitiful glances feel like daggers cutting into you, yet all you can do is stand stolidly and cry silently.

Just when you think you can’t feel any worse, you catch sight of Jeonghan and his family walking out of the auditorium with the head of the foundation. His father is shaking hands with the man, patting him on the back like someone would do to a longtime friend. Which is exactly what the head of the foundation is to him.

Now Jeonghan’s words from before made perfect sense. You’re a fool to realize it this late. Not that it matters anymore. Everything is over now, and all you can do is walk away.

“Your dad really outdid himself.”

Jeonghan offers the girl on his arm a disinterested hum. Honestly, he’d rather to be anywhere else but the gala his dad throws every year. Magnificent as it always is, it’s so boring and draining that it feels more like work than anything. His eyes keep scanning the room for any sign of his friends—or anyone that will save him from his boredom.

“Oh my god!” Mina releases his arm from the death grip she has on it to push past him. “Is that Y/F/N!?”

Jeonghan has to pause for several reasons:

1) Hearing that name after so long makes his chest and stomach flip in the most unpleasant way. 2) It’s unlikely that this airhead heiress is talking about you, but if she is, how is it possible that she knows who you are? 3) There’s no way you would be at his dad’s gala. 4) After disappearing for three years, it doesn’t make sense that you would suddenly appear here of all places.

But when he follows Mina’s line of sight, he sees that it is you, looking more elegant and gorgeous than ever. You’re wearing a designer gown that looks like it was custom made, and you have a tall, six foot nothing piece of arm candy by your side. Even Jeonghan can’t deny that you look like a picture of perfection, and he can’t even begin to figure out why or how you’re at his dad’s gala looking like that.

“And she's with Kim Mingyu!? Oh my god, I have to get a picture—!”

Jeonghan thinks Mina is joking until he sees that she’s already halfway across the room, which is the fastest he’s seen her move all night. Maybe the champagne has gotten to his head because there’s no fucking way any of this is real right now. To his horror, his date actually makes one of his father’s business associates take the picture.

“Close your mouth.” A familiar voice orders. “It’s unbecoming.”

His mom is coldly stringent with the delivery of her words. She doesn’t look surprised, and it makes him feel sick. What the hell is going on?

“Your father invited her.” Her tone leaves no room for questions. “So act like the gentleman I raised you to be, and go say hello.”

He can’t argue because not only is he completely speechless, but also due to the fact that his mom is quick to leave him standing alone. Jeonghan knows his eyes are open wide in that angry way that makes him look like he’s crazy, but he doesn’t care. Why was everyone suddenly acting like they were in some alternate universe?

“Son.”

Jeonghan’s body goes stiff. Immediately, he straightens his expression out as he turns to face his father. He’s met with a familiarly cold expression. It makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand. There’s a thick silence that envelopes them for a brief moment before his dad begins to speak. “Get that stupid look off your face and join me to go greet our guests.”

Again, he’s left with no room to argue because his dad walks away from him. Jeonghan is quick to follow behind him, aware of the consequences that would befall him should he disobey. Much to his chagrin, he sees his date has wandered off after successfully getting a picture with you and your date. This bizarre situation paired with his father’s attitude makes Jeonghan feel like a clueless little boy all over again.

The feeling gets worse when he comes face to face with you for the first time in years.

Your pretty eyes settle on him for a brief moment that can’t even be considered a full second before they look at his father. The man on your arm—Kim Mingyu—doesn’t acknowledge him at all. Jeonghan’s jaw ticks irritably, but he keeps his composure. Something else is clearly going on, and he would never hear the end of it if he ruined his dad’s covert plans.

“Y/N! Mingyu! I’m so glad you two made time to come!” Jeonghan’s father seems like a different person as he goes to shake hands with faux elation in his voice.

“We can’t stay long.” You say with an infuriatingly perfect smile. “But you’ll have to invite us next year because the event is fabulous.”

It irritates Jeonghan that his dad seems genuinely happy at receiving your stamp of approval. He wants to shake him and ask him if he’s lost his damn mind, but he can only plaster on a fake smile of his own.

“Of course.” There’s that fake politeness again. “Surely you two have time for a drink, though?”

Hearing his dad speak the way his employees do to him is sickening, and Jeonghan has to stop himself from gagging.

“Just one.” Mingyu says with a grin so charming that Jeonghan swears he hears some of the surrounding people swoon. “S.Coups is expecting us at his album release party. I’m sure you understand.”

“Of course.” He says in an understanding tone that he would’ve never used on Jeonghan. He doesn’t get time to contemplate his dad’s out of character behavior because the older man turns to you with a smile.

“Y/N, I’m sure you remember my son, Jeonghan.” His father puts a hand on his shoulder and squeezes enough for it to hurt without making him visibly uncomfortable. “I think you two were still in high school the last time you saw each other.”

Finally, you two look each other in the face again. Your face is blank—a picture of impassive. Then, another beautiful smile graces your face. “That’s right. It’s good to see you again. How have you been?”

“I’ve been busy with school.” He hopes his smile doesn’t look as fake as it feels. “So have you, I presume?”

Jeonghan feels proud of his subtle dig until he feels his father stiffen beside him. Your smile doesn’t falter, but it does turn into an amused one as you share a look with Mingyu who doesn't bother to stifle the laugh that tumbles past his lips.

“Jeonghan.” The glare his father is giving him means he was definitely going to hear about his apparent slip up later. “You should go find Mina.”

Translation: Get lost before you embarrass me further.

“Oh. Sure.” Jeonghan tries not to feel like a scolded little boy who’s being shooed away. “It was nice to meet you, Mingyu. Nice seeing you again, Y/N.”

He’s not sure if you saying goodbye without a hint of amusement makes him feel better or worse.

The rest of the night proceeds smoothly, but Jeonghan has to leave early so he can avoid an awkward car ride back to the house with his parents. Not that it makes any difference because he can tell his dad is still very much angry at him when he gets home.

“I told you to go over the information my secretary gave you.”

His dad has a way of speaking that makes Jeonghan feel like he’s getting yelled at even though he isn’t. It makes him wish he hadn’t gotten drunk with Soonyoung instead of going over that damn binder full of names and faces. Obviously thinking he’d be able to skate by like all the other times was a severe miscalculation.

“You spend so much time on that damn phone that I thought you’d know Y/F/N and Kim Mingyu are at the top of the modeling industry right now. I’ve been trying to convince them to advertise our new cosmetic line for weeks!”

Jeonghan feels like his ears are ringing because there’s no way. He fights the urge to pull out his phone and search for confirmation. Maybe he should’ve done that when he got home instead of opening up the whiskey in his dad’s liquor cabinet.

“You said they didn’t seem offended that Jeonghan didn’t know who they were—” His mom is cut off by his dad’s angry yell.

“That doesn’t change the fact that your brilliant son still refuses to do what I ask of him!”

There’s a tense silence in the room as Jeonghan has to withstand the most scornful glare he’s gotten in his life. His father has a crazy look in his eye that makes Jeonghan feel two feet tall. “Any time they advertise a product, it sells out within days. If they refuse to endorse our products because of you—!”

“Honey,” his mother goes to her husband to placate him. “Jeonghan will apologize to them. Isn’t that right, son?”

She might not be yelling, but her voice is cold as ice, and Jeonghan is left with no room to disagree.

There’s not much that can intimidate Jeonghan, but even he has to admit that being in such foreign territory feels unnervingly daunting. After his dad’s secretary did some digging, he found out you were doing a photo shoot near his college. It’s a closed set, but luckily having the last name Yoon is like having an all access pass to pretty much any place he can think of.

This works until he tries to approach you as you’re getting your makeup touched up. Two burly men stop him from getting close, and a man who he would’ve assumed to be a model if it wasn’t for the way he was dressed stands behind them with a raised eyebrow.

“I made it clear to Lee Chan that there would be no interview.” His voice is rough and mean—something Jeonghan isn’t used to getting from anyone aside from his parents.

Jeonghan doesn’t know if he should be more offended that this guy assumed him to be of the working class or that he was being treated like someone that was beneath you. “No, that’s not—I’m a friend.”

The guy looks mildly surprised before he looks back at you. “You know this guy, Y/N?”

You look up from your phone with the same blank expression from the gala. Because you’ve acted cordial so far, Jeonghan doesn’t expect the next words to come out of your mouth. “No. I don’t.”

Jeonghan thinks about causing a scene, but then he knows that won’t help his predicament. So he lets himself be escorted off the sight, feeling more humiliated than ever. It’s unlike him to give up (not to mention that it’s not an option), which is why he waits by a car that undoubtedly belongs to you. To think that he would be reduced to go this far just to apologize to you is infuriating.

“There’s that creep from before.” Your manager frowns as you and your team are walking to the car.

You smirk, knowing what’s going to come next is going to be the highlight of your day. “It’s alright, Jihoon. He’s probably just a fan.”

Jeonghan is surprised when you gesture for him to come towards you while your team starts to get ready to leave. He clenches his jaw when he sees an arrogant smirk on your face. “Is there a reason you’re acting like a stalker and crashing my shoot?”

Insulting you is something Jeonghan wishes he had the option of doing, but he’s not willing to disappoint his father over some temporary satisfaction. After all, he only needs to give you an insincere apology and everything would be fine. So he takes a deep breath and hopes his words don’t come out sarcastic or mocking.

“I wanted to apologize for the other night.” Okay. That sounded somewhat sincere. “I didn’t know—”

“That your daddy’s been begging me to advertise his product?” You laugh. “I guess you just assumed that I married some rich guy to crawl my way up the social ladder, right?”

Shit. He has to do some damage control, and fast. “No—No. That’s not it at all...”

You wait for him to finish, but it really seems like he has nothing else to say. It’s not surprising, but it is amusing. Jeonghan still expected things to work in his favor just because of who he was, but he was in for a rude awakening. You step toward him with a vengeful smile on your face. “That apology is pathetic as you are.”

“What?” Jeonghan growls, unable to keep up this fake politeness he’s been showing you until now.

“You know, when your dad came to my agency to beg me to advertise those shitty products he came out with, I couldn’t help but think that you really are his son.” Your sneer is meaner than he remembers. “It was fun seeing him kiss my ass and offer me so much money, but you know what? I think trashing your daddy’s new product line is going to be so much more fun.”

You bump his shoulder as you walk past him, leaving him feeling like a bucket of ice cold water was dumped over his head. There was a malicious calmness in your tone that didn’t sit well with him at all.

Jeonghan quickly tries to do some damage control because even if you didn’t agree to advertise the new cosmetic line, Kim Mingyu could surely be swayed. The only problem is that he underestimated how much influence you actually have. Not only does the male model reject the apology, but he also officially declines the offer his father’s company made him.

If that wasn’t enough to piss his father off, you also decline the offer and follow it with a slanderous live that wasn’t technically slanderous under the court of law. Many comments came in about you potentially modeling for the line when you flat out said you didn’t particularly care for their products since they weren’t animal friendly and were overpriced. That caused enough backlash for the campaign ads that were underway to be halted immediately.

Despite trying to tell his parents that you never had any intention of advertising their products, he still found himself kicked out of the grand mansion he grew up in and forced to go stay at the frat house with eight other guys.

“Hold on. You know the Y/F/N!?” His friend yells after Jeonghan is done explaining why he got cut off. “You fucking traitor! How could you hide this from me when you know how much I love her?”

Jeonghan glares at Soonyoung, wanting to throttle him for only focusing on that part of the story. Also, he isn’t to blame for failing to realize the queen of the modeling industry his friend was always referring to was you.

“I still can’t believe you didn't know how famous she is.” Seungkwan says with a scoff. “She’s literally in a bunch of ads and magazines. Plus, she always walks in important fashion shows.”

Wonwoo smirks when Jeonghan pouts like a petulant child. The curiosity is eating away at him, and he feels the need to ask about something that’s not fully making sense to him. “So, you’re saying that Y/F/N did this because you’ve hated each other since you were kids?”

“She’s still not over me winning the scholarship she wanted.” Jeonghan says with a scowl. “Because of her, I have to do well on this interview so I can have some money to hold me over until I get full access to my trust next month.”

“You’re seriously going to apply for an internship at Vogue?” Soonyoung wonders with a raised eyebrow. “Won’t you be paid slave wages?”

Wonwoo and Seungkwan snicker, ignoring the glare Jeonghan throws their way. So the pay wouldn’t be great, but it was Vogue. To have an internship like that on his resume would do wonders for his career. Maybe money wasn’t the main attraction to the internship, but what he would get out of it would be worth so much more.

At least, that’s what he thinks until he’s sent to go help with a fitting for Xu Minghao’s upcoming spring collection. There’s plenty of models around who are needing minor alterations to the clothes they’re wearing, and Jeonghan has the great misfortune of handling the alterations needed for your dress.

Aside from you laughing at the fact that he’s literally on his knees, adjusting the hemline of the dress you have on, there’s nothing out of the ordinary. Until he accidentally pokes you with the needle, that is. The ow you let out isn’t overly loud, but it is enough to grab the attention of Xu Minghao and Jeonghan’s direct supervisor.

“Y/N, darling, what’s wrong?” Minghao asks you, grabbing your hands as he eyes you up and down.

“Nothing. I—I just thought you’d have interns who are capable of not poking the models when they do the alterations.” You say with a slight grimace, knowing exactly what pulls at the designer’s heart strings.

Jeonghan receives two withering glares, and before the day is over he no longer has a job.

Exacting your revenge was one of the greatest feelings you’d ever felt. The outcome of your actions was more than justified, but your manager didn’t seem to think so. Your behavior confused him because he never knew you to be so spiteful to someone who simply made a mistake.

“Are you gonna tell me what’s going on between you and that intern you got fired?”

You look up from the newly posted pictures from the Armani show that you closed last week. Jihoon’s eyes are still fixed on the road, but he’s always had this annoying skill for seeing right through you without even looking at you. There’s no use in lying to him—not that you were planning to. You just thought you’d have a little more time to enjoy your revenge before telling the only person who knew about your past with that trust fund brat.

“That intern is Yoon Jeonghan.”

Jihoon’s eyes widen when he hears the name of the person you despise the most in the world. He looks at the rear view mirror to see that you’re back to staring at your phone. He quickly focuses back on the road, grip tightening on the steering wheel.

“Oh.” He murmurs, unsure of what to say. “The same guy who—?”

He cuts himself off, but you know what he was about to say. The same guy who ruined your life? You don’t bother to finish the sentence for him.

“The very one.”

It’s silent for a moment before Jihoon speaks again. “Don’t you think you went a little too far?”

You don’t look up, but he notices the tightening of your jaw. The pause you take isn’t long, but it feels that way. “He has a trust fund to fall back on unlike me who had nothing when my mom kicked me out for not winning the scholarship he stole from me.”

Jihoon doesn’t say anything. You’re speaking about the worst moment of your life so casually that anyone would think it doesn’t bother you anymore, but he knows the truth.

“Did you hear back from the agency?” You ask, not wanting to keep talking about the past.

“Yeah. They don’t mind you going to classes for this semester as long as you still do the Marc Jacobs show in Milan and the Versace show in Paris.”

“I also promised Jun I’d do his New York show.” You mention with a victorious smile.

Jihoon hums in acknowledgment. He’s not against the idea of you taking your college classes in person for a semester, but he wonders if it will be okay.

As usual, your manager was right to worry.

Weeks of your college experience go by without any problems. During that time you didn’t notice that Jeonghan had been watching you. He didn’t follow you around or anything like that, but he had observed you long enough to notice that you were oddly attached to your laptop that looked like it was in need of a serious upgrade. And he knows. That’s the ticket to his revenge. So he patiently waits for his chance to grab that ticket.

It takes some convincing (a large sum of money) for Jeonghan to get his English professor to pair you with him for the upcoming project. All he needs to do is get that laptop from you to get the revenge he craves.

You, on the other hand, couldn’t be more angry. Never mind the fact that there was this perpetual animosity between you and your partner. Jeonghan was also one of the most idiotic people you had ever met. Carrying him on this project was the last thing you wanted to do.

“Don’t expect me to do all the work. I don’t care if have photo shoots or whatever. Make sure you know the material.”

You almost let out an incredulous scoff at his audacity, but instead you just give him an arrogant smile. “I think you forget that you’re the one who always lost to me when it came to academics.”

Jeonghan gives you smug smirk of his own. “And yet I’m the one who won the Merit Scholarship.”

For the first time since he’s seen you again, your arrogant expression falters. He’s not allowed to enjoy the dumb look on your face because you’re quick to smooth it out as if you weren’t slighted by his comment. It’s almost amazing how quickly you manage to cover up your expression.

“Please.” You scoff, trying not to yell at him in the middle of the library. “Your daddy bought that for you just like everything else you have. Too bad intelligence is something that even he can’t afford to get you.”

Jeonghan looks like he did all those years ago on your first day of senior year. His expression is so funny that you can’t help but laugh at him. Your mellifluous laughter catches the attention of some of the people sitting not too far from you who happened to be apparent fans of yours. The pair doesn’t hesitate to walk over to your table and ask for a picture.

You stand up and pose with each of them with that friendly smile you give to everyone except Jeonghan. While your back is turned, he sees your laptop slightly sticking out of your bag. It’s almost too easy to the grab the device and stick it in his own bag. He does it with a precision and smoothness that takes even him by surprise.

As soon as you’re done, you turn back to see Jeonghan gathering the books on the table, bag already slung over his shoulder like he’s ready to leave.

“What the hell? You’re leaving?” You say, annoyed that he was already not pulling his weight this early on.

“I have things to do.” Jeonghan says with a shrug. “I’ll text you later to let you know when I’m free to meet up.”

He leaves you frowning and unaware that he took the single most important item you own.

It’s not until you get back home that you realize your laptop is missing. You panic, practically tearing the house apart trying to find it. Every moment of the day flashes through your mind because you did have a tendency to forget things. It was the reason why Jihoon was responsible for handling most of your personal items when you did shoots.

Jihoon. You think as you search your room for the third time. He’s going to be so disappointed and angry.

The contents in the laptop isn’t what you’re worried about, but the laptop itself. Jihoon bought it for you after he convinced your agency that taking online classes would not affect your work. It meant so much to you because he was the only person who knew how much you had wanted to go to college despite not being able to after you graduated high school.

You’re nearly in tears after realizing that you really had lost it. Even if you went back to the campus early in the morning, it would take you forever to look for it in all the places you’d been to. Just as you’re about to call Jihoon to tell him what happened, you get a text from the last person you want to hear from.

Jeonghan sent a picture of himself holding your most prized possession with an infuriating message attached to it: You’ll get your laptop back if come to my party tonight and take a picture with my friend.

It’s a trap. You know it is. And yet, you still find yourself at the address you were given by the devil incarnate. The frat house is loud and full of people who don’t seem to care or notice who you are. Not that you mind. You only hope Jeonghan doesn’t make things difficult and gives you your laptop right away.

“Y/N!” The deviant yells your name when you finally find him.

Jeonghan is clearly drunk, holding your precious laptop close to him as he drinks some cheap beer. You keep a level head, knowing he just wants a reaction out of you. “Where’s your friend?”

Straight to the point, as always. Jeonghan smirks and whispers something to the boy next to him. His friend disappears into the crowd and returns with someone else minutes later. It’s a cute guy with shining eyes and an adorable smile.

“I love you.” He blurts once he sees you, a blush suffusing his entire face. “You’re so pretty and amazing—!”

He’s drunk, you can tell, but he also seems sincere. It makes you think maybe that rat Jeonghan has actually done this as some twisted way to make his friend’s wish come true. Even if that’s not the case, you could never be mean to someone who supports you—even if that person is friends with someone like Jeonghan.

“Let’s take a picture.” You say with a smile that’s surprisingly easy to conjure.

Naively, you think that Jeonghan will give you the thing you cherish the most after you comply to his wishes. After his friend leaves, he makes no move to give you your laptop. You should’ve expected it, but it still infuriates you.

“I can’t believe you actually came and did what I asked. It makes me wonder what you're hiding in here.” Jeonghan slurs with a smirk that makes you want to throttle him. “I bet you regret acting the way you have.”

You know he’s talking about the things you’ve done to him as soon as you saw him again, and you resist the urge to scream at him that this is nothing compared to what he did to you. Both of you are too focused on each other to see the camera aimed at the rapidly unfolding fight.

“Just give it back, idiot.” You seethe, trying to keep your composure because things are on the verge of getting messy.

“I’m surprised that top model Y/F/N still has this shitty model. Maybe you should think about upgrading.”

Jeonghan laughs again and tauntingly holds out your laptop. As you step forward to grab it, the sleek device slips out of his hand. Everything seems to go in slow motion as you watch the laptop hit the floor and break open. The screen completely detached from the keyboard, and despite being turned off, you can see the cracks that covered half the screen.

You can hear laughter and immature ohs filling up the space. All rational thoughts are ejected from your mind as you grab a cup from a random party-goer and throw it in Jeonghan’s face. The crowd seems to go wild, but that’s not what you’re focused on. Jeonghan doesn’t look shocked or angry. In fact, he looks a lot like the cat who ate the canary.

You realize too late that the guy from before is pointing his phone at you. There’s a sinking feeling in your stomach, but you easily mask your panic and go to pick up the pieces of your broken laptop. The night ends with you running out of the house and a video of you throwing beer in Jeonghan’s face being uploaded for the world to see.

This leaves Jeonghan feeling very pleased with himself.

When he first found out you were going to attend the college he worked so hard to make sure you didn’t get into, it felt like he was living in his worst nightmare. But now with you getting backlash for throwing beer in his face, he’s never felt better. His parents had even reached out to him to get dinner and discuss him moving back in.

“I’m literally never talking to you again.” Soonyoung glares at him with deep resentment. “How could you use me to set up Y/F/N? She probably hates me now.”

Jeonghan rolls his eyes as Seungkwan sympathetically pats his friend on the back. “Don’t worry. I’m sure she hates Jeonghan way more.”

Wonwoo snorts while Soonyoung’s pout gets more sulky by the second. While anyone could agree that Jeonghan’s actions were petty and borderline sociopathic, most of the frat was just glad to have him go back to normal. His temperament had been exponentially worse since you decided to finish the semester in person.

The victory, however, is short-lived.

Two days after the video Jeonghan’s frat brother initially posted, you post a video of your own. The caption was nothing short of absolving: Guess he’s mad I didn’t want to endorse the products his daddy tests on animals.

It’s a factor Jeonghan didn’t consider. Someone else had filmed the entire thing from the part where he’s taunting you about your laptop to the part where he so clearly drops it on purpose and you react by throwing beer in his face. It’s almost comedic how fast public opinion changes. The stocks to his father’s company plummet not even a full hour after you post the video, and Jeonghan is getting way more backlash than you did.

When he sees his dad blowing up his phone, he knows this is the final nail in the coffin that will sever the ties with his family.

Meanwhile, you’re not holding up much better. In spite of managing to spin the situation in your favor, your agency is still displeased that you were involved in a scandal at all. Not to mention that Jihoon is clearly disappointed in you. It’s to be expected since he’s the one who helped you convince everyone that taking classes in person wouldn’t be a problem.

“You told me you didn’t want anything to do with Yoon Jeonghan.” Jihoon reminds you two stand in your living room. “Why did you go there in the first place when you’re the one always saying he's some sort of evil mastermind?”

You frown at him, feeling tears of frustration begin to gather in your eyes. “He took the laptop you gave me! How could I let him keep it when you bought it on the salary you had back then?”

Jihoon’s features soften instantly. He lets out a deep sigh and pulls you into his arms. So that’s why. Even he had failed to remember how much that old laptop meant to you. It makes him smile as you quietly sniffle into his shoulder. Jihoon thinks back to when he bought you the laptop and how grateful you had been. He can still remember clearly how you told him that he was the only person to ever believe in your dreams.

“I’m sorry.” He says as he gently pats your back. “I forgot how much that laptop means to you, but I’ll buy you a new one, okay? I should’ve gotten you a new one a long time ago, anyway. Thanks to you and Mingyu, my salary has increased.”

Even after he gets a tearful laugh, Jihoon wonders if going to college is really what’s best for you. He’s the last person who would want to stop you from chasing your real dream, but he can’t shake the feeling that your war with Yoon Jeonghan is far from over.

Jeonghan is an easy going guy who can laugh at his own misfortune, but he really doesn’t see the humor in you single-handedly ruining his life. His friends disagree. Especially Josh, who came down to visit him after years of being abroad.

“I don’t know why you’re acting all surprised. If I was Y/N, I’d try to ruin your life too.” Josh says before he takes a bite of his food. “Actually, I’m surprised that she didn’t try sooner. Especially after what happened at the awards ceremony.”

Soonyoung and Seungkwan’s curiosity is piqued upon hearing that last statement. They lean forward, abandoning all interest in the exquisite food in front of them. In the rendition of Jeonghan’s backstory of the supermodel that hates him, there was no mention of an awards ceremony.

“What happened at the awards ceremony?” Wonwoo asks immediately, not understanding why Jeonghan genuinely looks like he doesn’t know what Josh is talking about.

The atmosphere has quickly changed, and Jeonghan can’t figure out why Josh is making that day seem like it was something more than it was. But there was this feeling in the pit of his stomach that kept growing bigger and bigger. Had something else happened that he didn’t know about?

Josh notices the tense silence that’s suddenly surrounding the table and clears his throat. “I mean, technically, Jeonghan is the one who plotted to ruin Y/N’s life first. He’s the reason her mom went all psycho on her at our end of the year awards ceremony.”

The silence from before gets thicker and more uncomfortable the longer it lasts. Jeonghan looks like he’s just heard some life altering revelation while Josh is looking as clueless as the rest of the boys.

“Wait—” Josh puts down his fork, eyes wide with disbelief. “Why are you acting like you don’t know?”

“I...” Jeonghan swallows thickly. All he remembers from that day is that vacant expression you had on your face when he won the scholarship. The one that still makes him feel like someone is reaching inside his chest and squeezing his heart.

“So what exactly happened?” Seungkwan asks since his friend can’t seem to even think straight.

“We were all mean to her.” Josh admits with a sigh. “I mean, she’s the daughter of a failed businessman, plus she had beef with Hannie since birth. It was too easy to give her shit and fuck with her.”

His friends are uncharacteristically quiet, and it’s so uncomfortable that Jeonghan just wants to die. But not before he hears about what Josh meant about the awards ceremony.

“When Jeonghan found out she applied for the Merit Scholarship, he applied for it too. His dad is friends with the guy who was head of the scholarship foundation, so of course he was going to get it. We all thought it’d be pretty funny to see how her parents would react when she lost.”

Jeonghan’s friends give him very judgmental stares that he honestly deserves.

“But I didn't get to.” Jeonghan recalls quietly. “Y/N and her mom left the auditorium right after, and I had to stay behind to take a bunch of pictures for the school’s newsletter.”

There’s another tense silence where Joshua looks like he has some sort of dilema. He wonders if telling Jeonghan after so long is only going to make things worse.

“You said Y/N’s mom went all psycho on her.” Wonwoo says. “How is that Jeonghan’s fault?”

“Aside Y/N would’ve gotten that scholarship if it wasn’t for Jeonghan, her mom was mad because she lost to him in particular. As soon as they got outside she started yelling at her about how useless she was. She even slapped her in front of everyone and basically disowned her."

“Damn.” Is all Soonyoung is able to say before turning to Jeonghan. “I would hate you too.”

Jeonghan can’t say anything because he’s thinking the exact same thing.

After a very eye-opening lunch, Jeonghan realizes now that you won’t stop your revenge until you’ve completely destroyed him. This sends him into a panic and makes him come up with a plan that will hopefully knock you down a few pegs.

Jeonghan enlists the help of your stepbrother, Seokmin. Unbeknownst to maybe the kindest guy he’s ever met, he helps Jeonghan lure not only you, but also your dad to the silent auction your university is hosting. Getting you two to arrive at the same times is a bit tricky, but Jeonghan manages to pull it off after telling Seokmin to give your father a certain time.

All Jeonghan has to do is linger by the entrance and wait for you to arrive. Which you do, and in a beautiful dress, no less. It’s almost a pity that your night is going to be ruined in approximately five seconds. He’s far enough for you to not notice him yet and close enough to hear your father call out to you from behind.

“Y/N.”

You freeze at the sound of your name being spoken. It had been years, but you would never forget that voice. You turn around slowly, feeling an onslaught of emotions hit you like a truck when you see your father standing in front of you.

There’s a tension between you and your father that Jeonghan recognizes immediately. For some reason, it makes him feel uncomfortable rather than satisfied. He's not sure why that is, but he can't stop watching. It’s unexpected because despite knowing that you were estranged from him, he didn’t expect it to be like this.

“How have you been?” Your father is hesitant in his movements as he steps closer to you.

You hate feeling the way you currently do; like a little girl who’s powerless in front of her father. The feeling is worse because he’s staring at you like he never abandoned you to start another life that didn’t involve you.

“You’ve seen the articles.” You reply coldly. “Don’t pretend like you don’t know.”

The tense atmosphere affects even Jeonghan, and he can’t help but start to feel a little regret because this is not what he had in mind at all. It’s not funny nor does it satiate the vengeful side you always brought out in him. Right now, the situation feels like some sort of erroneous event that should’ve never happened in the first place.

“I was pleased to see what you’ve done to the Yoon family.” He genuinely sounds proud, but you’re not twelve years old anymore so it doesn’t mean anything to you. All it does is make you feel sick. “Honestly, I never thought you’d be able to do it. You surprised me.”

Jeonghan can’t laugh. It should be funny, but it's not. Your father is giving you a back-handed compliment despite being one of the top models in the industry and someone who has the potential to be a global star. Instead of that sweet feeling he’s always gotten from messing with you, all he feels is disgust.

“I’m sure your mom is pleased as well.” He says awkwardly after you don’t say anything. “How is she, by the way?”

The last thing you want to talk about is her, but his ignorance to the feelings you harbor for your mom actually makes you scoff in bewilderment. Emotions you thought you’d gotten rid of long ago start to push at the surface and gather at the center of your chest. You hate that you can’t shove them away and pretend they’re not affecting you the way they are.

Jeonghan flinches when your next words come out in the phonic form of ice. “You know I haven’t talked to her since she kicked me out of her house.”

There’s this long pause where the entire vicinity seems to have gone as cold as your voice. The candor of your words make Jeonghan’s jaw drop. An intense discomfort seeps into his veins and strikes him right in the chest. The story Joshua told him is undoubtedly true, and now he’s starting to realize he was the one who put that domino effect into place.

“I would’ve helped you if you let me—”

Your dad stops talking when you start laughing. It’s not a joyful or amused laugh. It’s cold and resentful. You almost can’t believe the audacity that your father has. His selective memory has always pissed you off, but now he was crossing the line.

“Why are you here?” You demand, unwilling to prolong this unexpected encounter. “This is an alumni event.”

“Seokmin invited me.” His answer shouldn’t have disappointed you, but for some infuriating reason it still did. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

There’s so many things that you want to say. All these years you thought about how it would all play out if you saw him again, but now that it’s actually happening, you can’t say anything that you wanted to.

“The actions you’ve taken against the Yoon family have impressed me so far.” He says like you’ll be happy about his praise. “I thought it would be appropriate to say this to you. That’s all.”

When you see that familiar contempt and unimpressed expression on your father’s face, you can’t help but think that you should’ve never left your house to come out. The figure in your peripheral vision hasn’t moved, and you can only assume he’s waiting for you to react the way he wants.

The silence that looms is tense and uncomfortable. Even Jeonghan can feel it from where he’s watching. It’s strange. The scene in front of him should be satisfying, but it’s not. Not even close.

“What is it that you want to say, then?”

“I know for a fact that Yoon Jeonghan is planning to use a large part of his trust to buy your rival agency. I’ll loan you a substantial amount of money to counter that offer and steal it from him.”

Now, there’s not much that can catch Jeonghan off guard, but what the fuck. His intentions and deals were strictly confidential. How was it possible that your father knew?

“I’m sure you know the reason this chance is so important.”

That anticlimactic moment makes Jeonghan pause. He vaguely recognizes the sick feeling in his stomach as one of realization. The scene in front of him was nothing more then a distorted reflection of his own relationship with his father.

In the time he hadn’t seen you, you’d gotten good at schooling your reactions, but now anyone can see how helpless you feel. That expression reminds him of how he felt when his own father told him to buy the agency and find a model that was capable of taking the crown you’ve had for the last two years. It was never about Jeonghan’s happiness, it was all about his dad’s vanity and ego. He could see now that was still the case for you as well.

“You want me to humiliate him and his family one more time.”

Your father smirks. “Now you’re getting it. You need to prove to everyone—especially that boy and his family—that you’ve always been better.”

All the things you’ve done to Jeonghan come to the forefront of your mind and you suddenly feel more sick and disgusted than ever. This entire time you inadvertently pushed your obsessive father’s agenda because you were still angry about something that happened years ago. There’s this tight knot in your throat that suddenly makes it hard to speak, but you manage anyway.

“When are you going to stop using me for your petty rivalry?” You demand angrily. “I’m not going to be the kind of person who steps on other people for no reason.”

Your father scoffs, furious eyes filled with disappointment. “No reason?”

His laughter that follows is cold and manic. “You think this is just about my dislike for that family? No. This is about who you’re going to turn out to be. Are you going to be weak? Swayed by every sob story that crosses your path? How do you expect to take over my company if you’re so spineless?”

Jeonghan doesn’t feel any satisfaction like he expects. Instead he feels this ugly, jagged feeling deep in his chest. He feels like he's watching some sort of reenactment of him and his own father.

“Don’t forget. I have no use for such a pathetic daughter.”

The silence feels like it’s going to last forever, and in the stillness, Jeonghan feels sorry for you. This entire time he had been so stuck on his own turmoil that he forgot you were also the verge of being crushed by the weight of your family’s expectations. Just like his own father, your dad clearly had no regard for anyone’s feelings—even his own child’s. The test of time hadn’t changed him at all. Unfortunately, the same could be said for his father. It was disheartening to know that you were both nothing more than pawns in their childish game of revenge.

“That’s funny because right now the pathetic one is you.” Jeonghan feels oddly proud at how cutthroat you sound right now. “Don’t act like that company is something you can give away, you know, since it belongs to your wife and not you.”

Your truthful words finally manage to silence him, but you can’t stop there. “Plus, I know you’d rather give everything you have to Seokmin anyway, right? I mean, he is the son you’ve always wanted.”

“Don’t blame him for my mistakes, Y/N.”

“God—When are you going to open your fucking eyes and realize I don’t blame anyone else but you!?” You suddenly yell, unable to keep stifling your feelings.

It’s quiet for a moment before your father speaks again, his voice cold and calculating. “What about the Yoon family? Don’t you blame them? Aren’t they the ones who crushed your dreams?”

Jeonghan holds his breath despite knowing your answer. Of course you did. There was no way you didn’t. If the roles were reversed, he would, too.

You did blame that fucking family for a lot, but never for what your parents did to you. They had nothing to do with the fact that your mom and dad aren’t worthy of being parents. Also, if you truly thought back on it (which you had—countless times), your parents were the one who destroyed your dreams before anyone else could.

“Why would I blame anyone else for what you and your ex wife did to me? You two are the ones who decided I was useless because I couldn’t get you back to where you wanted to be.” You say, voice void of any perceptible emotion.

The silence is thick and heavy with tension. You swallow thickly and belatedly remember that you’re being watched. By this time, you imagine Jeonghan has enough material to humiliate you accordingly, but you’re too fucking exhausted to care. The petty actions you’ve taken so far were justified in your eyes, but even so, you wish you had just let it go. Talking to the man who abandoned you and only came looking for you when he deemed you as useful let you see that.

“Just leave.” Dad. You almost say it like he’s worthy of being that. “Do what you want with this sick obsession you have with the Yoon family, but leave me out of it because I’m done being used for your petty revenge.”

Your father scoffs. “I knew you didn’t have what it takes. I’ll go, but I’ll leave you with this: Yoon Jeonghan’s father knows his son will stop at nothing to destroy you. He was bragging about how his son was going to ruin you with this agency he’s going to buy. Think about that next time you want to be the better person.”

With that, he walks away from you, possibly for the last time.

Despite feeling numb, there’s still angry tears poking the back of your eyes. You let out a shaky sigh, knowing now isn’t the time to cry like you want. “Are you going keep hiding in the shadows like you didn’t set this up?”

Jeonghan’s blood runs cold, and for a moment he contemplates on running. He’s not exactly sure how you found out or even knew that he was watching, but there was no point in pretending. As usual, you knew everything.

You turn around, face still a mess of emotions. Two hours before, you might’ve cared about losing face in front of Jeonghan, but that was no longer the case. No matter what actions he took against you after this, you were done feeding into this game. As soon as the semester was over, you were going back to your normal life and leave behind all these shitty memories.

The expression on your face is eerily similar to the one from when he took your scholarship—a look of defeated resignation. Jeonghan figures that he gets a similar expression on his face when he fights with his dad. That suffocated look is one he knows all too well.

“You’re not going to say anything?”

Jeonghan is reminded of that first day of senior year when he saw you again. In that split second as you're gazing at him with crystal-like tears shining in your pretty eyes, he makes a decision.

“Be my girlfriend.”

His words hang in the air, and you can only look at Jeonghan like he’s lost his mind. You two stare at each other, until you finally manage to form some words through your bewilderment. “What? What are you—?”

“Be my girlfriend.” He says with more conviction. “And help me get revenge on our parents.”

You blink, feeling more confused than ever. Briefly, you wonder if the intensity of your emotions has driven you into some sort of delirium. Either that, or Jeonghan really has lost his mind.

“Don’t look at me like that.” He actually pouts at you. “You said you were done being used by your dad. I feel the same way. I’m tired of only being useful for their sick obsession.”

Maybe it’s the exhaustion you feel from all the emotions you’ve ran dry or maybe it’s because the little snake actually sounds convincing, but either way you agree.

“Fine, but I have conditions.”

Realistically, Jeonghan knew that (fake) dating you wouldn’t be easy, but he never expected to be put on blast like he has been—least of all by you. He’s waiting outside your last class, trying to pretend like he’s not furious.

“Angel face.” Jeonghan’s smile is deceptively calm and pretty. “We need to talk.”

You grimace at him as he loops his arm through yours and begins walking you out of the building towards his sleek car. “Yeah, we do because what the hell is that pet name? It makes you sound like some middle-aged creep.”

Jeonghan laughs stiffly, not wanting to attract the wrong kind of attention. People were already skeptical about your relationship, and he couldn’t let his brilliant plan fail before it got to the good part. He manages to keep his cool and even opens the passenger door for you, gently stroking your head as you get in. It’s almost annoying how good he is at acting affectionate.

“You’re breaking your own rules.” Jeonghan scowls as he starts the car.

You already know he’s talking about your interview that went public an hour ago. His deep frown makes you smirk. “Don’t be mad at me, angel face.”

Jeonghan’s annoyance is oddly soothed by your cute laughter, and he briefly wonders if he’s starting to go insane. His friends would likely tell him that he is. Meanwhile, you’re also wondering if you’re going insane because the surly pout Jeonghan has on his face isn’t as off-putting as it usually is.

“I did what was necessary for the plan.” You explain, trying not to sound like you’re mocking him. “Now everyone likes us together. See?”

Jeonghan finally looks at your phone when he gets to a stoplight. Even just skimming the comments under the article, he can see the tides beginning to shift in his favor. He looks back at the road with a pout. Sure, everything was in the name of revenge, but he wasn’t sure if the humiliation was worth it.

“I guess, but... I don’t think you had to say that I cried while begging for your forgiveness.”

You give him an annoyed look. “Honestly, that’s the least you could do to repent for everything that you’ve done to me. Just consider yourself lucky that I let everything slide due to our mutual need to get revenge.”

Jeonghan scoffs, but says nothing else the entire time he drives to the restaurant he’s been dying to eat at for weeks. The reservation he made two weeks ago was at the beginning of next month, but you had managed to get one within minutes. It was one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city, and he had heard nothing but good things.

Your hands slips into his easily as you two walk into the two MICHELIN star restaurant. Jeonghan tries not to think about how holding your soft hand doesn’t feel as uncomfortable as he thought it would. Instead he focuses on the extravagant interior of the restaurant. He’s seen the pictures online, but they didn’t capture the essence of the place at all.

He notices the looks you’re getting from the staff when you say your last name to the hostess. Unlike the attention you get at school, the other guests and staff are subtle with the looks they’re giving you as you two are guided into the restaurant. It’s a different type of uncomfortable, but Jeonghan notices that you don’t seem to be fazed by it at all.

“Hannie.” You call so affectionately that Jeonghan has to stop himself from gaping at you. “I booked one of the tables on the balcony, I hope you don’t mind.”

“No.” He says, feeling like he’s in a trance as you look at him with those pretty eyes of yours.

As you two near the balcony, he sees the group of people sitting at one of the tables. Your hand tightens around his, but your face remains clean of any emotions. Jeonghan isn’t sure why he softly caresses your thumb in a comforting way. Maybe it’s because he knows that despite wanting revenge, executing it didn’t mean all the unpleasant feelings that came with seeing your father would magically go away.

“How’d you know he’d be here?” Jeonghan wonders after you two are seated.

You hum softly, thinking of a way to say something so deprecating without sounding completely pitiful. Eventually, you decide you don’t need to be so cautious because Jeonghan has already seen all the ugly parts of your life you never wanted anyone to see.

“It’s his birthday, today.” Your gaze flickers past his shoulder for a split second. “He always has this intimate dinner with his family before throwing his actual party. Seokmin mentioned that he wanted to have the dinner here this year.”

Jeonghan doesn’t have time to process how detached you seem because you give him a wicked smirk. “I know you can’t see, but he looks fucking livid right now.”

He’s not sure why he feels relieved when you start laughing like you weren’t feeling suffocated a few seconds ago. It makes him wonder if you’re aware that he can still tell what you’re feeling. Jeonghan had an innate talent for it since childhood, and now it seemed to be more fine-tuned than ever.

“Then, should we take it a step further?”

You give him a questioning gaze. The confusion you feel slowly turns into an emotion that feels somewhat familiar yet foreign all at the same time. It’s something you can’t pinpoint or name, but it’s definitely there as Jeonghan puts a velvet box on the table. Something inside your chest jerks when you realize that he went out and bought you a gift to help you get the reaction you were looking for.

Jeonghan slides the box over to you, a cocky smirk on his face. “Open it, darling. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

You don’t comment on the pet name (especially since you like it way better than the other one) as you do what he says. The box contains a beautiful necklace that looks like it could be from a man in love (or one set on getting revenge).

“It’s beautiful.” You say with a smile as the feeling in your chest jerks again. “Want to put it on me?”

Jeonghan immediately stands from his seat and walks around the table. He’s good at keeping his eyes trained on you, but out of the corner of his eye he can see the three heads clearly staring in the direction of your table. Jeonghan takes the necklace from the box and bends down to clip it into place. Your scent invades his senses, and it makes it way too easy to admire the way the diamonds shine against your skin.

You feel soft lips press against your cheek before gentle words are whispered into your ear. “It suits you just like I knew it would.”

There’s a loud thumping in the air that only you two can seem to hear.

Jeonghan’s hands are holding on to your shoulders as you look up at him. The thumping seems to get louder. “Thank you for my gift, love.”

On impulse more than anything, your (fake) boyfriend swoops down to press a lingering kiss on your lips. He pulls back, feeling an awkward warmth crawling up his neck. You don’t look surprised or disgusted, instead you give him a fond smile that seems more genuine the longer he looks at it. Jeonghan takes his seat again, the infuriated man tables behind you long forgotten by either of you.

There’s a shift in your relationship that night. It’s subtle, but it’s there. Neither you nor Jeonghan really take notice. All you two are aware of is that playing pretend isn’t as awful as you both thought it would be. Expectedly, you scheming deviants have the time of your life playing with this new dynamic there is between you.

Jeonghan has become overly familiarized with your apartment by now. He’s waiting on your nice couch, watching as your team finishes working on your hair and makeup. It’s interesting to see just how much effort goes into looking absolutely flawless for all the cameras. Before this, he didn’t realize certain types of makeup and hair styles photographed better.

“Flawless as always!” Your makeup artist squeals as he takes videos and pictures to document his handiwork.

You don’t look exhausted physically, but Jeonghan still worries that you might already be drained. He knows he would be, especially because your manager keeps reminding you of all the people you need to get a photo with and at what time you need to be home by because you have two different shoots in the morning.

Jeonghan watches silently as your stylist follows you to your room to help you put on the custom dress Wen Junhui has made especially for you to wear to the new Givenchy pop-up shop opening. From what you’ve said, it’s supposed to match the suit he has on—which was also custom made for him by the famous designer.

When you step back into the living room wearing the fitted dress, Jeonghan feels like he’s staring at a living goddess. He can’t take his eyes off you as Jihoon snaps some photos of you. Being starstruck is something he didn’t think was actually possible, but now he understands why Soonyoung still can’t act normal when he brings you around.

“You look amazing.” Jeonghan says breathlessly, still completely entranced by your appearance.

“So do you. I’ll have to give Jun my thanks for making us the hottest couple at this event.”

After a few pictures together for your socials, you two set off to the pop-up shop. The event is expectedly large and grand. So many important people had gathered, but he only cared about the one person who he knew would be there. Jeonghan is quick to spot his father. Ironically, he’s talking with the man who designed the suit he's wearing.

You’re only a little taken aback when Jeonghan wraps his arms around you while you’re talking to a newcomer model you met last year during fashion week. It’s all you can do to keep talking normally as he rests his chin on your shoulder. His hands gently caress the material of your dress. He’s pressing himself closer to you like he wants to mold your bodies together.

When you’re finally left alone, you turn your head to give him a questioning look. You only get a pleased expression in return. The adorably goofy look makes your heart flutter with unwarranted affection.

“I’m clingy.” Jeonghan says bluntly. “And as my girlfriend, you’re obligated to indulge me.”

Your laugh is airy and filled with endearment because honestly, you don’t hate the faux affection. His embrace isn’t uncomfortable. Oddly, it makes the usual anxiousness you get at these events melt away. It’s only an added bonus to what you actually came by to get.

His father looks a lot like yours did. It’s almost funny because it takes less than a second after he sees you two together for him to come over and demand to speak to his son alone. You almost decline for Jeonghan, but you stop yourself when you remember the clause that states neither of you will interfere with family matters other than indirectly making them angry with your relationship.

Your (fake) boyfriend isn’t gone for long, but he’s clearly upset. Instead of letting it visibly show, he indulges in more champagne and mingling. It’s only when he starts slurring his words that you decide it’s time to go.

You're not sure why you don’t take him back to his frat house. It would’ve been easier and less of a hassle, but you found yourself unwilling to part with Jeonghan when he was clearly so distraught and incoherent. You force feed him water before laying him down in your guest bedroom.

“My dad’s such an asshole.” Jeonghan sighs, arm thrown over his eyes as you take off his shoes for him.

You hum in agreement, finally looking back at his face. His cheeks and neck are suffused with color, and you wonder what exactly his father said to make him this upset. It makes you wonder if he was starting to regret doing this entire thing with you.

“Don’t think about him anymore.” You whisper, not sure why that last thought is so upsetting. “Just get some sleep, okay?”

You go to get up, but are stopped by a gentle hand wrapping around your wrist. Jeonghan has moved his arm and is now looking directly at you. His eyes are shining with so many emotions that you recognize, but somehow can’t seem to decipher enough to tell what exactly he’s feeling. The intensity of his stare makes somehow makes you feel exposed.

“Stay with me.” His voice is more vulnerable than you expect. “Please.”

It’s like your legs move on their own as they sit you back at his side. He doesn’t make a move to let go of your wrist and you don’t think to shake off his touch. The silence is full of unspoken words, and you only wait for him to say what’s clearly bothering him.

“I don’t hate you.”

His words are surprising, mostly because they’re something you never thought you’d hear. Jeonghan doesn’t give you a chance to say anything because he keeps talking. “I don’t know why, but I can’t hate you the way I’m supposed to.” His gaze goes to the ceiling as if he’s trying to sort out all the thoughts you can see running through his mind. “I never could.”

“I don’t hate you either.” You tell him honestly.

“But I ruined your life.” Jeonghan frowns as if he’s recalling every horrible thing he ever did to you.

“I ruined yours.” You counter lightheartedly.

Jeonghan laughs a bit and closes his eyes. “Hope you can forgive me for real someday.”

He starts snoring before you can tell him that you already have.

“They look so cute together.”

This phrase was one Jeonghan got used to hearing since you two started dating, and he hates it. Not because it’s unpleasant to hear (it’s not), but because half the time that phrase was being used to describe you and Kim Mingyu. The two girls in his financial analysis class are squealing about your most recent photo shoot which included some shots with your model friend.

“Jealousy is not a good look on you.” Seungkwan laughs when he sees the look on his friend's face.

Jeonghan only rolls his eyes and pretends that Seungkwan’s words don’t affect him the way they do. Because there’s no way he’s jealous. How could he be jealous of someone that was nothing more than a coworker? And there's no reason for him to be jealous even if that wasn’t the case because he doesn’t have any feelings for you.

At least, that’s what he tells himself when you tell him you’re going to have to reschedule your weekly dinner because of that stupidly tall model everyone ships you with. Instead of letting it go like he should’ve done, Jeonghan reminds you that having dinner out in public once a week is part of your deal.

It’s almost cute the way he does it. Jeonghan says it like a whiny child that’s begging for attention. So you promise him to meet him the next day, but he’s not having it. Jeonghan insists that you come to his frat’s party after you’re done. Which you do, and you don’t know what to think on what you stumble on. Jeonghan is absolutely hammered, but he’s also really happy to see you.

“Darling!” He yells, abandoning the game of beer pong he’s currently winning.

You’re surprised when he races toward you and crushes you with a hug. The wolf whistles and cat calls fade into the background as Jeonghan pulls you along with him to sit on the couch, not caring for his partner’s loud protest for him to finish the game. His grip is strong as he tugs you on his lap. The grin he gives you when you easily comply is so pretty it hurts.

“You look so pretty.” Jeonghan is talking to you in pout, and you think you might melt at how cute he looks. “Can’t believe you went out with another guy looking so good.”

You let out a shocked laugh. He sounds like a jealous boyfriend, and for some reason it doesn’t repulse or annoy you. It does confuse you, though.

“I can’t believe you were out here getting drunk with sorority girls while I had a business dinner with Mingyu and Jihoon.”

His laugh is so cute, and the way he hugs you tighter and burrows his face into your neck is even cuter. You notice the lingering eyes, and it reminds you that the affection you’re receiving isn’t real. It also makes you think about how there’s really no need for him to be acting like this. There’s no reporters around or anyone that would run back to your families to let them know how “in love” you two are.

And yet, you don’t feel like pushing him off.

“Let’s get you to bed.” You say, trying to act like your heart isn’t pounding as if it’s on the verge of imploding.

“To your house?” He looks up, hooded eyes looking at you with an emotion that seems familiar, but foreign-looking in his eyes.

“No.” You force yourself to say despite wanting to give into his pleading stare. “Your bed is upstairs, silly.”

Jeonghan leans more into you, letting out disappointed hum that tickles your skin. “Want to stay with you.”

You’re pretty sure you’re going to regret what you do next, but you for some reason you can’t explain to yourself, you’re unwilling to leave him alone when he clearly wants to stay with you. So you decide it’s easier to take him upstairs as he drunkenly points out where his room is. You plop down on his bed, surprised that Jeonghan hasn’t let go of you once the entire time.

“I’ll stay until you fall asleep.” You say as he shoves his face in your neck.

“Stay forever.”

It’s stupid the way your heart interprets the words even though your brain knows he only meant stay for tonight. You’re more worried that you wish he meant it in the way he said it.

In the morning, you wake up to see that you’re alone. The discomfort you feel is eased when the door opens minutes later to reveal Jeonghan with several shopping bags in hand. You spot the familiar Valentino and Christian Louboutin bags almost instantly.

“You’re awake.” The smile he gives you is sleepy and tired, but so damn attractive.

“You went shopping.” You say, trying to understand how he got up before you. “Don’t you have a hangover?”

“I do.” He admits, shyly rubbing the back of his neck. “But you need fresh clothes after you shower, so I went out to buy you some. I also got you some other stuff from the drug store.”

You don’t know how to process the fact that your fake boyfriend went out to buy you all the things you need. Especially since it was clear he made more than one stop. Jeonghan doesn’t seem to notice just how shocked you are as he places the bags on his bed and insists you look through them. You do as he says, feeling an intruding warmth fill your chest.

“Why’d you get me shoes?” You wonder when you open the Louboutin box.

“The shoes you came with don’t go with the dress I got you.”

His words make your heart thump with adoration that can’t be stifled. Heat spreads across your face as you hastily thank him before hurrying into the bathroom with the toiletries he bought for you so he can’t see just how much his actions affected you. It’s hard to ignore all the emotions gathering in your chest. Jeonghan is an exceptionally good actor, but you keep wondering why he's going this far. What’s worse is that you can’t say you hate it. Actually, you probably like it a little too much.

When you’re done showering, you dry your hair and try on the dress Jeonghan bought you. It’s snug against your frame, and you have to marvel at the fact that he actually did a great job choosing your size. You tentatively step out of the bathroom to see Jeonghan sitting on the bed occupied with his phone. It feels like the air is knocked out of him when he looks up to see you dressed in something he picked out and bought for you.

“Want to get breakfast?”

You try to ignore the fact that you’re playing a dangerous game by blurring the lines you’ve drawn when you say yes.

“Should we breakup before I go to Milan or after I come back from Paris?”

Your question is so casual that Jeonghan almost thinks he didn’t hear you right. He looks up from his phone to see you pulling out a suitcase from your closet. It’s almost painful that you don’t seem to realize how much your words have affected him.

“Breakup?” He repeats, throat going dry and heart sinking.

The way you nod normally like he doesn’t feel sick to his stomach has him reeling. “Yeah. Our parents are mad enough now, and the semester is almost over so I’ll start taking online classes again.”

Your reasoning makes sense (maybe a little too much), but Jeonghan really can’t accept what you’re saying. All that registers is the fact that you’re leaving and planning on having nothing to do with him anymore.

“You’re not coming back?”

You wonder if he actually sounds disappointed or if it’s just you wishing that he does. Either way, you can’t let him know that you feel like your heart is being ripped out because you’re asking to plan your breakup. “My agency only agreed to let me take classes in person for a semester. After the scandal I had with you, they don’t want me coming back again.”

“I don’t want you to leave.”

You try to pretend like his words don’t evoke an emotion out of you that you should definitely not feel for him.

“And I don’t want to breakup.”

The silence is heavy. It isn’t easy to not interpret his words as a plea to stay because he has feelings for you. Especially since you’re sure that’s not what he means. “If it’s about your dad we can—”

“This has nothing to do with my dad.” Jeonghan says, frustrated that you’re not understanding how he's feeling. “This is about you and me—about us.”

It’s strange to think that there is an us when it comes to you and Jeonghan now, but he can’t let you fly across the world without letting you know how he feels.

“You have to know that this isn’t fake to me.” He says, more nervous and determined than ever.

You can’t say anything. Not because you think it’s some joke or that he’s not being sincere, but because you can’t believe these feelings that had been flourishing since you two decided to let go of the past are being reciprocated.

“I know you probably still hate me, and I don’t blame you if you do. Back then, I ruined your life because I was insecure and wanted to make my dad proud. And now because of me, you won’t be able to come back to school even though going to this university has been your dream since we were kids.” Jeonghan soldiers on even though every single emotion is trying to peak through. “I’m an idiot to realize it so late, and I’m a bigger one to be apologizing to you only now.”

Jeonghan walks toward you until he’s directly in front of you. Just as you hope he seals his apology with a kiss, he falls to his knees, bunny-like eyes looking at you imploringly.

“I know I don’t deserve it, but I’m going to ask for your forgiveness anyway. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done to you since you came back into my life.” He’s close to tears as he grabs your hands. “I’ll do anything for your forgiveness. Just tell me what I need to do, and I’ll do it.”

Your heart is thumping so erratically that it feels like it’s on the verge of exploding. Yoon Jeonghan is on his knees in front of you, eyes wet and pleading for you to forgive him. The onslaught of emotions you feel are scrambling your brain to the point where you can hardly think. “Hannie...”

The nickname makes him hopeful that maybe he can earn your forgiveness. He grips your hands a little tighter and gently uses his thumbs to caress the back of your hands.

“I don’t hate you, and I already forgave a long time ago.” You confess with a smile, heart still pounding.

Jeonghan stands and crushes you with a hug, body sagging in relief to know that you don’t hate him. He closes his eyes as he buries his face into your neck. The anxiety he was feeling fades away as he basks in your embrace.

“I’m sorry too.” Your apology is slightly muffled. “I was wrong to make your life a living hell, and I hope you can also forgive me.”

Jeonghan hugs you tighter. “I already have. It’s not like I didn't deserve it.”

You two laugh a bit until you pull back to look at your (fake?) boyfriend. “You really don’t want to be away from me?”

Jeonghan pouts and nods. He briefly thinks he might have to hang a sign around his neck for you to realize he never wants you to leave his side.

“Why?”

You need to hear him say it. This way, you’ll know for sure that you’re not just lucid dreaming.

“Because I’m in love with you.”

Jeonghan never thought he could miss someone as much as he missed you. He’s surprised that it can feel like you’ve been away from him for years when in reality it’s only been a week. Not that it matters because he finally has you in his arms again. And he plans on showering you with love before you have to leave for Paris.

“I missed you so much.”

You feel breathless when Jeonghan’s lips mold against yours, not giving you a chance to say that you missed him too. He’s nestled between your legs as his lips devour yours, not caring that he’s been in the same position for the last fifteen minutes. Jeonghan can’t get enough of you, and he’s only gotten a small taste.

The whine you let out when Jeonghan’s tongue starts to play with yours is so hot that he can feel his cock twitch in his pants. One of his hands trails down your body to grab a handful of your ass before smoothing over your thigh to hook your leg over his hip. You moan into his mouth as your core grinds into his hardening dick.

Finally, you pull away from him, pupils blown wide with lust. “Missed you so much, Hannie.”

Your boyfriend gently grinds down in order to hear another one of your sensual moans. His dark eyes are staring at you with so much desire that your cunt starts to pulse at the thought of having him carnally.

“Let me show you how much I missed you.”

Jeonghan is patient as he undresses you. It’s a contrast to the way he quickly strips his own clothes. You know it’s because your dress is a custom gift from Wen Junhui, and it makes your heart warm and cunt drip with more slick at the thought that he actually remembered.

When he settles his head between your legs and spreads you open, you feel a bashful heat course through your body. Jeonghan is staring straight at your core with the most heated gaze you’ve ever received from a man. “Fuck. I knew you were pretty everywhere.”

Jeonghan’s gives your pussy a harsh slap, earning a surprised moan from you. He soothes the sting by gently rubbing his fingers against your clit, loving how wet your pussy keeps getting. Any coherent response you’re thinking of is quick to disappear when Jeonghan dives into your awaiting cunt. His tongue laps and slobbers all over your drooling lips, messily making out with the heaven between your legs.

The way Jeonghan is groaning into your pussy in absolute pleasure makes you grind you cunt into his mouth, moaning and crying out in just as much pleasure. His fingers flex into the flesh of your soft thighs as they lock around his head. Jeonghan greedily licks every inch of your sopping cunt, chin and cheeks increasingly becoming covered in your sweet juices as they drip down to the sheets below him.

“Fuck, Hannie!” You cry out with a jolt, hips rolling incessantly into his mouth. “Keep doing that! Feels so good.”

“Yeah? Like it how I fuck you with my tongue, darling?” He rasps burying his face deeper into your hot cunt.

You’re slowly slipping into a euphoric state that won’t allow you to think straight, and you’re only able to stay coherent because he pulls away momentarily to slide his fingers between your folds. He lewdly spreads you open before diving back in, slurping up every last bit of your juices. The taste of you had his cock twitching and throbbing between his thighs.

Jeonghan groans when your fingers slide into his hair as your pussy keeps getting tighter around his tongue. The room in the air feels hot as he continues to lap at your cunt, and you can only pant and moan as you feel a familiar feeling pooling in your stomach.

The entire lower half of his face feels sticky, but Jeonghan needs more. Wants it to be messier. His hands slip under to grab your ass and push you deeper on his tongue. Lewd squelches mix in with your cries of pleasure as he fucks you with his tongue. You feel your eyes roll back and your back arch when he gently starts to circle your puffy clit. Jeonghan then wraps his lips around it before sucking it into his mouth.

“Fuck.” You moan out. “Jeonghan! Gonna come!”

His tongue rolls the sensitive bud as you jerk in his hold. Jeonghan’s groans are only turning you on even more because you can tell he’s enjoying this as much as you are. The arousal he feels has his cock aching for any sort of friction, but he’s just so lost in you that he can’t really care that his erection is starting to hurt. Honestly, he feels like he could eat you out forever.

“So fucking good.” You babble as your clit knocks against his nose with every buck of your hips.

You jolt when you feel Jeonghan suck your clit between his teeth, nibbling on the sensitive bud until your orgasm finally washes over you. Instead of pulling away, he pulls you closer and laps up your cream, slurping up everything you have to offer him. Precum gathers at the tip of his aching cock that he can feel it staining his underwear, but he’s too focused on you creaming on his tongue to care.

Your body goes slack after you ride out your orgasm. Jeonghan pulls a way from your cunt with a satisfied smirk. He wastes no time in getting rid of his underwear, leaking cock springing up with a wet slap against his lower abdomen after he takes it off. You lick your you lips and pull him closer to you as you’re eager to feel his skin on yours again.

“Like what you see, darling?” Jeonghan coos with a cocky smirk.

He’s stroking his thick cock slowly as he watches your eyes fix on the girth between his legs, raking them over him slowly with unmistakeable hunger. His cock is as pretty as he is; long and thick with the bulbous head oozing plenty of precum. The veins running alongside it have your cunt aching in need to feel them drag along your walls. Jeonghan undoubtedly has one of the biggest cocks you’ve ever seen, and you whine out in need as you cling to his neck. Your hips buck up on their own, desperate to feel even the slightest bit of friction.

“Don’t tease me.” You pout, eyes blinking up at him pleadingly.

That face you’re making is dangerous, Jeonghan thinks. It’s capable of getting you whatever you want. He has to close his eyes and exhale deeply when you snake a hand between your bodies and grip his cock, squeezing gently to goad him into fucking you. It’s hot and heavy in your hand and wet with his precum. Your hand drags over him in slow strokes.

“I want you so bad.” You whine into his ear. “Please.”

“You—�� He breathes with a stutter, hips slowly rolling into your hand. “Y-You have to answer me first, baby.”

You roll your thumb over his weeping tip, collecting the wet bead of his precum before smearing it along his cock. His whimpers and moans are so pretty, and you just revel in the sounds that you’re emmiting from him.

“Tell me. Tell me how much you want my cock.”

“Want your cock, Hannie. It’s so pretty—need it inside me.” You mewl as you squeeze the base of his dick.

Jeonghan lets out a chuckle that’s breathy against your ear. It sounds smug despite the blush spreading on his face. “Think it’s pretty, huh? The prettiest cock you’ve ever seen?”

“Mhm.” You moan as he slides his tip up and down your entrance, collecting your juices along his cock before he slaps your cunt with his dick.

Finally, he relents and slowly pushes past your wet folds. You both let out loud moans at the feeling of each other. Jeonghan feels like he’s in heaven with how your hot, tight cunt is gripping his cock while you feel a burning pleasure licking up your entire body as his big cock splits you open.

“Fuh-Fuck, darling. Tight little pussy’s gonna drive me crazy.” He groans before leaning forward to press a sloppy kiss to your lips, tongue exploring your mouth as he drinks in your moans.

You whimper and whine into his mouth, eyelids fluttering in pleasure as he slowly starts to fuck his cock into you. Jeonghan pulls away with a deep groan. His eyes roll to the back of his head as your tight cunt squeezes his dick. Your arms a wrap around his neck as your legs do the same around his waist. Jeonghan’s cock throbs, nearly coming at the sight of your mouth hanging open in pleasure.

“Such a pretty little cunt. And it’s all for me.”

“Only for you, babe.” You say through a moan, bucking your hips up to meet his slow thrusts.

Your actions make his cock hit deep inside you, the leaking tip brushing against your sweet spot. A wanton moan escapes you at the feeling. You arch your back in absolute pleasure, not believing that he’s able to reach that deep inside you. Jeonghan smirks at your reaction, loving how you’re already so lost on his cock. His hips keep rolling against yours, forcing his thick cock in and out of your tight pussy.

Jeonghan is splitting you open as he fucks his cock into you. Your head is swimming from the pleasure as he picks up his pace. His moans only add to your pleasure. You can feel his pelvis brushing your pulsing clit with every harsh snap of his hips. The carnal sound of his cock slipping in and out of your cunt paired with the slapping of skin is making your velvety walls clamp down on him tighter.

“Fuck, Hannie. Harder! Fuck me harder!” You beg, bucking your hips to match his thrusts.

You’re both panting harshly as you feel the delicious pleasure build steadily. It spreads from your legs and along your spine until it consumes you completely. Jeonghan is quickly becoming obsessed with the sight of you under him, pretty tits bouncing every time he sharply snaps his hips. He spreads your legs to see the erotic sight of your juices frothing at the base of his dick and sliding down his heavy sack.

“Cockhungry angel wants more?” Jeonghan coos, driving his hips deeper so his cock is slamming against your sweet spot, sending your vision white. “You can have more, love. Because this is your cock. All yours.”

His words make you become impossibly tight. Your velvety walls make him choke out a loud moan. It’s almost hard for him to move with how tight your pussy keeps getting. The sight of your cream coating his cock as it disappears into your hot cunt only makes his snap his hips harder, eager to feel you come undone on his dick.

“Mine.” Your babble sounds so possessive yet fucked out that Jeonghan can’t help but moan along with you.

“Yours.” He confirms through his deep groans. “Cock fits inside your little pussy like it was made for you.”

“Hannie!” You cry out, feeling drunk on how his veiny cock drags against your walls. “If you k-keep saying things like that—!”

He smirks, pressing a chaste kiss to your cheek—an action too tender for how he’s ravishing you. “What, baby? You’re gonna gush all over me? Cover this cock with your sweet cream?”

His thumb trails down to your aching clit and starts to rub fast circles along the sensitive bud. Jeonghan does this until you break. Your thighs tremble as your gummy walls flutter around his cock. If only you could see the literal heart eyes your boyfriend is staring at you with as your pretty face contorts in pleasure as you fall apart on his cock. He’s never seen a more perfect sight, and he’s sure to commit it to memory as your orgasm spurts all over his cock, marking him with your essence in the most obscene way.

The slam of his cock as he fucks you through your orgasm bordering on too much as you whimper in his arms. Those cute little mewls turn into cries when he keeps going, so drunk in you that he can’t stop. The sound of your moans and the way you suck him in as you cream around his cock makes Jeonghan’s head fall into your neck. His thrusts are turning sloppy as he whimpers gently against your skin.

“I love you.” He pants into your skin, choking on moans as he pumps his cum into your cunt. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Hannie.” You mewl, loving the feeling of his cum filling you up.

You feel the mixture of his release and your slick trailing down the sides of your thighs. It’s so messy that you can’t help but crave more. Jeonghan’s breathing is heavy as he places gentle kisses on your neck. Neither of you can ignore the pulsing of his fat cock still inside you. He fucks his cum into you a bit more before slowly pulling out, enjoying the sight of his thick cum leaking down to your asshole. Your pretty pussy is pulsing as more thick cum squeezes out.

Jeonghan’s massaging a palm on the inside of your sticky thigh to keep your legs spread for his eyes when you say the words that make his cock twitch and ache all over again.

“Keep stuffing me full of cum, baby.”

It’s so easy to slide his cock back into your creamy pussy. You clench tightly as he draws back, then forward again. His thick dick stretches you open so deliciously that you can’t hold back your cries of pleasure. He’s balls deep inside your hot cunt, his pelvis brushing against your aching nub. Your vision goes blurry as he hits so deep. Jeonghan hooks one of your knees over his shoulder so he can slide in deeper.

“I’m going to fill you up. Gonna come in this pretty pussy and fuck you until you can’t take anymore.” Jeonghan groans as you mewl and whimper underneath him.

He takes one of your nipples in his mouth, tugging the nub with his teeth, groping your other tit. You’re already so damn sensitive and arch into his touch. “Ah, Hannie!”

“Mmh.” He groans, releasing the hardened bud with a lewd pop as you clench around him.

Jeonghan starts fucking you slowly, letting you feel every vein along your pulsating walls. From tip to base, he feeds your tight hole like it’s starving. You whimper at the feeling, moans slipping out of you when he picks up speed. The tip of his dick rams into your cervix and makes you see stars. You’re so hot and messy already, your slick and his cum creating a ring around the fat base of his cock.

Dark eyes flicker between your sloppy hole and your fucked out face. Jeonghan can’t decide which is more obscene, but he loves both sights so much. His big cock spreads you wide, a euphoric burn blooming in your little pussy as your juices spill out. The cry you let out makes him kiss you. It’s soft in contrast to his length spearing you open. His tongue slips into your mouth, massaging yours as he swallows your moans.

Jeonghan traces tracing over your stretched hole to your fluttering clit, rubbing in hard circles as you keep crying out for him. He keeps pounding into you, your body moving up the bed with the sheer force.

“So fucking good!” Your mouth falls open in a moan as he rams into your sweet spot, that familiar electricity streaming through your body.

You can feel his pelvic bone pressing against your clit as his dick spears deeper. You’re squirming against your boyfriend, full and cockdrunk as he keeps rubbing his fingers on your clit. The toe-curling orgasm strikes so abruptly that you don’t expect it. Your juices squirt out all over Jeonghan’s length and his pelvis.

His thickness continues to invade your convulsing walls, almost brutally but you take it, gasping as your mind goes foggy.

“Fuck, darling. Keep soaking my cock like that.”

Your tits bounce as he fucks you harder, ramming into your sweet spot. You can’t process anything over the squelching noises and the sounds of your moans. Jeonghan groans, cursing lowly as you squeeze around him, begging for his cum. He grinds sinfully into your spasming cunt until he releases his hot cum into your pussy, filling you to the brim.

In utter pleasure, Jeonghan rocks into you with abandon, spurred on by your cries and your nails digging into his shoulders as his pelvis rubs your humming clit. His warmth spreads within you, leaking out from around his throbbing girth as his hips slow to a stop. You soften to quiet whimpers when he lets go of your leg, nuzzling into his neck in a daze.

Neither of you move, too lost in the feeling of each other’s arms to care about anything else.

taglist: @duolingofanaccount @felix-3002 @junhui-recs @asjkdk @dani41 @kageyama-i-want-tobiors @ohwonwoo

[darlingshane]

once in a blue moon

Wolf!Frank Castle x Human/F!Reader

Summary: Your vivid, ominous dreams seem to carry a message you can't quite grasp until Frank spells it out for you.

CW: +18, explicit, werewolf au, supernatural elements, gore, violence, dreams, killing animals, eating animals' hearts, blood, food, cravings, eating, smut, vaginal sex, squirting, love, unplanned pregnancy, considering abortion.

Word Count: 4,2k

— Links: AO3 // Frank Masterlist

Following the ravenous calling of your stomach to satiate your hunger, you come across a banquet table sitting on a clearing in the middle of the woods. It's pitch black, but you can see so clearly under the soft glow of the full moon that hangs directly overhead. The ground is warm and green below the bare soles of your feet. The long white dress you're wearing almost touches your toes as you walk around the table to find an empty seat. There's only one chair and a big porcelain empty plate at the head of the table that's meant for you. It's not clear how you know, but you're sure that is reserved for you.

Your stomach protests harder the closer you get to your seat. The table is replete with a feast made out of the most delicious foods you can imagine. The scents mixing in the air from all the various plates is intoxicating. Your mouth waters at the sight of a tall, tiered chocolate cake. When you sit down, you extend your hand to take a piece, but before you can do it, a ferocious howl echoes through the trees surrounding the clearing, making the earth shake beneath. Your pulse quickens all of a sudden. Your head swivels in both directions until you see something emerging between trees at the opposite side of the banquet. It's Frank, slowly creeping in into the clearing, wearing his stunning wolf suit. His presence is both majestic and subtly intimidating. His thick fur coat is dark, nearly black, and shows a few greys around his muzzle. Between his sharp teeth, a white lamb hangs and squirms, trying to free itself from Frank's bite. You wanna reach out and help the creature, but the amber glare in Frank's gaze stops you from it. Before your eyes, he tears apart the little animal that dies in mere seconds. Perplexed at the scene, tears roll down your cheeks as Frank carefully removes the lamb's heart from its remains.

With the organ dripping red in his mouth, he then swiftly jumps on the table, his paws keenly avoiding touching any plate in the way. When he arrives at the head of the table, he lowers his mouth to drop the heart in your empty plate for you to consume. Your body trembles when he gently nuzzles your face with his snout as a silent order you can perfectly understand. You follow his command and pick up the tiny heart between your fingers as he watches you sink your teeth into it for the first time. He sits back on his haunches and stares at you, taking your time ripping a small piece out of it. Tears start pouring out again of your eyes as you swallow it. Frank remains unmoved from his position, expecting you to finish the whole meal he's brought you. After the initial bite, you keep going. Slow at first, and before you realize it, you've devoured the entire thing. Your fingers are covered in red, so is the bottom half of your face, and you've never felt more full and satisfied with any other food you've had before. The chocolate cake seems terribly unappealing to you now.

Frank looks so proud when he gets closer to you to lick the blood staining the corner of your mouth. It's strange how normal it feels to have him do that when he's in his wolf form. When he's done, he pulls his head back, and you see a different glare in his eyes. Something resembling sadness and remorse glares across his beautiful gaze. Like a sixth sense you've seemed to develop, you feel it in the now-full pit of your stomach that he doesn't want to do this. You extend with a hand to caress his head and put him at ease, but he promptly reacts, jumping on you, using his paws to push you off the chair. Laying on the ground, his sharp teeth flash across your eyes before tearing a chuck of skin off your neck.

You should scream, but you don't.

It should hurt, but it doesn't.

This should kill you, but it doesn't.

You remain awake the whole time while you bleed out. You stare at the moon above that seems to be watching over you like a guardian. It's striking white glow starts changing into a nice shade of blue while he rips apart bits of you.

It only lasts so long. Eventually, your eyes start feeling heavy as you capture the last beautiful moonbeams shining behind your lids.

There's a strange sense of dread that blooms in your chest when you stir up awake. You're back in your bed and realize that was one of the most vivid dreams you've ever had.

It's not even the crack of dawn yet when you look at the window. Full moon, just like in your dream, is still high up in its cusp, nestled between heavy clouds that threaten to break into a storm.

That sense of dread turns into something else. It's a little unsettling, but you can't explain why. It's an unfamiliar feeling, a mix of longing and fear, that's been rousing out of nowhere for a few weeks now. Every time it returns, it's grown bigger. You wish it away over and over, but it's pointless. It's burrowed somewhere out of your reach, and there's nothing you can do to stop it.

You close your eyes and take a deep breath, attempting to calm yourself and settle you back to sleep. Maybe that's what you need. You try shutting all thoughts and voices in your head to clear your mind, but there's an invisible force that doesn't let you.

Frank is not back yet when you shift on the bed to see his side empty. Which isn’t unusual. Sometimes he comes earlier, and you find him sleeping at your feet in his massive wolf form. Other days, he just exhausts every minute of the night out in the woods and by the time he gets home he’s already turned to human. Today it feels oddly cold, and you wish your furry beast would be warming up your legs at this hour. You inch closer to the other side of the bed and bury your face in his pillow to capture the scent printed on the fabric. Smelling him eases that edge a little. You breathe it all in, letting it intoxicate you until you've completely calmed down.

It allows you to rest your eyes for a little longer and at the first signs of daylight, you slip out of bed and pad across the cabin to the kitchen to make some coffee before he gets back. You accidentally hit your pinky toe with the leg of a chair and curse your way through the space, but the pain quickly fades away. While the coffee starts dripping, you dive into the fridge to fix the rumbling of your stomach that is dangerously aching for food. Your hand automatically chooses a tupperware holding roasted chicken leftovers from the night before. Without thinking, you pull off the lid and start picking up cold chunks of meat directly from the container to quickly stuff your mouth and satiate that hunger that goes much deeper than you anticipated. At some point when you bite into the meat, you also nick part of your index finger with your teeth, but you can’t stop. Like in a bizarre trance, you continue shoving chicken into your mouth. When you look down at the container— first, you’re shocked you’ve practically emptied the whole thing to bare bones in record time, and second, those bones are now covered in the blood dripping from your finger. You find yourself licking it, tasting your blood like it was the most normal thing you’ve ever done. It leaves a metallic, sweated aftertaste that disappears as you nibble the last shreds of chicken.

A soft thud hits the sliding door to the porch. You put down the container on the counter, and partially tug the curtain to the side to find Frank behind the glass, still wearing his wolf suit.

“Sorry,” you say as you slide it open, “it was cold, and I forgot to leave it open.”

His massive head nods at you as he takes a full spin around you, sniffing your ankles before licking the finger of one of your hands, the one that’s bleeding.

It used to be odd, and scary, to see him like this in his true nature, but you’ve grown comfortable seeing this other side of him that you love just as much. He's kind of adorable to be honest. He looks like the most menacing creature that's ever lived, and yet you know he has the softest of hearts. You don't have to lean over much to place a kiss in the middle of his head. He smells like pine trees and dirt and something metallic you can't identify.

Like undoing a spell, once you pull back your head from the kiss, he shape-shifts into his human form in all his naked glory.

When you look at his face, his brow is pulled tight, lips furrowing between the coarse hair of his beard, as he takes a good look at you with nothing but concern.

“What happened here, sweetheart?” He lifts the hand he was licking, showing the blood trickling down your palm.

When you take a good look at it, the cut you ignored goes deeper than you thought or felt, half of the pad of your finger is hanging, and weirdly, it doesn’t hurt as much as it should.

“I don’t know.” You look back at the container on the counter. “I was hungry, and I think I bit myself.”

“That’s some hunger,” he scoffs, extending a hand to your face to wipe that same blood that’s staining your lips.

“C’mere, let’s clean it up.”

“I’ll take care of it. Go put some pants on.” You kiss his cheek and pat his shoulder before stepping into the bathroom.

You collect the first aid kit from the cabinet and then open the faucet to clean the wound. As water runs down your finger, wiping away all the red, you see the gash starts closing on its own when you carefully hold close the hanging chunk of your fingertip. It feels like you’re imagining it, but you’re not. The piece of flesh fully attaches itself where it should be, leaving a faint line where it ripped. You’re not sure why, but you tape a piece of gauze around your finger to cover it.

Then, you quickly glance at your reflection in the mirror to see yourself in a field with a semi-eaten heart held in your hands and your mouth and chin covered in blood. This must be another dream, right?

Fear creeps up your spine. You force your eyes shut, and back down on your feet, letting your back close the door.

Something is definitely wrong here. Are you turning into a wolf? That's the only explanation for the speedy healing, or the fact you barely felt any pain. But it can’t possibly be. You've taken a lot of precautions to avoid that. It's been a while since you last talked with Frank about turning. It's not something you wanted to do, at least not yet, and it never bothered Frank. You've managed to build a life on your own terms together, even if his former pack disagreed with his decision of choosing a human over one of their own.

“Baby, are you okay?” He knocks softly on the door.

“Yeah… Yeah, just give me a minute.” You try to keep your voice even, but it doesn't matter, cause Frank can pick up on anything.

When you glance in the mirror again, the picture you saw is completely gone and all you can see is yourself in your pajamas, with your own blood painting your lips.

You clean your mouth and pull yourself together before stepping out of the bathroom.

Frank is pouring himself a cup of coffee in the kitchen, his bare back is in full display. He's put on a pair of grey sweatpants that are barely hanging around his waist. Quietly, you lock your arms tightly around his waist, capturing the heat of his body, pillowing your face between his broad shoulders.

“Is something going on, sweetheart?” he asks before tasting his coffee.

“Nothing's going on. I just got spooked, that's all.”

“You chew half of your finger,” he points out, turning around as you let go of his torso. “There's blood all over the chicken leftovers.”

“It's not that bad. Once I cleaned it up, it looked like a paper cut.” You don't understand why you feel like lying to him. If someone can help to figure this out, it's Frank, but you don't wanna know yet.

By the look on his face, you know he's not buying your bullshit.

“Okay, let me see.” He settles his mug on the counter.

“It's fine. I promise,” you scoff, showing your bandaged finger. “See? I didn't even need stitches.”

He holds your hand, seemingly taking your word for it, and gently places a kiss over the gauze. You then cup his face, and lean in to seize his mouth tenderly. His bushy beard scratches your face, as you melt together in a warm kiss. His arms curl around you, pulling you flush against his chest as your eager lips take a strong hold of his mouth. It's absurd how much you love him. You spell it with all you have— lips, teeth, and tongue that goes wildly untamed in the depth of your most deep desires. His mouth tastes so good, you forget how to breathe or talk or do anything other than isn’t this. There’s that feeling again, that unbearable longing that makes your whole body ache for Frank.

His hands quickly rise up to the occasion and wander all over your body. They slip under the hem of your shirt to claim every inch of your skin. He then gets a hold of your ass and with a strong grip he picks you up in his arms effortlessly. You curl your arms around his neck, and your legs around his waist as he transports you to the bedroom without even watching his steps. His keen senses allow him to do that, which you envy sometimes.

Frank gingerly lays you on your back, yanks your pajama bottoms off you swiftly before nestling between your legs. He pushes his hardness against your sex and watches your expression change as his hips wave firmly to stir your arousal. Propped in one arm, he uses his opposite hand to push your shirt up and bare your chest. You grab the bunched fabric around your neck and remove it completely.

“Take these off, baby.” You then tug at the waistband of his sweats.

“But I thought you wanted them on,” he huffs.

“Changed my mind. Now, I need them off.”

He chuckles as he pushes them down just enough to free his erection. It feels amazing when he shoves his full hardness against your panties. Your center quickly heats up and wets at the friction. His lips are drawn to your neck, letting his beard drag all over your chest. Your skin promptly reacts, flourishing into goosebumps all the way, up from the crown of your head down to every last one of your toes. He groans and licks your body as he travels down your chest to suck your sensitive nipples. It makes you shiver in delight when he attaches his mount around one of them. Growing breathless, you slant your hips harder, needing him to fill your pussy the same way you filled your stomach. It's an unbearable craving that weakens you.

Frank quickly picks up the cue, and with a sudden move he turns your body around to have you laying on your stomach. He pulls your panties down, and adjusts your legs to make room for his cock. You place your head on the pillow, and hold tightly to it as he slots his full erection without trouble in one motion. You’re so tender and soaked, it feels like heaven itself is the one stretching your walls.

Frank’s body moves firmly, pushing repeatedly inside you, as one of his hands curls under your leg to caress your clit. His steady touch keeps you gripped to that mind-blowing shockwave of pleasure that starts forming at your center. It feels like a bubble of fire slowly rising up from the inside, setting your body ablaze.

“This is what you want, sweetheart?” he growls ferociously in your ear, biting your earlobe, while the erratic motion of his fingers, glued to your folds, drives you out of your mind.

You’re too out of it to respond with nothing but a strangled moan. All your senses but touch seem to disappear on you. Your sight blurs, your hearing can only pick up a faint buzz of his breathing, the only thing you can taste now in your mouth is lust, that smells just the same as Frank’s pillow that’s held under your head.

He attaches his mouth again to your neck. You notice his teeth dig harder on your skin to leave his mark, and you find yourself wishing he would rip it apart like you saw in your dream. The next second, you're suddenly trapped in a realm of unbridled desires, where you feel every cell of his body and yours fusing together as if they were one. For a moment, your pleasure becomes his pleasure, and vice versa. In your head, you swear you can read his every thought as if they were yours. His presence slips into your mind, stealing your darkest secrets. During that intense connection, you became aware of Frank's steady focus, driven by the only need to fill you with his seed. There’s something on that spot on your neck that he keeps latching on that’s sparking something in him that he hasn’t felt before. He wants to claim you, like he would do if you were a wolf, but he has the most utter restraint not to do so. As he pulls his head back, the link breaks. And you glance over your shoulder to see the glaring of his eyes turning bright amber, a shade that you’ve only seen a couple of times in his wolf form.

“Do it,” you beg desperately between moans as he rudely slaps your ass with his hips. “Please, Frank, do it! I need you to.”

There’s something feral that takes over him when you say that. His lip forms a snarl before bowing his head to bite that same spot as you asked. It reattaches that deep connection. This time, as he tips you over the edge, you can feel your arousal doubling down along with his. Your body is taken by the purest form of bliss you've ever experienced— It's yours and his melding together to create a powerful force that claims your body when your orgasm hits the highest point. You feel him feeling you with his seed at the same time your orgasm hits. Your shaking legs suddenly feel all wet after a gush of juices burst out of you. The sheets beneath you are soaked, and you can't tell if you've just peed or squirted, but it feels amazing. The weight of Frank's limp body on your back shifts slowly as he drags himself to the side. You curl against him, placing your ear to his chest, listening to the fast pace of his heart as his breath struggles to catch up, something you’ve never seen him do. He’s fucked you so many times without breaking a sweat, but now he’s utterly spent.

Closing your eyes, you doze off for a few minutes, and you're pulled back to your earlier dream… You’re laying on the grass, staring at a full moon that gleams behind a thick blue veil. Frank’s true wolf form is by your side. This time, he’s gently licking the wound he caused on your neck to heal it, as a smaller form of a wolf pup snuggles against your other side. You cradle it with your arm to keep it safe, and you love it. You love it with your whole heart as much as you love Frank.

“What happened?” you mumble when you come back to reality. You're laying on your side of the bed and Frank has wrapped you with a blanket. It feels like you've been out for ten minutes, but the day has turned to night when you look out the window. “How long was I out?

“You've been sleeping all day.” He's sitting beside you, holding one of your hands as he removes the bandage around your finger to see it has completely healed. “Why didn't you tell me?”

Your eyes well up. “I got scared. Am I turning?”

“No, you're not turning, sweetheart,” he reassures, placing a kiss on your forehead. “My blood is in your system, but you're not turning.”

“How's that even possible, Frank?”

“Can't you feel it?”

You shake your head, as he cups your jaw in his palm.

“You're pregnant.”

It feels so odd to hear him say those words that you can't process the thought of him being right.

“But I thought that couldn't be. I thought that you and I could never… you said it was impossible for wolves and humans to reproduce.”

“That's what I always believed. That’s what I was taught.”

You can see he's just as confused as you are at the prospect of you carrying a half wolf baby.

“Then, how? Are you sure that I am?”

His palm slides down to your abdomen. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I could feel it for a couple of days, but I couldn’t really tell until now.”

“Were you in my head?”

He nods. “Sorry, I didn't know that was possible with you.”

“Don't be. I loved feeling you like that. Is this how this always is with other wolves?”

“Yeah, it can be pretty intense.”

Frank tries to force a smile but his unreadable, restrained expression concerns you.

“What are you not telling me?”

He looks away, swallowing the lump in his throat.

“Frank?” You sit down and cup his face, moving it so you can lock eyes with him. “I might not have your skills, but I can tell when you’re hiding something.”

His gaze veers down to see his hand gently curling around your arm as he draws patterns with his thumb on your skin.

“I called a friend from my old pack when you were asleep,” he confesses with a crushing heaviness that pours out of his despondent tone. “She's a doctor. She said you can't have this baby, that it's a curse placed on wolves like me that detract from their packs. They can never conceive with humans except during blue moons, it's a small window that happens every two or three years.”

“How is it a curse?”

“Cause it'll kill both of you. It won’t happen right away, but eventually, no matter how much you give him, it’ll never be enough. He’ll starve you before it’s born, and he’ll die with you. It’s happened a handful of times that she knows of.”

“Oh,” you utter, still struggling to catch up with all the information that's hard to assimilate.

“I'm sorry. This is my fault. I did this to you. But I promise I’ll fix it.”

“How?”

“She has a clinic a few hours away. She’ll see us tomorrow. Said it was better to do it before it’s too late.”

“Get rid of it? What if we don't?”

“What do you mean? Haven't you heard me? You can't carry this pregnancy.”

“I heard you. But what if there's another way. What if you turned me? Would that work?”

“Sweetheart, I don’t know if that would work. If you wanna have a baby, we'll figure out a way to do it safely, but I'm not taking that chance here cause I don't wanna lose you,” he pauses with a long sigh. “I always thought you didn’t wanna be like me.”

“I never said that. I wouldn’t mind being like you if I had to. It just always seemed too scary.”

“It is scary. How about we just take a breath. We have the whole night to think about it, we’ll meet her first thing in the morning and see what she tells us, alright?”

“But I saw it in my dream. He curled up on my side.”

“I saw, baby. It was beautiful.” He leans forward, touching his forehead to your own, sliding his palm at the back of your neck.

“I know it’s crazy, I feel insane for even thinking about it, but I’d like to try.”

Against all your fears upon death, an irrational thought produced by that strange feeling that’s most likely a cocktail of hormones mixed with whatever it’s growing inside you crawls to your mind. You should listen to Frank; but the more you think about it, the less you want to let go of that picture you saw of you and Frank and that small wolf pup that was just a bundle of love.

— credits: divider by @cafekitsune

[sturn-wrld]

🪼night drives

pairing: matt x reader

summary: where matt takes reader on a drive when they can't sleep

genre: fluff

warnings: nothing

a/n: i finally posted this :)

masterlist

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

despite you being wrapped up in your lovers arms and consumed by his scent, you could not get to sleep. you slightly shift your body forward to reach for your phone to check the time.

4:26 am.

you sigh as you see the time having been even later to when this awful spell of not sleeping overcame you. you slightly shift back into the arms of your lover and turn to be facing the ceiling.

you love having sleepovers with matt but you just couldn't sleep well lately and it was really taking a toll on you. as you start at the roof finally deciding it's time to try again with sleep and rotate to face your majestic boyfriend.

"can't sleep babe?" you hear muttered out of his beautiful lips still half asleep. "no. i don't know why."

"come on then" he says as he starts to sit up followed by fully removing himself from his bed. "you coming or not?" he says as he forages for his shoes.

you slowly get up getting your shoes as well and following him downstairs. "where are we going?" you ask genuinely curious about the sudden need to go somewhere. "the car" he says as you stare in confusion.

"why?"

"because you can't sleep and i know the car is relaxing for you"

you look at matt with nothing but absolute love as he admits to remembering something no one else ever has.

he grabs two bottles of water as the two of you walk to his car and get in.

as he pulls the car out of the driveway he places one hand on your thigh keeping the other on the steering wheel. you just look down at his hand now caressing your thigh and then at him as you smile at each other.

after about 20 minutes he stops the car before getting out and running around the car to open your door before you can.

you look around in confusion before he grabs your hand to pull you into a park type area. "why are we here?" you ask just wanting to squash your confusion "because this is where i go when i can't sleep. it's so calming." you look at him with bliss as you grab his hand to sit on a bench and place your head on his shoulder.

"it is really nice here" you added after about 5 minutes of sitting. "we should come more often" you said with a yawn as you start to relax next to matt. "we should" matt replies.

after another 20 minutes of sitting in what could possibly be the calmest place on earth, matt looks to you to see that you have fallen asleep on his shoulder. he scoops you up bridal style and we places you in the passenger seat of the car.

"we should definitely come here more"



tags

@ermdontmindthisaccount @its-jennarose

[transgriffin]

Just watched Godzilla: Minus One! (Spoiler free review/rant)

They promised and they gosh darn delivered - the human drama is fantastically written, with a lot of food for thought. We see the very unsettling internal struggle of a war-traumatized protagonist who cannot seem to find meaning in his life after surviving WWII. We see the stories of the people around him, souls scarred from the loss of life that resulted from the bombings. And we also see the human spirit prevailing through the darkness, in the middle of the rubble, as the dust of war settles, yet never allows them to forget what was lost and destroyed.

Godzilla - terror incarnate in the most beautiful and majestic flesh, gets presented to the audience as a real sucker-punch to the gut. The horror is palpable as the air rumbles and the brass roars our most beloved Ifukube tunes at the arrival of movie history's most prolific monster. Toho does not dare hide his presence in the shadows - in fact we get blessed with detailed shots of his body design, truly able to savour the artistry that was poured into his likeness, and that without ever breaking the pace. When he appears, he is truly here, and he has come to obliterate. This incarnation of Godzilla is brutality, and yet, I could not help but feel reminded of Jurassic Park's Tyrannosaurus rex in some shots, behaving like an animal does.

His eyes!!! This Godzilla does not walk over the city ignoring the ant-like humans in his wake. He knows that you are there. He is looking at you. He is coming to get you. And yet, you never get a real idea of what goes on inside this god of destruction's mind.

The story doesn't stop unfolding until its very end, where one is kept biting one's nails and shivering in the chair until, finally...

If your local cinema is still showing the film, I IMPLORE you to go watch it on the big screen. This film does so much with sound design, it truly ensures that you WILL feel the terror, you will feel the earth shaking and the world shattering at the arrival of GOJIRA.

Kenpachiro Satsuma-san, I hope you got to see this movie in all its glory before you left this earth. I hope they will add a dedication to you in the home release.

[ak319]

Yan G!P Princess x fem reader

Part IV ➺ Part III

Your name is Deniz here

(YOUR POV)

The buggy halted before the palace's entrance and I jumped out. "Ah, Ms. Deniz, you certainly didn't disappoint." My eyes were fixed on the other buggy pulling in, my game strapped in the backseat. "She's a mighty catch," Richard commented making my heart swell in pride. It was an arduous task considering it was my first time hunting and the target being such a wonder in itself however, Louisa was a great mentor and I felt as if I had been hunting my whole life. The deer’s compact body, about the size of a large dog, is limp, with its slender legs bound together. Its head, with majestic, pointed antlers, hangs to one side, eyes half-closed, giving a glimpse of the dark, glassy orbs beneath. The scent of fresh earth and musk clings to it, mingling with the metallic tang of blood.

Attendants worked around it, preparing to carry it inside. I almost felt guilty for shooting such a noble creature but somehow I did feel a bit alive especially because I imagined Kade's face while pulling the trigger.

"Shall we? The Princess awaits. And your tea too." The older man's voice made me turn to face him at last.

"Where are my parents?"

"They are still at the cabin, being tended to. After tea, I will bring them here. Now, please, let's not keep Her Grace waiting." I rolled my eyes and nodded, allowing him to lead the way. As we walked, I took in the sophisticated yet opulent decor. Attendants were turning on lamps as the sun dipped below the horizon, and I hadn’t realized how quickly time had passed.

Richard then opened a door and I sighed entering to see Kade sitting on an armchair near the fireplace. Her hazel eyes, usually so expressive, were momentarily distant as she gazed at the steam rising from the fine china teacup in her hand. Then she abruptly put the cup down and stood up with her arms behind her back.

"How did it go?" Her voice was almost a low murmur. "Went great..., fun. It's beautiful, and I wanted to ask if I can take it's head."

Her lips curled into a half-smile, but something in my gut told me it was insincere, her eyes remaining unmoved. "Of course." It struck me as odd that she hadn’t offered me any tea. I was exhausted, having been brought directly from the airport. I wondered if my parents were feeling the same.

"But... I’m sorry, I can’t. If it had been hunted legally, I would have allowed it." My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Clearing my throat, I let out a snort. "What do you mean by 'legally'?"

"Hunting on the royal family's grounds is not permitted. And you did it." Is she serious right now, or is this some sort of twisted prank?

"What are you saying? Is this a joke? You asked me to! You know what, never mind, keep the head."

"She is right." The hairs on my skin stood up at the sudden intrusion of King Ewan and some people behind him. My eyes darted between Kade and them.

"M-I don't understand. Kade? What's- " Calm down Deniz, calm down. Don't lose your mind right now. "Sir, your daughter asked me to hunt the Muntjac, you can ask Richard. Louisa went with me and-"

"It doesn't matter, girl. You broke the law. You trespassed." My throat went dry as he now stood towering over me. My eyes, now pathetically pleading for some clarity and support stared at Kade, who was standing so stoically. So...this was a trap?

"YOU! EVERY TIME I THINK THAT MAYBE YOU WILL LEAVE ME ALONE YOU FUCKING DO SOMETHING TEN TIMES MORE DIABOLICAL!" Ignoring the King's presence I stormed towards her.

"YOU ARE CRAZY! A NUTCASE! Kade, please, please fucking say that you are pranking me right now."

"I am not, Deniz. You went to hunt, on your own accord."

"I DIDN'T! YOU INVITED ME HERE!"

"ENOUGH! Don't you talk to her like that!"

"TELL YOUR DAUGHTER TO STOP DOING THIS TO ME!" I couldn't care less if I was screaming my lungs out at this point but what brought me back to my senses was someone handcuffing me and holding me from both arms.

"LEAVE ME! Please, please, it was- fine I am sorry for hunting but don't-" The King and neither Kade paid any heed to my cries and instead my parents were ordered to be brought in.

I squirmed as I was made to sit on the sofa and continued to call to Kade but she didn't even turn to face me from where she stood. Which made me curse her more and more.

As my parents were brought in, Ewan explained to them what I did but they knew me better than anyone, their daughter wouldn't ever do such a stupid thing as trespassing, and they knew he was lying. It was all a play, a fucking heartless and disgusting plot. Before my father could lunge at the King, he was held back and the next words froze us all.

"Six years, or more. And as you should know, we, the royal family, are not subject to civil or criminal charges. I can press severe charges against her for her behavior as well. And since you two are here on the property as well, it means six years for you too."

The room fell into a deafening silence as my world crumbled. It was all my fault. I should have never come here, never gone hunting. God, Clara's words echoes in my ear , one of our ranting sessions about the rich and the powerful. 'They treat us like dirt for their own gain'. Just look at her eyes now, feigning sympathy. After orchestrating all this, she has the audacity to look at me.

"No...please! Let my daughter go! This is a mistake! She wouldn't do such a thing. They both were acquaintances back in the day and we have proof that she invited us here, that too by BLACKMAILING!" Papa's words fell flat as King continued, unbothered.

"Your bail in the court will be rejected too. But...there is a way, you can stop me from dropping charges and just forgetting about this evening forever." I swayed back and forth shaking my head. I just knew what was coming.

"Look, I am a parent too. At the end of the day, we want the best for our children and their happiness. So why not just put all of this behind us and get Deniz engaged to Kade." There it is, oh, Kade. How predictable. You scheming bitch-

"You would be foolish to reject this. My daughter is perfect in every way not to mention the fact, a princess that is head over heels for your daughter, what more do you want, what more does she want?" He pointed at me.

"You know what I want! SHE KNOWS TOO!" I glared at Kade with disgust. "You all are just blind to it. I never expected the royals to be so cheap. You should be embarrassed." My father's shoulders sagged as my mother tried to support him. Suddenly, she left his side and crouched in front of me, tears streaming down her face. "Deniz, please. I can't lose you for years," she begged, her voice breaking. "Just agree to this and—"

"ARE YOU INSANE, MOTHER?! I'd rather rot in jail than be her wife!"

"Deniz!" My father’s voice boomed, making me flinch. He sighed deeply, but before he could continue, Ewan spoke up. "I'm sorry, but I’m tired of my daughter playing these games too, Deniz. I understand your frustration more than anyone. But you’re the one who can end this, and you’re going to end it today. Isn’t that right, Kade?"

"Yes, father."

"I said, I will rot in jail that means I will rot in jail. That is what is going to happen!"

"Clara and Leo..." Kade grabbed my attention. "They are doing good work, aren't they? Would be a shame if one day they...just lost their jobs and..."

I stood up, but I was restrained from charging at her. "DON'T YOU DARE RUIN THEIR LIVES!"

"Then we shall leave you three to make a choice."

She walked past me, our gazes meeting for a brief second and I felt tears welling up again, overwhelmed by the cruelty of the situation. The way she walked with such authority, it was another jab at me.

"Father." The King glanced at us one more time before making his leave along with her, locking us in the this forsaken room. I stood frozen in despair, still in handcuffs.

"Adam, for God's sake say something. Deniz?!" My mother shook me.

"I said my part. We are not accepting this."

"We are." My head snapped to my father, who came and held me. "You think it's easy? Them sending you to jail? Separating us from you?! We cannot bear that!"

"But you can bear me being tied to this asshole!? This isn't what you taught me papa! Accepting defeat, just like this?"

"Do we have a choice other than this?! Deniz...they can do much worse...and I think they will. Do you think I am happy right now? Begging you to accept this?! You have no idea--how much I am hurting from inside." Seeing him sob made me lose my self-control too. The words flowed as whimpers from my lips.

"I am s-sorry. It's--I should have never come back.." He hugged me along with my mother as tightly as he could.

"Shush. It's not your fault---it can never be. These people, God. They will answer for this day, surely after death. I cannot lose you Deniz, we cannot. At least, we will be able to meet you if you are free..."

"But papa-"

"Enough. Please." His tone was no longer soft making me shiver and shake my head violently, my mother tried her best to comfort me but the world around me was a blur.

"How will I even--live with her, papa?! As her wife?! Forgetting all this?." He said nothing as he turned his head away from me. "I wish I knew...I wish I could help...Deniz. But I am not letting you go to jail."

"I will escape then-!" He cut me off with a dry , defeated chuckle, wiping a tear from my cheek. "It's not easy , Deniz. You are not thinking from a parent's point of view right now, you cannot. Because you don't know how it feels. I just...know you will be happy in some way , some day. Surely being with a princess, the way she loves you I mean-"

"Oh, really?! You too? Thank you for this reassurance! Honestly--wow."

"I am not arguing further, Deniz." He went to the door and before mother and I could stop him, he was face to face with Kade and gave the answer. A yes.

Which was all Kade needed.

"I want Deniz to say it." She turned to you. As if I will.

"Damn you to hell." I wanted to rip off the subtle smirk from her face.

"Very well. So Mr. Adam, I will be escorting her to her chambers, while Richard will-" I didn't hear any shit out of her mouth, I refused to. I just...disassociated at that point.

I was guided to a plush, soft sofa, and the clinking of my handcuffs being released pulled me back to my senses. The faint aroma of Kade’s cologne drifted through the air as she leaned back after freeing me, making me aware of the lavish room around us. The scent was oddly familiar. She took a moment, then rubbed her hands together and settled into the farthest corner of the couch. The sternness she once had was now replaced with a gentle, serene smile.

"This room Deniz, it's ours by the way. Do you like it?" I made no effort to look around, simply staring at the table in front.

"I'm sorry, even though I know... I've made you hate me a thousand times over—maybe even to the point of infinity. But I had no other choice. I hate seeing you like this, but you know what? I’d rather have you hate me for the rest of your life if it means keeping you by my side, because I couldn’t take it anymore. And I wasn’t lying, Deniz, when I wrote that letter. When I said I’d depart from your life, I meant as your admirer. When I told you to release your anger and liberate yourself, it was about letting go of the hate and embracing love—so that we can both end this bitterness and start a new life together. A far better life, and I swear on my life, I’ll make sure of that every single second."

The nerve of this woman to manipulate everyone.

"You’re nothing but a selfish, manipulative, gaslighting piece of shit! A full blown psycho! I don’t even know where to start with you! Have you ever thought about therapy, for fuck’s sake?! And the idea of spending my life with you—hating you? Are you out of your mind?! Do you think that’s romantic or even normal?!" Her jaw clenched and unclenched with every word, but the most frightening thing was that her smile never wavered.

"Deniz…" she whispered, her voice trembling as I gasped for breath, my lips quivering uncontrollably.

"You will never know what it means to be in love... you never will. And by now, I thought you would’ve figured out that even your hate for me feels like the taste of heaven." God, I am terrified.

She stood up, forcing you to meet her gaze. "What’s wrong with me, Deniz, hm? Am I ugly? Am I not your type? Just fucking tell me why you hate me. Or is it because I’m not Reece?" Great. Now we’re really dredging up those wholesome memories, aren’t we?

(Kade's POV)

"JUST FUCKING TELL ME! I WANNA KNOW!" My voice cracked as I yelled, and you nearly leapt off the couch, your panic palpable. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. Tears of guilt, fury, pain, frustration and envy streamed down my face. I wish I’d never met you—maybe then neither of us will be hurting right now. Desperation makes a person do unimaginable things, and a desperate lover like me is even more daring, ready to defy all limits for a fleeting moment of hope. I am both the architect and victim of my own heart’s darkest desires and still I am enjoying every bit of it.

But it’s too late for that now. I should be glad I finally have you where I want you, but it’s hard to feel anything but regret due to the path I had to take. If only you loved me back then we wouldn't be starting our new life like this.

"WHERE DID SHE FUCKING COME FROM?! I have told you this before! I don't want to be with a royal , especially a crazy one like you! And I never felt anything for you!"

"Well too bad. The first reason isn't going to change, ever. But the second will, someday, my heart says so."

"That's why you should have listened to your fucking brain all these years! IF YOU EVEN HAVE ONE!" I know you are right. But again, as if you know what it is like to be in love. It's pointless to argue about this with you.

"Deniz, you have the whole life to hate me, yell at me, blame me. But let me make few things clear. This marriage will happen. Your parents agreed and you are to stay here till then."

"You are making a huge mistake." You threatened but it was more of a plea. A plea to perhaps bring me back to senses.

I chuckled, and it quickly escalated into a full-blown laugh. "Mistake?. Take a look around. I had this room arranged specifically for you, tailored to your tastes, because I knew one day I’d bring you here. I plan everything in advance, and if you didn’t already know, I’ll tell you now—I am just like you, I don’t like to lose. And this time, Deniz, I’ve won. Whether you accept it or not."

Every part of me protested leaving you in that state, but I forced myself to walk out of the room, locking the door behind me. Almost immediately, I heard the sound of things being thrashed and broken, your angry yells echoing through the walls. Predictable.

Even though it shattered my heart into pieces, I still managed to smile, thinking about the future that awaited us. I will make you love me, no matter what. I'll try with every fibre of my being even if you resist till the end of time. For now, I must go to Father and discuss the arrangements for the wedding.

➺PART V

(AN: Kay, why is this giving you and Kade 😩 ??Spoiler, I guess)

[i1f3klic]

Sub! Steve Rogers x Soft Dark! Black Reader

Warnings: smut, language, oral sex, anal sex, mommy kink, Steve being shy to show his boy parts, manipulation, and just reader being a total mommy,

It was a regular Saturday for Steve Rogers, being one of the earths mightiest heroes, it had its kinks. Tony had recommended, no he basically forced all the Avengers to live in the compound, so they could be closer together. So back to Steve, every Saturday morning he would get up before all the avengers, and go for a run, which would take 30 to 50 minutes. But, the best thing of his mornings would to see you. You were always in the kitchen when he got back, he felt as if you estimated the time when he would return. Like you knew that he wanted you, and he perceived that you wanted him to.

You would always start up a conversation with him, because you knew he was always looking at you as if you were stark naked. He always wanted to make a move, but he was a bit insecure of his man parts.

The air in the compound was crisp, it smelt like roasted cinnamon apple. Steve just came back from his morning run, and there you were in the kitchen as usual in your silk black tight nightie.

(Changing perspective)

“Morning Mr. America” I say with a smile. Steve was looking like a morning delight, even after a run he looked breath taking. “Good morning Y/n” he greeted back. Steve was wearing a wife beater with navy blue shorts. His pecs were traced through his shirt, it was a sight for sore eyes. If only he knew the things I’d do to him. I’ve always liked Steve since the first day I’ve seen him. I’m not the back down type , I like going for what I want but with Steve, it was like I didn’t know where to start off from with him.

“How was your run”? I asked as I was making pancakes for Tony and I, that man loved my cooking. “It was alright , I was sweating more than usual” he replied, I looked at him and his head was down to the counter. We barley ever locked eyes , I think he’s scared of me , I like that. “You’re probably just getting old” I laughed, and he let out a small chuckle. He was so cute, I wanted him, no , I needed him.

“You shouldn’t disrespect your elders” he said as he looked at me. Something in his eyes flashed me, it was a zing. I knew that was my chance to do something. “I would never disrespect you sweetie” I said calmly as I made my way over to him. I was standing infront him practically towering him. He looked so innocent , I just wanted to corrupt him, take his innocence away.

I leaned in and kissed him , his lips were so soft. Our tongues were devouring each other. I wanted more, “Come with mommy” I said as I led him to my room. I sat him on my bed and I admired him. Who knew I’d be on the route to fucking Steve Rodgers, he’d been on my hit list for a while. He looked at me , he was so beautiful and precious. I bent down infront him, gliding my hands over his crotch , his dick was rock hard.

I was about to zip his pants down and he stopped me. “I’ve never showed anyone my uhh” he said, red forming on his face, he covered his zipper part with both his hands. I gently grabbed them and looked deeply into his eyes . “You’re safe with me baby , say the world and I’ll stop, anytime. He nodded and unhid his hands. I unzipped his pants and his member flew up, it was a solid 11 inches and he had a pink tip.

I licked around his cock, hearing moans from Steve, I sucked on the sides of his cock and then gobbled it up. Bobbing my head up and down , Steve starts moaning uncontrollably, “uhhh Mommy” he moaned, everything about him turned me on. I got up and got on top of him. I licked his lips and sucked on them, “Your so pretty baby” I said. I licked my lips and took off my nightie, along with everything else Steve was wearing, his abs were majestic looking. I rubbed my hands on his abs and licked on them slowly. Everything about him was perfect and he smelled like lavender.

“Come here” I commanded him, I pointed my hand to the bed and he did as I said. His whole body was exposed , it made be wet jus by looking at it. I went and sat on top of him , with his dick entering inside of me. “Uhh” we both moaned as it entered. He grabbed my waist and motioned up and down. He hit all my spots without even trying. Steve had no idea how much power he had over me. I claw on his back and we’re in sync. Our bodies are colliding, the air smells like me and Steve or sex in general.

I get off from him and arch my back to him, “it’s all yours baby boy”. The room is silent , I guess he was trying to figure out where the hole was. When he entered he groaned loudly, “Just move back and forth” I instructed . He started of slow and sped up after every shot. I moaned and he groaned . His dick was so big , I was enjoying every second of it. He held my love handles (did I use this correctly?) and controlled my shit. We were fucking so loud, the whole team must’ve heard us.

He finally came and we both collapsed unto the bed in awe. “Soooo , how was that Stevie” , “Spectacular”

Hope y’all enjoy <3

[pumpkiiin-spice]

𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗭 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗜 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲. 𝗙𝗹𝘂𝗳𝗳? 𝗜𝗱𝗸. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲. 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗡𝗼𝗻𝗲 (𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿) 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝗛𝗲𝘆~. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻. 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲, 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗧𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮! 𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗧𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁. 𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼, 𝗜 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗰𝗿𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗜 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲. 𝗔𝗻𝘆𝘄𝗮𝘆, 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀. 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝘂𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 ♡. 𝗖𝗰: 𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗧𝗼𝗸

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗷𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀...

𝗷𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗿𝘆.

I like jewelry. There are so many types of jewelry, and you can combine it with any type of clothing too. It can go from eccentric and fancy to simple and minimal. I think it fits well with how I view him (his versatility in fashion, for example). No matter the material of the jewelry, it continues to be beautiful.

𝗦𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀...

𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.

I've always wanted to visit a Gothic structure. It's so... unique, ethereal, and hauntingly beautiful. It gives you chills, but you can't deny its beauty. Just how you can't deny how breathtaking he is.

𝗬𝘂𝗻𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀...

𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱.

I find both the element and the color to be beautiful. Regarding the element, you can create so many beautiful things with it like jewelry, clocks, ecclesiastical art, etc. The color, on the other hand, reminds me a lot of the sunrise. Just anything related to gold in general reminds me of him by the warmth of its color.

𝗬𝗲𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀...

𝗮 𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻.

Bare with me for a second. I know he's a strong guy, physically and mentally, but no one can deny how delicate he may look (NOT in a bad way, btw). It's just... I feel so calm when I'm in a beautiful garden surrounded by all these pretty flowers and fountains and stuff. It's like being in a fairytale. Yeosang feels and looks like the beauty and calmness of a garden.

𝗦𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀...

𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀.

Expensive and fancy. How is this not Choi San? A lot about him screams fancy. And no matter what happens to the diamond, even if it breaks, it'll continue shining. That's how amazing it (he) is.

𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀...

𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.

To clarify, lightning ≠ thunder. With that said, I find lightning to be so unique and impressive. Its unique form and the colors its edges may form are truly impressive. And isn't it curious how it's the only shining thing in the sky during a rain or thunderstorm? Even in the dark, it finds a way to shine.

𝗪𝗼𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀...

𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀.

Northern lights are so colorful and unique that you can't help but be in awe of how ethereal they are. Not many people have the chance to admire them, but it doesn't mean their beauty isn't recognized. And the slow movements of the lights as if they were dancing... Truly majestic.

𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀...

𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗻.

The moon is confirmed to have cold temperatures, but does that stop it from bringing comfort to us? Our Earth's natural satellite is beautiful and majestic, to say the least. Although we see it every night, not everyone takes time to appreciate it. Still, it continues to shine in our night sky and gives us this sense of comfort and calmness we wouldn't expect it to give us.

[berryhobii]

Hi there! First of all, I wanted to say how much I like your work!! As a black woman myself, its is so nice to see other women creating work that represents us and is so well written!

I saw you are accepting requests, and I wanted to ask if you could write about how the LateForWork!Couple met. Like how everything progressed and they fell in love with each other.

Thank you in advance and keep up with the amazing work beautiful <3

Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words!🤧it makes me feel so good knowing that black women are feeling represented in works of fiction. I’ll continue to do my best to represent every black woman out there.

And thanks for the request! I think the LFW couple would meet kind of through Taehyung/Jimin at a company meal. Jungkook’s more of an introvert here with reader/OC being naturally flirty and knowing exactly what they want.

I really enjoyed writing this and I hope you like it!

~

Jungkook didn’t know how he kept letting Taehyung drag him to these meet ups. He didn’t know any of Taehyung’s coworkers or other friends outside of Jimin so he felt really awkward sitting at this table. He’d much rather be at home right now, maybe live streaming Little Nightmares 2 or cracking open the new Resident Evil game he had just received through pre order.

All Taehyung had to do was bribe him with promises of expensive beef and fancy desserts for him to leave the comfort of his home. Taehyung even managed to force him into a loose button up shirt just as Jungkook was about to throw on his signature hoodie. Goodness, that man was strong when he had a goal. At least Jungkook would get some free food today and maybe a sweet to take home so tonight wouldn’t be a total waste.

His face was practically glued to his phone, focus on clearing all of the jelly on this level of Candy Crush. He was down to 1 move and one more jelly square but there were no moves in that area that could help him! Urgh! And he didn’t want to uselessly use any of his power ups. Should he just lose his streak?

Just as he was about to move the candy, a hand came out of nowhere and did it for him. That move created a power up that triggered itself thus clearing the jelly and causing him to win the level. When the happy music played along with that little girl popping up to tell him he won, he couldn’t fight the smile on his face.

Then he realized that he didn’t make that move. Turning around, he was expecting to see Taehyung or Jimin but his mouth dropped at the sight of the person.

You were……what words could he use?

Beautiful? Gorgeous? Majestic? Attractive? Stunning? All of the above?

Your skin was dewy and effervescent, even the lights that lit up the restaurant paled in comparison to your glistening and dark skin. You looked like earth personified—graceful and cool and he just knew you sparkled when the sun hit you.

Your hair was in a half up half down style, claw clip holding it up, 2 locks of hair framed your face and were curled at the end. Your lashes were long and your full lips were shiny with gloss.

He couldn’t take his eyes off you, it was hard to look away when such a gem was standing before him. Could someone even be that exquisite in real life?

And when you smiled, he swore he heard angels singing in his ears.

“I hate when there’s only one move left yet nothing around it. I just know my FBI agent sees me throw a fit over it every day.”

His brain short circuited for a moment. Were you initiating conversation with him? About a game? Willingly? Oh god, is he getting pranked right now? He thought Ashton Kutcher was dead. Is he?

Stop thinking about possibly dead actors! There’s a pretty girl in front of you!

He cleared his throat. “Yeah. They must be concerned I’m having a mental breakdown because they advertised a therapist to me.” He actually shocked himself a little from how easily those words flowed out. Small talk with a stranger was not a specialty of his.

Your laugh was loud and a little goofy but so endearing, it made him chuckle as well.

“Candy Crush will do that to you. I wouldn’t be surprised if the creators opened a rehab for us.”

“It’ll just be us having group discussions on how bringing hazelnuts to the bottom has been affecting our ability to form positive relationships.”

He couldn’t believe how easy conversation was flowing between you two. For some reason, he didn’t feel pressured or nervous speaking to you. You just seemed so open and kind.

Who were you?

“Jungkook! I see you met one of my coworkers. She’s super hot, isn’t she? I told her to let me make her a model but she insists on staying in PR. Boring.” Jimin appeared out of nowhere like a jump scare, draping an arm over your shoulders. Jungkook’s face faltered a little. Jimin was the biggest flirt known to mankind. He could probably charm the pants off a dead person if he wanted to. If you knew him, and more importantly if you worked with him, you must have been on the opposite side of his flirting. Was it a possibility that you two were closer than coworkers?

But instead, you just rolled your eyes, moving his arm off of you.

“Save that talk for your next spread, Park. Don’t think I’ve forgotten that you still haven’t submitted your portfolio.”

Jimin’s smile never dropped despite your slightly cold attitude. He could tell you were just poking fun at him.

“Anyway, Jungkook, this is y/n. y/n, this is Jungkook.”

“I can introduce myself, thank you.” You said before pulling out the chair next to Jungkook and sitting down. That movement caused your perfume to flutter all around him—it was light but sweet like some kind of dessert.

Once you were settled, you turned your body to Jungkook, propping your elbow on the table to lean your cheek against it.

And the way your hooded eyes stared at him sent a harsh shiver from the top of his head all the way to his toes. He didn’t even notice Jimin’s smirk or how the man tip toed away to gossip to his favorite buddy.

“I’m y/n.”

He opened his mouth but no sound came out. He didn’t know why his throat felt dry all of a sudden.

Oh great, he could chat with you about mobile games and FBI agents but getting his name out was difficult?

Clearing his throat, he forced out his name, voice cracking a little at the end. Embarrassment rushed through his body, heat rising to his ears and he was grateful his hair was long enough to cover them.

You must think he was a dork now.

You giggled, your eyelashes fluttering and making his heart weak.

“Nice to meet you.”

He shyly nodded. “You too.”

“Sorry about Jimin. He’s like that at work too.”

Jungkook pushed his hair back with one hand, not noticing how your eyes followed the motion. “At least you only have to work with him. Imagine knowing him since childhood.”

You pressed your hand against your chest in faux distress. “How awful. I could only imagine the pain you endure daily.”

Wow. You were so easy to talk to. He had completely forgotten about his phone, tucking it into his pocket to finally have a rest.

Eventually, food and drinks began flowing. Taehyung and Jimin joined you two at the table but not even they could pop the bubble that you’ve formed.

Jungkook could barely focus on his food. You had his full attention, holding onto every word and laugh that fell from your lips. He found you to be witty but also humble, not afraid to poke a little fun at Taehyung and Jimin who just laughed right along with you.

You were mesmerizing. He almost hated blinking if it meant your beautiful face left his sight.

And when you would turn your attention back to him, not realizing that you’ve never left his, you’d send him a flirty wink and coy smile that would send his blood pressure through the roof from how his heart would stutter and race. If a doctor was listening with a stethoscope right now, they’d think the organ was giving out on him.

“So how’d you end up here?” You asked after taking a sip of your drink.

He sighed, eyes going over to the other side of the table where Taehyung was showing Jimin something on his phone but the man was so drunk that he was holding it upside down. And Jimin probably didn’t even notice, laughing as if he could understand the upside down photo. “Taehyung dragged me here. Said I need to start getting out more and I can’t waste my youth playing games all day. He keeps pushing me to date but I’m not that interested right now.”

Well, that was before. Now, however, he was starting to change that view.

You hummed, using your chopsticks to eat a piece of meat, chewing carefully and swallowing before speaking again.

“Does it make you happy?”

That was a question he didn’t hear people ask him often. Well, in a genuine way. He’d normally hear it rhetorically. He’s heard it come from his parents more times than he could count, followed by a lecture that he’d drown out.

He blinked a few times. Gaming did make him happy. He appreciated the hard work creators put into each frame, the adrenaline he got from jump scares, and the accomplishment from completing one. “Yeah….it does.”

“Then that’s what matters. Who cares if someone else feels like you’re wasting your life? It’s yours. You can’t be focused too much on what others want for you. You’ll only neglect your own self.”

Wow.

“Then again, we should thank Taehyung from forcing you out tonight.”

He tilted his head. He would absolutely never do that but he was intrigued by your suggestion. “Really? Why?”

You didn’t say anything, just gazed at him with those captivating eyes and he knew exactly what you meant.

Maybe he should thank Taehyung.

As the night came to a close, he helped escort Taehyung to his car. Jimin had left a little earlier with a person you identified as one of the newest members of management. Apparently, they were kind of resistant to Jimin’s flirting at first but had crumbled after about 4 months of Jimin trying and trying. Jungkook recalls Jimin speaking about this person, claiming he was in love with them and would respectfully shoot his shot whenever possible.

That left Jungkook with a drunk Taehyung and you were helping your coworker who lived in the same apartment building as you.

Jungkook didn’t just want to see you walk away. Who knows if he’d ever see you again? And he refused to ask Jimin or Taehyung for your number. The teasing would never end.

“Hey…..wait.” He called out to you after practically dumping Taehyung in the back seat. You had parked right in front of his car and were buckling your roommate’s seatbelt who was slumped over asleep.

You turned to him after closing the passenger door, your eyes locking in with his.

There was that nervousness again but he swallowed it down. He couldn’t chicken out now! Not when you’d been getting along so well this evening.

“Um…..look, if you don’t mind, could I have your number? Maybe we can hang out sometime.”

You eyed him up and down but not in a checking him out kind of way. It was like you were analyzing him, finding every little crack in his personality that you could.

He honestly felt a little vulnerable. Why weren’t you speaking? Hadn’t tonight gone well? Was he just trying his luck and you’re already dating someone? Oh god, were you just being nice and he took it as you flirting with him?! Assumptions really were dangerous.

He was about to apologize and roll under his car to stay there until the end of time before you finally spoke.

“I’m not a maybe type of woman, Jungkook.” You spoke bluntly.

His mouth dropped a little in shock. Not necessarily because of your blunt tone but because you were just his fucking type. You knew what you wanted and that was his cup of tea.

You didn’t wait for him to respond, rounding your car to open the driver’s side. He just watched you with doe eyes and a funny feeling swirling in his tummy.

However, before you got in, you said,

“I don’t wait around.”

And on his drive home with a snoring Taehyung in the back, he thought one thing….

~

When you arrived at work Monday morning, it was to a bunch of people surrounding your desk. That wasn’t really out of the ordinary since people often got their assignments of the day from you.

What was out the ordinary though?

The huge bouquet of flowers that sat just in the middle of your desk, the colors vivid and the arrangement looking larger than your desk.

Your coworkers chatted excitedly about the flowers as you approached but you ignored them. Instead, you reached for the little card on a plastic stand just nestled between the blooms.

You had to bite your lip to fight your smile but you couldn’t fight the feeling that was rising in your chest.

I don’t either.

[jumpywhumpywriter]

The Wolf... and Death - "Death is Beautiful, and Death is Kind"

Warning: very sad and detailed death of a wolf (from old age), encounter with death as a person, the transition from life to death (It might make some people cry so beware!)

Another ‘moral of the story’ snippet I wrote with more of Wise Wolf’s wisdom. I wrote this one to describe the value of life and how meaningful it is, how much we should appreciate the scarce time we are given. “Death is beautiful, and Death is kind.” – quote by me

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

Wolf had lived a long life, far longer than most of his kind. But silver hairs now streaked through his once jet-black pelt as he padded though the lush forest he called home. Spring was such a beautiful season, signifying the beginning of new growth.

Time was a permanent form of currency, once spent it would never be gotten back again. It was like a river that never stopped flowing, as old and ancient as the earth itself. Life is born, to die, and somewhere else, another life is born anew. The cycle of nature's precious balance.

Wolf's majestic head hung low as he trekked through the forest, pollen from trees dusting his fur, the sun chasing away the cold of fall. There was a weariness aching deep in his bones and muscles, a tiredness that constantly tugged at him with every pawstep.

But he kept going. He knew his life was nearing its end, he had already prepared for it. And there was a special place he wanted the magical moment of transitioning to take place.

He pushed his way through bushes and brambles that snagged at his thinning fall coat. The trail didn't seem this long last time he'd traveled it, but he'd also been young and spry back then. The sound of water running over rocks reached his sensitive ears, and they pricked up hopefully. Soon enough, he left the tangle of bushes and reached the edge of a wide, babbling brook.

It was fed by a natural spring, and Wolf crouched at its edge, drinking long and deep from the crisp, cold water. His joints creaked with the movement, but he sated his thirst, lapping greedily and letting the blessed coolness slide down his throat.

Then Wolf stretched stiffly with a wide yawn, showcasing worn-down teeth, before he laid down on his side in the lush grass to rest, right next to the brook. He was cold, despite the sun shining down on him with all its welcoming warmth.

The sweet smell of spring flowers wafted over him, and a light breeze ruffled his fur. His matted fur. Shaggy pelt. Unkempt and ruffled with age. It was peaceful here, the lovely song of birds echoing through the forest, weaving into the murmuring of the water.

Wolf's side rose and fell with shallow, wheezing breaths as he laid limply, enjoying all the beauty and flourishing life around him. How strange it was that life was so fleeting, so precious, but only for a heartbeat before it would be gone. Wolf had lived for decades, but it was only a millisecond in time compared to eternity. And the world would keep turning long after he was gone.

Wolf had grown weak and frail after a life of power and strength, his hide stretched thinly over bones. He remembered how he used to run through open meadows, reveling in how his lithe muscles moved and propelled him forward. The sheer unbridled freedom of his existence. It all seemed... so far away now.

Wolf's dull amber eyes cracked open to watch a butterfly land on his snout, like a final kiss from nature before it fluttered off in a burst of bright color. He could feel the weariness taking over, he was just... so.. tired. It wouldn't be long now.

Wolf's ears flicked back attentively at the sound of footsteps coming closer, and he weakly shifted his head to look behind him.

Emerging from the treeline, was a tall woman with dark skin, wearing a black hooded cloak as dark as the night sky that looked like it was speckled with a million stars, sweeping elegantly behind her as she stepped into the field Wolf was laying in. She crossed through the flower-filled meadow to where Wolf was with enviable grace in her fluid movements, coming to sit down in the grass at his side.

"Oh my dear Wolf, you picked such a beautiful place to rest." Her voice was light and melodic, pleasant to listen to.

Wolf parted his jaws to speak, his rumbling voice coming out raspy. "You are..."

"Death. Yes," the woman finished. "I come to those who need me and make sure they are not alone when they leave this world, and will never be alone again. The pack you once ran with awaits you in my realm, they howl in joy for you."

Wolf's lip pulled back into some semblance of a faint smile, as much as a wolf could achieve. He had cheated Death many times before, but this time he was ready for her. Welcomed her. He used to picture Death as a cruel, ugly creature that sapped the lives of those around them, but now that Death was here with him, all he saw was the beauty in it. Death was beautiful, and Death was kind.

Wolf shivered with the cold that was slowly seeping into him, and he felt a gentle hand pass over his shoulder soothingly, running through his fur.

"Death... if I may have a dying wish...?" Wolf's voice was no more than a whisper on a breath of air.

The woman's face was soft and knowing as she gazed down at him with crystal blue eyes. "Of course, Wolf."

"May I... stay here a bit longer before I go?" Wolf asked quietly. "The flowers... are just so perfect..."

Death smiled angelically. "You don't have much longer, but I will allow you a few more minutes. Would you like me to leave you to pass in peace?"

"No..." Wolf murmured. "Please stay... until the end. I... don't want to be alone."

"As you wish, Wolf. I will remain here. I won't leave you." Death stroked his head with a tender hand, and Wolf let out a tired breath, taking in the scent of the flowers and the water, the musky aroma of fallen leaves on the forest floor. His cloudy golden eyes lifted to the darkening sky that turned shades of orange, red, and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Stars became visible, stars like the ones in Death's cloak as darkness closed in and swallowed the light. Crickets started to chirp, a peaceful white noise in the background.

"Wolf... it is time for you to let go," Death said softly.

"...I know," Wolf answered faintly. He was ready now.

Death leaned over Wolf and kissed his furry cheek softly. Wolf let out a final shuddering sigh, and stilled, eyes slipping closed. A peaceful wave of cold washed over him, and when his eyes opened again, the aching pain was gone, the weariness that had so often plagued him.

Wolf got to his paws and took a few steps forward, before looking back over his shoulder. He saw the mound of matted black fur lying amidst the flowers, unmoving. Death pulled away from it, gracefully rising to her feet to come stand at Wolf's side.

Wolf glanced at himself in the reflection of the water in the brook. His own coat was thick and luscious again like in the years of his youth, speckled with starlight, though faded in appearance. He felt weightless and timeless in this new form.

"Am I... truly gone?" Wolf breathed.

Death nodded. "It is time for you to come home, my dear Wolf. You don't live here anymore. There is a place waiting for you, where you can run free with your pack again for the rest of eternity."

Wolf dipped his noble head. "Thank you, Death... for taking my pain away."

Death smiled, a beautiful smile framed by dark skin, and gestured beckoningly to him and she started walking away. Wolf followed with his tail and head held high, happiness filling his chest.

Life becomes more meaningful when you realize the simple fact that you will never get the same moment twice... so Wolf had made the most of every second he'd been given. He had no regrets, and rejoiced at the thought of being reunited with family. He didn't look back at the body he was leaving behind, for it mattered no more. A bright eternity awaited.

Masterlist

This is part of a series of stories with moral impactful endings just like this one. The others are "The Wolf and The Human" and The Wolf and The House Dog"

@scoundrelwithboba @lumpofsand @isikedmyself878 @iamheretohurt @fleur-a-whump

@ay5ksal @otterfrost @sausages-things @i-don't-know-sal

[princessroyal95]

Freedom (Donquixote Doflamingo x Reader)

Warning: This chapter contains sexual content. If you don't like this type of content, don't read on, even if it means you'll lose information about the story.

You know perfectly well that you cannot escape destiny because you are already part of its life. A tortuous life that you never wanted to be a part of. Your parents abandoned you when you were just a child. You have suffered many abuses from other children and from men who only see a simple girl who can open her legs to anyone. You want to die of shame and disappear from the face of the earth. You don't want to live any more and you want someone to strangle you until you see the light and understand that it is time to leave.

You became a slave for the Heavenly Kings. They marked you as theirs and no one could buy you. You were already giving it all away, you were just a toy for those people who think they are untouchable. And one day, while you were in the Sabaody archipelago, your eyes were fixed on a rather handsome boy, with blond hair and a big unforced smile showing how happy he was. You know he is twice your age, but there was something about him that captivated you too much and you are afraid that it is a sin to have wet dreams about him.

You only know one thing and you know that name that anyone who uttered it would be executed. He is a powerful man within the government, just another dog.

Donquixote Doflamingo.

When you knew his name you didn't stop dreaming about him, having wet dreams, wanting to be part of his world full of freedom and not being a slave to anyone else. Only of him. That man full of sins and is a forbidden fruit for any woman. Those girls are too lucky to have him around. I wish luck would fall from the sky, but you have never had hope.

However, one day during the night, you hear someone open the window that gave access to your room and you wake up with some fear thinking that someone was going to rape or kidnap you. And you didn't expect that man in a flamenco coat to appear there as if he were a gentleman about to save his lady. You were impressed, you couldn't articulate any of the impressions. Doflamingo extended his hand as an invitation to free you from that prison. A place that you do not feel happy.

You, without a moment's hesitation, accepted it, being hypnotized for a few moments by the gaze of the Shichibukai. He simply smiles and attracts you strongly to get you out of there in a majestic way: flying through the air. You open your eyes impressed that this man could fly freely through the air, demonstrating that he is a true bird. Perhaps, it is due to his ability, something you heard at that moment. Fatigue overcomes you, so you close your eyes in fear that everything is a dream.

And after a few hours, you are pleasantly surprised to find yourself in a different place than the prison. It was the ship of the pirates of Donquixote, you were in the ship of that famous man. You cowered in your seat, listening to him walk towards you, and it was that man who was ready to raise his hand towards you. You closed your eyes in fear that he would hurt you; however, you never expected Doflamingo to take away that necklace that was a torture for you for many years.

You wanted to cry at that moment. Now you feel free. Before his eyes you were a caged bird who wanted to feel freedom, to have the wind play with your hair and know that you are safe now. He was not going to let anyone hurt you without his consent until you said you would be in his service, that you would be a slave to him.

"No," he replies curtly, leaving you confused, "you will be more than my slave.

You didn't understand those words until you realized why many women want him. He is a dominant man who likes to have in his power everything he desires and he, since he saw you, has always wanted to hold you in his arms and give you all the love you have never had. And when it comes to beautiful ladies like you, he would kill anyone who dared to look at you or hurt you.

You were trained all the way through him to satisfy him as much as he wanted. Do you want to know what his training was? Oh, every time you think about that, you blush and your panties get wet instantly. He trained your body to get used to him and how you should play with him. A long training process that always left you wanting more and wanting to get more. You never reached more. He always left you in that tortuous process that is frustrating for you. Why does he do that to you? Maybe so that you would understand that what he says has to be followed perfectly.

Four weeks of suffering and, in the end, you reached your destination. The place where the great Shichibukai reigned, proclaimed as king of those lands: Dressrosa. How is it possible that this ten-foot man has such a reign? Every time this man surprises you, what he is capable of doing. Although you notice how your body tensions feeling that something is going to happen in that kingdom. You can tell just by looking at Doflamingo who just smiled and kept looking at you. You avert your eyes a little flushed, the man's face was intimidating and it makes you a little nervous. You appreciate how that tall man touches your chin and his fingers are calling for your attention and for you to look at him.

"Tonight will be the big day," he says very close to your face, "I want you to be ready for what is going to happen. His fingers ascend your face, slowly caressing one of your cheeks. "Today you will be mine," he whispers and then walks away as soon as your cheeks have turned pinker than ever.

Your heart has not stopped beating since that man uttered those words: "Today you will be mine". Today will be the day when your wettest dreams will come true, and you will even notice how your throat is drying up as the moment approaches. And the worst thing of all is that Baby 5 has been with you all this time buying you a lace outfit for tonight because Doflamingo asked her to. You just hope it's not too... sexy. You wanted the earth to swallow you up at that moment, since the girl made you try one on and you looked adorable in anyone's eyes. You wanted to take it off, but she stopped you from doing so because she forced you to put on your usual clothes.

You were getting nervous because the time was coming, only a few hours away from going to that man's room. You notice how your panties are starting to get wet every time your thoughts go beyond your imagination. Until, without realizing it, you were biting your lip hard, wanting that moment to come.

And finally, you were already in his room patiently waiting for your lover? You weren't sure, since he said you weren't a slave in his eyes. You are something else to him. A gift from heaven? Lover? Partner? Many words and prayers, and before you knew it, "The Joker" was in the room admiring the great gift in the bed. It was you, that woman who wished to hold her in his arms and free her from that prison of torture.

"What are you thinking about?" You get scared when you hear his voice.

"Nothing," you simply say at that very moment, looking away from him.

"I don't like it when he talks to you, you turn your face away." He was already close to you as he put his hand on your head caressing your hair.

"I can't help it," you confess, looking up at yourself and finding the man helpless. A man who is a sin to touch.

"You are already trained, my little bird." You blush at the sound of that name he gave you a long time ago. "It's time for you to be mine tonight."

And without waiting, he puts you completely to bed, cornering you between the sheets with his legs and arms. You feel small next to her because of the difference in height between the two. And more knowing the nature of Donquixote, a bit dominant that with only the look is able to undress you completely. With so many thoughts you didn't realize that he was already kissing you with some impotence your lips, as if he hadn't tried them for a long time. You groaned softly while you had your hands in his hair pulling strongly.

You laughed knowing perfectly how you were in bed. For him, it was the wick that lights up your heart and your lower self that you were already really wet. He doesn't miss the chance to take off those clothes that were in his way to touch every pore of your skin and, obviously, to see that lace of clothes he asked Baby 5 to make.

He licks his lips at the sight of those sexy clothes for his eyes and also for any man but him. He doesn't even want to think what would happen if someone other than him dared to touch you. He knows deep down that you are not a virgin because of what has happened to you. You didn't have to tell him what happened because he saw every battle, every scar that decorates your body because of those evildoers. He wanted to find them and kill them with his own hands.

You carry your hands to your lace clothes with some shyness almost covering your whole body. Doflamingo smiles seeing that you are still quite shy. His somewhat skilful fingers slowly caress your entire body, exploring every pore of your skin making your lips come out with little sighs of pleasure that made the King of Dressrosa tremble. He loved to listen to you in that way, so submissive to him and his eyes.

He didn't want to take that lace off because you looked so attractive with it, but he wanted to touch those mountains that decorate your chest. And thank God the hook was in front of you so that he could take it off. Your breasts bounced a little when they felt released by that garment and your nipples stood up when you felt the breath of that old man very close to them. You blush even more, remaining a little vulnerable while you feel that tongue that is a little bit too sharp for your body and that you are moaning softly. You want more from him and, as if he had read your mind, one of his hands descends to your lower body, slowly caressing your panties. A sullen laugh appears on his lips alerting you.

"Are you wet already, my little bird?"

"Yes...," you answer bluntly.

"As I like you to be wet for me," he moves that garment away a little, slowly caressing your clitoris; however, his fingers were slipping because of your essence. "Do you want to put it in so badly?"

"Yes.

"The truth is that you are too prepared."She licks her lips again while looking at you. "In fact, I can stick it in you now."

In fact, I can stick it in you now."

"I want him, Doflamingo," you say his name, but he looks at you as if he doesn't want you to call him that in private.

"Have you forgotten what you should call me already?" With his fingers, he opens the folds of your entrance and with one of his fingers he caresses and makes circles in your entrance.

"Please, Daddy."

"That's the way I like it," Kiss your lips again, tasting that sweet and sour taste in your mouth.

And without further ado, he sticks two fingers in where you arch your back in surprise and a great moan escapes very close to his lips. That invasion started to move strongly inside you causing little spasms in your body and you open your legs more and more receiving more and more. That wide smile that decorated Donquixote's face expanded even more, perceiving that you were receptive to his caresses. He has trained you too well during the journey.

He grunts quietly feeling you close those vaginal walls warning that you are about to have your first orgasm that night and he let you free him. He wants to see you more prepared than before because, let's say, his member is not small or medium. Because he is too tall and size matters.

A great vacuum is created in your lower zone while you are trying to recover some air, and with the cloudy view, you see how that man unbuttons his trousers showing his great majestic virility that you only swallow saliva. You have already tried it once in your mouth, too big and with a great thickness that you thought it would never fit in it, but it is possible with training. Besides, you also tried its essence, a bit bitter but addictive.

It holds your wrists to make you turn your body upside down and puts you in a position of four, which makes you blush even more knowing perfectly what their fetishes were. He told you about them and his favourite was this one, because, as we well know, the human is like an animal born from Homo Sapiens. And almost most animals do it this way and for a man it is most exciting.

Without warning, you already notice the size of that limb entering your cavity and releasing a strong moan and, unconsciously, you bite hard on the sheets. It's been years since you've done this and you don't remember how badly it made you sick. However, with him it is different, it feels wonderful that you wished that this feeling of emptiness would not end. Until you feel it moving with some savagery inciting those spasms again. It is as if he already knows every part of you in just a few weeks. That's what you get when you're someone with some experience, right?

You feel his hands resting on your waist wanting to go deeper into the onslaught, listening to every moan for every blow you receive. Your vaginal walls squeeze that great span until you feel it touches a point somewhat unknown to you that you collapse instantly. Doflamingo just laughs internally finding a little button. A little treasure better than the One Piece: the G-spot.

Hit hard that area where you no longer moan, but scream loud and clear. It is as if he wants your sounds to be heard by all of Dressrosa so that everyone knows that you are his and no one else's. And whoever dares to touch you will be a dead man.

And finally, you notice the second orgasm releasing him completely and he does the same releasing his seed inside you. You blush with strength when you notice that hot semen running all over your vaginal area. You bite your lip with some excitement and close your eyes tightly and fall tired.

His hand slowly caresses your hair making you relax a little and fall asleep instantly. You didn't hear his words when you fell into Morpheus' dreams, but you have the feeling that he has marked you for life. You offered your body while he gives you what you were longing for: freedom.

[nandysparadox]

candlelit dinners and secret gardens

Pairing: romantic royality; mentioned platonic moceit

Word count: 1569

cw: marriage proposal fluff!

Summary:

Roman is quite surprised when Patton takes him to a renowned restaurant for a romantic dinner

And he'll see that his boyfriend has one more secret in store for the night

---

the final fic i wrote for @royalityweek ^^!! i'll be honest, i really didn't believe i'd finish it in time, but thankfully, it worked out! and im pretty happy with it :>

but if you still haven't had enough of this verse, don't worry, there'll be art too! i might even post it here, for archiving purposes

once again, big thanks to @ivaryn0 on tumblr for beta-reading!

prompt: gestures/secrets

“You’re being awfully secretive about this.”

Patton only laughed in response, and Roman would’ve glared at him, but the blindfold tied around his eyes made sure couldn’t see anything other than a faint suggestion of sunlight. He opted to cross his arms instead.

As expected, Patton didn’t offer any more information on where they were going — only humming along to some pop song playing on the radio. Roman thumbed at his seat belt. Despite his curiosity, he didn’t try to peek under the blindfold, if only because his boyfriend was so adorably insistant on it.

Soon enough, Roman felt the car stop and park, and after a beat the door clicked open. A hand grabbed his forearm and then Patton was gently guiding him out of his seat.

“Okay, just a second, honey, don’t look yet!”

Laughing, Roman let him position him as he pleased. When it seemed Patton was satisfied, he leaned his head so he'd be able to untie the knot.

Roman reached to take off the blindfold, and as his vision cleared he felt his heart skip a beat.

Right in front of them stood a building he immediately recognized from social media as “The Castle'' — which might as well be the most renowned restaurant in the whole state. The waiting list for a reservation alone was miles long.

“How on earth did you—?”

Patton shrugged, a coy smile on his face. “I have my ways, now c’mon.”

Taking his arm, Patton tugged him along the stone path that led to the entrance. Roman gaped. The name definitely did the place justice, with its old stone walls that peaked in small towers and a majestic wooden gate as a door.

And the inside was just as beautiful as the outside, it seemed. Even the waiting room was lavish, with regal plush couches to sit on. Through their many anniversaries, he and Patton had visited many fancy restaurants, but this was on a whole other level. Especially considering that, as far as Roman knew, their anniversary was months from now, and so were their birthdays.

Before he could think too much about it, though, a waiter came by, taking the reservation name and directing them to their table.

Roman sat down onto the chair carefully, looking at the table with awe. Generally, all the candlelit dinners he’d made for Patton had that effect achieved by sticking a single candlestick in the middle of the table, but here it was a whole centerpiece, along with some floral arrangements that looked straight out of a romance novel. When he looked back up at Patton, he found the other watching him with a fond look.

“I really can’t believe you did this,” Roman said with a surprised, delighted laugh. “What’s the occasion?”

Patton leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand with a teasing grin. “What if I just wanted to treat my lovely prince to a nice evening?”

Roman felt his cheeks heat up at the pet name. That was cheating, frankly — Patton knew how much that flustered him. Thankfully, a waiter saved him from responding, as they came by to note down their orders.

While waiting, they fell into easy conversation about their week, and Roman’s nerves melted down. They could be anywhere in the world and they would still chat about the same old things, huh? It was a comforting thought. Roman raved about how the tour’s going, mishaps in shows included, and Patton responded in kind — speaking of the clinic, of cute animals he saw, and anything else he spotted, really. All with the cutest little smile on his face.

By the time their food got wheeled in, Roman had barely noticed any time passed at all. Of course, it was all delicious — filet steaks cooked to a medium-rare, glistening and enticing. They even managed to make the side vegetables look mouth-watering! They took their time eating, and Roman enjoyed every bit of Patton’s company. He had to admit, it was nice to have such a date night after being away on tour. He missed him.

“Actually,” Patton said, after taking the last bite of his meal. “There’s a secret about this place.”

Roman raised an eyebrow. “And that would be…?”

Patton’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he rose to take Roman’s hand and lift him out of his chair. “Come with me.”

Patton led him to another door, mostly hidden away in the corner, which made him the slightest bit nervous. But as he stepped out, all his worries melted in awe.

A garden.

“Beautiful, right?” Patton said, looking around. “Janus, you know xem, works here, and xe told me about it. It’s open to the public, but not a lot of people come by.”

Indeed, there were a few people around, but not many, most scattered around benches or trees.

“I thought Janus worked in the grocery store?”

“Xe did. Last week,” Patton said, nonchalant. He then gestured with his head to what seemed to be the bandstand in the center of the garden. “Are you up for a walk?”

Stepping around stone to avoid trampling the fresh grass, Roman followed Patton onto the desire path. Soft moonlight streaked the view of the flowers, which, along with the warm glow from the few lamp posts, provided a lovely scene. He smiled as he considered the decorations in the flower beds — little doors and fountains, miniature houses, all designed to make it look as if a fairy lived there. It was like it was lifted out of a storybook.

As they reached the gazebo, faint, romantic violin music began to play from a speaker. Roman raised an eyebrow to Patton. Between that, and the fact that Janus apparently worked there, it was all beginning to seem quite planned indeed.

Patton could only give a sheepish smile in response, and Roman shook his head in amusement. Taking advantage of the crescendoing melody, he took Patton’s hand and pulled him into a slow spin, drawing a surprised squeak out of his boyfriend. Soon enough, Patton pressed closer, resting his hand on Roman’s shoulder, and they were off in their own little rhythm.

He’d had enough experience slow dancing, theater and all, so Roman led — guiding their steps back and forth across the bandstand, practically floating along to the music. Patton giggled under his breath as he almost tripped, and Roman felt his heartbeat thrum louder at the sight. With pink flushed cheeks and baby blue eyes that glimmered in the night, Patton looked nothing short of ethereal.

Though, all of a sudden, he let go. Stepping away from Roman’s arms with an anxious, but determined look. Seemingly shy for the first time in the whole evening, he fidgeted with the collar of his suit.

“I know you love big, romantic gestures,” Patton began, “And when I found out about this place, I knew you’d love it. I think you could tell, but I planned this out quite a bit. And I’m so happy I got that chance, because you’re always knocking me off my feet, so I thought, you know—” He gestured to the gazebo with a nervous smile. “—I’d do the same to you. I’m not the best with words, but I’ll say it anyway. I can’t imagine a better place to ask— ask this.”

Roman felt his heart jump at his throat as he caught the thread of what he meant, and anticipation built up in his chest like fireworks.

They’d talked about it before, of course, enough that Roman felt a bit silly for not seeing it coming sooner — unprompted romantic dinner and all. Part of him was glad he didn’t, though. He always did love surprises.

Clearing his throat, Patton continued. “When I got home, on the night we met, I called my brother. He wanted to bite my head off for going on a date with a stranger, so I told him to quit fussing, and that you were… different, special. He asked how I was so sure and I told him I could feel it. Next thing I did was text you.” Getting down on one knee, Patton took out a small velvet box out of his pocket. “I’m so, so glad I did. Roman, you’re wonderful, and I love you so much it feels too big for my chest sometimes. But I still can’t get enough of it, not now and not- forever, so… will you marry m-”

Roman barely got to see the engagement ring before he threw himself at Patton and nearly knocked him over, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and smiling wider than he ever did before. “Yes! Of course, darling, oh my goodness…” he trailed off, feeling the happy tears build up.

Patton beamed as he guided them off the floor, pressing their foreheads together as he took Roman’s hand to slide the ring on. And what a lovely thing it was. Roman stretched out his hand to look at it. A golden vine-shaped band with a beautiful round ruby in the center. Patton knew him all too well, and didn’t that make Roman feel like he was flying.

“I love you so much,” he choked out, cheeks aching from grinning and fully crying by this point

Patton cupped his face and pulled him into a sweet kiss. He stroked his thumb across Roman’s cheekbone and, pulling away, he smiled softly.

“I love you too.”

---

A/N: a few things i want to mention: - janus absolutely did help plan this lol xe's patton's friend from book club and a bit of a job hopper, so when xe got the position in the restaurant xe immediately pulled a few strings to help pat out :) - this takes place 6-7 years after milkshakes and checkered diners, and what patton said in his speech really did happen after that night - virgil might be a little bit protective - the song playing in the gazebo was 'Amore mio aiutami' by Piero Piccioni and this was the ring patton got for roman:

etsy link - https: //tinyurl.com/etsyrubyring

[rin-sv14]

A very random first post, I know. But I'll be listing what I like about my favourite characters (yes, this is an excuse to talk about my pookies) from series, games, etc.

(4 characters only though, I'm lazy)

Miya Atsumu (Haikyuu!!)

Literally my first love.

The moment he appeared on screen, I was trying my best not to smile cuz my entire family was sitting in the living room. If I did, they'd of course ask why I'm smiling..

Who can blame me, tho? He's pretty, cute, majestic, gorgeous, breathtaking, handsome- 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙖𝙥

I've always looked towards personality more, and he just so happened to be my type. Like LITERALLY

Of course everyone has flaws, including personality flaws, but I've never minded people like him (yes I'm aware he's fictional 💔)

Dramatic, stubborn, impatient, childish? It's fine. Cuz me too.

But really- I don't really know how to explain it, but even though he has many personality flaws, it's nothing most people can't handle. He was and will always be my #1 favourite hq character.

Itoshi Rin (Blue Lock)

Sigh.

Cutie patootie

"Hey, what do you mean?"

Alright alright, I'm pretty sure at least half of us can agree that he's pretty (so is his brother 😻)

Tbh I don't even know how I fell in love with this emo boy. No, I don't even know if I fell in love with him or Sae first.

Whatever. HES PRETTY, CUTE, BEAUTIFUL, HANDSOME, GORGEOUS, PERFECT, AMAZING, BREATHTAKING, EARTH SHATTERING, EYE POPPING, MIND BLOWING

I can treat him better than Sae

His eyes are so pretty :((

Listen I love Sae too but I'll never forgive him for making the spark in Rin's eyes disappear. (That is, until they show us his backstory in spain and then I'll decide if I wanna forgive him or not)

His behaviour is questionable sometimes but it's fine cuz it's Rin

I'm literally meant to be with him. His name is Rin, and one of my nicknames is Rin.

Heneedstomarrymealready

Fushiguro Megumi (Jujutsu Kaisen)

MEGUMI

MEGUMIIIIIII

ITS MEGUMI

HES MEGUMI!!!!!!

HOW CAN ANYONE DISLIKE HIM?

MEGUMIMEGUMIMEGUMIMEGUMIMEGUMI

Ok I'll stop. "Megumi" doesn't even look like a name anymore

He's so cutie patootie

I'm actually so obsessed with him. I need a Megumi in my life

He. Is. So. Pretty.

Do I even need to say more?

I love him

I love him.

Yes, maybe I'm going insane

Just like the others, he's HANDSOME, PRETTY, BEAUTIFUL, CUTE, SCRUMPTIOUS, GORGEOUS, PERFECT, BREATHTAKING, SOUL CRUSHING, FACE REDDENING, EARTH SHATTERING, EYE POPPING (like nobara, sorry 🙏🏻), ADORABLE, ATTRACTIVE, LOVELY, FINE, ENCHANTING, CHARMING, ANGELIC, CAPTIVATING, EYE CATCHING

I just love him

Rafayel (Love and Deepspace)

Do I even need to explain?

IM ABSOLUTELY FERAL FOR HIM

THIS MAN HAS ME ON MY KNEES

HE'S SO PRETTY??

HIS EYES

HIS FACE

HIS SMILE

HIS CHEEKS!! I WANNA SQUISH HIM TO DEATH!!!!!!

One thing. He suffered a lot more than just waiting for MC 800 years. And no he's not a red flag.

BUT ANYWAYS!! HE IS ALMOST LIKE ATSUMU. I THINK I HAVE A TYPE 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏻‍♀️

EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS MAN HAS ME SCREAMING, CRYING, RIPPING MY HAIR OUT.

HES JUST SO PRETTY

He has more patience than me actually

Do I need to mention everything he's done for MC?? He's the best frfr

Don't get me wrong tho, I Iove the other two as well. Rafayel just always stays on top.. of me

Yes.

I'm married to him btw, none of y'all can take him 😻😻

Am I aware that they're all fictional? Yes. Am I still going insane for them? Also yes.

[devoiante]

writing away my ateez PCD💀

I met you on a September night in the middle of a sea of strangers, screaming my liquefied heart out into fleeting utopia written by stories in the form of faraway muses for a girl’s blooming fantasia. 

I. Fire eyes and zealous blood crashed through the glass like a wave in a storm starved of savagery, sweeping me off my feet in the inception of a new age, the age of the opal at the centre of the world. In the spotlight, the opal glimmers white and unleashes its magic within, seven more colours shining as a brazen aurora - the eye of the storm. An eye I’ve stared into long enough to be buoyantly lost at sea watching longingly like a mermaid for the ships that will pass, soaking in the colours and sounds of their boisterous parties. Sometimes one too many ships come through, and I hope the stars tell their captain that the waters are calm enough to drop the anchor and sleep at night. He looks to the stars every sunset, yet he must always go on. He’s deafening hues and glittering dreams. He’s exquisite in his ferocious grind with beauty flowing from him in tunes and melodies that ripple through the vast ocean and glisten under the twilight. The stars never disappear after sunrise. 

II. Too much stardust in the making of one person births new stars in the form of eyes which brim with uncontainable light spilling down smiling cheeks, strawberry-stained with soft, tender love. He’s the king of the stars, the light in the ship’s long nights spent sailing through quiet waters and turbulence. Every other star would fall from the sky to grant his wishes and renew to see him again, wrapped in pastel pink primroses that bloom in his glow. He holds the stars in his hands and tells them they are pretty, but doesn’t know we are more beautiful for the beauty that ebbs through his palms and his voice. 

III. When he lets words and songs fall he’s the warmth in running a hand through the fur of a golden retriever after an afternoon in the sun. Evanesced honey encapsulates his golden being, a sweet promise of falling six feet and an inch deep into eternal sunshine. He reaches to the stars and takes them with him as the ship cruises into the ever changing horizon that echoes dreams of ballads he hasn’t even sung, but already fill the air. Say his name, and he is luminous. 

IV. Existence meets artistry when body and soul is beautiful enough to rile the sea and capture the stars upon a graceful gaze, a smile ever so slight. The art he is blares across the seven seas in his quiet and he is divine, dazzling light and branded by Aphrodite’s kiss as her incarnation that walks the earth and sails the waves. A blue bird’s velvet feathers are smooth as an enchanted baritone for spellbound galaxies raining meteors for statuesque perfection come alive. The flower dances in the breeze, delicately lethal as poisoned perfume. I’m in love. 

V. The most majestic mountain commands all eyes on its unrelenting spirit: dreamer, diamond, fever dream itself, a harbour for the ship. The mountain lives in a boy sculpted by celestial hands, gorgeous in a dancing illusion of menace before a winged heart cherry-coloured with romantic fervour. His voice bounces across the water and into the reflection of the stars, like a cue to let go of the breaths they had held, and breathe. He smiles like summer sun, dimples deep as the sea below that might overflow with the stars’ zeal. He’s all bewitching and more, more, more.

VI. He’s a flame, sunset-chrome fireworks ripping through the skies and stars turn to moths when his words cascade in rolling thunders. He’s in the lingering ring in my ears, the roar of thousands of voices, the arrow to hearts that skip a beat every time he proclaims his dynasty. Wake up world, his eyes say, and don’t stop staring. Yet he is cotton clouds and a sprinkle of rain to a hot day in August. A laughing conundrum, an untitled song. 

VII. Can stars wish upon themselves? For ivory silk, black velvet, brimming heart and cherry lips. Foxy eyes that twinkle like a million fairy lights when he laughs out the answer to cloudy grey days. Torrents of love borne by one shining soul flood whole stadiums when he dances like lithe butterfly wings or morphs into a vivacious panther stealing stars with a biting gaze. He’s so achingly beautiful (he’s wonderland). All the stars would empty their light on the surface of the ocean just so he could see his reflection painted in loving reverence. 

VIII. The apple of the eye of the storm boils the ocean with spellbinding song, raising magical mist all the way to shroud the stars in lavender, violet, indigo fantasies. He sings an eternity of new galaxies to life, one mortal holding up the cosmos with the finger every star is wrapped around, and new stars are born each day. The universe is still when his music fades, each star unblinking in awaiting for the next ship his smile may grace. Waiting, waiting, shining, still here. His timeless smile tells the world he is radiant even in the silence between songs - a lover loved to the edge of each universe.

You are here in the years I walk alone, sealing the cracks in the rocky road:

The curtain call of my teenage dream, the shore of my wild unknown.

You’re a September song I’ll dance into the dusk, ever and after the silence falls. 

[g0dspeeed]

Truck Problems

A horrible afternoon for Cappie De la Costa takes a turn for the better in the form of the saddest, brown eyes in all of Hope County.

Never had Cappie De la Costa thought a place so serene, so brimming with natural beauty could be also so very hated like the Whitetail Mountains of Hope County. She scorned every needled pine, every bubbling brook, every wildflower. Loathed the slopes, the cavernous crevassess, and the many aged faces of its rocky mountains. The animals, all the wildlife with their sharp horns and hisses could go fuck right off. In that moment underneath the warm, afternoon sun, Cappie despised the whole region more than any place on the planet.

In a rare moment of self-examination, Cappie thought that visiting the mountains would clear her mind, offer a fresh perspective that was long overdue. That's what therapists and shit said to do, right? Self-care and other feel good crap? So she left her house, took a drive in her truck with the windows down, and tried to reflect upon the last year, tried to appreciate the world around her.

It didn't take. All that mountain air and sunshine managed to do was remind Cappie of the past, of bittersweet memories, and just plain piss her off. She saw memories like the old road signs along the mountain side, each one hurt more than the last. Each one stoked her anger, the frustration that hummed beneath the skin.

Just when she was leaving, too, escaping her personal Hell, that's when her truck decided to groan and sputter, as if in that fleeting moment that was when the Universe felt like taking a big, steaming shit on Cappie's life. The engines stuttered to a stop in a final cough of hot smoke, the ugly plumes rolling out of her truck's engine block like a chimney as it left her stranded on the side of the road. She was stuck. Cappie was stranded in the last place she wanted to be at the base of one of the region's western mountains.

Hazel eyes glared at the distant hills and cliffs as if they mocked her, as if playing a majestic witness to her rotten predicament. Fingers twirled an unlit cigarette.

"Ugh, fuck me," Cappie grumbled from the side of the road as she fished out her cellphone from the back pocket of her jeans. Calling her brother Staci wasn't an option because he was at work, leaving her with few options. Her thumb tapped away at the screen, scrolled through her Contacts until finding the one she buried there.

Her finger hovered over the screen as it taunted her.

Could she do it?

Yeah. She could.

And he would come. Cappie was certain.

But did she want him to?

No. Absolutely not.

An aggravated groan dragged from her throat for she was torn between next moves and resented that there was even any indecision to begin with.

Just as Cappie relented, surrendered to her desperation to call the last person on earth whom she wanted help from, the sound of tires rolling down the road stole her attention.

Her anxiety spiked, pounding her heart harder in her chest.

Those Project members, or 'Peggies', as she'd grown accustomed to calling them, had become more emboldened lately. More preachy. More stubborn, even in the face of Cappie's initial indifference, staunch atheism, and hedonistic rhetoric.

Therefore it didn't help that following the loud slam of a car door did a man with the most full bodied beard she had ever seen in her whole life and the saddest brown eyes of all of Hope County approached her from around her truck.

Before the stranger could say a thing, Cappie beat him to it.

"Yes, I know about the Father," she groused while lighting her cigarette. "And no, I don't wanna go to church. And no, I don't care about burnin' in Hell forever. Been there, done that. So unless you know how to help me with an engine, you can fuck right off."

Her brain braced itself for a lesson in fire and brimstone, to be called a sinner, or just plain cussed out.

Instead, Cappie heard a "Well, nice to meet you, too, ma'am" in an easy timber.

A hot scoff left her, but when she looked at him again to give the stranger a piece of her mind, she hesitated.

The more she looked at the man the more Cappie realized that he probably wasn't a member of Eden's Gate. True, he definitely had the hair for it, the tresses dark and grown out to his shoulders, a little unkempt but softened by the warm sunlight cutting through the trees. The beard, too, was impressive and needed a trim. Dressed on his taut frame was more camouflage than the typical Peggie wore, along with a tactical belt and military jacket with some kind of antler emblem on it.

And his eyes. The sadness in them, that dull shadow swimming in the brown, lifted at her challenge, and became lit with curiosity.

They were lovely.

"Sorry," she found herself admitting, her voice sheepish. "Just, Christ, had a shit day."

The man shifted in his boots and his attention left her face to scrutinize her truck.

"Can see that," he replied. "And I'm no engine expert, but I don't know if we or anyone can fix your truck out here."

No shit.

"Probably not, no," she validated.

Cappie took a long drag from her cigarette, relaxing at the feeling of nicotine hitting her system.

The man's age seemed a mystery between the full-bodied beard and the dark circles under his eyes, which only stoked her burning interest for who the hell he was.

Like ants crawling along the skin, Cappie could feel how his eyes studied her in return.

"Got a question, sir?" she prompted, regaining his haunting stare into her soul. "Cause, you know, you look like a Peggie to me."

Her smile, a peace offering, brought back the softness to his eyes.

"Promise I'm not, ma'am–"

"Please don't 'ma'am' me," she interrupted. "I hate it. Just call me Cappie."

His lips, full beneath the coarse hairs of his mustache, quirked a smile before sliding back to neutrality. Like a shooting star, quick and rare, Cappie decided then and there that she would like to see it again, that smile, before they parted ways.

"Okay, Cappie."

A sharp heat stung at her cheeks as his easy cadence spoke her nickname, so Cappie chased it with some agitation.

"And who the hell are you?" she prodded.

The stranger cleared his throat.

"Name's Eli," he shared.

Eli.

Eli.

Eli.

Like Elijah?

Cappie flicked the ash from her cigarette to stifle her sudden enamoration. She felt it in her belly, that untamed desire to flirt.

"Sweet," she cooed. "So, Eli, wanna give me a ride or are ya just going to comment on my shit situation and leave me to the bears?"

Her body, all stiff muscles and aches, whined as Cappie rose from the ground.

When Cappie turned to face him, she caught the fleeting glance from her ass by her new acquaintance.

Cappie smiled to herself as she walked towards the beat up Bronco he arrived in, flattered.

Then, the wise words of Deputy Pratt echoed from the depths of her brain, and in a quick motion Cappie whipped out her phone and took a picture of the mountain man, earning a frown.

"Sorry," she teased without an ounce of remorse. "Just gotta send a pic of your handsome, not-a-Peggie mug to a few people."

"Why?" he questioned.

Cappie looked up from her phone screen after she sent the picture to her brother, boss, and boyfriend, and delivered a cheeky wink. It had its intended effect. The man quirked another small smile for a whole second.

"Oh, you know, in case I go missing in the next twenty-four hours," she breezed. "Not that you could take me. I'm kinda feisty."

Much to her disappointment, Eli didn't take the bait and flirt back. He just shook his head and followed Cappie to his own truck.

"Just take me to Fall's End, por favor," requested Cappie.

Eli nodded, and a prickly, uncomfortable awkwardness befell the cab as they took off down the mountainside. Cappie was restless, unsettled by the views out the window, the radio, and the sensation of his sideways glances from the driver's side. Having nothing much else to do, she teased him.

"Like what you see?" she asked him with a coy grin.

His somberness seemed to fall from his face as the skin around his dark eyes crinkled and his full lips lifted into another rare smile.

Eli chuckled. She loved the sound.

"You normally this ornery with people you just met?" he challenged.

Her brow furrowed at that.

Ornery? Hm. What word was that?

Cappie twisted in her seat to face him. Eli glanced to regard her, a tinge of fear lighting his eyes.

"You think, you think I'm horny?"

All the blood drained from the man's face.

"What–"

Cappie glared.

"Cause that's fuckin' creepy, dude," she told him.

"No! That is not what I said–"

"And I'll tell you what, I don't care who the fuck you think you are," she continued with a damning finger, "But I will kick your ass to next fuckin' Sunday if you try anything!"

Despite it being a damn bridge, Eli hit the brakes so hard that her body had to brace against the dashboard. They stopped in the middle of the bridge between regions and he parked the Bronco, his face brimming with worry.

"Ornery ," Eli stated, firm and loud. "I said ornery , ma'am–Shit, I mean Cappie."

Hazel eyes roved over every feature of his face searching for a lie, for the bullshit. From his full lips to the ripe fear in his deep eyes, Cappie found not a foul thing about Eli. The poison in her glare lost its sting and was replaced with uncertainty.

Cappie leaned back in her seat and stared out the window, resigned to move on and pretend not to be dreadfully embarrassed.

"Oh," she muttered. "Okay. Shit, I guess I dunno what that word means."

Mere seconds of silence followed before a laugh--His laugh-- full and hearty at her expense, filled the cab. The sincerity bloomed a hot warmth to her face. Cappie couldn't take her eyes off of Eli, for despite as stupid as she felt, the sight of his smile, pinked cheeks, and glimmering eyes was endearing.

"Shit, Cap, I promise I didn't mean anything offensive," Eli maintained Cappie with a smile. "Ya just seem tense is all. Can't say that I blame you though, especially if you've had a shit day."

Her heart skipped a beat.

Cap.

She liked that coming from his mouth.

"Okay," she settled. "Okay, fine, won't kill ya, but I meant what I said. I'm feisty."

He nodded his head, smile still in place, and shifted the Bronco back in gear to resume their drive. Gone was the heavy awkwardness, their misunderstanding loosening him up, thank God.

"I believe you," he added. "You seem like a handful."

His glance caught her wink.

"Can be," she admitted. "I'm not for the faint of heart. No one can tame me."

She didn't expect Eli to say anything back, so when he did, her cheeks flushed again.

"Well," he told her, his voice dipped low. "I hope no one ever does. You got that fire in ya, and it's, it's kinda nice. Like a breath of fresh air."

Some deep, heavy part of her that she had carried inside her chest for over a year unmoored at such genuine kindness. Cappie felt seen in that moment, appraised like a jewelry box, the treasure of her personhood valued by the mysterious stranger behind the wheel. She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat and resigned herself to stare out the window lest he see the brimming of fresh tears.

If he noticed, Eli didn't say anything, not until she sucked it up and started idle chatter about the County, his hair, and how much she hated the outdoors.

"Well, we can't be friends then," settled Eli as they approached Fall's End.

"Why not?" she mused.

"Because I love being outside. My favorite places are in the mountains. So that's that."

"Damn," she sighed. "And here I thought we had some real chemistry goin' on."

He opened his mouth up as if he wanted to add something, but alas, Eli must've thought better of it and offered a smile instead. His cheeks were a bit pinker.

"Just sayin'," she drawled upon entering the town. "Your hair is like the people in that Project church. All kumbaya and shit."

"And you look like you're dressed for a run in the City, ma'am ."

"I would have been fine–"

"Right. You and your pocket knife. A poster child for survival."

She laughed as he parked in front of the Spread Eagle.

"Thanks for the ride," Cappie sighed, a pang of disappointment flitting in her chest.

"Not a problem," he answered. "Thanks for not killing me."

The passenger side door popped open and she slid from the seat.

"If ever in town," she told him. "Let me buy you a beer. I work at the Eagle. Maybe we can sit down and you can teach me a thing or two about camping or fighting bears."

Eli shook his head with a smirk, looked again like he wanted to ask something, but glanced out the windshield.

"You're trouble," he groused. "But I might take you up on that sometime."

"The beer or trouble?"

The man gifted Cappie with another grin.

"Something tells me I'd get both. Have a good one," he told her.

Cappie winked again and closed the door.

When she saddled up to the bar top of the Spread Eagle, intent on dialing the nearest auto shop, Mary May had a suspicious smile on her lips. Cappie frowned.

"What?"

"So, that a thing?" ventured her boss.

"What a thing?"

"Eli. Eli Palmer."

Cappie scoffed and shook her head.

"Nah, he just helped me catch a ride. I was stranded up on the mountain."

Mary May's face dropped, and to Cappie's surprise the woman added, "I can make it a thing. If ya want."

"Thanks, but I'm already seein' someone–"

"But you could see someone better."

Cappie pondered her words, but shook her head again.

"I ain't his type," she decided. "He wants a nature girl, I think. Someone who likes bein' outdoorsy and shit. I'm just, shit, I dunno. A hot mess."

A cold beer was set before Cappie, but when she reached for it, Mary May scooted it out of range to level Cappie a serious look.

"That man hasn't smiled in years," she told Cappie. "And you're an idiot if you let that one go."

The bartender walked away before Cappie could say a thing, left her to stew.

A shit day indeed.

🌲

I love how they met! Just one of my snippets for my Eli Palmer and Cappie De la Costa pairing.

[numenorrex]

Why I Like the World of Tolkien So Much

     Why do I like the world of Tolkien so much? Is it because I like that it is medieval-inspired or because it is majestic? Ever since I watched The Lord of the Rings movies by Peter Jackson I was amazed by the beauty of the world and its geography, and how the characters and locations were brought to life. Not only was it majestic and medieval-inspired–it was the most amazing thing I saw in my entire life.

     But I found out that there is more. There were stories before the Lord of the Rings like The Hobbit which is about Bilbo Baggins going on adventures and The Silmarillion which is like everything in one like the Bible. I was shocked to learn about these stories and the biology of every being in the World of Arda.

   I found out Arda is the name of the World or Earth in Tolkien’s works. I was introduced to a character named Eru Illuvatar who is known as God in Tolkien’s works and the Ainur who are the angels/gods who are divided into two groups The Valar who are based on Christianity, Norse Mythology and Greek mythology, and the Maiar who are the angels. 

The Valar like Manwe and Varda based on Zeus and Hera from Greek Mythology, Odin and Frigg from Norse, Joseph and Mama Mary from Christianity, Ulmo based on Poseidon, Mandos based on Hades from Greek and Hela from Norse, Melkor aka Morgoth based on Satan, Nienna, Vaire, Aule based on Hephaestus, Yvanna based on Demeter, Vanna, Orome, Tulkas, Este and Nessa.

The Maiar are servants of the Valar, in earlier versions the Maiar are the sons and daughters of the Valar but they were changed to be servants instead of children. The Maiar include the Istari or Wizards like Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, and the Blue Wizards, Eonwe, Osse and Iluin, Melian, Mairon (later named Sauron), and the Balrogs. 

It is possible that characters like werewolves, vampires, and other characters like Ungoliant and Tom Bombadil are Ainur but Tom Bombadil is actually the Spirit created by the song of the Ainur. 

Some Valar like Aule, Yvanna and Melkor created their own people Aule created the Dwarves, Yvanna created the Ents, but Aule felt that creating a race of people is mistake so he tried to destroy his creation but Illuvatar stopped him, like how God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, Yvanna feared that the Dwarves the Creation of her husband would cut her Trees so she begged Manwe and Eru to create a new race of people known as Ents, Melkor wanted to create his own race of beings with the Flame imperishable or the Secret Fire but it only is part of Eru alone, so Melkor decided to take action during the song Ainur, Melkor does his Discord but Eru tells Melkor that he is Mighty but He alone is the creator, which makes Melkor unhappy but he hides his feelings, But due to the discord it created a dark spirit named Ungoliant who takes the form of a Spider and the mother of the Spiders like Shelob, Melkor did create other creatures by corrupting some of the Elves and became known as Orcs, Trolls were made by Melkor in mockery of Ents, Dragons and other foul creatures.

     Another thing I like about Tolkien’s World are the many Peoples of Middle Earth, also known as the Children of Illuvatar. They are races of beings like Elves, Men, Dwarves, and Hobbits. Elves are the firstborn children of Illuvatar, They’re immortal and stay young even if they reach 90, 100, or more. If Elves die they go to the Halls of the Vala Mandos to be re-embodied. Humans or Men are Mortal and live shorter lives, which is a Gift from Illuvatar Himself. However, One Man did fell in love with an Elf and They are Beren and Luthien. Beren and Luthien along with Tuor and Idril started a new race known as the Half Elves like Dior Eluchîl, Elured and Elurin, Ellwing, Earendil, Elrond, Elros, Elledan and Elrohir, Arwin and the line of Numenor. Dwarves are actually adopted by Eru along with Hobbits, but Dwarves and Hobbits like Men are Mortal. Dwarves like Durin, Thorin and Company, and Gimli live in Caves that they established as their Kingdoms and Mines. Hobbits live in Hobbit holes which are built on hills. I really love characters like Frodo, Bilbo, Sam, and everyone, and they even reflect Tolkien himself Because it reflects his life with his friends and family.

     Beren and Luthien is a couple that was based on Tolkien’s love story with his wife Edith. Beren was a Man who fled an attack from Sauron’s fortress Tol in Gaurhoth, traveling to the Mountains and Valley where Ungoliant’s Spiderlings lived and reaching Neldoreth where he meets Luthien and was Tasked to steal a Silmaril from Morgoth’s Crown to win his blessing to Luthien’s father Elu Thingol. Luthien was an Elf but not your ordinary elf as she was half-Maia, and her Mother Melian is Maia, Melian met Thingol in a small forest called Nan Elmoth, where she created a girdle surrounding Doriath and Neldoreth. Luthien helped her love, Beren, along with Huan the Valinorian Hound to steal a Silmaril. Beren decides to steal all three of them but his knife breaks and runs with Luthien to escape Angband but Beren loses his hand and the Silmaril to Carcharoth the Werewolf, Thingol decides to wed Beren and Luthien and hunt the wolf down but it claimed the lives of Beren, Huan, and Luthien but Luthien sang a song to Mandos about her grief and she along with Beren where brought back. Beren and Luthien would have a son named Dior who would later succeed his Grandfather as King of Doriath. Beren and Luthien did die one last time, although Luthien was half-elf, half-Maia she gave up her immortality to be with Beren one last time.

     Orcs are another race of being in Middle Earth. It is believed that they were elves once before Melkor corrupted them. When they multiply in number they can participate in many battles. Orcs along with Goblins, Uruk Hai, and Man Orcs serve Morgoth, Sauron, The Witch King, and Saruman and are loyal to their evil masters. Hobgoblins are superior orcs like the Uruk Hai they are strong and smart. There are also orcs like Azog, Bolg, Shagrat, and Radbug who are vicious in many of their own ways.  Orcs use terms like “snaga” which means slave in Black speech. Another term they use is  “snufflers” which is how they refer to their wide nostrils.

     Another race that serves Morgoth is the race of Trolls. While Orcs are mockeries of Elves, the Trolls are mockeries of the Ents. There are many Trolls in Middle Earth. Hill Trolls live in Hills and are seen opening the Black Gate. Cave Trolls are another type of Troll that live in caves, like the one we see in Moria in the Fellowship of the Ring. Mountain Trolls live in Mountains and are known to push the battering ram called Grond to ram the gates into Minas Tirith. Snow Trolls are rare in Middle Earth but we did see one in the Rings of Power TV show and they are mentioned in the story of Helm Hammerhand to describe Helm as he was looking for food and fighting off enemies with his bare hands. Half Trolls like Half-Orcs and Goblin Men are a mix between Trolls and Men. The Olog Hai, meaning Troll people, (like Uruk Hai means Orc People) are a group of Trolls known for war, as we see in the battle at the Black Gate in Return of the King. And there are the Three Stone Trolls: Bert, Tom, and Bill, whom Bilbo and Thorin’s company meet in The Hobbit.

     Ents and Huorns are races of being in Middle Earth that resemble Trees. Ents and Entwives (like Treebeard, Fimbrethil, and Quickbeam), and Huorns like Old Man Willow live in forests like the old forest and Fangorn. We don’t see the Entwives in the films because the Entwives disappeared during the War of the Last Alliance in the Second Age, when Sauron burned the Gardens of the Entwives.

     We cannot forget about the animals of Middle Earth. Middle Earth has so many animals either domesticated or wild. Animals like Dogs such as Huan the Hound, and the dogs of Farmer Maggot, cats like the cats of Queen Beruthiel, horses and ponies like Bill the Pony, Nahar, Snowmane, Shadowfax, Felarof, and the Mearas, Asfaloth and Rochallor, wolves, wargs and werewolves like Drauglin, Carcharoth and wargs of the Uruks of Isengard and Bolg’s forces, Vampires and Bats like Thuringwethil (Fact: Sauron in the story of Beren and Luthien shapeshifts into a werewolf to fight Huan and a vampire to flee), Spiders or Ungol like Ungoliant, Shelob, The Spiders of Mirkwood and the Spiders of Nandungortheb and Ered Gorgoroth, Dragons which include both Fire and Cold Drakes like Glaurung, Ancalagon, the Beast of Gondolin, Gostir, Scatha and Smaug, Hellhawks or Fell Beasts, Birds like the Great Eagles and other various creatures.

     I also love the places and locations of Middle Earth. Places like the lands of Beleriand, The island of Numenor and the lands we all know and loved in the movies.

The artifacts are another thing I love. Artifacts like The Silmarils, Phials, The Rings of Power, The Arkenstone and Various Treasures and Weapons like the Swords, Axes, Bows and Arrows and Hammers and Maces. Swords like Anglachel aka Gurthang, Anguriel, Glamdring, Orcrist and Sting, Narsil aka Anduril, the Morgul blade, etc. Bows and Arrows like the Red arrow, the Bow of Legolas, etc. Axes like Dramborleg, Durin’s Axe, The Red axe of Dain Ironfoot, The Axe of Gimli, The Hammers like the Smithing Hammers of Celebrimbor and the Gwaith I mir dain and the Maces like Grond the Mace of Morgoth to whom the Battering Ram is named after.

     But why do I love these things? Because I was fascinated by how the lore describes them. The feeling is what reflects us and Tolkien himself like how Beren and Luthien is based on his love story with his wife and the names were written in their tombstone after they passed away. The friendship between Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin reflects the Tea Club and Barrovian Society, the club Tolkien founded when he met Geoffrey Bache Smith, Christopher Wiseman, and Robert Gilson. Geoffrey was the Samwise Gamgee to Tolkien’s Frodo Baggins, and Edith was the Luthien to Tolkien’s Beren. I too describe myself as these characters like I am the Frodo to my brother’s Samwise but I’m also the Bilbo, Thorin, and Theoden to the children who are new to our family, and The Beren or Aragorn to maybe someone I would fall in love with, but when I saw the Tolkien Movie, I knew that I would also be like him, to start and bring back the Club he started at a very young age, fall in love and write a love story or tell a story about fellowship and friendship and maybe I would succeed everyone like Tolkien until the end.

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Rameshwaram Dham Yatra | Shiv Shankar Tirth Yatra

Rameshwaram Dham Yatra is one of the most revered spiritual journeys for devotees of Lord Shiva. Located on Rameswaram Island in the Tamil Nadu state of India, this sacred destination holds deep historical and religious significance. The Rameshwaram Dham Yatra, often considered a pilgrimage of immense devotion, brings pilgrims from all corners of India and beyond. At Shiv Shankar Tirth Yatra, we ensure that your journey to Rameshwaram is a spiritually enriching and fulfilling experience.

Significance of Rameshwaram Dham

Rameshwaram is a place where the divine meets the earth. According to Hindu mythology, Rameshwaram is where Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to seek his blessings before embarking on his journey to Lanka. It is believed that after Lord Rama returned victorious from his war against Ravana, he came to Rameshwaram to atone for his sins by performing a grand puja of Lord Shiva. This makes Rameshwaram an essential stop for those on a religious journey, seeking Lord Shiva’s divine blessings.

Rameshwaram Dham is known for its grand temples, the most famous being the Ramanathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is a marvel of Dravidian architecture and boasts 22 wells with sacred water. Pilgrims take a ritual bath in these wells to purify themselves before entering the temple for darshan. The belief in the holy waters and the temple's divine energy makes this yatra a unique spiritual experience.

Highlights of the Rameshwaram Dham Yatra

Ramanathaswamy Temple: The highlight of the Rameshwaram Dham Yatra is undoubtedly the visit to the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Known for its majestic structure and spiritual significance, the temple attracts thousands of devotees every year. It is famous for its 1,000-pillared hall, which is a marvel of ancient Indian architecture.

The Sacred Bath: Pilgrims take part in a cleansing ritual at the 22 sacred wells in the temple. Each well has water that is believed to have unique healing properties, and bathing in these wells is said to purify one’s soul.

Dhanushkodi: Another important site during the Rameshwaram Dham Yatra is Dhanushkodi, located at the southern tip of the island. This place is where Lord Rama is said to have built a bridge (Ram Setu) to Lanka. The scenic beauty of Dhanushkodi, combined with its divine significance, makes it an essential part of the yatra.

Agni Theertham: Agni Theertham is a sacred beach where pilgrims perform rituals and take a dip in the sea. It is believed to cleanse the soul and bring peace.

Why Choose Shiv Shankar Tirth Yatra for Rameshwaram Dham Yatra?

At Shiv Shankar Tirth Yatra, we specialize in making your spiritual journey to Rameshwaram unforgettable. Our experienced guides provide insightful knowledge about the sacred places, history, and rituals that form a part of the Rameshwaram Dham Yatra. We offer tailored packages, ensuring your journey is comfortable, spiritual, and seamless.

Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning for another pilgrimage, our services make your trip to Rameshwaram smooth and enriching. We take care of everything – from travel arrangements to accommodation, so you can focus entirely on your spiritual experience.

Join us for the Rameshwaram Dham Yatra and immerse yourself in the divine energy of this sacred place. Let your heart and soul be touched by the blessings of Lord Shiva.