#ive been obsessed with this mv i had to lol

[justbelievinginmagic]

ahhhh i love replying and seeing your comments!!!

i love love love woosan, i think theyre sweeties and im happy you are feeling like in love with them. they really are painting being with them as shiny. thats also such a good question - how are they handling yn being hurt?? theyre so down bad... i wonder why they havent been seen hmmhmhmhmhmhhmhmhmhmhmhmm lolol ;)

And yessss it was Mingi!! Mingi is so down bad, hes totally being stalking her for like weeks/months at this point and boy is like obsessed. i dont have any secret surprises regarding that - he just liked her vibes lol and heard a lot from woosan. he's also a soft boy so i think he found her and dancing and everything romantic.

jongho is sooooo polite, hes BEST BOY. and omg i love that you noticed that bc i really wanted to emphasis hes like being a lil creeepyyyy. like how does he know her nameeeee? i went back and forth wonder if he should even say his name but i feel like he would bc this is their yn!! lol

i also need yunho lol - even though yh was one of the more difficult characters to write so far. im so used to soft boy yunho irl! im also really happy you enjoyed the eerie vibes of the mansion. i referenced the mv and oldie mansions like hearst castle for inspo. and this is the "ghost mansion" after all! the butlers are scary! i wanted to incorporate how the mv had all these masked men without the mask part - i hope i portrayed that vibe!

also thats so interesting what you think about the yunho conflict!! id take anything yunho does/says with a grain of salt. he's sus for real (just like all the guys tbh - theyve promised over and over to keep her safe but we know what happens in the end).

woosansang are down bad, in deep. i think theyre position of in the kim family allows them to be though. i havent touched on this that much but woosansang are the more socialites of the family - but we will learn more about the others. especially with the introduction of sh and hj soon!

i love the present day scenes, its such a whiplash back to reality. its fun seeing how this devotion turned so deadly. jongho is baby. hes the spoiled baby boy who is a bit warped by seongjoong tbh. but he loves yn.

and hmmm, interesting noticeeeee. she tried leaving but why? we have some time til we see the answers to that but its definitely an interesting notice!

i cant wait for matz!!! i love matz and they totally do have more aura than yunho! theyre the kingpins; the queen and king of the chessboard for sure! i love what ive had wrote so far for them!!

thank you again for reading and commenting!!! these comments bring me so much joy!!!!!

like a waltz⎯ part 4: piqué.

pairing(s): ateez ot8 x fem!reader; this chapter focuses on all the boys & reader except my beloved matz :(( (their time is coming.) series summary: when 8 mysterious bachelors arrive to town and fall for your charms, will you be able to reach your goal to be prima ballerina or be dragged into a selfish waltz between love and obsession? glimpse: As trouble arises and your patrons spend more time with you, more attention gets locked on you. Their interest is thoroughly piqued by you. warnings/tags: inspired by Ateez’s Ice on my Teeth MV & Teasers, Mafia AU, Ballet AU, early 1900’s AU with some divergences in tech advancements (i.e rule of cool), 3rd person POV, use of YN, mxm, polyteez, MATURE topics, canon typical violence (choking, fighting, punching, etc), canon typical gore, blood, death, guns, explicit language, stalking, alcohol, smoking, bribery, lack of privacy, allusions to exploitation in ballet, implied sexual themes, suggestive themes, kissing, intimacy, angst, fluff, voyeurism sort of, obsession, infatuation, sugar daddy themes, unequal power dynamics, food descriptions, missing people, polyamory, pain, medical drug usage, traumatic injury, injuries, reader discretion advised & 18+ readers only! Let me know if I should tag anything else! word count: 20.4k previous chapter <- -> next chapter series masterlist

piqué ; french pronunciation: [piːk], ‘pricked’… or to stimulate interest or curiosity.

Creeping out of the stage-door hours after a performance was a normal thing for ballerinas. The alley way was something all the girls were familiar with just as they were with the foyer de la danse. Its damp cobblestone, nearby rotting trashcans, and the barely lit path was their red-carpet entrance. They were not allowed the luxury of entering through the grand doors of the opera house with its tall columns, brightly lit lamps, and the many steps towards its shiny, gold-painted extravagance The only days they were allowed to enter through the front doors were when the opera house was closed and they were rehearsing. The petit rats were only welcomed with glamour when the rich weren’t nearby. They had the back-entrance. This was the ugly underbelly of the pretty façade.

Dressed in her pretty coat and her warmest layers, she had said goodbye to San and Wooyoung ages ago. But then, the Madame had spoken to her and a few ballerinas in her office, relaying some notes, insisting on the girls performing the rectifications immediately. So, there they stood in the rehearsal room, satin-ribboned shoes laced up over thick winter stockings and their day-dresses on. The ballerinas repeated their motions: turning in pirouettes, performing jetes, and piquing across the hall. It was only after the city’s clock tolled twelve times that the Madame allowed them to stop with a slam of her cane into the wooden floorboards. Then, after confirming each dancer had paid their weekly bill (YN smiled, wiping sweat from her brow as she was told her patrons paid once more), they were allowed to leave. The other ballerinas had all scurried home by the time she had gathered her bag and coat once more.

It was late into the early hours, past midnight and not yet morning when she finally left the opera house and crept out into the alley.

Pushing the heavy door open with her shoulder, the chill of night soaked into her bones with a whoosh. Shivering a bit, she adjusted her pretty coat closer to her body and prepared herself for the walk home. Her boots click clacked on the icy pavement as she exited the mouth of the alley. Looking this way and that, the streets were abandoned. Seemingly abandoned. Some of the candle-lit lamps even had fizzled out in the evening with no leeries about to relight them. She continued to walk along, humming softly until she heard the noise. Loud panicked whispers. A crackling fire. The crinkling of a tin-barrel. The smell of smoke. Ahead of her, dark smoke was tumbling out of a nearby alleyway, firelight lighting the brick-walls. She paused, her foot-steps slowed.

Click. Clack.

“You fucked up the deal?” It was frightened.

Click, clank.

“I didn’t mean to; I didn’t mean to. Johnny stole some cash from them, and then-“

“I don’t care! We needed this deal – the money, before he arrives – before we all lose –“

There was the squealing of car wheels and the smell of hot gasoline in the air. YN froze, her footsteps stopping. A car door slammed open, and there was a new click-clank of boots. A startled yell, a shuffle of footsteps, voices overlapping; there was a thud of a body hitting the icy ground with a yell. YN held her breath.

“Gentlemen,” the newcomer’s voice was gravely. There were heavy footfalls and a scrambling sound of someone walking backwards. Something hit a tin-can.

“B-B-Boss.”

“Where is it?”

“Oh, about that –“ the other chuckled. 

“My money isn’t no laughing matter.” There was a thud like someone being shoved into a wall violently. The man groaned in pain. “You think I’m someone to be crossed? Where. Is. It?” the intimidating deep voice asked, lowly.

YN swallowed, frozen at the alley way’s entrance just out of view. When would she be able to pass? She needed to get out of here quiet and without being noticed. Or else… she was scared what would happen. This wasn’t the usual gang-dealings. Gangs would fight back, fist with fist. These men were scared.

“We can get it to you- We can- just give me some time, boss!”

“This is the second time,” the graveled voice grumbled; there was a low whistle, sharp and piercing.

And then it was quiet. There wasn’t even pleading, no whimpering.

Silence.

YN’s breath was held as she tentatively peered out from her spot. A sliver of her face was visible against the brickwork wall of the alley way. Smoke hazed the figures, but she could just make out the broad shoulders of the deep-voiced man, cornering another man to the brick wall. The man’s hand scratched at the many-ringed fingers that grasped his throat mercilessly. A gagging sound was heard. Not one of the gang-member’s allies moved to help them. Instead, they were all staring at the automobile.

A truck was reversed into the alley way. Black and large, it shined and flickered in the firelight. Its back-doors pushed open with a click, and men in dark masks tumbled out. Large, intimidating suited figures held bulky guns she had never seen before. YN had seen muskets, shotguns, and even a revolver once. These weren’t that. These were heavy, mechanical, and dangerous-looking. They piled into the alley, the metal of their weapons glinting in the firelight of the makeshift-barrel fire. The frightened figures strewn about the alley way were frozen-still; a few on the ground pleaded, praying. The masked men pointed their weapons at them warningly.

Her heart rate jumped.

This was more than just a gang fight – this seemed methodical. Frightened, her eyes darted to the other side of the alley, her path home just a few steps away. But she’d have to reveal herself… While they were distracted, she’d run. She would. She needed to get out of here quick. Like a mouse, she’d escape when the cats played with their prey.

There was the clink of a car door opening and a metallic thunk of it shutting firmly. A sigh echoed out into the air, disappointed.  

“Please, boss.” The figure held to the wall managed to splutter out.

His captor pushed him up the wall with a violent thud before finally letting go. The man gasped and gaped like a fish as the dark figure took a step backwards to look towards his accomplice. The figure exiting the car didn’t have the dark masks like the others. In this light and smoke, she could only make out the shape of him. Clean cut short hair, the trail of cigarette smoke, the gleam of his teeth. He tossed the cigarette to the icy floor.

Click, clack.

Click, clack.

Click, clack, BANG.

A gunshot went off. His hand was outstretched in a flash; the pistol in his grasp smoking. A man on the ground let out a yelp of pain; his blood splattered against ice and stone. His hand grasped at his leg helplessly in agony.

“Shall we send a message to your pals?” the new man insisted, cocking his red-hot gun again and aiming it at the man his companion had just released from a chokehold.

There was pleading; names babbled over one another until they were unrecognizable. “Sir! Mercy please!”

“I think we should,” the deep-voiced man commented, nearly growling out his words. “We knew you scum thought this was some game. And here you made it all messy.”

His teeth gleamed and glinted with his snarl.

“Let’s make it messy in return.” He finished, nodding at the other.

There was a signal, and the men fired at the others at the two tall figures’ command. Gunfire, loud, fast, and hot, blazed out across the alley way. Her voice escaped her, screaming out. Hiding quickly out of danger, YN jumped back.

“What’s that?” a voice bit out. “You got some dame in this? Find her. Get her!”

They had heard her. Ice flooded her veins. She turned to run, only to run face first into a broad chest. She screeched out again, her hand raising to muffle it. By the looks of his attire, he wasn’t one of the gang members from the alley way. No, this gentleman was dressed nicely in a midnight-black tuxedo with a black cummerbund sash around his waist like he had been at the opera house. His face was firm, almost furrow browed as he righted her with a careful hand on her shoulder. He couldn’t be in this mess; he looked so polished and unaware.

“Mis—” He didn’t get to finish his statement as she interrupted him. Her hands shoved unlady-like against his sturdy chest, wrinkling what had been previously a fine-pressed white button-up.

“We’ve got to get out of here.” She hushed. “Now!”

Her eyes dripped of innocence, of protectiveness. Her fear was palpable. His intense brown orbs met hers and, without hesitation, he nodded. Surprisingly, despite his height and stature, he let her push and pull him away from the alley way and back towards the front of the now-abandoned opera house. She tugged him by the hand up the stairs, so they could stand hidden by the columns. 

Her boots click clacked with each step of the stairs. More gunshots rang out; footsteps followed after them. She stumbled a bit, yelping; the mystery man’s free hand reached out to support her waist before he pulled her into the cover of the tall columns.

She could hear gunfire echo through the street, and she jumped with each bang, bang, bang. The stranger’s hand rose to duck her closer to the column rather than hide against it himself. Curling into herself, into the man’s side, the column, her eyes shut tight. This was a nightmare. The masked figures would surely come after them. They’d pull him away and then her, and what would happen next? She was shaking. There was yelling, shouting. She flinched. A loud whisper.

“Maknae?”

No reply. There was a crunching of snow, the moaning of men in pain. There was a long pause; she didn’t dare open her eyes. And then, there was the sound of footsteps walking away, heaving and thuds of something, and finally the squeal of car wheels going far away from the scene. The smell of gun-smoke and burnt rubber and gardenias (her rescuer’s cologne she realized) was all that was left.

A silence tumbled over the square like the cold water of an ocean’s tide, overwhelming and discombobulating. She stayed frozen for a long until a single finger poked at her shoulder.

“Miss?” he prompted softly; he shook her shoulder firmly then.

His tone sounded nervous, almost afraid. Of course he would be; she was afraid! It was frightening to almost be caught up in trouble. They had been so very close to being looped into a gang fight. She swore she’d never go down that alley or any alley again - ever. Shortcuts home be damned.

“It’s okay. You can open your eyes.” His voice was melodic, soft. Warm in this icy cold.

Her eyes opened tentatively, and she took in the sight of the gentleman in front of her.

He looked down at her with those intense deep-brown eyes, his dark hair mussed over his forehead. She could see his brows furrow at her in concern; his tongue peeked out to swipe over his top lip. His clothes, presumably for the ballet, were wrinkled by her man-handling.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, glancing her over with a quick look.

He didn’t let his gaze linger, but he hadn’t let his hand up from her shoulder either. She swallowed and shook her head as she shifted her shoulders, physically gathering herself as she replied.

“I’m okay, sir. Are you?” she asked politely. Her voice trembled still.

His face smoothed into something she’d almost call relief before he nodded. “I am.” He glanced out at the road. “They’re gone.”

He spoke to reassure her, the tone firm and resolute.

“Do you want to go to the police?” he asked slowly.

He seemed not too disheveled as he took a few steps away from her. His eyes remained on the nearby street, monitoring it. There was no sounds of moaning or pain. What had happened to the gang members? The gun fire was horrible; she hadn’t seen much. Except for red, red, red. No. No! She didn’t want to know. She didn’t want any reason for those men to come find her! They heard her. They had. Her hands rubbed over face; hours old makeup and sweat was sticky against her palms. It felt like blood for a moment.

It sent chills up her spine.

“Miss YN?” her rescuer prompted again, dragging her attention to him.

“No, sorry,” she babbled out. “No.” she confirmed firmly. Her arms wrapped around herself, tugging her coat closer.

“Are you sure?” the man’s brow raised.

“It’s easier to ignore these things,” she muttered out. “Safer. To not get involved.”

The man hummed low in his throat, melodically.

“Thank you,” she said after a moment, trying to shake off her fear. “For shielding me up here. And running away.”

“You warned me. You saved me I guess,” he chuckled. “Thank you.”

She smiled shakily before glancing back at the now-quiet streets. Her hands clutched her coat closer.

“Will you be alright, Miss YN?” he asked.

Her nod was preoccupied.

“I will be,” she told him, glancing up at him. He fit right in with the glamour of the opera house. She wondered why she had never seen him before. He was memorable. His face was handsome; his form strong in a different way to San’s but still imposing.

“I’ll be on my way. It’s late and I don’t want trouble. I’m glad that we are both aliv-okay.” she corrected.

“I understand,” he said. “You don’t want a chaperone?”

She didn’t even know him. She wished Wooyoung or San was here. She shook her head, and she took a step away, fiddling with her coat.

“I’ll be okay. Good night…”

“Jongho,” he answered, even if she wasn’t asking. “My name is Jongho.”

“Jongho,” she repeated. “Thank you again.”

He nodded, bowing at the waist.

“Good night, YN.”

He’d whisper, “stay safe,” but he knew he’d be following after her in just a little while. After all, her designated shadow was busy tonight, too busy taking care of business to watch over her. So, the once-street-mutt Jongho had been sent in his stead to watch over his lady. And Jongho couldn’t help but be curious about her. Even more now that he had held her in his arms and seen the sweetness of her soul in her eyes.

YN was safe in her bed that night when she realized she had never told him her name.

And yet he had said it.

-

Her motions were sloppy. Her pointe was weak. And her mind lost. She plied.

“Are you alright, honey?” San asked.

It was the next night - before showtime. San and Wooyoung somehow weaseled themselves into the boudoir before any other patrons could. Sometimes she wondered how much coin that costed them. The Madame had been strict with no patrons before shows – allowing the fragile privacy to warm up and prepare for the shows. It was so easily broken by the two men, but their eyes were only locked on her. And when she turned away to shimmy into a costume or fix a corset or a loose ribbon, they’d respect her. Glancing aside no matter how much temptation itched at their hands.

Wooyoung had offered once to lace her up, and he was met with a look of sharp disbelief – even if it was shadowed by a sweet blush. He hadn’t asked again, but he looked forward to the day he would be able to lace her up… and unlace her.

Tonight, they stood leaning against the barre as she continued to warm up. But, of course, San had caught her shakiness, her focus weaning.

His hand slide across her waist slowly, thumb caressing up and down.

“I’m okay,” she said honestly, leaning into his support as she lowered her leg off the barre. She flexed her feet and rose up on to a pointe for a moment before sighing out and turning to face the two men.

San’s hand ghosted after her waist, guiding her close as she came to settle between her patrons. She rested her bum on the barre between San and Wooyoung. Her pristine white costume made her look like an angel between two black-suited demons. Wooyoung flicked his cigarette bud into an ash tray he’d stolen taken from the front lobby of the opera house.

“I’m sensing a but,” Wooyoung teased. His fingers trailed lower that they had before, grazing over her the small of her back closer and closer ‘til… San slapped his hand, albeit lightly. She didn’t chuckle at his joke. In fact, it was almost like he didn’t joke at all. He frowned.

“Hm, swanette?” he encouraged again.

“It’s—things have been different around town recently. I just got scared last night,” she admitted, fingers trailing back and forth over the barre pole supporting them. Restlessly. “I think its just shaking me up today.”

“How so?” San asked inquiringly.

“I don’t know. I’ve seen two gun fights in the past month while walking home. That’s not normal. There’s all sorts of kidnappings or disappearances. It’s just,” she shivered, thinking of the fear that had clung to her bones since last night. “Scary.” Her arms wrapped around herself.

Wooyoung frowned, his thumb going to rub at her arm soothingly. He didn’t like her fear. He liked her smiling far more.

“You didn’t go to the police, honey?” San asked, brow pursing. Wooyoung glanced over at San.

“No,” she admitted. “It’s—not my business.” She shook her head a bit, not agreeing completely with her phrasing. “I mean, that’s how it’s always been. Ignore, walk faster, try to get away before being seen. If you mind your business, they’ll mind yours… unless you’re involved. I’m not. Never have been. But… there have never been gun fights. I’ve seen fist fights, even switchblades being pulled.” She shook her head again. “I sound silly. But I know there were gangs around town – I know the familiar faces of troublemakers, their tells – and they’re afraid. And if the monsters are afraid--”

She trailed uncertain. She sighed out again before her hands went to squeeze both of their hands that rested on the barre.

“Sorry, I’m just shaken up, that’s all. I’m spiraling a bit,” she reconciled. “Sorry.”

Wooyoung was first to cut her off. “No, no, pretty girl. Don’t apologize.” He soothed. “We don’t want you scared.”  

“You weren’t hurt,” San clarified. It didn’t even sound like a question but still he said it.

She nodded in agreement. “Nope,” she showed her bare arms and twisted this way and that. As if it’d prove she was unharmed.

“Someone helped me,” she admitted.

San raised his brow at Wooyoung before the shorter began to fuss over her.

“My scared swanette,” Wooyoung pouted, huddling close. He pressed a kiss to her cheek as he wrapped her in his arms. “Shall we walk you home from now?” he murmured. “San and I will be your personal bodyguards.”

“Uh, huh,” she teased lightly. “I’m sure you will.”

They’ve only walked her home on occasion. She knew it was in the opposite direction of the Ateez House. She didn’t expect them to walk her home. She wanted them to.

“Trust me, you’ll never get hurt around me if I walked by your side,” San promised, pressing a kiss to her cheek as well.

“I’ll make the ground you walk and dance sacred.” Wooyoung whispered. “Drench it in holy water for you.”

She laughed at that.

“Stop teasing me,” she giggled. “You’re being mean.”

“We’re not teasing, honey.” San pressed another kiss to her cheek.

“I’m sure.”

“Shall I carry you home instead? Like a damsel.” Wooyoung teased, arms sweeping underneath her legs.

Wooyoung was growing bolder by the day, and it made her cheeks flush. She let out a shriek of laughter, dragging the eyes of the other ballerinas their way. San raised his brow at them. Unbeknownst to YN, San seemed to harden when looking at anyone other than Wooyoung or her. He spun her playfully. Her mind rightfully distracted from her fear finally.

“You’ll never step foot on ground again while I’m around, Miss Swanette.”

-

It was dark in the restaurant’s backroom. Smokey and lowlight with flickering candlelight. The servers, the cooks, everyone had been pushed out, locked out. The long table was bare of any meal. Water in crystal glasses sat in front of each man. At the head of the table, there was a decanter of amber liquid with two empty pristine glasses. It was quiet, so quiet that the squeaking of rats could be heard in the floor board. Nervous eyes looked this way and that; bodies shifted and fidgeted. The door opened, and all eyes were sucked to into their orbit.

Two figures stood side by side. Matching Rolexes glimmered on their wrists as they both adjust their suits. One shoved their gold-lined, midnight-black suit’s sleeves up with little finesse while the other took his time, slowly peeling off his suit jacket before rolling his white button-up sleeves up. Slinging his discarded jacket across one of his broad shoulders, he then adjusted his black tie, a long silver ring encompassed his pointer finger of his dominant hand. It almost looked like a claw. The other rolled his neck, the glimmer of multiple gold and pearl necklaces matching his sneer. 

Tall and taller glanced down the long table. Young and old sat there; most didn’t look like they had much. Fake luxurious hats with feathers, rings that didn’t sparkle quite right, and sweat-stained pinstriped suits. Some did have money. Their fat fingers rubbing their gold necklaces nervously. All of them shifted in their seats as the duo approached. One on each side of the table, they prowled.

“Gentlemen,” the one who spoke out first nearly growled his words in a snarl.

Rather than walk with his chin high like his companion, he tilted his chin to glare down the table. Dark eyes made darker still by anger. There was a laziness in his swagger as he walked behind one row of chairs; a hand trailed over each leathered chair.

“We have some… requests,” the taller one stated, a smile coming to his glimmering mouth.

 -

YN watched as Imara grab Dohyun’s hand. Her words were hushed in the loud boudoir, unreadable. But she could see the panic, the tears twinkling on her lash line.

‘Don’t do this please.’

She could read the pretty dancer’s lips.

The bank owner yanked his arm away, harshly. As if they hadn’t touched Imara’s body up and down like it was his for over a year. He glanced about as he spoke, mouth moving too quick for her to catch any words.

He shook his head again as he turned and left the boudoir.

Imara had to pay for her dues the next day for the first time in over a year.

-

Wooyoung stood by his promise. Each night since, he or San walked YN home, winding through the streets with their fingers interlaced. Most nights it was him. He liked the shared time for just them he said. Sometimes, he grew daring and would wrap his arms around her waist, chin on her shoulder. Like two lovers taking a stroll.

The following nights had been relatively calm; there were no gun fights, no gangsters. In fact, the streets seemed boring. Not a soul was seen around them except for, of course, her loyal following shadow. Not that she’d know. He was like a ghost, sneaking around the corners and alleys to keep them in his sight.

From the darkened corners of the streets, the figure followed after them night after night. His annoyance only growing as Wooyoung’s touches grew bolder in the solitude of night. With no one there, the idea of public decency was lost to the second-youngest. It wasn’t anything explicit. He just was touchy. Touchier than if it were daylight. Holding her closer, his touches longer, longing.

Longingly, he wanted to hold her; he wanted her to curl into his arms. Her shadow-man scowled deeply. Wooyoung truly was a brat he decided. Still, he continued to trail them from far away. But every now and then, Wooyoung would turn and give him a wink over his Swanette’s head. His hand sliding up her back, slow and teasing; his fingers tickled and trailed lower and lower on her waist. He whispered something in her ear, and she giggled.

Wooyoung’s smirk was triumphant as his eyes flickered over to the shadow in the alleyway. Wooyoung was teasing. Teasing both of them.

She’d huddle closer after, and the stalking figure would whisper out a curse. Jealousy itched at his stomach, and he was sure to return home with a scowl. He wasn’t used to not getting what he wanted, and, while he was a gentleman, his thoughts felt not-so gentle. He wanted to hold her. Kiss her. Have her love him. He’d give her anything she wanted. He was already so weak for her, and they hadn’t even met.

He buried himself in the work that was piled on his desk, thanks to Hongjoong. Still, he’d get distracted, imagining fantasies of him and her. He spun a ring on the desk, the ‘S’ emblem on it taunting him.

Would he be able to see her perform soon? Seonghwa and Yeosang had visited. Even Jongho had. Maybe he’d convince Hongjoong to let him go to the foyer de la danse like Wooyoung and San were able to. Why couldn’t he?

The young man knew the answer like a bitter liquor.

Later that evening, Wooyoung and him would meet face-to-face. A smirk on his kiss-swollen lips as he popped his head into the higher-rank’s office.

“Had a nice stroll?”

-

It was a Friday, and Julia with the red hair had been given a private dressing room. That was all anyone could whisper and gossip about.

It wasn’t large. It didn’t even have a mirror or dressing table yet. It was a small closet of a space. But it was hers - exclusively. Her name on a golden plaque had been placed on the door with the title ‘Featured Ballerina’ etched below it. There was space for more.  

The entire ballet troupe knew it had been paid for by her patron and wasn’t a result of any promotion amongst the troupe. She wasn’t prima; there was no way for her to achieve higher with no new show to audition for. It was all an act. It wasn’t talent. It was money and favoritism.

Meanwhile, Imara was despondent, cold as ice to anyone that gave her a pitying look.

Patrons came and went like the seasons – even if one thought they’d last forever, winter always came.

It made talking to either woman difficult. Julia was high on her excitement. The way she walked was like she owned the world. She would run off to her closet the moment she came off stage, even if there was hardly room for two people in the space, let alone warming up or staying warm. But, as YN exited stage left, she and the red head stumbled into one another with a clank.

They both yelped, flinching at the pain that radiated up their shoulders.

“Sorry,” YN apologized before her gaze rose and realized who it was.

“Hey Julia.” Her tone was sharper, less friendly than. Almost icy.

The red-head rubbed her shoulder scowling at the other before her own face dropped into an attitude of sorts.

“YN.”

It wasn’t said fond or with blooming respect like it had been before. Where was the respect that had been trickling down with San and Wooyoung’s support? Was it because Julia was still ever-higher than her? Was it because she had a dressing room now?

Maybe it was because they spotted one another outside of the ballet with their patrons by their side.

“Why did you lie to me?” YN spouted out, brows furrowing.

The other ballerina laughed out, too loud. She was almost heard over the orchestra playing a lofty tune as the White Swan jete’ed about on stage nearby.

“What are you talking about?” the other replied, dramatically hushing her tone.

“You said your patron never invited you out of the ballet.” YN stated. “But I saw you at the tennis match.”

There was a condescending tut that escaped the other, and it made YN’s eyes fall into slits.

“Oh, honey,” it was said cruelly. “You need to catch up. If you want to be like them, not be theirs, you must play like them.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ve gone on plenty of outings with my patron.” She stated, fixing her hair.

“So, you lied,” YN clarified again, simply. What wasn’t clicking? She lied to her.

“I’m not invited; I’m expected,” she said. “I go where I want.”  

Semantics. It made her roll her eyes.

“He pays for you just as mine pay for me,” YN commented. “Why didn’t you just tell me it was normal? I was worried.”

Julia finally sighed out.

“Listen, YN. Liars are the only thing that fill those rich homes. Even your boys.” She bit out. “You better learn the game, how to play it, and how to tell if someone is lying to you if you want to be upper-class so badly, YN. Otherwise, you’ll just keep playing pretend, and nobody wants a pretender.”

Then, without another word, the red head pushed past her with a huff.

-

The game. Julia had called it a game.

YN had always looked at the boudoir as a show. A performance between patron and protégé. Usually explicit. But Julia saw it as a game. What type of game YN wondered?

Was it chess? A game of wits? A game of checkers? A game of hopping to the next best thing?

Wooyoung and San didn’t see her as a game. This she knew in her bones. Their sweet words were too sweet. Their genuine excitement and care were a balm to her. But then, she glanced aside at Imara who was like a lost sock without her patron, use ambiguous and left lonely in the corner of the busied boudoir. She had thought the same thing about her patron.  

Doubt crawled in. Trickled in her veins. Even as the pair of men strode into the boudoir after the show per usual. San fixed his vest, the white button up loosened and less appropriate, but pleasing to the eye. Wooyoung finished his drink, handed to him by the bulkier man obediently as they walked.

“Hello you two,” YN greeted.

“Hi, pretty lady,” Wooyoung replied. “How was your evening? You were lovely as always.”

“It was good.” she said.

Wooyoung presented his cheek to her, expectedly. With their increase in dates and walks home, he’d become openly affectionate now. Not that she fought against it. If she didn’t press a kiss, he’d pout but when she did a pleased hum would reverberate through his chest like a cat’s purr. It made her beam; his happiness became her pleasure.

She pecked his cheek, quick. He grinned and quickly engulfed her in an embrace. His lips danced over her face. Tiny millions of butterfly kisses were pressed over her cheeks, her nose, her forehead. Giggles consumed her; his quirking lips hummed as he worked his way down to her jaw, underneath it, her neck, to her collarbone, before he was pressing fond kisses over her pearl necklace and up the column of her throat. Each one sent a tingle running through her.

“No pain?” San questioned, aware of how easily she bruised and ached.

She shook her head distractedly.

“Only a few more shows left anyways if so.” She commented. He gave her a scolding look. “Training will be less strenuous than performing. Surprisingly.” She chuckled, gasping out as Wooyoung pressed a deep kiss to the spot beneath her jaw. Not quite a hickey but close.

“Good,” the man replied. She needed a break San thought. He saw how her toes were a bright red through her tights.

“It’ll be nice to dance something new soon – but it’s bittersweet.” She just managed to get out.

San hummed out in agreement, pressing his own kiss to her forehead as he wriggled Wooyoung away from his honey to let her begin to dress into every-day clothing once more. She gave him a thankful look as she quickly went to change nearby. Her face was flushed, and her heart raced. How was her hair even more mussed from her bun? He hadn’t even touched it.

“I know,” San replied. “You must be excited?”

She smiled as she shed out of her feathers.

“Closing night is always such an experience,” she taunted.

It was. Full of celebrations, champagne, and influx of patrons spending their last pennies of the season.

“Will you be there?”

“Of course, baby,” Wooyoung cooed from San’s arms. She saw him ghost a kiss across his neck.

“We’ll be there for every closing and opening from now on.”

-

Wooyoung sat by her side, her hand in his as he gestured to the menu about this tea and that americano and this croissant. Their spread was already far more than either of them could finish. Large oozy cookies, steaming croissants with chocolate fillings, savory bite-sized tarts, and a large sandwich Wooyoung had already cut in half. One for him and one for her.

They had begun to have more dates like this; Wooyoung favored more intimate places such as cafes where they could cozy up close and share treats and talk while San liked to show her off at tennis matches and outings of public attention. She had liked it – but she couldn’t help but hear Julia’s voice in the back of her head.

Did she know her patrons?

Wooyoung smiled brightly and talked easily with her now; an air of comfortability was palpable as his fingers played with hers.

“Wooyo,” she prompted tentatively, interrupting his yapping.

“Hm?” he looked up from the menu, his face inquiring. Brows raised, and mouth squeezed shut.

“I have a question.”

“Ask away, swanette.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly before letting go and flexing his arms to resettle his sitting form to look at her more attentively.

“Why is it you introduced yourself as a Jung? And not a Kim?” she asked.

“Force of habit, really,” he admitted. “Hongjoong insists on us sharing his name.” He raised his coffee to his lips, taking a sip.

“Because he helped you when you needed him?” she recalled.

His grin grew wide, amused. “Yeah.” He paused, biting his lip for a moment before he scooted closer. “He took me in basically. Which is why I consider him family, close as thieves just like Yeosangie and Sannie.”

“He’s at Ateez House?” she queried, fingering a cookie. Tearing it up but not really eating as she thought.

How many were at that mansion? Yeosang, San, Wooyoung… Hongjoong and Seonghwa as well?

“There’s a lot of you there.”

He nodded as he picked up one of the crumbs she was making and pressed it to her lips. His fingertips were warm from the hot ceramic of his coffee cup. He smiled fondly as she nibbled at it. Before raising the rest of the crumb to his mouth, licking at the chocolate melting on his fingertips.

She licked her lips as she watched, chocolate fragrant on her tongue.

“There are eight of us,” he told her. “Eight men in one house, you can imagine the chaos.”

He spoke as if they shared an apartment and not a grand ‘haunted’ mansion.

“What does he do?” she mumbled, half focusing on her attempt to solve the mysteries that had plagued Ateez House’s occupants.

“Eh, a lot of things,” he sucked at the crumbs on his thumb before reaching out a wiping a smudge at the corner of her lips. “This and that. Loves art and shows and spectacle. Is a bit of a collector, more than Sannie is – you know, San loves pretty things.”

She already knew where this was going.

“Like me, Wooyoung?” she teased, beating him to his flirt.

“Just like you, Swanette.” He nudged her tea her way, urging her to drink before it went cold. “C’mon, try this too.”

And like that, her mind was sucked into his fancies as he fed her a warm tartlet that tasted richer than any food she had ever had.

-

It was the first night Wooyoung and San would be unable to walk her home. Wooyoung was good at keeping his promise; he walked her home for many many nights. His babbling softened with his sleepiness which was cute. It was worth it to press a kiss to her lips before she went inside, and even more worth it when he caught the shadow of a figure watching them. He’d blow him a kiss – behind her back that is.

She was anxious to walk alone. Her stomach churned at the though. Wooyoung had apologized as they rushed off to something that needed their attention – him and San. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, promising she’d be okay. He’d see her tomorrow. Walk in the light and you’ll be fine, little bird. As if she walked anywhere else anymore – all her shortcuts scared her now.

It was too late to call for a carriage or a buggy to take her home, so it was the only way. Unless she wanted to sleep on the uncomfortable settee in the boudoir (and most likely be kicked out by the janitor early in the morning. She could hear the Madame already. “This isn’t an orphanage, Miss YN.” Despite the selection of orphans that made up their ranks.)

So, YN hugged her jacket around herself and began her trek home.

And it was so peaceful. Not a whisper, not a fight, nothing. The streets were abandoned – even the men who were stumbling home drunk were absent. It was absolutely empty. Except for her.

And her stalker, of course.

-

San was early at the opera house the next day– so early the doors to the boudoir weren’t unlocked yet. Instead, he lingered out front, pacing this way and that.

“Sannie,” she exclaimed at the sight of him.

How did he know she was going to practice early today? The question was quickly forgotten as she hugged him. His arms wrapped around her in a warm bear hug before he pulled back to press a kiss to her nose.

Sweet, that’s what San was.

“What’re you doing here?” she asked, smiling affectionately up at him.

They hadn’t shifted in their embrace; San kept her close to him as he looked down at her. There was clear fondness there. His fingers rubbed up and down her back, over her warm winter coat.

“I wanted to see you,” he admitted. “You look so cute in your coat.”

His words brought a flush to her cheeks. This was what she imagined when she thought of Julia’s words. No way could this be false. He was cooing over her, his touch reverent. It was different.

“I love it,” she replied. “It keeps me warm. Just like you.”

He laughed, warmly. He brought her close to his chest again, hugging her. It was funny. For as much as he claimed Wooyoung was touchy, San loved skinship. He liked to keep her close.

“I got you something,” he whispered after a moment, shifting one arm to reach into his pocket.

“What’s this?”

In his small hand (well, small compared to his broad form) sat a beautiful bracelet, teardrop-cut diamonds were linked together into a delicate yet unbelievably expensive gift.

“For you.”

San smiled like a content cat as he watched her fiddle with the pretty diamond bracelet. His dimples were deep in his cheeks. Her fingers brushed over the jewels admiringly. He loved pretty things and seeing her openly awe made him buzz with excitement. Carefully, he linked the clasp over her wrist and turned her hand over in his, watching the gems glimmer and shimmer in the gas light. He grinned.

“What’s this for?” she asked, brows crinkling curiously.

It wasn’t like Wooyoung’s gift – a month anniversary gift – or even San’s gift of the coat, something she had needed in all honesty. This was sudden. Strange.

His fingers brushed over the jewels before he spoke again.

“I was jealous that Wooyo had this pretty necklace around your throat.”

He leaned forward, fingering the pearls around her throat before tugging experimentally at them like it was a leash. They tightened with the pressure, choking her lightly and forcing her to lean closer to her patron. YN’s breath stolen, not in pain but in a flicker of excitement, surprise, pleasure. Her head tilted back to smile up at him. His fingers tightened around the pearls ever so.

“Oh, honey,” San cooed soft and sweet as he continued to tug her up by the collar of her necklace to capture her lips in a kiss. One kiss that devolved into many as he pushed her up against the door to the boudoir, lifting her lightly into his arms. Pressed against the door, her bejeweled hand tangled in his hair, tugging him ever closer.

They were lucky no one passed by as they devoured one another.

San may have been a gentleman, but his greed and power revealed itself slowly but surely.

-

Another man was missing. He had been a regular in the boudoir. A young man who spent his spare pennies to leer at them. He wasn’t missed by any of the ballerinas, but it was frightening. Too many people were disappearing or getting into trouble.

Her mother and the other ladies at the factory walked together now. To and from work, in case trouble arose. She had even pushed for YN to walk with someone to the Opera House for once.

“Your boy is a good one,” she appraised. “That Wooyoung walks you here every night now. Like a gentleman. Stick around him.”

-

San had invited her out to another tennis match. Wooyoung had been caught up in business (business she still didn’t know of, she lamented as they walked along the cobblestone streets. San had whispered in her ear that it was boring. Wooyoung was unlucky to not be here with her. And he, in turn, was ever lucky.)

She wore his pretty diamond bracelet on her wrist, and, every time he stole a glance, his face curled up into a pleasant happy grin. He looked sweet like a kitten.

His arm wrapped around her waist as they sat and watch Yeosang’s match. Drinking champagne, he’d offer her his flute every so often, and she’d sip away. It was an expensive brand, far more easy to drink than the piss-poor alcohol the ballerinas could afford for their own celebrations away from the leering men of the opera. Drinking the expensive liquor the men offered was never a good idea – it led to worser things.

Yeosang looked as pretty as ever. He reminded her of a ballerino the way he danced about the court.  Somehow both pretty and masculine as his form bent and stretched. Muscles rippled, leaner than San’s but not any less bulging. His arms flexed and she held onto the shared flue of champagne tighter.

San’s fingers stroked over her hip.

“You’re staring, honey,” he teased.

It wasn’t the tone of a jealous lover or a scolding of a respectable man. It was lilting, gentle. Her eyes looked away from Yeosang and rested on her date. He sipped his champagne, lips pursing and brows dancing. San’s lids were heavy as he grinned. Just as cat-like as earlier but more cheshire. Like he knew a secret.

He glanced away from her and looked over the athlete. His gaze mirrored hers, she realized. A fondness… no, an attracted air radiated in his deep brown orbs.

Was he teasing her? Was he genuine?

“Now, you’re staring,” she teased in return.

“I didn’t tell you to stop,” he replied coyly. He glanced back at her as he leaned in. “He’s handsome, hm?”

Her cheeks flushed at that and she looked away.

“San!” she exclaimed.

His laughter rumbled in his chest as he held her closer. His lips pressed to her ear intimately. 

“It’s alright, honey. He’s mine. Just as Wooyoung’s mine.” He replied easily. “Just as you are mine.” His lips kissed her skin before he pulled away. Her hand shifted to grasp his in hers. His thumb grazed over her bracelet lovingly.

-

Yeosang greeted them after his victory; the zing of celebratory champagne on his breath stinging her nose as he leaned forward to wrap her into an eager hug. Daring for a second-meeting. It made her worry she had been too obvious with her friendliness, her intrigue… her interest in the athlete. She did like him after all.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he beamed.

The smell of his cologne mingled with his sweat. Masculinity mixed with the soft thyme and tea of his perfume. It made her want to hug him closer. He pulled back, his eyes burning with the same intensity beforehand. A straightforwardness. He wasn’t afraid to meet her gaze. His honeyed eyes were sweet and inquiring. Taking in every feature of her – the dark coat, the pearls, the diamonds. He smiled.

“Hello Yeosang. Congratulations,” she returned.

The man nodded respectfully before he glanced over her shoulder at the tall muscled man, eyeing Yeosang with clear adoration.

“San,” he greeted.

“Yeosangie,” San replied with a fond grin. His cheeks were blushed, maybe from the champagne they shared?

The athlete rolled his eyes lightly, playfully, before he settled his gaze on the lady.

“Did you make any bets?” he asked curiously, leaning into her with intrigue.

Her eyes widened. “Oh, no,” she exclaimed. She hadnt even thought of that; she was a guest after all.

“You know what? Yeosang’s right,” San retorted. His hand squeezed her waist. “Next time, you should bet some coin. We do all the time.”

Her brows crinkled, doubtfully. Not because she doubted Yeosang’s abilities. He was a powerful athlete. But betting… she swallowed a bit. She didn’t have much money to risk in general. She had just gotten used to having extra coins in her coinpurse. Her embarrassment burned at her ears.

“I’m not sure,” she said softly.

Yeosang eyed her before he hummed lightly. His gaze settled back on San, firmly.

“I’ll do it for you,” San said instead, downing the rest of his drink. His eyes reopened from the gulp and he shrugged. “I’ll buy you anything, honey. Everything.”

Yeosang laughed, lips curling. Pleased. He leaned in to whisper close. 

“You’ve got our San, sweetheart. Wrapped around your pretty finger.”

The athlete’s fingers were close by still, and they tickled her fingertips playfully. If he was any bolder, he’d be holding her hand. But instead, like a tease, he pulled back. Licking his lower lip and flashing a charming smile that only a socialite had. Easy and well-practiced.

“I’ll buy you anything, too, baby,” San purred towards Yeosang. He looked at the buff man with a raised brow. He always looked so sharp, in a delicate way despite his rippling muscles.

“I know,” he teased.

Yeosang raised a hand to squeeze the younger’s cheeks fondly. San smiled, pleased, a mirror of the grin he gave her earlier. His cheeks looked plump in the other’s lean long fingers. Yeosang chuckled, squeezing them again before his hand dropped and he turned.

“Come with me,” he nodded over his shoulder. “We can talk in the shade – the weather is horrid.”

He was right; the clouds were whirling and swirling into what was sure to be a downpour soon. They walked further into the tennis court’s shaded areas – the betting shop in the corner with a long line. People, mostly men, were cashing in their rewards. San’s hands went to rest on the small of her back; if she had glanced aside, she’d see he did the same to Yeosang, guiding the pair of them this way and that.

A rush of reporters, dressed for the weather with raincoats and large brimmed hats, flooded towards the winner. Yeosang slung his black tennis racket over his shoulder, smiling and waving at the flashing paparazzi’s cameras. Her eyes shut at the bright lights. San’s hand squeezed her waist and tugged her closer.

“Sir, congratulations!” There were cries of celebration and excitement. “Good show! Good show!”

YN wasn’t used to such fanfare, and it made her fantasize of the flashing lights she was hopeful for. One day… she glanced over at Yeosang. She’d be like him. Successful. In his own right. He grinned politely at a reporter, waving with a tight structured wave.

“Mr. Kim! Is it true you know Kim Yunho?” she heard over the chatter.

Yunho… she had heard that name before. But where? She didn’t have time to think as San guided them throughout the crowd, his hand curling over her hip to keep her closer with the writhing crowd jostling them this way and that.

The athlete didn’t reply, and he let his friend guide him through the swarm until they entered a tented area. Once the tent’s curtains were tied together, Yeosang huffed.

“I despise paparazzi,” he admitted, scuffing his feet against the concrete as he walked.

The space wasn’t special, but it was private. Scattered about were a few folding chairs, a wrought-wire bench, and a grey-green locker. Yeosang went to it, and opened it with ease. Within it wasn’t much. A folded assortment of clothes, a letter plastered to the locker’s interior, an extra racket, and a water jug. He placed his dark racket within and picked up the water jug. Raising the glass jug to his mouth, he took a big gulp. San patted her hip encouragingly as he moved away going to sit on the nearby bench. YN tentatively took a seat in a folding chair.

“Your performances of Swan Lake are coming to an end, are they not?” Yeosang queried.

“Oh, yes. They are; will you be able to attend closing night… or any show anytime soon? I’d love to see you there.” she admitted.

Yeosang’s lips quirked against the water jug’s rim before he pulled it away. Swallowing, he nodded. “I would love to see you once more, Miss YN. In your element.”

“You must encourage him to come backstage,” she turned to San. Less asking and more pressing.

He nodded in agreement. Easily swayed by his lovers, he leaned back in his seat casually.

“Is it like this?” Yeosang asked; a hand went to push back his locks, sweatied and damp.

The sight of his sharp brows quirking in curiosity sent a flare of excitement through her. He was so handsome; she couldn’t help but awe. San chuckled at her ogling.

“It isn’t, Yeo.” San admitted. “The backstage is grand and too open with too many girls running about half-dressed and men staring at them.”

Yeosang’s eyes flickered to him. “Even our girl?”

San glanced at her, head tilting. “Not as of late.”

He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and placed it in between his lips. The look he gave Yeosang confused her – sharp, dark, and biting as he bit down on the cigarette before fiddling with a silver lighter. Yeosang hummed lowly.

“San and Wooyoung are polite,” she said, as if that would help the conversation. As if that was the topic at hand. “They’re the best gentleman in the boudoir. Honest.”

San grinned around his cigarette as he finally lit it. He knew she spoke the truth. She always did around him now. It made him happy to know she was so comfortable around them that she didn’t even notice the glares he sent the way of any man that dared eye her as she switched costumes.

Little did she know what would happen to one if they did. 

He puffed out smoke.

“I’d rather see you outside this boudoir then,” Yeosang commented, closing the locker’s door. “I don’t wish to see you improperly, sweetheart. I wouldn’t put you in that situation.”

“We don’t mean to either,” San coughed out, the smoke scattering about bashfully. He turned to look at her with the gentlest of eyes. “You’re painting me to be a villain, Yeo.”

“No, I know,” she interrupted. “I know San and Woo mean well.”

They had said so since the beginning. Wooyoung claimed he didn’t even know he was playing as potential patron until San said so. And now, well, she felt safe around them. When she was with them, when she was introduced to Yeosang, it made her feel permanent. Not a doll on a music box to show off around the right clientele.

Imara never had this.

“Still,” Yeosang tutted. “I’d hate that. If I had those reporters watching every little move I made back here.” He bared his teeth. “I’m sorry you have to suffer that, sweetheart.”

-

“Do you want diamonds?” San asked.

This was the fifth time he had asked if she wanted some grand gift as they walked home. The umbrella San had kept them mostly dry in the drizzle. YN knew he felt bad about the boudoir. Especially at Yeosang’s commentary.

“No,” she let out a chuckle.

“More pearls?” Not his favorite thing, but they looked pretty around her neck and they were useful.

“No,” she giggled, swinging their conjoined hands.

“Then what, honey?” he whined a bit, sounding childlike as he squeezed onto her hand.

She was surprised this bulky beefy man was acting so openly whiney in public. He didn’t need the illusion of masculinity to cling to; there was an element of strength in him deeper than attitude. Even if he was acting like a child.

“I’m okay,” she said. 

He licked the back of his lips. Doubtful. He frowned before stopping in the streets. The lamplighters were out and about, lighting the last remaining candle lights amongst the new gas-line lamps. He didn’t falter. He didn’t care if they were intimately close. His hand around her wrist as he pulled her close in the wet setting sun.

“What do you truly want, honey?”

What did she truly want? She smiled up at him. All her life she had only wanted and yearned for one thing – til Wooyoung and him and Yeosang all tumbled into her life that is.

“I want to be a ballerina. The ballerina prima,” she told him sincerely. Her hand rose to pat his cheek softly. “You are helping me get it.”

His lips pouted as he looked down at her. He didn’t like that answer. That was a harder request. But he wouldn’t tell her that. Instead, he leaned forward to press a sweet kiss to her lips, so quick one would’ve missed it if it hadn’t tasted of champagne and cigarette smoke. His sweetened coffee cologne wafted over her soothingly like a chaser.

-

“Extra edition!” a newsboy cried out.

YN had been walking towards the newest restaurant that San and Wooyoung insisted on trying. It was expensive. Far too expensive for her, but San insisted per usual and Wooyoung pouted that without her he’d be bored. So, here she was walking the streets towards the richer side of town. The richer side of town where all the newsies made their routes; the rich had money to spare.

“Star tennis player Kim Yeosang associated with Kim Yunho, the man released on 1 million coin for murder in broad-daylight! Shocking details revealed.”

Now, that caught her attention. Her feet slowed until she came to a stop. For once, it felt like the newsies had given just enough information to lure her in. Her coin purse pressed against her thigh was heavy. Heavy enough to spare a few coins to buy the paper.

“I’ll take one, Jack,” she told him, digging into her pocket to hand him the necessary amount.

The younger grinned up at her. “Thank you, Miss YN.” He shuffled the heavy stack around, untying the twine to present the fresh-printed and warm newspaper her way.

She nodded in thanks as she unraveled it and began to read.

-

San and Wooyoung sat in the corner of a restaurant, talking lowly in the shadows as they waited. Only to be interrupted by a newspaper being plopped down on the table. Their eyes shifted from one another to the newspaper. Doubtful, almost darkened looks were engrained in their faces before they glanced upward to see their swanette. Haloed by the light pouring into the café, her arms were crossed; brow raised. Their expressions softened immediately like butter.

“Hello, honey,” San rumbled. He tugged the chair out for her.

“What’s wrong?” Wooyoung added.

They hadnt looked at the paper yet.

“What the fuck is this?” she murmured, taking the seat easily as she shoved the headline their way.

Wooyoung licked his lips at her expletive. She didn’t curse much in the boudoir. Hearing it made his cell burn, biting at his lower lip after a moment. He glanced down at the paper; that hot feeling fizzled at the headline. He sighed, head rolling back, before he glanced San’s way. San’s expression hadn’t shifted; not even a twitch of his brow as he looked over his glasses at his partner.

“It’s a long story,” Wooyoung replied.

“I’ve got time,” she retorted, crossing her arms. “Start with the part where Kim Yunho is living in your mansion. Kim Yunho, the man who shot a near-billionaire, dead, in broad-daylight after a supposed bet gone wrong.”

Her voice raised as she retold what the inky print said. She didn’t look intimidating in their eyes. Especially with her pout. San wanted to kiss it off her. Instead, he offered, “Yunho’s got a complicated past, but he only acted in self-defense.”

“He shot a man in broad daylight. Is Yeosang safe? Are you?” she worried. “Hongjoong?”

Wooyoung scooted close at that, hating the way her voice accelerated. San chuckled lowly, shaking his head.

“Oh, little bird,” Wooyoung hummed, taking her hand. “We are safe. We are safe. You don’t need to worry – is that why you are so upset?”

She frowned at them, her furrowed brow deepening. Wooyoung cooed.

“You are, oh, baby,” he hugged her, nearly joining her on her chair. “You are sweet, YN.”

“I’m worried; you are with a criminal,” she mumbled out, making sure her words were too loud. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

Wooyoung stole a kiss. “You really are a doll, an angel. We are okay I promise.”

“You can’t just kiss me and tell me it’s okay. How? How is it okay?”

“Yunho is a free-man,” San reminded. “He didn’t break out of jail; he served his time; he paid his fees; he was let go. But apparently caught the attention of the press while doing so.”

“Poor Yeosang,” YN lamented suddenly. “He hated the paparazzi and now-“ she buried her head into Wooyoung’s shoulder.

The younger cooed. His hand going to pet at her back as he glanced over at San while her back was turned. There was a rustling of the newspaper, the crinkling paper being folded over.

“Yeosang will live. He’s been reported on his entire life. Yunho will not hurt us, promise, honey.” San replied. “You’re working yourself up. I’ll get you tea.”

There was a snapping sound of his fingers. A waiter obediently came. The man whispered his order as Wooyoung murmured to YN.

“It’s alright. It really is. You’ll see.”

San and Wooyoung’s eyes met once more.

They should’ve let Yunho meet her before this all happened; their shared grimaces said so.

-

Not even a day later, there were rumors about town. That night whispers about her patrons were all about the boudoir. The Ateez House truly was haunted some said. It had a killer living there. It made her scoff. There were seven others in that house – how could you build a house to be broken and haunted by one person?

The next day, a man from the newspaper company, the Cromer Chronicle, was missing. He had disappeared in the night without a trace. Or well, there was a trace. A letter saying he was going on vacation for a while. But few believed it.

Gossip roared. What was even more interesting, was that the newspaper headlines the next day were completely free of any mentions of Kim Yeosang or Kim Yunho.

But on her vanity, a letter rested with her name in an elaborate script signed by a certain man. The seal was the same ‘A’ emblem that both San and Wooyoung wore on a gold ring.

Miss YN.

You are cordially invited to join Kim Yeosang at the Ateez House estate for a night of fine dining. Casual attire permitted. I am so excited to see you again – if you will join me!  

Yours,

Kim Yeosang

“Did you place this on the vanity?” she asked the two men who sat side by side on a sofa. Sometimes they looked too close for comfort; tonight was one of those nights. Wooyoung was nearly draped across San’s chest, his head cradled on his muscular shoulder as he stared up at her.

“No, swanette,” Wooyoung claimed. “Our hands are clean in this.”

He raised his hands in surrender, wiggling his fingers playfully at her.

“Yeosangie must’ve liked you,” San added with a smirk.

“You’d know,” Wooyoung muttered; San grasped the other’s hip warningly.

Wooyoung giggled out almost like a hyena, head tilting back in mischief.

“You should’ve seen how he looked at her, Wooyo,” San continued, his gaze flickering towards YN from over his spectacles.

“I know,” the other giggled.

“Will you be there?” she asked tentatively.

Her fingers fiddled with the corner of the thick cardstock Yeosang’s handwriting graced. She was used to their presence. They felt safe to her. They glanced at one another. San’s fingers trailed up and down Wooyoung’s waist. Wooyoung went to interlace their fingers smoothly. Squeezing it once and then twice.

“I’m not sure, honey,” San said. “We have business to attend to this weekend.”

“Sorry, pretty,” Wooyoung pouted at her. “We may see you in passing? If you miss us so much, we can meet you here early the next day. I want to hear all about you and Yeosangie.”

She smiled sweetly at them, flushing at the idea that the pair of them encouraged her to dine and possible flirt with another. It was strange but not… unfavorable. Yeosang was handsome. He was delicate but strong. Eloquent and interesting. Understanding. She liked his company. Despite the company he kept… her mind flickered back to the elephant in the room… or yesterday’s newspaper in the nearby waste basket.

“Is… Yunho –“ she asked, shifting this way and that. San couldn’t help but think she looked so sweet, so innocent, so naïve in her little feather tutu, all virginal white. “Is it safe for me - with Yunho there?”

They didn’t even need to look at one another. Wooyoung’s hand held San’s tighter as he shifted his gaze to simmer on her.

“Yunho would never hurt a lady, honey,” San replied, sincerely and instantaneously.

His hand outstretched for her to take. Which she did. It was San after all. Secure, sweet, strong San. He’s been so straightforward. She trusted him. His fingers caressed over her knuckles, “Especially you.”

“Okay,” she breathed. “I believe you.”

“Yeosang will be excited.” San promised, raising her hand for him to press a kiss to her knuckles. “We can deliver the news to him when we get home.”

He pressed a peck to each knuckle before continuing up her hand to press kisses over his bracelet. He placed a final sweet kiss to her pulse before pulling away, and pulling her towards their embrace. San could hold both of them in his lap after all. Wooyoung slid further down on the settee until his head rested on one of San’s thighs. His lips curled.

“I will send a car for you, swanette. You won’t have to lift a foot,” Wooyoung promised, reaching a hand up to tuck hair aside as she sat on San’s rippling thigh. “Easy-peasy.”

-

It was her first time in an automobile. She had traveled in carriages and open buggies but never something so expensive as a brand-new automobile. Something so polished and metallic and rich. Her excitement was almost like a child’s; her smile was bright at the sight of the car sitting curbside. Its lacquer was a deep-olive color, gleaming in the golden sunlight peeking out of the rain-heavy clouds. The chill that nipped at her heels and the rain that itched at the sky made her thankful that Wooyoung had sent a car for her – even if every single one of her neighbors were being nosey. She could see their faces pressed to their windows with curtains shoved aside haphazardly. No cars came here. And certainly, no car like this.

The driver was tall and handsome, his dark brown hair styled sharply across his forehead. A multi-layered suit with shimmering gold detailing looked expensive on his form, a long-coat making his appearance look clean cut and sleek. Just like the car.

His entrancing eyes were dark, siren-like as they locked onto her form as she hopped gracefully down the icy steps. He felt his breath catch. A mix of excitement and fear tumbled through his stomach. She looked so pretty. Her hair was done nicely and modern. Her day-dress was a pretty (if a bit washed out) green color, complimenting the car’s hue perfectly. The sparkle of her pearls around her throat and her diamond bracelet peeking from beneath the sleeve of the dark fur coat made him smile. His full lips quirked into a smirk of a close-lipped smile.

His eyes haven’t left her form yet. Not even when her mother stepped out to awe at the car and the man waiting for her on the curb.

“Hello, doll.” He greeted her, polite with a deep-voice.

His hand, covered in multiple rings, opened the passenger door for her.

“Hi,” she smiled at him, and he wanted to swoon then and there. But he stayed firm, icy, tall. It wasn’t his turn. He wasn’t even supposed to be here. But he knew the way to her house; he had a car. And he was higher than Wooyoung or San in the hierarchy. He’d do what he wanted to do… as long as the Captain allowed that is.

His eyes didn’t leave her as she entered the automobile, tucking her dresses beneath her lady-like. He closed the door behind her and circled around the car to enter the driver’s seat. He took a shaky breath before entering; he felt like a school boy. When was that a feeling he’s felt recently? (The Ateez House would say every time he whined and pouted at them like a princess.)

The interior of the car smelt expensive, too. The well-taken care of leather, the wiped down metal accessories, everything reeked of rich maintenance. Her eyes ate up the new machine, looking at the gearshift, the polished controls. There was even a record player in the dash.

She never realized how rich they were. It surprised her. He ate up how her eyes widened, and she sat so delicate, hands in her lap as if touching something would bite her. She was so cute. His lips curled into a smirk as he turned the key in the ignition. The car rumbled to life, and she let out a little sound of surprise.

He chuckled low, the sound reverberating around her. She glanced over at her driver. He looked casual in the driver’s seat. One hand was on the wheel; the gleam of an expensive watch shone at her. He was leaning back, his hand cupping the back of her car seat carefully as he began to pull the car away into the street.

He didn’t want to intimidate her. Wooyoung had said she was already so nervous about Yunho. So, he didn’t speak, didn’t tease, didn’t do much except drive. He enjoyed her gaze on him though. He watched her so many times that it made the back of his neck and the tips of his ears burn pleasantly. He tongued at his canines, hiding his smirk. His plush lips pursed instead.

Her awe shifted as he sped up, her eyes flickering to the streets that passed by, faster, faster, faster. Faster than any carriage or bike or trolley. It sent a whirl of excitement in her stomach.

“This is my first time in an automobile,” she admitted into the silence.

“It is?” his voice was deep as honey, and it made her spine tingle.

He glanced over at her. He wanted to show her so many new things. He was glad to have one of her firsts. Wooyoung had stolen so many. Her first date, her first kiss, her first embrace. He’d at least be her first car ride – one of many. He’d take her in any of his cars – if they were in the countryside rather than the city, he’d show her how fast these automobiles can go. He’d impress her. They’d go one day, he imagined. They’d go all sorts of places together. He’d show her the world if she wished it.

She hummed out in agreement, pulling him from his daydream.

“It’s nice,” she complimented, shifting her seat.

A flood of rose-petal aroma consumed him. Her perfumed skin. She put so much care into this; into them. It was intoxicating. His eyes locked on the road, his fingers trembling lightly. He flexed his hand and gripped the leather of the wheel tighter.

“Thank you, darling.”

The car ride was a quick one. Ateez House was on the outskirts of the city but not too far away to be a long journey. Just far enough to be private amongst the trees and rolling hills. It looked more alive than it had ever been in all the years she lived in Cromer. While the estate was sprawling and the mansion itself large and imposing with a complicated layout, it always looked abandoned. But now, there were crystal windows gleaming with light, gardeners trimming bushes, and luxury cars pulling into a nearby car garage. People tended to the large fountain in the center of the roundabout driveway, despite the threatening rain that rumbled in the sky. The mansion’s greyness seemed to fade with the orange-light the windows poured into the evening.

It was a phantom resurrected; the flame of life was burning within the house once more.

Mingi cleared his throat. “Welcome to Ateez House, YN.”

Her eyes were locked on his home; winding over the overlapping rooftops, grazing the glowing windows to see if anyone was looking out at them. Two figures, dark silhouettes at most, stood on the upper floor, one short and the other tall.

Her head tilted in curiosity before they walked off.

“Thank you,” she smiled at him before going to open her door. “And thank you for the drive.”

There was a squeak of leather as he shifted closer suddenly. His arm outstretched over her, bracing over her chest. Her gasp was all the sound that filled the air between them. Her head turned and they were nearly nose-to-nose.

He was so close. The blood-orange of his cologne licked at her senses, mingling with the polished leather so refreshingly. He smelled intoxicating and sharp. His face was only inches away; the fabric of his long-coat brushed against her. His hand closed around the metal handle of the car door, gently nudging hers aside. He laughed out nervously. His eyes were wide and gentle. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he flashed the sweetest grin she had ever seen, all toothy and bright. It sparkled… wait, he had diamonds on his teeth. His canines were adorned with gems that gleamed in the setting sun.

“Let me,” he bumbled out. He opened the door from within, before pulling his arm back. His cheeks were painted a rosy color that only made his flustered appearance look more sweet.

“Thank you,” she said, offering him a grin of her own.

She hoped he wasn’t too surprised by her own initial surprise. He was just trying to be a gentleman she realized. Bowing her head, she quickly ducked out of the car, closing the door behind her with care.

The only thought that filled his brain – besides the intoxicating smell of YN – was ‘damn you for winning, Yunho.’ After a long moment of breathing the remains of her deep into his lungs and watching her form walk towards his house, Mingi restarted the automobile with a rumble to guide it back to their private car garage. 

-

Everything reeked of extravagance. Tall walls with recess ceilings and wainscotting details. Gilded gold and glowing gas-lamps. Italian-Renaissance inspired tiles of saints, angels, and the Heavens were inlayed in the ceiling. The floor was patterned, a rich expensive textile making up the carpet.

There were butlers lining the walls of the foyer; all in matching midnight pin-striped suits. It was almost eerie. They were like statues, repeating over and over and over. Expressionless. Each face was stoney, eyes ahead. It reminded her of when the ballet troupe lined up in their matching leotards and were separated by height; row after row. Slicked back hair, delicate body lines, starving ribs. Identical and indistinguishable until they reached prima title.

None of them acknowledged her except for one, a rogue, that walked up and nodded at her politely.

“Welcome to the mansion, Miss YN. Please, come.” He outstretched his hand to encourage her further into the lavish space.

She curtsied, uncertainly. One of the many ghostly butlers took her coat as she walked down the foyer’s hall. Her kitten heels were soft against the carpet flooring until they rounded a corner. They click-clacked across marble flooring, polished ‘til she could see her reflection.

“Mr. Yeosang has requested a meal to be prepared at the West Wing. Please follow me.” The same butler spoke once more before he turned to lead the way.

Following after him, she was awed by the space. The very place that had been teased and taunted and ghost storied about was a gleaming jewel. As they walked, she realized how each hallway, each living space was opulent. The current path had walls that were painted an ice-cold baby-blue. Yet there were touches of warmth everywhere. Fine art in gold-leafed frames, elaborate trims around columns and the floor were the same shining gold. The art was all heavenly. Literally. Gods, angels, and disciples portrayed in blurred brush strokes, painted with colors that ached of softness. Everything was all gold, fluff, and magnificence.

The ceiling had multiple heavy hanging chandeliers of pure jewels. Diamonds dripped from its wire frame and sparkled in the gas-light. Everywhere was gaslit; she was surprised. No one had notice workers here and yet it was modern. Not a speck of dust or age present anywhere – besides the ancient art she supposed.

She slowed as she passed a large Renaissance-esque painting full of cherubs with feathered wings and glowing haloes. Squinting, she saw one figure wearing a ski mask. Huh? A cat meowed nearby. Her attention was caught, her head turning to the sound.  She stilled as she glanced down a nearby hall, one that seemed darker than the others. Doors lined each wall; all shut except for one at the end of that hall. It was opened just a crack, the siren call of a piano trickled out, and a little cat peered around its corner. The sweet cat was a midnight-black, almost blue-ish in tone; her tail twisted behind her as she meowed out again.

YN’s eyes lit up at the sight; the cat meowed again as it wiggled itself out of the doorway. Its paws and claws clinked against the tile, almost in rhythm with the piano music playing. Large green eyes peered up at her curiously as the cat approached; the collar around its throat was expensive – a leather thing with jewels, pearls, and a large silver bell that jingled out the closer it got.

She meowed at her again.

The piano stopped; the reverb humming out discordantly.

“Z?” a voice called out before a gentle melodic whistle chimed out.

The kitty’s attention was caught again, its ears perking up and meowing as if answering the call of its owner. It began to stroll back where it came from.

“Miss YN,” the butler’s monotonic called out.

Her head snapped towards him, answering his call immediately. She stood from the slight crouch she had taken for the kitten’s approach. Her butler stood some feet away, arms behind his back. She expected a disapproving look, but he provided none.

“Please follow me, Miss. We wouldn’t want you disappearing.”

That was almost worse! It sounded so ominous coming from his stone-faced mouth. She swallowed.

“Sorry,” she apologized before she quickened her pace to catch up to him.

“We wouldn’t want to keep him waiting.”

They continued to walk down this hallway and that hallway. Someone could easily get lost here. It was like a grand castle. Finally, after crossing some carpeted stairs, they were in front of a grand hallway of windows. As they passed, she could see a dreary exterior. Rain had begun to pour, fogging the outside in grey. But she could distantly see a maze of hedges, rose bushes, apple trees, and all sorts of gardens awaiting. She awed at the sight as they continued down the carpeted hall to come to a set of dark oak doors.

“One moment, Miss,” the butler warned as he entered the room quickly.

“Boss, er, sir – “

The doors shut behind him before she could hear any more. She was left alone. YN glanced aside at the wall opposite of the windows. There were inlayed gas lamps, glowing a soft yellow. A portrait hung nearby, painted in a similar style as the painting she saw before.

It was of a young man, a handsome one at that. His inky-black hair was slicked back in shiny waves, a singular strand curled over his forehead daintily. He was in all white, soft silken tunic and oversized bowtie of virginal white. Despite the softness of his attire and of the atmosphere surrounding him (he was almost painted with his own divine halo as if he was an apostle), there was sharpness to his midnight-black eyes and the smirk of his mischievous smile. His ears were pierced up and down, pearls and fine metals looping them in sparkles. A twinkle was shining at the corner of his grin as if his teeth gleamed in the heavenly light around him. He was beautiful, but she couldn’t help but feel like his dark eyes were staring her down.

The tall doors opened behind her suddenly. YN turned to see the reveal of a dining hall as luxurious as the rest of the mansion. But the aroma that wafted from its interior was far more intoxicating.

“Enter, Miss YN.” The butler encouraged, beside the door.

He held them open for her as she took a stride inside. Her lips widening into a smile as she prepared to greet Yeosang at the head of the table. But this was no Yeosang she realized as she gazed down the long, lavish table to meet the dark gaze of a stranger.

With a calculated look, he stared at her from the head of a ten-chaired, decadent table of hot food. It was more than she had eaten in months even with San and Wooyoung: sizzling side dishes, steaks covered in thick luscious sauces, cracked fruits that had a sweet nectar gleaming on them, chocolate-oozing pastries. An open bottle of red wine rested in a frosted chest of ice; eight crystal glasses sat upside down. One glass of red wine sat in front of her spot; the other in the grasp of the man’s hand. The ruby liquid gleamed like blood. A sea of lit-candles decorated the spare space of the table; the chandelier above keeping the candles instead of trading them for their gas-lit counterpart. The orange glow illuminated the intimate room in a hazy feel. Smoke trailed out of his mouth in a long plume, perfuming the delicious air with the heady scent of tobacco.

“Hello.”

His voice was a soft drawl. His close-lip smile was the same. Soft, slow, and confident. His eyes were illuminated by the flickering candles, making the darkness there look like a night sky spattered with stars rather than with blood. He tapped his cigarette into a crystal ash tray with his long fingers. Rings after rings curled over his knuckles; some sharp and some with the emblem ‘A’ just like San and Wooyoung shared. He raised the cigarette back to his lips to take another drag into his lungs.

“YN.” The smoke billowed from his lips as he spoke her name tenderly.

She should’ve left then, knowing it was different from what she had agreed to. She should’ve asked him where Yeosang was immediately – and who was he? But she already knew, didn’t she? She had worried about this man since she read the newsprint that bore his name.

She shifted, fingers tugging at her skirt as she heard the heavy wood doors shut behind her. The butler that led her here disappearing, leaving her with him. Her fingers pressed into the door behind her, tentatively. It didn’t budge beneath her. In the shadows of the room, she saw there were men lining the wall. Like ghosts, they didn’t speak or move – they simply stood like gargoyles surrounding a castle. One broke the line to pull out her chair opposite of her dining companion. Her eyes flickered back to the man at the head of the table.

“Hello,” she said instead. “Yunho.”

It wasn’t a stutter, but there was a pause in her words. Yunho’s laughter was almost fond as he chuckled out a plume of smoke before she was urged forward with a flick of his hand. Ashes splattered across the white dining cloth, sizzling burns into the fabric. She sat down in the chair pulled out for her; the servant pushed her in towards the table with a screech of the wooden legs against the wood.

The silverware in front of her was polished, gleaming in the candle-light. A perfectly folded napkin rested on the center of her gold-lined plate. The initial ‘A’ in a circle was embroidered fancifully in shiny black thread on the pristine white fabric.

Her fingers flexed against the wood arm rests of her chair as she looked down the table, over candles, meats, cheese, and vegetables at the intimidating man. He was far away, but perhaps that was the safest option for her.

“I like you already,” he proclaimed, his words solid and confident. His smile simmered.

“Please,” Yunho gestured to the piles of food in front of them with a hand, swinging the cigarette and a trailing path of smoke about. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”

Her stomach felt tight with nerves, but even so it grumbled at the sight before her. Everything smelt so nice and rich and oily. Decadent. She licked her rosy lips, dragging her eyes up to look at him once more.

“Where’s Yeosang?” she asked finally.

He smiled, a peak of glimmering teeth shining in the candlelight. No, it wasn’t his teeth that shined – it was the inlayed diamonds on his canines that twinkled. Just like the driver. Just like the painting.

“He’ll join us,” Yunho reassured. “He’s running late from a previous engagement. I promise.”

Her gaze was doubtful. Why didn’t he just tell the driver to alert her? She could wait. She was used to waiting upon rich men.

“Why are you here?” she asked.

“I was curious of you.” He stated as he raised his cigarette to his mouth once more. As he breathed out, he gestured again at the food. “Please help yourself. Wooyoung told me some of your favorites.”

There were her favorites; steaming and hot. Some tartlets from their recent date sat on a pearlescent serving tray. Tempting. Her stomach grumbled. Watching him carefully, she reached out a fork to stab into a piece of meat and plating it.

“I’m just a ballerina,” she claimed, eyes flashing to look at him as she picked up her utensils to cut at the singular item on her plate.

Yunho’s lips quirked up on one side before he glanced aside at a man. He nodded towards her and she couldn’t help but jump as a suited butler approached. Yunho’s gaze took in the small tension that rippled through her.

The butler began to pile up her plate with this and that. Steaming vegetables, savory pastries, fluffy mashed potatoes scented with garlic, sticky soy-sauce braised meats, pasta with a rich cream sauce, seafood with clarified butter. It was more food than she could finish. The amount of food laid out was enough to feed eight men.

“You’ve entranced my brothers for being more than just a dancer,” Yunho commented. “I wanted to see what was so special about their swanette.”

She swallowed, her throat dry. She felt like a trapped bird in a zoo being observed. She tried to imagine the boudoir around her rather than the intimacy of a dining table.

“I’m a good dancer,” she told him boldly. They like bold, an older ballerina’s voice was in her ear once more.

Yunho smiled. “I heard. I apologize for never attending a performance.” He said.

“You’ve been… busy,” she said. But not too bold. Another ballerina warned.

It was a dig, and Yunho knew it. She knew it too with how wide her eyes became. And still, his lips curled into a smile, his eyes simmered.

“Its no wonder Wooyoung took to you,” he breathed.

He raised his glass of wine to his lips and took a long sip. At the mention of Wooyoung, he saw the way the muscles in her face flickered. Lightening. Interesting. Placing the glass down, he leaned forwards, hand resting under his chin as he stared at her, intrigued.

She was intriguing. She had four members of the family wrapped around her little finger and here she was in his sticky webs. Yunho ached to figure her out, dive deeper. The vein in his forehead bulged a bit with his intensity.

His eyes felt magnetic. She had cut up her slice of steak into tiny bites at this point, but all he had done was stare at her. He had not a lick of food on his own plate. It felt more like an interrogation than a meal at this point.

So, she stared back. Her eyes met his, swallowing down her fear. The twisted mangled amalgamation of fear, intrigue, and something else. She was safe, she chanted internally. Wooyoung promised. San promised. He hadn’t done anything to her…yet.

She took in his appearance. While his eyes were a hypnotizing thing, his entire face was like one of a siren’s. Handsome with chiseled features. Sharp cupid’s bowed lips, sharp brows, sharp clean lines of his suit. A pair of glasses were tucked into his pocket… he needed glasses just like her Sannie. Her eyes darted up the line of his throat. His hand rose to bring his cigarette back to his lips. He tilted his head, the midnight-black hair swaying over one eyebrow smartly.

How were all these men so handsome? The driver, her patrons, Yeosang, Yunho. All breathtaking compared to the oil-grubby handed rich men of Cromer. It made her soften just a smidge, guard walls lowering as he breathed out smoke once more. Lips pursing delicately. Cheeks soft, she noticed. It was quiet. The clinking of her utensils against her meal was the only sound in the hall.

“Do you like dancing?” she asked. Dancing was safe. Dancing was all she knew.

“Enough,” he said. “My brothers like it more than myself.”

Brothers he said again. It was strange. Wooyoung spoke of the others as friends, dear ones – explained that the shared last name was something pushed upon them. Yunho embraced it.

“Then, sports?” she countered. “Tennis perhaps?”

Yunho chuckled lowly, and it felt like a tiger’s rumble. “No,” he laughed. “Not particularly – though, I have good hand-eye coordination.”

Her mind flashed to the shooting the newspaper relayed – a fictionalized imagining in her head bloomed. Him and his gun aiming and firing with ease, just like that man in the alley way.

“Oh,” she breathed.

He wondered if she knew how blatant her face revealed things. Her fear, her thoughts, her soul. It was strange though. Yunho didn’t want her frightened.

“I play against Yeosang often,” he clarified.

“Oh,” she repeated, a different tone trickling into her exclamation. Her knife scraped against the plate’s china, screeching out suddenly like a soprano at an opera house. Her gaze turned to it, surprised.

Her meat was completely shredded now. Almost inedible with how much she had sawed into it over and over.

Yunho laughed again, the sound warm and full. “Darling,” he cooed out, soft. “Please relax and eat. I insist. Yeosang won’t mind.”

Yeosang. Of course, that’s why she was prolonging it. Her smile was bashful and Yunho’s eyes swallowed it up just like she bit into a piece of her meal finally.

“Will you not eat?” she asked.

Innocent, sweet. Yunho’s eyes simmered as he reached out to grasp a fruit from an intricately weaved wired basket. He bit into a red apple, sharp and vicious. Juice dripped over his fingers, down his chin. He raised a black napkin to the corner of his lips wiping it away. His eye contact never ceased. Did he just wink?

“How long have you lived in Cromer?” he asked.

“My entire life,” she admitted.

He hummed out. “And the ballet almost as long I suppose?”

“Ballerinas are taught young,” she said.

“The best way to shape someone.” He snubbed his cigarette out in his ash tray.

“I suppose,” she admitted. “But I love dancing. Truly.”

It was spoken sincerely, passionately. He nodded. “It’s been mentioned. They say one can tell by just the way you breath. You are full of it.”

“D-dancing?” she queried.

“Love.” he countered. “Passion.”

Her eyes blinked owlishly. “Oh.”

“Do you love them?” he asked directly. His head tilted curiously.

The topic had shifted in tone dramatically suddenly. Her heart raced to its hummingbird speed once more. Her face blushed. Yunho drank it all in like the wine in his glass.

There was a clambering down the hall way, muffled by the oak doors. Her gaze broken from his, and she looked over her shoulder at the doorway.

“Here he comes now,” Yunho whispered.

As predicted, Yeosang came busting through the doors. His hair askew, his eyes burning with the cruel fury she had only seen on the court. His elegant clothes looked rumpled; the softness of his sweater that cut into a deep v revealed more skin that she had seen of the sportsman yet. A rose was pinned on his chest, gentlemanly, and yet somehow tempting her to stare at his chiseled chest more. A decorative scarf wrapped around his throat, disheveled.

He glared at Yunho with such contempt before it was washed away at the sight of her. He glanced her up and down, quickly as if his lingering gaze would be scolded. Appropriately for such an inappropriate action. His lips parted gently; his rounded face soft with a gentle blush.

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” he immediately apologized, head bowing.

The long strands of russet-brown hair that framed his face swooped over his cheeks. His hand rose to tuck one strand back. “I was caught up with something unexpectedly.”

With little show, she stood, discarding her utensils to greet him. Her smile was soft, reassuring, genuine. She ducked her own head to catch his gaze – he was still glaring through his lashes at the man at the head of the table she noticed. But when he saw her own face come into view he straightened sweetly, awkwardly. But in such a charming way somehow. Yeosang was so charming even in his anger and discomfort. She didn’t want him to be in discomfort.

“Its alright,” she reassured him.

“We’ve just been chatting,” Yunho chimed from the end of the table. Unhelpfully.

Yeosang adjusted his leather gloves nervously, tugging them off finger by finger.

“I see that.” Yeosang rumbled.

His eyes settled back on her like she was his seas’ moon.

“You look lovely, YN,” he complimented. Her smile lit up the room, he swore.

He licked his lips, deep voice humming out as he looked over the table.

“I-I,” he gestured to the table, the meal he had ordered the chef to prepare, “I have those tarts you liked at the café on Riverfield Street.”

She smiled at him; he was so cute.

“Thank you,” she grinned. “And I saw. They look perfect.”

He breathed out a little, fixing his clothes once he tucked his gloves into his back pocket.

“It’s been perfect,” she tried to reassure him, sensing his anxieties. His blooming nerves. Her hand reached out to squeeze his.

He jolted at her touch, just enough for her to catch it. His ears were red. Yunho’s grin was wide, sparkling.

“Thank you for the invite.”

“Of course, I wanted –” he glanced at Yunho’s leering gaze. “I wanted to get to know you better, sweetheart.”

“And we shall,” Yunho agreed. “Sit, Sangie. Let’s eat.”

A butler appeared to pull out a seat for him. It wasn’t near either of them, in fact. It was the third seat to the left side of the table. Yeosang glanced at the butler silently before pulling out the chair directly beside YN and seating himself.

He was served a selection of the meal, silently. She went to break the silence.

“How are you?” The headline still brandished itself in her mind. His words about paparazzi left a lasting impact.

Yeosang huffed out. “Well,” he replied. “News articles come and go. I’ll remain on top of my game regardless.”

Yunho nodded steadfastly from across the table. “It’ll be nothing by the next game.”

Yeosang offered her a smile. “Thank you for worrying about me. I’ve survived worse.”

She nodded solemnly. “I don’t like it still.” Yunho watched the interaction carefully. His brow quirked.

“How are you liking Cromer?” she asked. She was used to asking men how they enjoyed the show… but that wasn’t an option here when the room lulled into silence.

“It’s different. But I’ve seen places as beautiful as Aurora, as desolate as the Strictlands, and as rural as Paradise. Cromer reminds me of Aurora in a different way.” Yeosang explained. “It feels homely.”

She smiled. “Ateez House is yours, correct?”

“Its in the family,” Yeosang replied.

“What do you think of it?” Yunho queried.

“Its very nice,” she politely said.

Yeosang tilted his head fondly at her. “Meaning?”

Her brows crinkled in surprise. “Its—nice?” she repeated.

“Shall I remind you what San encourages you to do, sweetheart?”

To be honest. How did he know about that? Her neck and ears became a soft pink in the candlelight. Swallowing, she glanced to the side.

“It is genuinely nice – its just… this house has been called haunted my whole life,” she told them. “There are ghost stories linked to this mansion. It’s strange being here and seeing that it is, in fact, not rotting or some supernatural force of nature.”

Yeosang chuckled out, smiling sweet.

“There are stories?” he leaned in. “Do tell!”

“I love a good gruesome story,” Yunho commented.

But for some reason, the way the words lilted in his tone didn’t make her flinch like before… in fact, was he teasing her? Her eyes flickered from Yeosang’s open form to Yunho. His cheek rested on his hand; elbow pressed into the table as he eyed her with Yeosang.

He smirked at her as they met one another’s eyes. He nodded, urging her. And so, YN went into the ghost story she had been told as a little girl, sitting among the tutu’ed training ballerinas while her mother did alterations on the prima’s show-stopping costume.

“The story goes that this house was home to a Captain,” she started, twirling pasta about her fork as she spoke.

Yunho and Yeosang’s eyes locked.

“The Captain was no ordinary captain; he was the fiercest pirate king of all. With his crew, the Black Pirates, they terrorized the seas and reaped countless treasures. When he grew old and hoarding like a dragon, he docked at Cromer under a false name. Ateez House was built upon blood-soaked jewels and coins; they say the pirate captain passed in his vault, hidden deep in the mansion’s basements. His bones are still there, unrested. His ghost terrorizes the house and refuses to let any soul except his pirates’ prowl.” She dramatically told.

Her fingers wiggled sensationally. “Or that the treasure was haunted by those they robbed and killed mercilessly. Their ghosts remain and haunt these halls.” She shrugged her hands landing back in her lap. “The story changes every so often.”

“What a story,” Yunho breathed. “Do you believe it?”

“It’s just a story. Maybe there are some real parts but… ghosts aren’t real. I’m not that silly of a girl.”

“You aren’t,” Yeosang commented immediately.

“But everyone in town knows it, so it sticks,” she told them, reaching out for the glass of wine in front of her and taking a sip.

“Cromer loves its gossip.” Yeosang commented.

“They’re stuck in their ways,” Yunho added.

“What do you think of Cromer?” she redirected to Yunho.

He took a small breath in. His previous grimace faded and his brow crinkled as he looked at her thoughtfully. His lips pressed together before replying.

“At first,” Yunho said, tilting his chin. “I did not like it… but now…”

His gaze felt hot, ever present. There wasn’t a barrier of modesty she often felt with other men. Yeosang’s was intense. San’s was careful, observant. Wooyoung’s eager and challenging. Yunho’s was steadfast. Confident. Even the men in the boudoir knew there were limits. They had their wives. They had their image with the other men within the boudoir itself. Here she felt both hunted and examined. Admired but equal. He was looking at her soul.

“Now, I like it.” Yunho purred. “Very much, darling.”

He placed his silverware down with a clink. He leaned forwards, hands pressing into the table.

“There’s more to you that meets the eye,” Yunho commented. “I see that, so now I will let you speak your mind, truthfully.”

Her heart nearly stopped. Was he going to ask her about her love again? In front of Yeosang?! Her eyes remained on him steadily. Her ears burned.

“You’re frightened of me, yes?” he said.

It was strange to feel relief at the confirmation of something so horrible. Because she was still nervous around him, for his boldness frightened her just as much as his previous actions. Yeosang’s eyes shifted to her, widening as he watched her nod.

“Sweetheart,” he reached out for her hand, petting her phalanges but not grabbing it. He simply wished to reassure her. Just as she had done for him earlier.

“San and Wooyoung said I didn’t have to be,” she replied. She licked her lips.

“Ask me what you want to know.” He stretched back into his chair, neck flexing as he met her gaze.

“Is it true? Should I be frightened?”

“That’s not it,” he laughed a bit, lip curling almost scornfully, scoldingly. He raised a brow, head tilting as if weighing his options. “But no, you don’t need to be frightened. Ask another.”

“I don’t have another question.” She countered, only to state simply and firmly. “You shot a man.”

And he smiled. “I did.” Yunho confirmed.

“On purpose?” she asked.

“Yes, darling.”

Her blood felt cold. She hadn’t met someone like him and it sent her stomach into a cramping mess. Yeosang did take her hand now. Interlacing his fingers softly. He glanced over at his elder as he rose from his chair. Oh, Yunho was tall. Very tall, in fact. With them sitting, he looked giant. His heels thudded against the floor.

“Why?” she asked. Yeosang felt her hand tighten in his grasp.

“He tried to fool me, steal from me,” Yunho stated, walking towards them. “Lied to me. I don’t like being played.”

There wasn’t a moment for the words to sink in for YN. Instead, like a game of tennis, she shot back.

“So, you shot him? Just like that?”

“For your information, yes.”  

“That’s frightening.”

“Yes.” Yunho was beside Yeosang now.

“But!” Yeosang was the next to interrupt. “If you must know… Yunho isn’t some cruel man, sweetheart. It was done in self-defense.”

“Self-defense?” she asked doubtfully. Wooyoung and San said so themselves as well.

The air that Yunho carried seemed to be more than that. He wasn’t exactly proud, but he was at peace with what he did. Yunho’s face pulled into a tight thing as he rested a hand on Yeosang’s shoulder. They both looked at her inquiringly.

“He pulled a blade on Yunho,” Yeosang interjected. His gaze flashed to her. “He has the scars to prove it.”

They had an answer to everything. It was self-defense. Not a thing of violence. Of necessity.

She stared at them

“It wasn’t… he struck first?” she repeated slowly.

They glanced at one another before smiling at her with dual grins. Yunho tapped his fingers on Yeosang’s shoulder before he pulled back. A hand went to his chest, gentlemanly and earnest in nature.

“Yes.” He ensured.

Her eyes flickered to Yeosang. He had been a sensible figure – likeable, nothing formidable. If he trusted him, if her Wooyoung and San did. Yunho spoke with such authority. He valued truth just like San did.

Her defensiveness, something she didn’t even see in her body language, softened. Yunho’s sigh was one of understanding as he walked back to his seat, stealing a glance at her. He smiled again, his teeth gleaming in the cande light.

“YN.” He spoke her name luxuriously. “If there is one thing you should know about me. I don’t do mess.”

He plucked a dessert from his plate, biting into the chocolate with slowness. Calculated. He kept her gaze. It sent a thrill through her; he sent a thrill through her. Swallowing together, the corner of his lip curled. He raised a napkin to his lips, gentlemanly.

He was a gentleman, straightforward and powerful. He had to be telling the truth.

“I’m not a messy man, darling-doll.”

The dinner didn’t last much longer. Yeosang encouraged conversation; Yunho threw in some topics, mostly of things she had mentioned to San and Wooyoung. It struck her then that they shared many stories about her. They must’ve talked about her a lot. It made her cheeks flush as red as the chocolate strawberries Yunho ate.

Their eyes were hot on her; it felt like they were captivated and it made her heart race. Like she was on the stage.

She liked it.

Surprisingly, her two patrons made an appearance at the end of the meal. Wooyoung, of course, was the one to pop his head into the grand dining room.

“Swanette!” he beamed at the sight of her.

Yunho took in how her shoulders softened and her chest heaved at the sight of Wooyoung, at his voice. He smiled, softer and truer than any other smile he shared tonight so far.

Wooyoung was dressed the most casual she had ever seen him. A fashionable patterned white-and-black button-up shirt was barely buttoned, revealing a black ribbed tank-top beneath it. His hair was pushed back casually and messy; a rolled cigarette was behind his ear. His slacks were a deep black, loose and flowy rather than a structured fabric.

“Woo,” she barely got out, her mouth dropping at the sight of him.

He smirked, arms slinking over the chair and over her shoulders.

“Hello hyungs,” he greeted the others, barely glancing at them before ducking his head and pressing a less-than-decent kiss to her mouth. Smothering and all consuming. She squeaked into it. A ringed hand rose to cup her guide her head in the kiss, icy cold against her flushed red cheek.

Yeosang and Yunho chuckled out. The sound was a mixture of fondness and annoyance. Yunho’s brow twitched. Yeosang’s hand held hers tighter… he hadn’t let go, of course. But YN hadn’t noticed the entire dinner and dessert. ‘Til now. Her fingers flexed in his as Wooyoung swiped his tongue across the seam of her lips.

“Alright,” San scolded Wooyoung, his hand going to the back of the shorter’s neck. He nearly pried him off her. “Wooyoung!”

“I missed her,” Wooyoung said simply, flushed face and breathless.

His hot breath fanned over her rosy face; his lips were spicy and left hers burning. Mischief twinkled in his eyes as he stole another kiss from her lips. San pulled him back again with a harsher hand.

It was then she got a glance of her other patron. San had freshly washed hair, the locks combed out and dripping over his forehead. He wore a similar tank top to Wooyoung, but in a white shade. Shockingly, he had a pair of workman’s light-washed blue jeans hugging his thighs. Thick thighs, muscular shoulders, tawny honey skin. It was tantalizing, tempting. But when she looked over his face, her mouth dropped in surprise. A bruise kissed at the corner of his lips; his sweet smile tarnished with a purple-red watercolor splotch.   

She couldn’t help stand immediately, half in the clutches of Wooyoung. Her hand rose to cup San’s cheek.

“Honey!” he exclaimed out in surprise.

He didn’t shift away, actually bending at the knee for her height, but San was certainly surprised. He had taken the lead between them often. YN rarely made the first move with either of her patrons. But what he had mistaken for sexual tension only led to pain. He was shocked when her thumb’s brush against his lips made pain radiate up his face.

“Ow,” he whimpered, frowning. His brow furrowed.

Yeosang laughed nearby. “He forgot he’s hurt,” the athlete commented.

“It’s been a while,” Yunho added, finishing his drink as he watched the interaction play out.

San’s lips pressed together, blinking rapidly before taking in the concern look on her face.

“Oh, honey, I’m okay,” San tried to reassure. His hand rose to cup her hand that was pressed to his jaw, thumb brushing over it soothingly. “It doesn’t even hurt.”

“You just said ow, you liar,” she scolded him, brows furrowing. “What the hell happened?”

“I’m fine,” he swore, tilting his head to press a kiss that stung his mouth to her palm. “Promise.”

“This town is getting more and more dangerous,” she breathed out.

Her thumb brushed over his cheek softly. His pretty face marred. Without his glasses on, she could see how his eyes sparkled in the chandelier’s candlelight. Soft and starry, as if she hung the world.

“You are an angel,” he murmured. “I’m okay. I’ll live.”

“Wooyoung, will you tell me what happened?” she prompted, not moving. Wooyoung pressed to her side made a humming sound.

“The streets are rough around here,” he said. “Someone really ought to fix that.”

Yunho huffed from across the long table.

San smiled at her again, eyes falling into half-moons. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. His lips stung to do so, but she was worth it. “Thank you for worrying.” He told her. His stomach did somersaults at the thought of her jumping to his aid.

“Shall we walk you out, swanette?” Wooyoung directed instead, head tucking over her shoulder to look at the table. “Yunho has a meeting to attend unfortunately.”

Yunho hissed in through his sparkling diamond-inlayed teeth. “Does the—”

San nodded.

He breathed in through his nose before offering YN a simmering smile. Full of warmth. “It was lovely meeting you, Miss YN. I hope to see you very soon.” He bowed politely before with long-legged strides left the room. Wooyoung winked at him as he passed.

“I’ll join you,” Yeosang offered YN. “You must come visit again soon – in the spring, the gardens are beautiful. We could have tea or -”

“Yeosang likes to take long strolls through the gardens – even if it’s raining,” Wooyoung revealed, finally peeling himself off her back to look at the selection of food laid out. He plucked a grape from a platter.

“You gossip like the upper-class now,” Yeosang commented, raising a brow.

Wooyoung laughed brightly at his friend before popping the fruit into his mouth. “Eh, they rub off on you – I had to keep up with you, Sangie.”

Hmm, it was an interesting interaction. Playful but also… strange. She knew their pasts implied they hadn’t always been wealthy… Yeosang had been a protégé tennis player at a young age but how did he meet Wooyoung? Was it all because of Hongjoong?

San’s hands squeezed her waist. When had both of his hands shifted there? “You sleepy, honey?” he asked.

“Too filling of a meal,” Yeosang complained as he rose to his feet.

As if the food was her reason to getting lost in her head.

“It was perfect,” she countered, taking a step back. “Thank you again for the invitation.”

“Thank you for gracing us,” Yeosang replied, offering her his hand. She took it, and he pressed a kiss to her knuckles. A picture of a gentleman. But he was quick to wrap her arm up into his, pulling her into his side now. Surprisingly daring for the Yeosang she knew.

“Shall we?”

Their exit seemed to take forever just as before. Yeosang lead her down hallway after hallway after hallway. It almost felt like they were navigating a maze. San and Wooyoung framed the two in; Wooyoung on her side and San on Yeosang’s.

“How was Yunho?” San prompted, tentatively. “He didn’t scare you?”

“Did he frighten you – when you were alone with him?” Yeosang repeated, arm tightening around her.

“No, no, he wasn’t frightening,” she reassured them. “He was a surprise certainly.”

“Ah, Yunho was sneaky. He doesn’t like the opera, so he found his own way to meet you,” Yeosang sighed. “I feel like he caused the trouble for me on purpose, so I’d run late. You’re popular around here, sweetheart.” He squeezed her arm teasingly.

“Who else here?” she chuckled. Seonghwa? Hongjoong? She hadnt yet to see either of them – like they were ghosts.

“You’d be surprised,” Yeosang commented before leaning in and admitting. “I quite like you, too.”

He made her cheeks burn red, and Wooyoung giggled.

“She likes you too, Sangie,” he crowed out, fingers reaching to tickle her waist. “I’ve seen her blush over San, over you… Do you like Yunho as well?” Wooyoung queried, his words becoming less and less playful. They were almost inquisitive, as if testing the waters instead.

There was a crack as he lit a match across a gold-leafed frame. He placed the cigarette that was behind his ear to his lips and lit it.

“I did,” YN told him, honestly, as they continued through the foyer. Wooyoung chuckled out, smoke puffing out in front of his face in surprise. He wasn’t expecting her to admit it so fast.

“Not like that,” she interrupt his giggles, face burning. “I just—”

Looking down another hall they, she made out Yunho’s form, tall and slim walking down the hall with purpose. His back to her as they turned into the foyer finally.

“He was kind. Even if he was a bit intimidating… he wasn’t cruel or harsh. Just… confident.”

Yeosang smiled close-lipped. Wooyoung blew out his smoke to the side, the plume passing over the butlers’ faces. Not one flinched or coughed.

The smell of expensive tabacoo wafted over her face warmly as Wooyoung walked in front of them to push open the large heavy doors of the mansion.

“So he wasn’t so scary after all?” he teased. “Wait ‘til you meet Hongjoong and Hwa-hyung. They’re properly-”

“Wooyoung, don’t tease her,” Yeosang defended.

The younger raised one of his hands in defense as he held open the door for them. “I’m just saying – she got pass the guard dog.”

“She hasn’t met Jongho yet,” Yeosang giggled lightly. “He’s truly got a bad case of looking gruffer than he is. He’s our baby.”

Jongho. She had only heard that name once, and it was that night. Her ears rang.

“Jongho?” she queried softly.  

He had been at the opera! He was one of their ‘brothers’.

“Or Mingi--Ah, here he is now,” San commented, smiling over at the man standing in front of the green-painted car.

“Hello,” the driver greeted, voice as deep as earlier. His eyes flickered to her arm in Yeosang’s.

Wooyoung smirked at him. “Mingi, I didn’t know you were driving today,” he said.

“I thought you and San were doing business today.”

“It was a fast deal.”

Mingi looked unamused, his siren-eyes looking him and San up and down. “Uh huh.

“You know a Jongho?” she turned to Yeosang as they spoke.

“Jongho is the youngest of us. You’ll meet him soon, sweetheart,” he reassured, squeezing her arm. “He’s busy too often. I think they overwork him; he’s just a boy.”

“He’s only a year younger than us,” Wooyoung commented with a pout.

“He’s a baby,” San agreed offhandedly.

“I think I—"

“Is she going the hell home or not?” Mingi bit out. Before looking bashfully at her. “Sorry, doll,” he apologized for his gruffness. “I’m not used to a dame being around.”

“Its okay,” she mumbled out. Her mind was preoccupied with trying to figure out why Jongho was at the opera… without his supposed family knowing.

Mingi pouted at that. “No, its not.” He admitted. “Don’t take disrespect.”

Her distracted gaze rose and nodded softly, not really processing his words.

Wooyoung tsked out. “Here he goes about respect,” he sighed out. “Hurry up, swanette, or else we will be here for hours.”

There was a rumble of chuckles in the group. Yeosang squeezed her arm once more before pressing close to her ear, cheek to cheek. A whispered “next time it’ll be just you and I, hm?” was hushed into her ear before he unwound himself from her and allowed the others to hover about. “I’ll see you next time, Miss YN.”

San pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he promised. “And again, I promise you, I’m fine.” He pressed another kiss to her hairline before guiding her into Wooyoung’s arms.

He was warm and smelt of smoke. His grin was playful, wolfish as he leaned down and stole her lips into a kiss. He was getting bolder and bolder. His kiss was hot, a lick of his tongue into her mouth this time. She squeaked and he chuckled deeply.

“Mmm,” he moaned as he pulled away just a fraction. Wooyoung smiled as if he was innocent but his teases were devilishly. “Perhaps I should call you little mouse instead of swanette.”

She pushed at his chest, playfully. Wooyoung tugged her closer, grinning. Her face was akin to a rose.

“Let her go, Wooyoung,” Mingi said from the side. His face was sharp as he glared at the other. He didn’t appreciate the teasing. “She must be tired.”

Wooyoung heaved a sigh as if this was the hardest thing to do. He pouted at her before stealing a kiss, pressing a peck to her nose. “Fine,” he relented, unwinding her from his spider web embrace.

“See you soon, pretty. Mingi will make sure you get home safely.”

Mingi nodded steadfast before he offered her his hand.

“Shall we, baby-doll?”

-

Next time, when she woke, it was to a cat’s sandpaper-esque tongue licking her cheek. Little tiny licks with the familiar nuzzle of her wet nose, Z investigated her like any other day. The little more-blue-grey-than-black cat sniffed at her, the talkative pet meowing loudly. Her green eyes blinked slowly at her before she nudged her cheek with her forehead once more.

Her body didn’t burn. It didn’t ache. It didn’t feel like anything. Whatever drugs she was on, they were good. She blinked at the kitten, slow to do anything once more.

She was still in Yeosang’s room. The smell of him was all around her, Jongho’s familiar gardenia aroma mingling in the sheets. YN tried to move. Pushing herself upwards was easier than before but the slightest shift in her legs reminded her of the heavy casts that wrapped her ankles. The pain nothing like before but there was still the zing up her knees that made her pause. Her breath caught as she stared at her limbs before her.

Her reality. Bedbound, grounded. It was a depressing thought. Even more depressing when she realized she wasn’t sure what day it was nor what hour. How many shows had she missed? Did her mother know she wasn’t well? Was she just the same as those folk written about in the papers? Missing and forgotten.

She let out a shuddering breath as she laid back into the fluffy luxurious pillows, contemplating what to do. Should she cry out for them? Hongjoong was the last face she remembered but she didn’t want to see him. Or Seonghwa. Or any of them. Really. Anger burned her throat like the nearby fire place. Z’s whiskers dusted over her arm, nudging at her for attention as she let out another inquisitive meow.

“Leave me alone, Z,” she mumbled into her pillow. The little tongue peaked out to lick her again. “Stop, Z; go away.”

Her tone was raising with her rising grief. That was the only way to describe what she was feeling grief – a mixture of hoping, pleading, that everything had been a dream only to be reawaken to reality. Anger and sorrow clashed like cymbals in her head.

The cat nuzzled her again, and she snapped this time.

“Z, go!” Her hands shifted the quilts aside in a huff, making the little cat hop away, back arched.

“Z, come here,” a voice, melodic as it was masculine, called. The doorway creaked open, the gaslight in the hallway illuminated his figure, bulky in the best way. “Love isn’t in the mood to play.”

She frowned over at him, even if Z hopped off the bed and went towards Jongho eagerly. Her little body pressed against his leg as she passed him, purring softly. He smiled after his kitten before his gaze settled back on his love bed ridden.

“Hi love,” he greeted. “How are you feeling?”

“Angry,” she told him.

“But not in pain,” he smiled.

The youngest crawled up onto the bed, sheets rustling and ruffling as he settled beside her. Jongho wasn’t one to be silenced by a glare or dirty look. He was made for this world – his hyungs’ beloved aegi was used to getting what he wanted. And she was his baby. His love. He wanted her.

She turned her rageful eyes his way. He simply smiled just like the others. “I know,” he hummed. “I tried to warn you.”

He had. He cried to her last night… or a few nights ago? Her anger was quenched by those tears now. Her eyes softened just a smidge, and Jongho took a mile. He pressed his lips to her forehead in a soft kiss. His arms wrapped around her ‘til she was caught in his embrace, warm and coddled.

He indulged in the way she didn’t pull away or yell. He had heard her shouts at Yeosang’s attempts at affection.

“What happened? I remember waking up in pain – why?” she murmured into his chest. Trying to gather information from when she was asleep.

Even now, she felt safe in his embrace. It caused a horrible sinking feeling in her stomach.

He heaved out, her head rising and falling with his chest. “You had an infection – the doctor said it was possible dirt from that alley way. It entered your injury for too long. He fixed it.”

“Is he alive?” she mumbled.

“By Yunho’s grace.”

She felt the ebbing and flowing rage, the despair rush over her again. Almost as if sensing it, Jongho shifted, his chin tilting into his chest to look down at her. He moved to tilt her own chin to meet his gaze. Fiery passion burned there. He liked it better when her passion burned for her dancing… but he supposed it had to go somewhere while she was incapable.

“It’s the way things are,” he told her. “Stop fighting it.”

Stop fighting and give in. Look what fighting did. Just let them control her…

YN scoffed. “I’m not some doll,” she bit back. “Or some—"She wriggled like a worm on a hook. Jongho’s eyes ached, and he reached for her hands. He cupped them in his. His bloodstained ones. How many time had he scrubbed away ichor? Dug it from under his nails? Her hands were dainty.

“It’ll never touch your hands,” he interrupted earnestly. “You’ll never bear it. Our work. Our lifestyles. If that’s what you’re afraid of.”

“I’m bearing it now,” she whispered to him, voice breaking. “I’m afraid of you.”

He frowned, his face firm and thoughtful. He was always thinking her Jongho. He never stopped. His thumbs brushed over her palms, his forehead pressing to hers intimately.

“You tried to leave,” he said. “I didn’t want this. None of us did. If you hadn’t, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“You understand what that means – I’m just something you control like your butlers and your members and your-.”

“No.” Jongho interrupted soft and earnestly.

“You are no pawn, my love. You are our priority… our treasure. Always.”

[goldie-4ish]

~I've got a recommendation for you! THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE!!!~

MASSIVE flashing CW for the video

[knightzp]

Hey Miki ^_^

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you about the songs! I like to take my time to listen to songs atleast a few times because the more I listen to it the more I like it so I waited for a bit to tell you haha :D but anyways...

I loved the Knights Trip album!! It has such a wonderful vibe to it. I played it while cleaning my room and I think I spent more time dancing than actually cleaning lol I had a huge smile on my face while listening to the entirety of it :) Will a 100% play this during dance or gym workouts!

Honestly I liked all the songs, all of them were upbeat and very cheerful...here's a little about a few of the songs ->

Little romance is the absolute cutest song - made me go "awww" on multiple occasions - has the power to cheer me up :)

We'll be "Knights" has a special place in my heart...maybe because that was the first song I heard from the album idk but it has a "Finale group song" vibe to it that I just really love <3

My sunshine, you're moonlight 🥺...Is this Ritsu's song? I loved it <33 The beats at the beginning + the voice (i loved the voice very much) + the melody! I liked it (maybe...my favorite? 👀)

Wonderful Happiness...Now this song...I don't really know why but I have caught myself randomly humming the song out of nowhere so it's just kinda stuck in my head atp lmao - Love this one too <3

Special mention to Mystic Fragrance and Luminous Crown...I liked both of these songs!

Like I said all of these songs were very good <3 I am actually a huge Lyric Nerd so I love analyzing the lyrics for any song. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find the English translations for the lyrics so I had to miss out on that step this time T-T (I have a feeling the lyrics are really sweet so that's a bummer on my end)

I'm sure as a fan you might have a deeper understanding as well as love for the songs, characters, and singers...but even as a "not (yet) fan" I still found the album really enjoyable to listen to!

So a big thanks to you for recommending these songs Miki <3 I had a lot of fun and feel free to recommend more in the future too!

(This became a veryyy long reaction post omg I will stop now haha 😂)

LEX aaaa thank you for the long reaction!!! ive been screaming here abt the album sm these last days and you know how obsessed im with it so it makes me SO happy you liked it that much and that it made you smile <33

abt the songs, little romance TOTALLY IS THE CUTEST SONG EVERRRR full fairytale vibes and with such an adorable and happy rhythm that makes me smile every single time. its so perfect for ritsus center song and it holds a very special place in my heart <3

well be knights is another very dear song to me and a curious case as well bc for months we only had the mv version of the song which is shorter and i feel like they only left there the slower more emotional parts of the song (i really recommend you watch the anime mv) and when i listened to the full version the first time i was SO SHOCKED bc i didnt expect the quicker rhythm or That instrumental dubstep in the middle????? it felt like a completely different song to me but it goes SO hard and i love the full version so much too well be knights my beloved forever. also i find it funny how you say it gives finale group song vibes bc its true its one of the last knights songs weve got and so can give that impression but well be knights is actually knights debut song! its the very first song they ever sang together on a stage (even so that one of the members, tsukasa, hadnt joined them yet and so doesnt sing in this song)

MY SUNSHINE YOURE MOONLIGHT YES YES IT IS RITSUS SOLO im very very happy you liked it that much even saying it might be your fave too !!!! ritsus voice is so soft and sweet and beautiful and lovely and EVERYTHING TO ME and along with that cute melody and THE LYRICS OH MY GOD THE LYRICS its just so absolutely PERFECT FOR HIM im forever grateful at happyele for giving him such a great solo song <333

abt wonderful happiness i Totally get you!!! this song is so cute and happy and has such a catchy rhythm it is often playing in my head as well and i love it. and im glad you liked mystic fragrance and luminous crown too!!! both are such good center songs for each of their characters, arashi and tsukasa respectively, and i love them a lot too !!

oh and if you want to read the translations to the lyrics im pretty sure you can find almost if not all of them on youtube! just search "enstars [title of the song] lyrics" and youll get any you want!

and aaaa thanks to you for listening the album!!!! it made me really happy that you listened to my recs and checked all the album out and enjoyed listening to it since i myself love it so much <333

[sjournsni]

I love loona

Loona was my life but I've lost the same passionate feeling I've had for them years ago, I'd fill notebooks with details about them, I'd imagine in my head designs for their performances/stages/outfits and sub-units, I'd plan out stories on their lore... nowadays I've stopped but still I'll share what descriptions I use for them:

Heejin:

Passionate on the outside pretty much a dork on the inside it's Loona's dangun (founder), Heekkie <3

(Heejin mentioned how the company (FUCK BBC) always told her to look soft, innocent and natural (its a shame because she looks good with the contact lens), nowadays she has a more charismatic and i'd say 'sharp' public image especially the heejin in ARTMS, I think the closest she's ever come to this during loona era is the Not Friends MV) and about expectations... she's always done the best of whatever concept that the company would throw at her so i shouldnt be that surprised at how well she's doing now)

Hyunjin:

The girl who will one day tilt the world on its axis, by being sheer impossible to figure out, it's Loona's barking Aeongie <3

(I'll admit out of everyone I've always thought she'd be the first one to leave and pursue an acting career but then again she had the longest trainee time if im not mistaken so maybe this shouldn't be a surprise (she will sing no matter what), to me in Loona she'd always been this mischievous weird character but nowadays i think she has a bit more soothing quality to her that matches her voice maybe after she became a leader she mellowed out slightly. Her voice in 'Lady in the Rainy Night' on King of Masked Singer is my favourite ever pls pls sing an ost pls)

Haseul:

She's the woman god told you to fear, with a swish of her wand the mighty would tremble, it's Loona's momseul <3 #Always_With_Haseul (please this is so cringy)

(omg who is this sexy woman wowwwwww again public image of her that ive had before was cozy... mum but elegant... but cozy idk? again ARTMS totally changed the 1/3 girls,,, she looks sharper? nowadays but you know she's always been described by the rest of moon girls as the one that'd wear high heels to the salon even if there was nothing on their schedule and she's always had a rich girl feel to her so i think this side of her isn't new at all, still waiting for her to showcase her opera skill on an official song though)

Yeojin:

Loona's very own Syupeo Ulteura Pingping Pongpong Gwiyeopgo Kkamjjikan YeoJinie <3 

YEOJIN THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE (she's always been my bias and when she was in BBC I was so glad that they let her open her ig acc because she slayed like pose, face card, body ATE anyhow the difference between her now and her then is she is expressing her more sensual (like that sunmi's full moon cover)? side which is something i know BBC wouldn't have let them do)

Vivi:

A deer, shy and reserved but oh so powerful, her potential untapped, its Loona's adorable matnae, Hwang Ara <3

(Viviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii I have to be honest i never understood other people's obsession with her while she's in loona but I get it now lol she's so.. chill? and effortlessly funny, but out of the 12 her image I'd say is the most constant thing ever since loona days I'd like to see her do a spooky concept or what and completely shed her innocent soft image that she did since predebut girl like do some horror concept or what (i think she wants to as well) and maybe like... youtube channel? pls vivi)

Kim Lip:

Tsundere and chic but you can hear her pterodactyl scream from a mile away it's Loona's meme Lippie <3

(I think kim lip as well haven't really changed as much? or maybe it's because I don't pay attention to artms as much as loossemble my bad but anyways even during loona era I noticed she's very very ambitious and determined that i thought maybe she'd release another solo song? or go solo but she's a good team player and even when she's considered as like main vocal in loona (considered by fans because they didnt have official titles) I've always thought her voice was underutilized, thank god she's free)

Jinsoul:

Her voice is like a pattering of rain as it calms your soul, her humor impossible to ignore, it's Loona's Jindori <3

(Jinsoul... wow where do I start, I love her voice, I'm glad Odd-eye is still going strong and I love love the idea of her self-composing, producing writing and all that on an entire album and maybe releasing a song like 'As Time Goes On' ...pls? and whoever is styling the artms girls... chef's kiss to every single stylist coordinator wtvr because they've looked great since debut also i m glad she chose tiger now as her representative animal instead of continuing with the blue betta fish bs cuz thats too specific lol)

Choerry:

She's the sun, so bright you can't really approach her, giving you warmth it's Loona's Choili <3

(Choerry has always been portrayed by BBC as this very bright, very cheerful girl and she is,, but in ARTMS we get to see a more sentimental poignant image of her AND IM GLAD because she kills it, i wish loona was given the chance to explore darker concepts like this but anyways she's one of the reason why i was okay when Loona split up because I'll be honest outside of the stage she doesn't attract my eye at all, loona has some really big personalities and with 12 people it's hard to pay attention to each individual, she shines more in ARTMS)

Yves:

Known as the bellybutton thief, she has the world in her grasp, it's Loona's comedian Yves <3 (wtf sheprobably did 1 random thing but idk why ive attributed that fact to her thats so weird)

I JUST NEED SOME SPACE (I love her song!! I love the creative direction she's going!!! I love it all and she's so good at it, I love the dancing skills she showcase! Her song is so her and idk how to describe it any other way, if you notice the kind of pictures/selfies she posts on insta, the vibe of those pictures are like the songs she's releasing, so everything she releases feels so authentic and I wouldn't trade it for anything else (diorama remains as my fav))

Chuu:

Winning everyone's hearts one by one, one at a time, it's Loona's lesbian icon Chuu<3

(I knew she'd go solo at some point and I'm glad she did I absolutely love her songs and especially the fact that she's singing a full song instead of just the high note or the random rap added in (Chuu's howl has a special place in my heart). it's kinda crazy how she's able to feel so... sincere? and after the whole boycott fiasco I see a new side of her, I thought she's this cutie pie, harmless and entertaining and she's that but she's also fierce, protective and steadfast. I never doubted her ability as a singer but I kinda want to see her release an album that mixes howl and strawberry rush vibes)

Gowon:

Her voice shakes you to your core, her rap even more so it's Loona's kind, crunchy, godwon <3

(This photoshoot with mu_gung shook me to my very core Idk how to explain it but when you have someone that looks incredibly doll-like do a concept like this it's so... beguiling? enchanting? It's like seeing an ethereal being in a forest luring me in. Anyways Gowon's got potential, she's so charming and she has what it takes to succeed but even in loossemble I've never seen her tap into her potential? so to speak, I think she needs a change in approach to the idol stuff since now there's an oversaturation of cutesy idols, I want her to do something like babymetal)

Hyeju:

Assarabia, columbia, don't raise up, don't put down Loona's boss baby and watermelon-carver, Hyejoo <3

(gosh where do i even start with Hyeju? From the very start she has been one of the most popular, most well-liked but BBC photoshopped her so many times that if I only judge her from their social media back then i'd have thought she's least-liked. She talked (publicly) about her hardship as a trainee the most I think, I wondered how badly they treated the girl. Anyways my most lasting impression of her was near her debut where she stuck her head out of acar and said "Look at me! Look at me from now on! Don't look at anyone else" and honestly yeah it's hard to tear your eyes away from her especially now)

I honestly don't know what to say I miss them and I miss the me that was a fan of them, writing this actually reignited my love for them but unfortunately I can't dedicate my time actively watching and cheering them on anymore and it's a shame, I hope the girls thrive for a long time after this,,,

[aromanticgarbage]

Hi!!! What do you honestly like about our boy Joji? What got you into him? Favorite song? Favorite quote from him?? Cool blog BTW. ❤️

Hiiiii <33333

Putting this under a read more because it got long af.

God i think part of the reason why im so obsessed with him is the duality of his character and artistic expression. He used to describe himself as conflicted a lot, especially in his earlier interviews and that pretty much hits the nail in the head i think. I love both his music and filthy frank a lot but I wouldn't be so fascinated with the person behind either of these things if they weren't made by the same guy. I just think he is a fascinating character.

What got me into him? I'm honestly pretty late to the party, i stumbled upon slow dancing in the dark on some random playlist at some point mid 2023. Slow dancing in the dark got famous for a reason: its so fucking good, i was playing it on a loop for weeks. Later i stumbled upon pretty boy, once again by pure chance. I was playing it on loop for a looong time as well. I hadn't even noticed that both of these songs were by the same artist at the time.

Fast forward a few months later, someone i follow here on tumblr dot com rebloged a post that expressed ops utter bafflement that filthy frank had turned his career around so dramatically and that he was a "sadboy musician now". The term slursona was thrown around. The ballads 1 album cover was included in the post and i recognised it imediatelly but i also recognised the name filthy frank.

You see, back in the day my older sister was a huge fan. She was really into this era of youtube bless her heart but ff was one of her faves. She had showed me human ramen AND hair cake back then but i was pretty young and I didn't really speak english well enough to fully understand what was going on. Nonetheless, i was morbidly fascinated but i never got into ff myself. Still i knew who he was.

Finding out that i was listening to his music a DECADE later from a random tumblr post gave me the whiplash of my fucking life. I genuinely got so scared i went and removed sditd from my character playlists and spotify liked songs lol. I let that revelation shimmer within me for a few months until one day i finally decided that i should do some research on the matter. I think i watched the slow dancing in the dark mv first and it completely blew me away. Then i watched the weeaboos video and it made me cry from laughter.

Somehow i ended up listening to his entire discography and watching Every Single filthy frank video ever made. At some point i discovered the notorious filthy frank exposes himself video and that once again blew my mind. I realised that he was the one who accidentally started the harlem shake trend back in 2013. Blew my mind. I listened to pink season ans i realised that the help song ive been seeing around since forever was a pink guy song. Blew my mind. I went home for the holidays and i talked to my other sister about my newfound obsession. Turns out she knew him from glimpses of us. Blew her mind too. Talked to my brother, he knew him from glimpses of us as well. We were all screaming about it for a few days.

This whole phase of mine started at some point in March and its only been getting worse. I don't know how we got here but im not complaining.

If i had to choose a favourite song.... sanctuary is my most listened to song of the year so far, so i probably have to go with that but also sditd, you suck Charlie, like you do, pretty boy, yukon, Mr Hollywood, no fun, demons, see you in 40, nightrider, modus (just to name a few)..... they all hold a very special place in my heart... I just love pretty much most of his songs a whole lot.

As for favourite quote im afraid I don't have a super serious answer to this question fjdksdks. "I just wanna make people sad and horny" is a strong one but also "sorry for being An Fag" and "fucking everyone smokes weed in central park...." fascinate me to no end.

Thank you so much for your questions !! <33 its always nice to have an excuse to ramble tehe.

[softcarebears]

IM BACK

shuffle your favorite playlist and post the first five songs that come up. then copy/paste this ask to your favorite mutuals <3

my playlists are shit and old so (i probably have to redo them)...i used my favourite mix instead😭 notice how everything is k-pop💀😘😛😘

°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。°。

🎸ive-i am

🍭kiss of life-sugarcoat (natty solo)

🌠aespa-lucid dream

🎙ive-off the record

🍹aespa-thirsty

a mini playlist of new (or not so new) kpop songs i've been listening a lot lately🌷:

💘kiss of life-MIDAS TOUCH (WHEN I TOUCH YA KISS YA YOU GON REALISE BABY DON'T YOU THINK TOO MUCH BOY IF I TOUCH YA KISS YA WATCH OUT KOREAN WORDS YOU SEE I GOT THAT MIDAS TOUCH...MAN I VOTED FOR MY GIRLIES SO MUCH ON STAR PLANET STREAMED MY COOCHIEBALLS OUT ON THEIR MV...AND THEY STILL DID NOT WIN😭 fawk starplanet its so shit ANYWAYS SONG OF THE YEAR FR BRATZ BEEN REAL QUIET SINCE THIS DROPPED AND BRITNEY SPEARS WENT BACK TO THE DUNGEON ON THAT ONE(im joking pls)

👹itzy-born to be & untouchable(BEST ALBUM??)

💋aespa-drama (I LISTENED TO DRAMA SO MUCH AND AM SO OBSESSED BUT NEVER TALKED ABOUT IT ON HERE???😱)

🧜🏻iland 2-final love song (I LOWKEY DESPISE SURVIVAL SHOWS im only watching snippets dw (mnet stole iland from hybe😔so hybe had to do runext lol...mnet and hybe probably fought...BUT...MY MOTHER JEEMIN WILL FINALLY DEBUT FOSHO AFTER NOT DEBUTING ON RUNEXT...ROOTING FOR HER,JUNGEUN,MAI,YUJU,SAEBI,SUJUNG,JIYOON AND FUKO FR)

🕷artms-BIRTH ("I CAN GATHER EX BOYRFRIENDS😏"WELL I NEVER DATED SO GATHER ME INSTEAD😭 WELL THEY REALLY GAVE BIRTH WITH THAT ONE LOONA IM SORRY IF I NEVER STANNED YOU😔)

👽viviz-maniac (THIS LOVE IS MANIAC MANIAC MANIAC😩)

💸tripleS lovelution-girls' capitalism (yes im late to this song but shh)

💗tripleS lovelution-seoul sonyo sound

🧬tripleS evolution-invincible

🎼kiss of life-nothing (SUCH A GOOD BSIDE THEY DESERVE TO GET THEIR FIRST WIN IDC I HOPE THEY GET IT NEXT COMEBACK😔GET THEM OUT OF THEIR NUGUDOM)

🩰red velvet-in my dreams (coquettest album of all୨ৎ)

🎛redvelvet-automatic, be natural (IK THIS SONG IS FROM 2015 BUT IM IN MY REDVELVET BSIDER AND LISTENER ERA OK)

👅irene and seulgi (redvelvet)-naughty...(PLS RELEASE A 2ND ALBUM MY MOTHERS PLS)

🌇seulgi-los angeles

🧝🏻seulgi-crown

⚰️seulgi-dead man runnin (IM SO OBSESSED WITH 28 REASONS...I HOPE SHE RELEASES A SECOND MINI SOON😔)

🫧newjeans-bubblegum (MY GIRLIES STILL SLAYING DESPITE THE WHOLE HYBE VS MIN HEEJIN THING...i hope they are doing alright🥺)

😩enhypen -i need u cover (orig-bts)

(GAVE THEM A SONG TO COVER AND THEY DIGESTED THAT SHIT BARELY MINUTES AFTER THE WAITER SERVED THEM...(hope bangtan is not crying in the military)...NI-KI'S PART UAGRGJAHDGHSH😳...MAY 13TH PLS COME QUICK I NEED NEW ENHA SONGS)

💫ive-holy moly

👑enhypen-chaconne

(&the whole dark blood album haha)

🥀enhypen-fate (no i won't move on from dark blood era)

🧲illit-magnetic (ITS GOOD OK THE WHOLE ALBUM IS GOOD..BUT SPOTIFY STOP PLAYING IT EVERYFUCKASS TIME I KNOW YOU LIKE HYBE'S MONEY BUT STOP)

🌎illit-my world

💃🏻lesserafim-smarter (let them live and breathe a bit after that coachella performance...pls)

🍊deja vu-txt

insert whole ass new ive album...😭😭

🔮ive-accendio ("WATCH ME DON'T TOUCH ME LOVE ME DON'T HURT ME" I LOVE IT AHHHH MAY 15TH COME BABYGIRL)

🌨ive-heya (HEYA HEYA HEYA MORE LIKE ATE YA ATE YA ATE YA)

❄ive-ice queen(I-I-I'M IN THE CASTLE)

💙ive-blue heart (JANG WONYOUNG THE WOMAN YOU ARE😩)

⏮️ive-reset (TITITITI)

😰ive-wow (kinda mid...)

yea...ok bye

[aettuddae]

hiiii 😁

ive never rlly read an interactive fic b4 so im very interested to see how this plays out 😭😭 also the love interest being karina AND kazuha…war flashbacks

ALSO OMG WAYV MEMBERS 🫶🫶 i have never seen anyone put them in a fic b4 (and the fact one of them is xiaojun my bias made me more excited lol)

i thought the kyuin introduction was VERY creative and i loved it 🤭 what a very funny way to show the personality of a character, just have them go back n forth with the author! when i read her bio i was like hmm thats a paramore title…👀 (turns out she likes paramore! kyuin queen alr)

ngl this grouplore is kinda alr more interesting than heaven just because they are villains, i dont think i know any groups where they are all the villains in the story (even tho they prob give more antihero with the whole aspect of the chips failing and stuff) the group probably has really cool looking music videos too! one of the picture u added kinda reminded me of tlc no scrub music video! i like that mv visuals!!!

BLESS ME ACHOO 🤧🤧SIMON SAYS BE COOL 😎😎 DONT BE SUCH A FOOL 😳😳 SIMON SAYS URIN REAL VIBE KILLA KILLA KILLA KILLA

i feel like you know alot of groups 😭😭if u dont mind me asking which ones do u like stan vs casually listen to?

also dont worry, as long as u keep making karina crazy and delusional af, spidy anon aint leaving anytime soon 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

good luck at work today aettuddae!

-🕷️

hello anon !!!

i hope i can pull it out well and that you guys understand what the premise is, and we can create a good story. i really like names that start with ka.. karina, kazuha.. (iykyk), welcome back hole in one !

we got the chinese gays on this story !! scratching from the few male idols i like, but i love ten and xiaojun so much

super glad you liked the idea, i was nervous because i thought people would think it was corny 😭 for me it was fun, so i'm happy to read this. kyuinie breaking the aettuddae character stereotype of being a swiftie, let's go !!

yeah, their lore might be the most interesting one of all the olympia groups. as you say, antihero-like, and the battle between good and evil, what makes a human good, etc. i kinda link it to hunger games when peeta was brainwashed to hate katniss, but he ends up fighting it back. and aesthetically is cyber since they're machines, sound a little nct sounding, but with 2nd gen vibes. the tlc scrub video is definitely in the vision !!

simon says supremacy 🗣🗣🗣

yep i've been in kpop for quite a while so i'm aware of the existence of MANY groups lol even if i don't stan them i know they exist. i stan a lot of groups, i guess, i've say already my ults are dreamcatcher, snsd and aespa, but i'm a huge exo, red velvet and shinee stan, and i had a heavy f(x) era too.. a pink blood basically 😅 i also stan blackpink, fromis_9, le sserafim, loona and wjsn, and iu..

i'm sounding a little obsessive 😭

i listen casually to itzy, nct, tvxq, mamamoo, ateez and almost anything really. but i'm familiar with idols personalities a lot, idk how to explain why

i just consume a lot of kpop 😅 you anon? who do you listen to? who do you stan?

thanks for staying here, spidy anon

[mekatrio]

rambling rambling abt how ive been misunderstanding kagepro for a long time ramble ramble

i will be the first to admit that as an english speaking kgpr fan from ye olden days, theres like.... A Lot of kagepro media that i havent actually consumed. and a lot of my understandings from many of these character are like, not fully complete? and instead formed from various misconceptions, like for example hibihiyo, my understanding of them (poor hiyori and hellish stalker) really only came from that one novel chapter with hibiya's creepy backstory, the scraps from the manga (and even that i didnt completely read in full), and the mvs. but like the novel paints a much more comprehensive picture of the both of them (insanely good parallel to yuukei quartet while also playing the role of 'children' in the adult/child dichotomy?!) that is much much better than what it looks on the surface? especially with just how different otsukimi recital is in the novel vs the mv? and also with how ive been obsessing with seto recently, this is the first time ive ever had a seto phase in all my years of falling in and out of this franchise? and its great??

what im essentially saying, is that bc of the pacing of kagepro media releases and the added hurdle of needing translations.. i havent properly experienced kagepro ever, actually. and im very pleased that a lot of the complaints i held towards it are turning out to be misconceptions, and kagepro is actually wayyy better than i thought it was?!

yes there are still the tints of misogyny, hibiya's creepiness towards hiyori is just something you have to turn away from to enjoy this franchise unfortunately, and the female POVs have pretty stereotypical talk abt maintaining beauty and weight and whatnot, but in spite of that... it still tells a really compelling, fleshed-out story. like Every character is densely developed that its kinda insane. and its especially crazy when you realize just how young jin and sidu were when they were making this project, being overworked to the bone.

when i was a young and dumb teenager, i was really critical of this project but looking back its like.... yeah i was really fucking dumb, bc i had misunderstood massive parts of it. of course a lot of the medias werent accessible to me, and kagepro DOES sound grossly misogynistic on a surface level lol (2 guys who academically excel and 3 girls who dont like huh?), but i was jumping to conclusions when i didnt have the whole picture yet. that was dumb of me. so im really glad i gave experiencing kagepro again a chance, especially with the PLETHORA of background knowledge i have about it... woooooo!!

[95zintheirownworld]

Since when and why are you an army and like vmin? :)

ive liked bts since 2016 when a youtuber I followed reacted to fire. ive been lowkey following their music since 2017 bcuz a very close friend of mine became an army after dna went viral and used to share a lot of bts mvs and songs with me. i started watching bts edits and clips in 2019 when a twt moot became a minjoon biased army and i had bts content all over my tl, and ive kept up with them ever since lol. but i couldn't Properly get into them until the lockdown in 2020 when I finally sat down and listened to all their songs and watched their performances. i think the BST mv + stage performances rlly solidified my love for them.

I watched a lot of bts compilation vids as well and rlly imo I think once you start watching bts content, there's just No turning back from there. they're so sincerely charming as ppl on top of having a Very solid discography theres no way out loool. in this bangtan sonyeondan shit for life, as a truly wise person once said. and ik in general most yt vids suck and include a lot of stereotypes for members and i don't recommend them as your intro to bts at All but there's So Many Cute ones as well. bts interview compilations, bts taking care of eo compilations, bts being funny compilations, etc. still i switched over to the original content quick enough lol, and there's So Much of it idt I'll ever be caught up entirely.

id say id joined and started interacting with the fandom by may 2020. bcuz i remember theorizing about the countdown to D-2 and screaming about spotting jinkook in the daechwita mv on the tl loool.

my bias has been jimin from the very beginning. ive been crying about how beautiful and wonderful he is since 2019 and im genuinely in love with him in a very best friend way (tae gets it). i think the first bts song i had on loop for a Month straight was filter lol. i saw this one edit by stussyjimin on twt that I was Obsessed with and ive been jimin biased ever since.

joon was my bias wrecker for a while bcuz he is genuinely so charming?? and Smart??? and his lyricism?? is out of this world?? and those yt compilations of him being patient with all the members rly made me love him sm

after i started watching videos of All members during the lockdown tho, i realized i was So Endeared by tae as well. he made me so Fond of him. he's always so sincerely Him. funny and strange and attentive and sweet and Observant. and then i watched a sweet night × tangled edit on twt and his voice??? was so Soothing?? i fell in love with him in a very best friend way too(jimin gets it). he's been my bias wrecker ever since ;-;-;-

when it comes to shipping, i started off as a moonfairy bcuz of the twt moot i mentioned lol. there was a Lot of soft minimoni content at the time, the kitchen run ep, the vlive, promise making behind the scenes and i found them So cute. i think id sat and watched All tae and jimin ship compilation vids at the time tbh. esp taejoon and minjoon. at heart, for some time, i was also a simple vminjoonist.

however as u know eventually yt starts reccing the analysis vids. and Those put me off both jkk and tkk so thoroughly ive never been able to get into the two ships again ;-;-;- it was very frustrating to want to watch minimoni compilations and have yt only recommend slowed down zoom ins on Proof That jkk/tkk Real. the comment section for these videos were also especially awful im ngl. the whole experience made me so sour i quit watching ship compilations on yt entirely. ;-;-;-;

i got into vmin specifically after i first Properly heard the soulmate anthem with lyrics and went ?!?!?!? this + the June 2020 Avalanche of vmin content turned me into a vminie. vmin content doesn't rlly filter into the ot7 spaces as much, so you've to Rlly go looking for it. i think after the unit interview 4 o'clock revelation i got curious about vmin and went ahead and found the small corner of vminies in the fandom bcuz even in June 2020 there Weren't very many of us here lol.

the old vminies kept talking about how vmin had changed over the years, so I went back to watch the old bangtan bombs to pay attention to vmin in particular. and like, once you See it, you can't Unsee it. ive talked about this before, but vmin have gone from The most rowdy best friends who roughouse for fun to The most gentle and tender soulmates and the transition is so ?!?!?!?!?

i think This particular video rlly converted me to vminism and idk why it's not talked about as much

firstly, how does one even reconcile 2014 vmin with This vmin lol. secondly, what even is going on in this video. "when you were dancing i was watching you." "you were?" "ive been watching the whole time." "don't look at me!!" spoken in the softest voices. i couldn't get this out of my head for Days!!! tae is so awed!!! jimin is so shy!!! they're so tender!! why!!!

consuming seven years worth of vmin content where they're just loving eo, comforting eo, writing songs for eo and just declaring over and over that they're The most special to eo even tho they used to fight the Most rlly got me further in. i watched run eps and bon voyages and bts episodes and bangtan bombs. i stalked the vmin archive. @btsandvmin's blog also helps, it's quite well organized. and they have a very Balanced approach towards shipping.

the vmin evolution!!! vmins bond!!! all their moments!!! rlly made me love them sm

for anyone newly getting into vmin, I will Always say watch vmin clips from the source content instead of in isolation. that's the One thing ive always done, bcuz context is very important and also, most vmin content is even more precious With context ;-;-;-

when you realize the sheer number of Times vmin have expressed in big and small ways how much they mean to eo. you Can't not love them. i adore vmin sm i adore their bond i adore how much they love eo there's rlly no way to Not love them tbh.

thank you anon for this ask, i loved answering it <33333

[loonarii]

✨"border: day one" enhypen mini album: ari's first thoughts ✨

request albums/mini albums/singles you want me to react to in my asks <3

1. "Intro: Walk The Line"

fuck me this is cinematic

narration????? wtf why is this so cool???

no but imagine this on tour

damn the album better be good now that was one of the best kpop intros ive heard

2. "Given-Taken"

the instrumental tho

shut up this is cool as fuck

hey vocals how u been

creepy end piano in mv??? vampire concept????

why is this is such a good title track, my expectations are now high for the b-sides

3. "Let Me In (20 CUBE)"

whats with the plastic bags lol

this is such a vibe

prechorus said heyyy and chorus said HEYYYYYYYY

lmao 'my nemo who searched' sTOP

in conclusion: maybe u will be my boyfriend

4. "10 Months"

why are their instrumentals always TOP TIER

these lyrics are so cute - enhypen have range

the chorus genuinely shocked me with how fun it is omfg

IS THERE GOING TO BE A BAD SONG ON THIS ALBUM???

wait no its ending :(((

5. "Flicker"

THE INSTRUMENTALS AGAINNN

im living for the subtle retro influences

more lowkey chorus is cool bc the verses are eating

lmao stream signal by twice

you know nevermind im obsessed with the chorus

would have liked it to be longer but it was still great

6. "Outro: Cross The Line"

havent listened to it yet, but if the intro was that good im expecting a lot from the outro lmao

YESSSS ITS AMAZING

MELANIE MARTINEZ VIBES???? CARNIVAL???

no i dont think you understand... im obsessed

this mini album outsold

why is this so poetic i love it

conclusion:

This is such a good mini album, especially for a freaking DEBUT, like i knew people said they had a good discography but omfg

... i think i stan enhypen now

[luvdsc]

my first business midterm was a success! i only got one question wrong, and same goes for the second one i just took! 😁 so crazy i feel like i just started college and now i’m about to sign up for my next classes already :’) time flies

about the boy, don’t worry. it’s been a while since i found out about it and i am okay now. tbh i’m kinda glad we didn’t become anything more because looking back on it he wasn’t even all that omg i was just blinded by my “i can fix him” mindset along with the fact he was tall 😭 making jokes about the situation with my friends really helped me overcome it. plus i don’t think i had any sadness in me left the second i saw his new girl looks like me whoops but as crazy as it sounds even though he broke my heart i still trust he won’t ever tell anyone else the personal stuff i told him when i opened up to him so there’s that 👍

on a brighter note, so the concert was actually hitc omg which is technically not a concert lol but it was easier to type it as so but ANYWAYS hitc was SOO FUN it was definitely a memory for the books. rich brian was for sure my favorite set out of all the days. i think i saw you said you went as well??! how was your experience? whose set did you like the most?

i’m actually really happy with my life rn and the friends i have who are still in it. reflecting on the past couple months and what i went through, ik everything happened for a reason and have no regrets in any of the choices i made. in the end it all taught me lessons ik i probably wouldn’t have learned otherwise. so yeah this is the most content i’ve been in a long time :)

anyways i would love to hear your thoughts on the re-recorded version of red and the 10 minute all too well mv!! what’s your favorite song from the vault? for me ive been having message in a bottle on repeat i absolutely love the nostalgic vibe the best has & the lyrics hehe reminds me a lot of summer - 💐 anon

oh my gosh, congratulations, honey bee !!!!! 🥳🥳 that’s fantastic news, you did amazing, and I’m so proud of you 🤩🤩 I bet you’re the one who’s setting the grade curve in your classes :’) best of luck with enrollment !!! 🍀 I hope you’re able to get all the classes you want, lovebug 💕 are there any that you’re excited to take next quarter?

I’m glad to hear you’re doing well and are over that boy 💞 he didn’t deserve your time, effort, and feelings anyway 🤧 tall boys really have us in their clutch huh 😔 oof we gotta stay away from those types of boys that bring out the “I can fix him” mentality - they need a therapist first before we should even consider dating them SHUSJSDK omg his new girl looks like you?? All the best to her, I hope she sees the warning signs and moves from him too rip but it’s reassuring that you know/trust him enough that he will keep your secrets 💕

OMG YOU WERE AT HITC TOO ??? WASN’T IT SO GOOD !!!!! I made new friends there, and we’re planning to meet up again there next year !! And they also live close by, so we’re gonna hang out again sometime soon too 💘 YES I also loved rich brian’s set, also the ending stage when he and warren hue performed together was amazing 🤩 I wanted to see keshi perform the most and I loved his performance the most, but they did him so dirty with his mic 😡 I’m still mad about that hdjdjdjddk and I was super excited to see dpr, niki, and saweetie !!!! 💓💓

aaaaa I’m so happy to hear that you feel this way, sweetpea 🥺💟💟💟 I feel like when you reach that stage of happiness and contentment with your life, that’s the best place to be, like I don’t know how to explain it but it just feels so wonderful to be at peace with yourself and fully enjoy and embrace where you are in your life 💛💛 I hope you continue to feel that way, lovebug 🤍✨

OH MY GOSH I AM ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED WITH RED TV 😭❤️❤️❤️ like I am still playing all too well ten min version on repeat today, and it’s been like that since Monday 🤧 ngl i cried over the all too well mv, especially the you dropped my hand scene. The age gap was just so uncomfortable to watch, but it also was portrayed so accurately and vividly, and it just felt so raw and out there. My song favorites are still treacherous and holy ground for the original tracks, but message in a bottle is my favorite vault song too !!!! 💜 I agree, it sounds so nostalgic and summery ✨ nothing new hits me hard tho 🤧 and the very first night is really pretty sounding 💓 what about you, honey bee? Which songs are your favorites? Did they change from your old favorites when the first album version came out? 🌷🌷

[kamenriderlogik27]

Kingdom as Kamen Rider Saber Riders!

So... for those that don't know (which ya'll prob don't since I don't really reveal a lot on this page other than rider/sentai related stuff) but I'm a HUGE fan of K-pop. In fact, I've been following it for a good 10 years now, which is the longest I've ever been obsessed with a specific topic/thing. Anyway, so There's a K-pop group called Kingdom that debuted at the beginning of this year and they're about to make their first ever comeback this week! So, while watching videos and buying albums online to help me get hyped up for it, I had a funny thought.

"How cool would it be if the members of Kingdom were able to transform into Kamen Riders?"

And thus, me being me, started this train of thought that led to this post. I specifically chose Saber over all the Rider series because of Kingdom's group concept: Each member's stage name is based off of a mythical/historical King, each member is a King of their own 'Kingdom', and so far their choreography let's them dance with swords. lol. So, which Saber being mostly a 'Knight in shining armor' concept and being based off of stories, I thought they fit each other pretty well~

I lit only assigned each member of Kingdom to a Saber Rider. I'm avoiding Saber characters 'cause I didn't want to compare personalities and backstories. Instead I'm just focusing on the Rider titles and suits only. So let's go~

1. Arthur as Kamen Rider Saber!

-Real name: Jang Yunho

-Stage name and concept is based off of King Arthur Pendragon

- Arthur hails from the 'Kingdom of the Rain'

- Kingdom's debut MV "Excalibur" as well as their first album used Arthur's story as it's main focus.

Reason why he's Saber:

- He's a sort of "chosen one" like Saber

- Saber is the only Saber Rider to wield the 'King of Arthur' WRB and sword

- Saber is also the only Saber Rider (other than Yuri) to step foot into Avalon

- Saber is the primary Rider of his season and Arthur is the primary member of their first MV

-Arthur would totally come up with ways to incorporate Saber's fire powers into new choreography/ sword stunts

2. Dann as Kamen Rider Calibur!

-Real Name: Jung Seungbo

- Stage name and concept is based off of King Dan of Denmark

- Kingdom's Leader

- Dann hails from the "Kingdom of Change"

Reasons:

- 'Kingdom of Change' made me think of Calibur and how he can foresee the future, which causes any of his users to go insane trying to change said future

- 2/3 of Calibur's users wanted to protect someone, Dann as the leader does his best to protect his group members (as well as teases and plays around with them every chance he gets)

- Calibur is just such a pretty purple suit and I think Dann fits with it's aesthetic

3. Mujin as Kamen Rider Kenzan!

-Real name: Go Seungho

- Stage name and concept is based off of Emperor Jinmu, aka the first Emperor of Japan

- Mujin hails from the 'Kingdom of Cherry Blossoms'

Reasons:

- Kenzan is wind-based and the image of Cherry Blossoms falling gives me huge 'wind' vibes

- Kenzan is also a Ninja so with Mujin basically being based off a Japanese Emperor, it kinda just fits perfectly

- Mujin uses a Katana in their debut MV and I love how he looks with his hair pulled back into a top-knot

- Mujin get's teased the most by his members (even the younger ones) so I can see him using Kenzan's powers to sometimes get his revenge

4. Louis as Kamen Rider Saikou!

-Real name: Yang Dongsik

- Stage name and concept is based off of King Louis XIV, aka Louis the Great of France

- Louis hails from the "Kingdom of Beauty/Aesthetic"

Reasons:

- Louis XIV was the longest reigning Monarch in European History, Saikou is the oldest Saber Rider

- Saikou is like the 'Rider of Light', which kinda makes me compare it to the 'Lights of Paris' which are BEAUTIFUL

- Louis is Kingdom's moodmaker and I can totally see him having fun playing pranks while in shadow form (Especially on Mujin~)

5. Ivan as Kamen Rider Blades!

-Real Name: Park Yoosung

- Stage name and concept is based off of King Ivan IV, aka Ivan the Terrible of Russia

- Ivan hails from the "Kingdom of Snow"

Reasons:

- 1. Snow can melt into water 2. Blades has a legit 'Snow/Ice' form

- Ivan is BEAUTIFUL= Blades (especially his final form) is my favorite Rider suit ever because it has such a beautiful design

- Ivan's favorite colors are Black and sky BLUE

- Used to be a part of K-Tigers (a Taekwondo group) so he knows how to fight and defend himself

- There's a scene in their debut MV where Ivan uses a magical Ice Scepter and it reminds me so much of Blade's final form

- He'd totally ride his blue lion everywhere

6. Jahan as Kamen Rider Espada!

-Real Name: Im Jihun

- Stage name and concept is based off of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, aka the man who built the Taj Mahal

- Jahan hails from the "Kingdom of the Sun"

Reasons:

- Espada's WRB is based off of a Middle Eastern story involving a Magic Lamp and Djinn, and he can fly on a magic carpet

- That's the main reason why, but Espada's suit design also kind of gives off a 'Land of the Sun' feel despite his main power being lightning

- This pic of Jahan is amazing and totally fits the image of 'the face behind Espada's mask'

- I can see Jahan using Espada's powers to secretly zap people, also he'd get a kick out of riding the magic carpet all the time

7. Chiwoo as Kamen Rider Falchion!

-Real name: Guk SeungJun

- Stage name and concept is based off of Emperor Chiyou of China

- Chiwoo hails from the "Kingdom of Clouds"

Reasons

- I read somewhere that Chiyou is also thought of to be a sort of "God of War" (please don't quote me on this as I researched this last minute and have no solid sources yet) which reminded me of Bach/Falchion who became something similar to an immortal God that lived for battle/destruction

- The Chinese Phoenix is completely different from the western Phoenix, however I think Chiwoo aesthetically fits with Falchion's concept

- Chiwoo is said to always like looking after the members despite being the youngest, so I can see him trying to find out way of using his negation powers to try and help out in bad situations

-Like if Arthur accidentally set their practice room on fire, or if Dann got angry and accidently infested a passerby with darkness

And that's it! Hope ya'll find this fun 'cause I had a lot of fun thinking it up!

[kinktae]

rose: [creates the rewind series] bighit: WRITE THAT DOWN!! WRITE THAT DOWN!!

Anonymous said: ROSEEEE BABYYY!! DYNAMITE KOO AND BITCHIN KOO ARE THE SAMEEE

Anonymous said: Rose, did you see 70s!Tae in the MV in all his glory? 😱😏

Anonymous said: Dynamite goes well with your rewind series 👌🏽🤩

Anonymous said: DYNAMITE JK JUST HAS THE BITCHIN JK VIBE ITS LITERALLY HOW I IMAGINED HIM FKSKCKWKCKSKCK I CANT

shy-kpop-girl said: Okay... DYNAMITE M/V and Groovy? Did BigHit get inspiration from your fic because the whole time I was thinking about you and could not wait to send you this ask! 😊 The 70's was not my fave style era but BTS makes it look GOOD! Holy Hoseok! And what the hell Taehyung? 🥵 Anonymous said: ROSE FOR YOUR BITCHIN AU WITH JK??? THE ROOM THAT HE'S IN FOR THE DYNAMITE MV? LITERALLY BITCHIN VIBES AJKSKSKS

spicybangtanwings said: im a lil late how are we doing with dynamite jk???? i personally am not coping well. i cant get this correlation between dynamite jk and bitchin jk out of my mind and ALL I could think about is them making out in that attic full of posters and keyboard and guitar 😩😩😩😩 oh yeah did I SAY I LOVE BITCHIN SO SO MUCH i finished it a while back but sometimes i would just space out at work thinking about the characters and how well it was written. ok i am done have a good day/night!!!

Anonymous said: I just re-read the rewind series after 'Dynamite' comeback, I cant helped it! I just had to do it! It sets the moods so damn right! I've actually been roaming around tumblr looking for your blog because I forgot to like the masterlist and all i can remember was "groovy" as the title lol, ANYWAY Dear sweetness human soul, Thank you so much for your amazing writing, i hope you're having a great day! 🥺😭💜

Anonymous said: jungkook in the dynamite mv and the concept photos gives me mAJORRR bitchin' vibes

jinsjjk said: MISS ROSE,,,, JUNGKOOKS CLIPS IN THE DYNAMITE MV GIVE ME MAJOR BITCHIN’ JK VIBES!!!!!! YOU MANIFESTED THIS

Anonymouse said: Rose!!!! I screamed when i saw Jungkook in Dynamite mv, his LOOK and his ROOM omggggg, it reminded me a lot of Bitchin'

Anonymous said: i HAD to come back and read groovy again after dynamite’s release, groovy singlehandedly sparked my obsession with the 70’s. your work it just so well written, it’s honestly mind blowing.

Anonymous said: When dynamite MV came out I immediately remembered your 'groovy' and 'bitchin' fics, your writing is so amazing 😭

Would u guys unfollow me if i said i hadn’t watched the mv yet.... KSFDJSKDJ DONT GET ME WRONG IVE LISTENED AND LOVED DYNAMITE IM JUST SCARED TO WATCH IT I KNOW IM GONNA SCREAM and im so exhausted atm i can’t commit to it ksdfkj that sounds dumb but THE SCREENIES I SAW ACTUALLY HAD ME SCREECHING ily ily ily

[wonwoonlight]

Ult group question game

Rules: answer question based on your ult group 》 seventeen

(I’d also answer blackpink bc they’re both my ult but this is literally a blog I made for seventeen so--)

Sooo a few days ago @wonunuu​ tagged me to do this and I finally got around to doing this. Thank you for always tagging me pj 🥺 this was so fun to do 🥰

1. Who was your first bias?

 This is so cheesy but… it’s always been him T-T to be fair, ive always had sth for guys who are quiet and cool and… glasses. and if these aren’t wonu then who.

 2. Who is your bias now?

It’s kinda weird, tbh, that it’s still him. Bc I know me and usually I change my bias once I get to know everyone in the group but I am now an unapologetic 24/7 wonwoo simp

 3. what is the first mv you watched by them?

I actually have known abt svt since predebut bc my friend was a huge pledis stan but I was just indifferent I guess??? I rmb watching aju nice bc it was SO big at the time and I got curious. I rmb thinking: hahahh this group is so not my style (bc I was so into YG and their hip-hopish style and aju nice is so bright and cheerful) ((guess who’s laughing now))

 4. what's your favourite mv?

Home. Like. So much. I am borderline obsessed with it. Except for wonwoo’s lack of lines it’s just… pure perfection; makes me so warm.

 5. if you could listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Probably all my love or campfire? Or home… I am a sucker for songs like these T-T

6. who would you want to see them collab with?

Uhh… blackpink? HAHA or maybe got7. Tho idk about seeing 20 men on stage at the same time lol. Tell u what PLEASE just give me bp x svt x got7 97line. Please D:

7. what mv concept do you want to see them do?

I’d like another Getting Closer tbh. So… rough. Leathers. All black. I am: weak. Either that or full blown happy and easy vibe where they just fool around like Snapshoot and Holiday lol

 8. have you ever had a dream with any of the members in it?

I… have. Tho nothing that I can remember. But I’ve had Jeonghan, Seungcheol, Gyu, Kwan Wonwoo, and Vernon visit me in my dreams T-T some by themselves and some in a group consisting of these people.

Kinda hate myself for not remembering what was it about :]

 9. if i could spend a day with one member, who would it be and what would you do?

I’d like to say Wonwoo… but knowing me and knowing him… no one will talk and the awkwardness will be through the roof lol. So, Choi Seungcheol it is. I feel like I just wanna sit down over coffees and talk about a lot of stuff with him? Thank him for being a very good leader and being, well, him. I feel like Seungcheol is the type of person that gets you to open up?? But anyway, I just want him to know I’m always thankful of him and I love him so much

But also I’d like to play in jihoon’s studio please let’s do a karaoke session

10. Which member do you think you'd get on best with?

This is hard :/ but maybe wonu? Bc tbh personality wise we’re kinda alike, but based on my experience, it’ll be quite hard to start getting closer. Like, we’re the type of person who’s closed off to people we dont know but clingy around those we’re comfortable with? Also, I love playing games and reading stuffs. remember when wonwoo said he only thinks about what to do but not actually do it? that is Me.

 11. Which member do you think you would argue with?

Probably Chan? Since the beginning I feel like his vibe is the opposite of mine. As in he’s very passionate and he has this will to prove himself?? And I’m someone who’s very… lowkey and I feel like his passion would burden me? there’s nothing bad with being passionate, though. I am always proud of my bby dino.

 12. if you had to choose one member to scroll through your tumblr, who would it be?

i—have no idea. I don’t even let my best friend know my tumblr bc I’m embarrassed by the stuffs that I write even tho theyre so important to me? it doesn’t make sense I know HAHA but if I really have to the maybe hao?? I feel like hao would just kinda get amused and be done with it.

 Phew! This was fun!!! Idk anyone here bc I suck at socializing... please talk to me lol but dont hesitate to do it if you want to <3

[iknowyunholeeknow]

ooh how did you get into skz (or kpop in general)? i love hearing people's kpop origin stories haha. for me, it started when a friend back in college showed me nct's the 7th sense mv and i was like woahhh this is so cool, and then i fell down the nct rabbit hole haha starting with nct127. that was almost 3 years ago and now i am too far gone 😂

i usually don't really watch fancams either, and if i do it's for my biases lol but there is something about lee know and his dancing that makes me want to watch his fancams - i don't know anything about dance but it's just so pleasing to the eye LOL (and he always has such great outfits...)

hmmm p1harmony had a cb very recently and i liked the mini album!! i don't know all their names yet but i'm working on it hahaha; they also had another mini album earlier this year with the doom du doom title track that i loooved. some less recent releases from earlier this year that i liked were stayc's run2u mini album (idk anything about them i just like some of their music haha) and a few of xdinary heroes' songs such as strawberry cake and lunatic so i'm looking forward to more of their stuff in the future ^^ tbh i've been listening to a lot of skz until recently because once i really get into something that's all i want to listen to until one day i am no longer as addicted to it hahahaha

In high school one of my really close friends got me into bts (it did take a while because there was this really creepy guy who rode my bus who kept telling me to get into them in like increasingly creepy and annoying ways and he'd like blast their music straight from YouTube for everyone to hear and needless to say he was kind of the worst and I should think about him less) and from bts I got into tons of groups through YouTube recs particularly right after their cbs and stuff. I'm not as into bts anymore but I still love wings with all my heart.

We have a lot of the same taste in music apparently, I listen to run2u way too much to be healthy and p1harmony never disappoints imo. I just listened to those xdinary heroes songs and admittedly I'd written them off after their debut but I really like those! I'll have to add them to my playlist lol. I'm the same way with music, I go all in with it. Since you like run2u you might want to check out ive if you haven't before I'm obsessed with their music in almost the same way as I am run2u.

Do you have any pets? I have two cats they are my little guys, favorite boys even (I really just want an excuse to post photos of my cats) the grey one is Scooby and the black and white is named Tom (tomtom really but my grandpa was named Tom so it's kinda funny to shorten imo)

[wooahaes]

Hi!! It’s the baby teume here again lol thank you sm for the rec I’ve been through their blog as well aksnsksmskdnd but hey I’m a svt Stan too !! It’s so weird we Stan a lot of the same groups and I’m so grateful we have such a good writer in all the fandoms I’m in as well 😂😂

As for my treasure bias, it was originally mashiho (I mean it still is) but I’ve added more people to the list lmaooo like yedam as of now and I’ve been crushing on Hyunsuk since last night 💀 it’s impossible to decide lol and I’ve just sorta accepted the fact that I’m just gonna probably work my way thru the whole group at some point lmaooooo and my favourite song that I’m obsessed with right now are I love You and JikJin as well as both the versions of darari! (At this point I feel like I should just name their entire discography lol ) it’s been maybe a week or two since I started stanning them and I’ve already finished watching all the tmap episodes and most of their variety content lol I think I might have a problem💀

im about to take a final but i wanna respond first hehe i love talkin abt my boys

omg then double hi then!! i literally cannot remember if i got into svt first or trsr because it was around the same time but i joked with my non-kpop friends that a group has to have at least 8 members for me to stan (or be SHINee) but brb gonna cry thank u for that compliment!! theres SOOO many good svt writers out there <3

(rest is under a readmore bc this feels long and i dont wanna subject anyone scrolling past to a long post dskfhdsf)

also incredibly valid of u... my trsr bias changed a lot before i finally settled on yoshi (for rn, at least? hopefully it wont change bc i love the him but things happen lmao). i personally came in originally being biased for asahi and junkyu and then i realized yoshis the literal cutest and so is mashi and so is hyunsuk... i think now ive just been calling myself a jline stan (haruto isnt as high as the others but ive adopted him so hes my son now alongside the others in the maknae line /hj). u have taste tho <3 but stanning trsr means u have taste sooo-

but also literally felt tht abt crushing on hyunsuk... watching the concert was what got me lmao his stage presence is sooo good and he cares so much abt the others!! also i love his facial expressions lmao he does this cute lil nose scrunchy thing sometimes and its. genuinely so cute.

GOD i loved "i love you" so much when i was first getting into trsr!! the lil fingerheart and bob they do to the "lovin' you lovin' you love you" bit??? lives rent free in my head idk why its just so cute. + the song has some of my fave choreo from them and i cant explain why lol

jikjin is also v v good!! this comeback was my first comeback as a teume so i have a special place in my heart for jikjin <3 and DARARI my MOST beloved!!! i adore her so much... i was literally so excited for darari choreo and then she was given to me <3 i still kinda wish we had a real mv for darari but im not gonna argue w getting the remix lmao (both slap but i prefer the og bc for the softer comfy vibes)

also ur so much better than me dsfkhdsf i dont remember where i left off on tmap but i got busy with life stuff and dropped it for a bit :( i do wanna go back and watch the rest of it sometime!! i respect u so much tho sdfkhdsf im just bad at sitting down and watching stuff in general lmao (my kdramas usually take... several months for me to actually finish watching)

anyway welcome to stanning treasure u will not regret this <3 i love them all so so much and ive been missing them a lot lately :(