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moon-child-cypher · 1 year ago

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Moonchild

Chapter 2: Make it right

OT7xYN Kim SeokjinxYN Kim NamjoonxYN Min YoongixYN Jung HoseokxYN Kim TaehyungxYN Park JiminxYN Jeon Jungkookx YN

TW: Mentions of violence, mafia related language, mentions of weapons,heartbreak.

Jimin felt like he was suffocating.

He knew the other members would be grateful to have an excuse to stay in the room with you, to have a reason you couldnt leave them again right away, but Jimin was not them. He needed time to sort out his emotions, he needed time to let it sink in that you were there, in front of them, in the actual flesh. The fact his brothers seemed to be keeping themselves well composed just managed to infuriate him more. He felt a hand on his shoulder and a whisper in his ear

“ Let's go out into the hallway, they’ve got this under control.'' It was Taehyung, already guiding him out of the room , not waiting for Jimin to respond. It was clear Tae needed to breathe as much as him, but he didn't miss the longing look he threw in your direction before closing the door behind them. Neither daring to breathe until they heard the door latch behind them.

Jungkook could feel the excitement coursing through his veins and dancing with electricity under his skin with the fact that you were speaking to him. Logically he knew it was only because he was in charge of weapons, and you were the weapons dealer. But none the less you had to interact with him. He had seen the surprise in your face, if only just for a moment, when Namjoon had consulted Jungkook and allowed him to take over . You asked every question professionally and knowledgeable, and he answered. Both of you manage to get lost in your conversation and ignore the others for a few. He was being selfish, he knew , but he was terrified that if he stopped asking questions, if you became aware of the situation again then you would run away like a scared animal .He wondered if Jin would be able to help you relax , or if you would see right through him but jungkook was desperate, he had to take the risk.

“ Hey, Jin, could you check this out?” casually holding the paper over his shoulder knowing his hyung would be nearby. He felt you stiffen the slightest bit but remain professional.

“ I assure you gentlemen that all outlines have been drafted to best suit your wants and needs , and will ensure expansion for both Bangtan and our company” you say , straightening out your papers, not making eye contact with Jin, barely even sparing him a look

“ You certainly have an intimate understanding of what we came here for , that much is obvious, '' Jin mused , cocking his eyebrow, shocking both you and jungkook. “ But that manages to make me feel more sure of this collaboration, it looks fool proof to me.” He places the paper down and awkwardly puts his hands in his pockets.

“ And you're doing really great YN, you seem really in your element, and it's great to see you flourishing” he says nonchalantly, causing Jungkook to suck in a breath of air. Jungkook was terrified that addressing the situation at hand would scare you away. You, on the other hand, didn't seem to skip a beat.

“ If a girl didn't know better , I think you were just saying that to make me more pliable to your negotiations. You wouldn't do that, of course, would you Seokjin?’

“ I wouldn't dream of it YN.” Jin shoots back immediately. Jungkook notes that while he managed to make you more relaxed in the situation as he had hoped, he was now trapped between the two of them.

Jin was relieved when Jungkook had called for him, not only giving him an excuse to break out of his thoughts but to have a reason to speak to you. It was a simple enough conversation but it left him clinging on to every word, thirsty for more. He had always imagined the first interaction with you when you returned would be more dramatic, and the lack of reaction from anyone including Hoseok made him uncomfortable . Shouldn’t they be, don’t know, doing more? Nothing short of begging you to stay? He knew there was no way he would be able to let you go after this .

Hoseok had never been more on edge in his life, making him ready to pounce at any moment. Even the people who were not members of Bangtan, and knew better, could sense that he was not to be disturbed. Choosing to stay out of the frenzy of the meeting he decided to step back and observe the scene in front of him. Under any other circumstances he would be disgusted by his members at this moment. They were all pining after you at the moment, even if not directly so. People who didn't know better wouldn't have seen it, but Hoseok thought they all looked like stray dogs, begging for affection. Namjoon had at least the dignity to keep his face blank, only the occasional ticking of his jaw muscle gave anything away from his current state. Jimin and Tae couldn't even hold it together enough to stay for the meeting, annoying Hoseok , seeing as it was just more ground for him to cover. Jungkook was looking at you with his eyes begging for you, even if his words did not match. Jin was with you two, notably working to be his most charming self . Most interestingly Yoongi was more focused on Hoseok than you. Yoongi obviously didn't understand that in your presence he could calm the violence, he clearly thought that this would mean Hoseok would be out of control , but he was wrong.

Through all of this Hoseok knew that if he let himself slip for even a moment , he would have been the worst of them. You looked amazing, not in a strictly pleasing to the eye, superficial way, but in a way you held yourself and the air about you had Hoseok longing for you.He hoped he would one day get the chance to ask how you ended up here, working in weapons and in turn right here in front of them again.

If you were the eye of the storm, Yoongi was the hurricane. His emotions bubbling up under the surface so intensely that he could physically feel the ache . He was silently relieved he had to keep an eye on Hoseok, giving him something else to focus on. Yoongi had a deep understanding that he and Hoseok were more similar than anyone knew, and in turn feared what these emotions may be doing for the impulsive Hoseok. Hoseok did manage to surprise him by looking oddly calm, or at least as calm as Hoseok could look.Leave it to Hoseok to feel the most comfortable in a time of chaos. Namjoon had asked Yoongi to keep an eye on Hoseok before they had even left, before they had known you were going to be there and now he had to focus on Hoseok and not you and a part of him resented Hoseok and Namjoon for it. He longed for a moment to look you in the eyes and convey that he was begging you for forgiveness and couldn't let you leave him again, that you couldn't leave them again. He considered ditching his post on being Hoseok's babysitter and doing just that but he feared the moment he let his guard down on Hoseok, that Hoseok would ruin everything. Bangtan, the deal, and worse of all another chance with you.

To say Namjoon felt on edge would be an understatement. He could feel his jaw getting sore from how hard he was clenching it. One of the many internal battles he was fighting at the moment was wanting this meeting to be over as soon as possible, but also the need to keep you here for as long as possible. Namjoon had watched Jungkook slip into his professional persona and effortlessly converse with you, and even managed to subtly bring Jin into their conversation. To any one but Bangtan and you, it looked like a strictly professional meeting. Namjoon would grow dizzy whenever he looked around the room at his team. Everyone of them shooting you their own signature longing look, and Namjoon wondered how you remained so strong under every single one of their gazes.

Namjoon heard the door open and relatch and look up to see Jimin and Taehyung reentering the room. He made eye contact with Tae who gave him a half apologetic smile and he glanced at Jimin who refused to make eye contact but had shame written all over his face. He looked over and saw you staring, taking in every moment of this short interaction and understanding what was happening. You shot him a soft warning look, that he would have missed if he hadn't been staring at you, and watched as you effortlessly slid back into your professional conversation as if nothing happened. This interaction, no matter how short, tugged at Namjoons heart. Even after all these years they fell into a routine of conversations with only quick glances.

Upon first seeing you, and how much you had changed, Namjoon had feared that you weren't going to be the same YN he knew and loved. Maybe those years and years had made them strangers. In spite of that, Namjoon now saw that you remained the same person at the core . Really, now that he thought about it, that applied to every member as well. The years had changed everyone, but still remained the same group at the core of their being.

What you hoped Bangtan didn't know, is with every longing look, you long with the same ferocity. Hurt and pride would never let you act on it,but you wished you could act like nothing happened. Act like you had been gone for merely hours, and not years, to just keep living life together as you all had before. Unfortunately, for you, time has continued to break your heart, not heal it . You did find yourself shocked at the revelation that you still knew these boys in an intimate way that they didn't know themselves. You could still read every body movement, and knew what to anticipate from them. You had only spoken directly to Jin and Jungkook, but fell into comfortable conversation, even if it was strictly professional. You were even proud of yourself for your wit in your flirty interaction with Jin. You have no idea where you had found the strength in yourself to speak so easily to them but you like to think it was because you were stronger than you thought yourself and not because your walls were already coming down.

You couldn't pinpoint why, but something about the noise of the door when Jimin and Taehyung returned to the room, snapped you out of the calm state you were in. It wasn't that it was necessarily those boys in particular that got your heart beating faster than any of the others would, it was that they were all in a room with you. First time in 5 years that you had been in a room with all 7 of your ex lovers. You panicked even more when you were able to quickly catch Namjoons annoyance and shoot him a look, communicating with him to leave it be, this was hard for everyone, don't make it harder. It was also terrifying how easily she found herself doing that, like it was a normal thing to do, like it had never stopped. She was genuinely panicking , having to consciously control her breathing to a slow steady rhythm. Her panic grew even worse when she realized that her boss had said her name.

“ I'm sorry, sir?” She was grateful her voice came out calm and even.

“ I was saying that I know we can count on you to wrap up on negotiations without us at the moment, as I fear our attention is needed elsewhere” Her boss, Mr Choi said , standing up and straightening out his suit. “ I assure you gentleman YN is the best of the best with our company and we are leaving you in fully capable hands.”

She stands and slightly bows to Mr. Choi, silently begging him not to leave her alone. If ever mind reading could work it needed to be now, what had she done to deserve such torture? She would have to get through it though, she wouldn't let today ruin her career even if it ruined her life. “ Yes , absolutely sir, all amendments have been completed and i'm pleased to say this will prove to be a symbiotic relationship for all who are involved”

With that they took their leave after bowing and saying their polite farewells to Bangtan. Leaving her standing there, in front of the seven men who were complete strangers. Leaving her completely vulnerable and feeling like she was a specimen to be dissected. She decided to keep it strictly professional, get in and out, and refuse to breach any other topic but the deal at hand. With what she felt was great courage she stood up and cleared her throat. “ Thank you gentleman, if I could draw your attention to page five for a moment, I would like to clarify a few points and then we can move on with our deal?” It came out as a slight, weak question and she hated it.

She finds herself grateful Namjoon speaks up, and sticks to professionalism. “ Yes , assuming it works as a subscription, a fee gets us availability to certain resources, but additional fees for add ons. We agree and accept the terms.” He pauses and as an afterthought adds “ And we look forward to seeing more of you.”

The whole room shifts at his change in language.

“ I have many capable coworkers and you will have the chance to work with many people who are very well versed in their fields to ensure you get the best out of this arrangement.” She adds carefully, hoping to draw the line and remain professional. She could barely hear herself speak as her heart was beating so loudly in her ears.

Yoongi speaks up, continuing her torture. “ Yes absolutely , we look forward to it but your boss seems very sure of your capabilities and we would like to utilize YOUR skill set, and how it may best serve Bangtan. For the sake of the contract, of course.” he says smoothly , almost coldly. She looks at him and silently begs him not to do this, but one look and you know he isnt going to stand down. She lets out a long breath and sits down, finally, deciding that all professionalism is out of the window and the best thing she could do was level with them and draw a line in the sand.

“ Please , can we stick to the contract? I would really appreciate that.” She says, clearly defeated, not looking at anyone but clearly addressing everyone.

Jimin scoffs in the corner. “ That's it? After all this time you're going to act like nothing happened like we're nothing? How can you sit in the same room and be so cold to us YN?” You can tell he's nearly hysterical. He's always been in tuned with his emotions and never bothered hiding them , so you can't blame him for being able to do that now of all times.

“ With all do forgiveness, sir , I don't recall any actions I ever took to make you gentlemen feel that way.” She manages to keep her voice calm, but she can feel anger bubbling up and keeps trying to swallow like somehow that will repress it.

“ Jesus YN '' She was shocked to hear Yoongi. “ I was going to leave it this is just too much, please don’t be this way.”

“ He's right,” Namjoon agrees. “ We need to settle this whether it be for professional or personal reasons, otherwise we will not be able to move forward with this deal.”

“ Are you insinuating you won't go ahead with the deal unless I give in and let you guys interrogate me?” The anger was now rising in her voice.

“ YN you know that's not what he means, stop being stubborn and let's talk.” Hoseok says with a softness that's only ever been reserved for her, and at times his Bangtan members. She will admit it almost makes her give in, for she knows the plea behind it.

“ Fine” She sighs out dejectedly “ But I want to make it clear that I'm doing this for the sake of a better work environment, not for you guys personally.”

“ I understand, “ Namjoon says calmly and softly, and she nods at him, making it clear that they were free to state their cases now.

“ We miss you, YN. I miss you.. Why di…” Jungkook speaks first ,always leading with his emotions first, she couldn't help but be grateful that hasn't changed.

“ I had to leave, Jungkook. You guys gave me no other choice” She knows her words hurt when Jungkook's winces and Jin grabbing his arms in comfort.

“ No it's not like you ever spoke to us about leaving, it's not like we were given any explanation. We weren't even given a chance to make anything right, to work it out.” Taehyung pleads. It hits her he truly doesn't understand, they don’t know that she knows. She almost feels guilty for a moment before remembering she's the one who was wronged. She makes direct eye contact with Namjoon, surprising him with the intensity of the stare.

“ I know about my brother, Namjoon.” she drops this information as if she was stating that the sky was blue. Honestly , Namjoon and the others would have preferred anger with that statement, somehow her tone made it sound threatening.

“ Fuck, YN we had to do it for you dammit, it was for your own good!!” Hoseok doesn't bother denying anything, why should he.

“ Don't feed me that, Hoseok, the only reason you did it was your own selfish needs and your need for violence. You didn’t ask questions because you didn’t care because you wanted to do that to him. I know you better than that.” She barks at him

“ Youre right, I loved bashing that fuckers head in because the things he did to you, I-” Hoseok cuts off , interrupted by Namjoon.

“ Enough, Hoseok!” he yells, obviously angry at him for destroying the peace. “ You're right, YN, we had to take care of the situation with your brother. The only reason we took so long to do it and allowed us to steal from us for so long was because he was your brother.” YN winces at the past tense. “ While we had plenty of personal reasons for wanting your brother dead, I assure you our actions are professionally motivated and not for our personal satisfaction.”

“ Though it was pretty satisfying.” Hoseok says cockily, surprisingly Yoongi nodding in agreement.

“ Stop it guys. We aren't taking her feelings into account so you're being selfish right now.” Taehyung pipes in. Oh her sweet Tae, she always loved him for his profound empathy and couldn't help but be grateful for him at that moment. She knew her resolve was breaking. She took a few breaths while everyone contemplated for a moment.

She decided there was no point in beating around the bush and it was time to lay everything out , for the sake of moving on.

“ You guys don’t understand. It's not just lying, it's not just betrayal. You guys have always had each other, you still had each other when I left. A long deep history together, I have no past besides my brother, I had no one but you guys and him. No matter how much of a shitty person he was, he was a great brother, my brother , and he raised me. You guys never spoke to me about the possibility and I thought you guys cared too much about me to do that. So , with that action you showed my worth to you and took away a part of me, I lost everything.”

“ You don’t understand , YN it wasn't-” Jimin begins exasperated , but she cuts him off

“ You're right, I don't understand how someone can say they love someone and then disrespect them on such a deep level. I had to deal with that sevenfold.” While her voice came out cool and calculated , her words dipped in venom, making more than one member scared about how far this was going to escalate.

Namjoon had been allowing things to play out to this point, letting the other members say things they've waited 5 years to say, but he recognized it was time for him to play the part as the leader and not as the broken hearted ex partner of YN.

“ You have every right to feel that way YN. Absolutely every right to have been hurt. With that being said, my duty to Bangtan came first and you always knew and respected that. You know the life we live, and that code helped you live a very comfortable life. I will not deny that we went against your wishes , and that we should have informed you earlier. The only thing I can do is tell you in complete honesty that the murder of your brother was not for personal gain, but for Bangtan as a whole.”

“ Miscommunication has a habit of making a fool out of us all.” Seokjin adds, sliding down into one of the office chairs , defeated.

YN almost opened her mouth to argue that this went way beyond miscommunication, but she found herself unable to. One look around the room revealed every man and how broken they really were. Admittedly , you had never taken a moment to think about how they felt, as you had let your grief consume you and bloom into anger. What made her even angrier is she felt her resolve melting away. As much as she was hurt, these were the people she loved.

Looking around the room she realized nothing had changed. She was still madly in love with the way Namjoon’s earring moved every time he clenched that muscle in his jaw and radiated comfort. Still Madly in love with the way Seokjin managed to take up so much space with his wide shoulders, and big personality. Still in love with Yoongi’s nail biting and the way he always looked like he had somewhere better to be. Still in love with the way Hoseok never stood still , the way his eyes constantly calculated everything around him.The way Jimin’s sleeves always fell too far and hung over his hands, the way that you knew he needed to be loved even when he didn't. Still in love with the way Taehyung filled a room with childish wonder and sweet understanding. Still in love with Jungkook’s big pleading eyes, and the way he was a dichotomy of softness in a rough package.

Her brother had once told her that you know you're in love with someone when it's the smallest details that have you completely devoted to them. She's sure he shared this wisdom with her never knowing that it would apply to his sister and his murderers, but it was still true and she knew every one of them still felt the same.

“ Even if we wanted to, we couldn't go back to the way things were. Things are never going to be the same and there's so much healing to be done.” She sighs

“ You're right, things will never be the same. They'll never go back to normal.” Namjoon admits, surprising you. “ But it's never easy even in the best relationships but if you have the will and the love, you find a way to make it work.”

“ Everyone of us is in this room is fucked up, absolutely insane. Of course it's never going to be a normal relationship.” Yoongi says with the gummy smile that made her want to throw her arms around him.

“ YN wouldn't want it any other way.” Hoseok adds laughing. “ And you wouldn't know what to do with it. “

She can't help but smile. “You guys have had eachother this whole time to comfort each other while i had to survive on my own, i don't know if there's any recovering from that.”

“ No there absolutely isn't , and that's something we wanted to protect you from in the first place. '' Jimin hugs himself and takes a deep breath. “ I don't blame you for leaving now that I know. Doesn't mean i wish you hadn't.”

“ He's right .” Namjoon leans forward and looks YN directly in the eyes . “ Turns out you were the glue that holds us together and we have become not much more than strangers who know each other well. That's our fault and our job to fix that, not yours, but I think we would all be willing to do it with or without you. I hope it's with you, in any capacity you can afford us.”

She knew she was too prideful, and the only reason she hadn't already given in was her pride. Yes, being around them was going to hurt, but she was already hurting. If this turned out to be a good idea, then she could be happy again, because five years on her own and away from them had done nothing for her healing journey. She needed them, she realized.

Then she speaks , she speaks a sentence that gives everyone more hope than they have dared to have in all those years.

“ I want to start building a future with you guys, but I'm going to need time. I need you to remain professional when necessary and I need time. This isn't going to work itself out overnight. Can you guys do that for me ?”

“Anything for you YN.”

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ggukieesblog · 2 years ago

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Jeon Jungkook ☆ミ

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clumsy-jiminie · 2 years ago

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ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ᴄᴏᴅᴇꜱ | ᴊᴊᴋ | ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴇʟᴠᴇ

◦ ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ :: mafia!jungkook x mafia!female reader

◦ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ :: 18+

◦ ɢᴇɴʀᴇ :: mature content, angst, smut, mafia!au

◦ ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ :: 10.2k ( this is becoming a habit )

◦ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢꜱ :: smut - dry humping, dirty talking, taunting, oral ( f. receiving ), fingering, use of pet name - baby, jk simply adores you, a disgusting amount of fluff for the type of story this is ( in my opinion ), cursing, mc is terrified of falling, jk is an asshole but one of those damn you’re still hot assholes, really a filler chapter tbh

↠ ɴᴇxᴛ :: ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ :: ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪɴᴅᴇx ↞

You lay in your bed, hands resting on your stomach as you stared at your ceiling. The beginnings of the morning were peeking out behind the horizon. You sighed deeply to yourself. You got 3-4 hours of sleep, maybe. You were restless, constantly tossing and turning before succumbing to your mind and giving up. Your senses were running wild. Phantoms of where he touched you linger amongst your intimate parts. It felt so real, like he was still here pressing his thumb against your clitoris. You were so close — just a few more moments, and you would’ve been over the moon with ecstasy. But he ripped that away from you, essentially blue-balling you for the first time in your life.

You tried to put those feelings to rest with your hand hovering over his ghostly touch, but it was to no avail. It wasn’t enough. Your body knew it was just a pity attempt to recreate what you had, refusing your satisfaction unless you had the real thing. As a result, insomnia struck and forced you to watch the sun as it rose. Frustration grew inside of you with each passing moment. How could he get you started like that and then just leave? How could he act like that wasn’t the first time you’ve kissed him in months? You were always unsure where you stood with him — sometimes it was obvious that he wanted you, but most times, it was like he was indifferent towards you. But then, out of nowhere, he decides that kissing you was no longer a risk. He even decided to push it further than just a kiss, going as far as fingering you in the kitchen. All because of his jealousy. All to prove a point to no one.

You pushed yourself out of bed and walked out of your room. You took deliberate footsteps down the quiet hallway, cautious not to wake the inhabitants around you. You approached a room, quietly turning the door knob and slipping through the crack. Just as you anticipated, Jeongguk was sitting on the edge of his bed. His head hung low, probably staring down at his phone. This was around the time he would come to wake you up to practice boxing. You shut the door behind you, causing him to glance over his shoulder at the noise. He watched as you walked around his bed until you stopped before him through half-closed eyes filled with sleep. You were surprised to see him in just a pair of black boxer briefs. You thought he would’ve at least worn pajama pants to bed. He noticed your furrowed brows and scrunched nose, the cutest angry face he had ever seen. Dressed in one of his t-shirts, you folded your arms over your chest while looking down at him.

“What are you—” You quickly placed a finger to his lips, stopping the gravelly heaven-like sound coming out of his mouth. Jeongguk's eyes went wide as you looked at him, confusion flooding his face.

You removed your finger from his mouth before placing your hands on his shoulders. You then pushed him back, causing him to land on the bed. “You’re an asshole,” you kept your voice low enough for only him to hear. While you sat on top of him, straddling his hips, you repeated yourself. “Such an asshole.”

He quirked a brow, suppressing the excitement that wanted to coarse through his body. The warmth between your legs, placed directly on his groin, was enough to drive him insane. He didn’t want to show how much he was about to enjoy whatever you had in mind. “Is that so?” He teased as his hands found your thighs, playing with the hem of your shirt.

You nodded once as you reached down to grab his hands with yours, interlocking your fingers together. “And for that,” you whispered as you suddenly leaned forward and pinned him to the bed. His eyes grew wide for a second, glancing at both his hands before he looked at you again. “I get payback.”

“Payback?” His brows furrowed together, trying to figure out what kind of payback this would be. Maybe you weren’t here to make his last wet dream come true.

You smirked while nodding. “Payback,” you repeated just as you slid your hips back. You felt his cock twitch between the thin pieces of fabric that kept your intimate areas separate. You began to rock your hips back and forth against him. Your grip on his hands tightened as he let out a low groan. You tried to keep your moans at bay by biting down on your lower lip. You felt him growing harder with each stroke as you grew wetter. The clothed friction was way better than you expected, almost as good as his fingers last night.

Your hips moved steadily, slowly back and forth, against his hardening length. Within seconds, his member was full of blood and stiff as a rock. The direct attention from your hips was enjoyable, but you didn’t even have to do that to get him hard. All you had to do was merely glance in his direction, flash him that soft smile of yours, and he was ready to go. Surprisingly, you would never notice. You were either too focused on the training or other things. Too focused to realize you could just give him the word, and he would be ready to please you. Words couldn’t describe how great it felt to have something other than his hand stroking him. You began to pick up your pace. Your dampness began to create a small wet spot in your panties where it clung to you.

“Fuck,” he sighed as his hips gently bucked upwards. His breathy moan sent a chill down your spine, encouraging you to keep going. You released his wrists from your grip, leaning back into an upright position as his hands rested against his abdomen. The new placement provided a closer feeling, causing a moan to slip past your lips. "Just like that, baby," he moaned as he stared at your grey panties pushing against his black boxer briefs. It’s only been a few minutes, but you were already close to that release you craved. Your hips slowed a little, switching to long strokes with a pause. You needed the feeling to calm down a little, not wanting your fun to end so soon. You tried to keep the growing ball of warmth dancing right along that line of ecstasy.

Jeongguk’s hands found your thighs once again as he watched you. Eyes shut with your head tossed back, exposing your neck, which was prime for his markings. Your mouth hung open slightly, little, breathy moans slipping out before you silenced them by biting down on your lower lip. God, if only you knew how sexy you were. He could have this image of you framed in his room. He wanted — no, needed — to see more of you.

"Take this off for me," he directed. He grabbed the hem of your shirt, raising it before you took the rest and pulled it over your head. When you glanced down at him, you swore he made the same face when he first saw you topless. The same look of pure adoration — like you were a piece of art. He didn't hesitate to run his hand up your side, cupping one of your breasts in his palm. You hummed with delight as his thumb swiped over your nipple once before continuing to rub it in the same motion as your hips. Your nipples stiffened from the attention, pushing you closer to that edge as your pace increased.

"God, you feel so fucking good." He groaned as his free hand gripped your hip, pushing you down a little to add more friction. Both of you struggled to hold back your moans. It was the first time in a long time you felt this good, and you were getting lost in the incredible amount of pleasure. He let go of your breast and pushed himself to sit up. He quickly mumbled a, "C'mere," before crashing his lips into yours. The kiss was nothing like last night. It wasn't a slow build-up to show what he wanted — he laid it all on the line from the beginning. The kiss was messy, full of want as your tongues glided past each other. Your hips started to slow, becoming too distracted by how amazing his lips felt against yours. Your arms wrapped around his shoulders. His cold hands were placed on your back and hip, causing you to jump slightly from his touch. He pulled you in closer, your bare chests pressing against each other. Your nipples brushed gently against his skin, a moan slipping past your lips.

He turned to the side, causing you to land on the bed underneath him. As he propped himself up onto his elbows, he continued the pace you set before. He grinds his hips into yours with skill, making you wish you had the real thing again. He leaned up, supporting himself with his hands now. He then grabbed your legs. He placed your calves on his shoulder while his hips started to move faster. It felt much different now that he was in control. He knew what speed he should be going and how much pressure he should add to drive you wild. It was all so intense. You shivered violently before pulling away, a loud moan escaping before he quickly hushed you. Jeongguk then backed away, crawling off of you. He stood by the side of his bed before grabbing your legs and pulling you closer to him. Your butt hung halfway off the edge as you looked up at him, anticipating his next move.

He took a moment to stare at the art before him — how your chest slightly raised and fell as you panted, the flushed tone that spread across your skin, and the darkened area in your panties covering your core. Fucking hell, if he could take a picture, he would.

“Look at you,” he taunted, “sprawled out on my bed with your panties drenched. Did you come here just to use my cock?”

His words stirred you, making the ball of arousal inside of you shake with excitement. He knew your type. After spending enough time with you, he took note of the quick remarks. Whenever he assigned you a task, no matter big or small, there was always a little resistance. You were a brat to your center. And he wanted that bratty side to come out and play. But you weren't going to stoop to his level. You weren't going to give in to him. You knew he wouldn't be able to handle your mouth. And with him giving off this dominant energy, the silent treatment would piss him off just as much.

He quirked a brow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh? Now you don’t wanna answer me?” He scoffed, “That’s fine, you don’t have to.”

Feeling satisfied that your silent treatment worked, you basked in your success. That was until you felt a sudden cool breeze. Jeongguk pulled your panties away from your core, the material fighting him a little from the wetness you gathered. He stared at your glistening core, unable to help himself as he slid his finger against your swollen clit. You inhaled deeply, eyes shutting as you let out a long moan. Then his fingers disappeared.

“Keep that same energy then. I don’t want to hear a fucking sound from you.”

Jeongguk pulled down his boxer briefs before you felt his tip slide between your lips and right against your clitoris. Your panties kept his shaft in place, pressed against your heat while he rocked his hips back and forth. The direct stimulation to your clitoris caused you to gasp out in pleasure when he suddenly stopped.

“What did I say?”

You stared up at his face, seriousness etched behind his eyes full of desire. As you pressed your lips together, you nodded your head and he continued to set a pace from before. This was supposed to be about your payback. When the hell did he become the one in control? You had to regain back your composure. You had to be on top again. But his skin against yours felt so amazing, pushing you closer to the edge. He quickened his pace, looking down at the marvelous sight as he held your legs apart. You slapped your hand over your mouth to stop any noise from slipping out while he was moaning and breathing up a storm. That didn't help. You wanted your moans to mix with his. You wanted him to hear how good he was making you feel.

“You look like you're struggling over there, Y/N. Is there something you wanna say?” He breathed, chuckling lightly. You shook your head quickly, not wanting him to win in any kind of way. You were strong, you had to be strong. “You sure, baby?” You arched your back a little, almost letting a whimper slip out. He had to know what that word did to you at this point. “It seems like you’re holding something back.”

He was such an asshole. He knew what command he just gave you, yet here he was teasing you about it. Did he not know how hard it was to not scream out his name? No, he knew, he wanted to see how long you were going to be able to hold it together.

He then pulled his member out from your panties, causing you to exhale deeply through your nose. Finally, he gave you a break. But then he got down onto his knees, pulling your underwear to the side. Jeongguk couldn't help himself, leaning forward before he pressed his tongue flat against your clit. Your eyes went cross, and shocks of pleasure jolted through your system as your eyes rolled into the back of your head. A soft moan parted from his throat as he moved his tongue in waves against your sensitive bud before swirling around it. God, how he missed how you tasted. He hooked his arms around your thighs, holding you in place as he lapped at your sex. He was only supposed to tease you — give himself a little taste — but he easily got carried away. Your fingers gripped his sheets tightly as he took no mercy. He had to force himself to pull away, chuckling softly at the few whimpers and whines that did slip out of you now and then. You were trying so hard. Jeongguk rested his hand on top of your heat. He rubbed quick circles onto your bud with his thumb, your back arching at his touch. Your legs trembled as everything inside of you wanted to scream out. You wanted to make sure he heard how easily his fingers could make you come undone. It was almost painful to hold back these sounds. You've never been told to stay quiet before. You hated every second of this punishment.

“Please,” you whimpered out, feeling your high approaching.

“Ah? What’s that?”

You whined. The ability to form sentences failed you as your mind clouded with arousal.

Jeongguk smirked, feeling accomplished that he had you begging. He knew damn well how desperately you needed to moan. You were never one to hold back, and he was going to make sure to keep this little challenge in his back pocket whenever you wanted to be a smart ass.

“Let me hear you.”

All the moans and whimpers poured out of you, followed by a sprinkle of curse words. Jeongguk’s cock throbbed as he watched you reach the peak of your orgasm. Your body trembled while your hips rocked against his fingers, riding out your high until the only sound remaining was panting. He pulled his hand away before crawling over you, situating himself between your legs where his length pressed up against your throbbing core. You whined from the pressure, still highly sensitive from before. As your eyes opened and looked up at him, you watched as he stuck his fingers in his mouth, licking off your slick.

Fuck, why was he so hot?

“That was payback?” He smirked as his hand found your cheek, thumb caressing your warmed skin.

“Yes,” you breathed, confident that your plan still worked. “You didn’t get off,” your legs then wrapped around his hips, ankles crossing as you pulled him into you. You both hummed, half tempted to start grinding into him again.

He knew you were going to try to take an eye for an eye — he blue-balled you, so you did the same. “Mmm, I don’t need to,” he said before leaning in to place a quick kiss on your lips, “watching you get off is more than enough.”

Heat flooded your cheeks before you tried to push him off, attempting to hide the shyness spreading on your face by turning your head to the side. He chuckled, his heart becoming full as he made you look at him again. "So cute," he mumbled before pressing his lips against yours again. He kissed you so sweetly, so delicately, that your stomach did a flip from the affection. It felt different than the last. Why did it feel so different? Could this...? No, don't be ridiculous. It was just the mix of happy drugs in your system, that's all. It was the cocktail of oxytocin and dopamine. Even though the way his hand ran down your thigh gave you chills. And how he would pull away only to return to your lips a few seconds later made you giggle. It was because of your orgasm. Nothing else.

He rolled into his back, bringing you with him. His hands glided across your skin until they reached your waist before finally breaking the kiss. He rested his head on his comforter, letting out a content sigh as his eyes closed. It felt so nice to have you around, just near him. It made him sleepy like you were a walking dose of melatonin. You stared at his resting face, his eyes furrowing for a moment before relaxing again. With your lips pressed into a small smile, you carefully tried to sit up so you could leave him to rest. His grip on your waist tightened and caused you to stop.

“Where are you going?” He asked without opening his eyes.

“Um, back to my room? To let you sleep?”

He opened one eye, peeking at you before closing it again. “No.”

“No?” This was the first time he ever opposed you leaving. Before, if you ever wanted to leave, he would tell you to close the door on your way out. You figured he enjoyed whatever alone time he gets since it’s so rare now.

“Stay.” Your eyes went wide at his demand. “Nap with me, it’s not like you haven’t done it before.”

You were quiet for a moment before finally sliding off of him and finding your spot on his chest. You’ve napped with him after workouts quite often. It was convenient for you to stay in his bed since you used his shower, after all. But this felt different, more intimate than what you were used to. As you traced random shapes against his skin, watching him relax under this simple touch, you couldn’t ignore the overwhelming feeling of peacefulness. Something about him just felt right. You heard his light snores soon after, listening to his slowed heart rate as he slept. The rhythmic beats put you to sleep once again.

The soft beeps of Jeongguk's phone stirred him awake. He groaned, did an hour pass already? He swore he had just fallen asleep two seconds ago. He leaned back a little, rubbing his eye with the back of his free hand. Your back was against him with barely any space between you. You were a mover whenever you slept, and today you wanted to be close. Most days, you end up on the other side of his bed, practically dangling off the edge despite starting close to him. On other days, you wanted to feel his skin against yours. You were interesting, and he enjoyed that. One of his arms draped along your midriff, where he found his hand casually cupping your breast. This shocked him for a moment before prompting a small, childish, giggle from him. When was the last time he fell asleep next to a woman? Was it you? No way... He has hooked up with other women since you, but has he never spent the night? Oh, man.

Would it be wrong to skip breakfast and morning assignments? He already knew it was his day you watch you while the other members went out and about, and you would probably end up doing this — napping in his bed or stealing his phone to play whatever games he has — anyway. He debated for a moment, looking down at your features as you quietly slept without a worry in mind. He sighed deeply. If he didn’t come, Namjoon would probably find his way up here, and he didn’t want to deal with the mess that would bring. So he reluctantly peeled himself away from you. He was careful, making sure you stayed off in dreamland. After successfully leaving the bed, a skill that would be useful in parenthood, he stood up and grabbed a pair of sweatpants that were nearby. As he grabbed his phone off the bed, he heard a whimper from you. Small and soft, barely apparent had the room not been dead silent. Could you have noticed his presence already gone, or were you in some kind of nightmare? He froze in place — arm outstretched in mid-grab as he tried to steady his balance so he wouldn’t fall. He held his breath, watching as you shifted your position before relaxing again. He let out a soft sigh of relief, and a chuckle followed as he shook his head. He grabbed his phone before leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to your temple.

He headed to his door, quietly opening it just enough to slip through the crack before closing it behind him. All he had to do was get through breakfast so he could return to his rightful spot next to you. Maybe you’ll do the little thing with your nails again that always seemed to knock him out. He rubbed the remaining crust out of his eyes as he started to walk down the hall.

“Oh, hey!” The sudden sound of Jimin’s voice caused the man to jump slightly. Jeongguk turned around to see the blonde who was way too excited for the time being.

Through half-closed lids, Jeongguk grumbled out a low “Hello.”

“Have you seen Y/N?” He asked while pointing his thumb behind him, towards your room. “Jin’s making pancakes, and I wanted to make sure she got some.”

His nose scrunched for a second. Will he ever leave you alone? Ever since Jeongguk suggested him for night duty, Jimin was suddenly nice to you. It was weird, considering he was so for roughing you up to get the code. And now he’s buying you dresses, flirting with you so obviously that it was painful, and making sure you get food. Come on. There’s a line between being courteous and having an interest in someone. All of these concerns were boyfriend things — things Jeongguk should’ve been doing himself. Not saying that Jimin shouldn’t be nice to you, but his niceties should only extend so far. If only Jimin knew how you were laying in his bed half naked, exhausted from the orgasm he just gave you, then maybe he could back the fuck off.

Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it, Jeongguk thought to himself.

“She’s in my bed.”

Well fuck.

Jimin’s eyes widen, then his brows furrowed as he tilted his head to the side slightly. “What—?”

“Just kidding!” Jeongguk quickly said, letting out an awkward chuckle afterward. He could already feel his palms developing a coat of sweat over them. He didn’t know why he was suddenly nervous. Maybe because the chances of Jimin coming out of character and opening that mouth of his to Namjoon was slim to none, but not zero. What if he decided he wanted you to himself and tried to cut Jeongguk out of the picture? He could have a whole plan set up and is just waiting for the perfect moment, collecting evidence to show that Jeongguk has been flirting and getting close to the captive. You were supposed to be just a fuck buddy, solely there because the sex you have is outstanding. But he has now seen sides of you a fuck buddy isn’t supposed to see, sides that opened his eyes a little more than he would’ve liked.

“She’s just showering right now. If you need her that bad, I can go let her know.”

Jimin’s eyebrows furrowed for a moment. “You’ve gotten that comfortable with her?”

Jeongguk simply shrugged, “I do hang out with her every other day now, so we are pretty close.” There was a cockiness to his tone as he folded his arms over his chest, a smirk forming on his lips. Despite Jimin’s efforts, the younger will always have a one-up on him for quality time.

The blonde quirked an eyebrow, half a smirk forming on his lips as he let out a soft scoff. “Oh, so you know about where she grew up?” Jeongguk’s smirk instantly dropped and transferred to Jimin’s face. “Or about her favorite anime to watch? Or what about—?”

“Enough,” Jeongguk stated as his brow lowered.

Jimin chuckled as he stepped closer to the other man. “What’s wrong? Starting to realize you know absolutely nothing about your little crush?” Jeongguk remained silent, glaring at him while the realization sunk in. How could he have missed all the most basic information? It was the first step in getting to know someone, and he completely skipped it all because he had a one-night stand with you. He knew how to make you cum and moan for more, but didn’t even know your favorite color.

“You know,” Jimin started, “I wasn’t going after her, I was just trying to be her friend.”

Jeongguk scoffed. “Yeah right, with all the flirting you do? Anyone could spot your interest from a mile away.”

Jimin’s eyes narrowed, “Then let me confirm your suspicions. You, now, have some competition, Jeongguk.” He pushed past the taller man, his shoulder bumping into Jeongguk’s as he made his way to the stairs.

“What happened to she’s a captive, Park?” Jeongguk shot back, turning to face the man.

“She’s a part of the team now, it’s fair game.” He replied before walking down the stairs.

“Fuck,” Jeongguk mumbled to himself. He thought he had the upper hand solely based on the intimacy you two shared. But now since Jimin confirmed his interest in you and knew things about you Jeongguk didn’t even think to ask, what if your interest wavers? What if you decide Jimin is the better fit? He just had to go open his stupid mouth. He didn’t want to think about the possibilities, he couldn’t if he wanted to make sure Namjoon had no clue. He shook his arms and legs as if to rid himself of the want to punch Jimin in his pretty face before continuing his path downstairs.

Once he reached the bottom of the steps, he heard a very familiar giggle. Jeongguk let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes as he prepared himself to encounter the most annoying person. As soon as he turned the corner and walked toward the kitchen, he heard a shrill squeal.

“JeonJeon!!” She squealed again as she ran over to Jeongguk.

He forced a smile, besides feeling her hands pinching at his cheeks. "Ms. Yong-Su—"

“Oh stop it!” She cut him off before playfully slapping his bare chest. “I told you to call me Solar so many years ago.” Her hands then instantly went back to his cheeks, “You make me feel so old JeonJeon!”

Taehyung and Jimin couldn’t help but snicker at the scene in front of them. Solar was the only one in the world who could call Jeongguk that, and he absolutely hated it. He didn’t want to disrespect the women, but it was just a horrid nickname. And it was all because she found out his birth name. Even though he goes by Kim since being adopted, Solar gets a hoot out of Jeon Jeongguk.

He should’ve shot Seokjin in the foot for showing her that.

After the proper assault on Jeongguk’s face, Solar returned to Seokjin’s aid with making breakfast. Jeongguk took a seat in between the giggling Jimin and Taehyung, promptly telling them to shut up as he sunk into his seat.

“Thanks for the warning,” Jeongguk mumbled to Jimin.

A smirk played on the blonde’s lips. “Well, I thought you knew since it seemed like you know everything.”

Jeongguk rolled his eyes as Namjoon finally joined, allowing everyone to sit down and enjoy breakfast while he gave out their assignments. Just as Jeongguk assumed, he was assigned to watch you today. After breakfast, Jeongguk started to gather everyone’s plates to clean up.

“Jeongguk,” Namjoon said just as he set the stack of plates down. The tone he used sent a chill down his spine. He glanced at his elder over his shoulder. “Join me in my office, please.” Please? Something was wrong. Namjoon rarely used the word 'please'. Maybe towards Seokjin and Hoseok, but never anyone younger than him. Jeongguk nodded before following the man to his office. He closed the door behind him as Namjoon sat at his desk.

“I heard some interesting sounds this morning,” he folded his hands neatly on his desk while looking up at his younger. Jeongguk instantly grew tense, already seeing the beginning of the end in his mind. “Care to explain?”

His blood ran cold. What was with everyone today? First Jimin, now Namjoon? Everyone seemed to be on to something, and he could’ve sworn he’s been careful — only having slip-ups when it came to Hoseok and Taehyung. Was he wrong? Was it possible they opened their mouth and told?

These were thoughts for another time. He could visibly see the patience running thin on Namjoon’s face. Keep it cool, he thought to himself.

He shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes glancing to a spot in Namjoon’s office that held a small plum tree. “Maybe it was from Jin’s room. Solar’s here and we both know how they get when they're together.”

Namjoon’s eyebrow quirked for a moment, only for him to nod his head afterward. He could vividly remember the many occurrences where he had to walk out of his room, butt-ass naked occasionally, to tell them to shut the fuck up. Solar is a screamer, and Seokjin seems to be an overachiever. But he knew Seokjin wasn’t here this morning because he was out getting Solar from the airport. So he just let out a sigh. Namjoon could use this to his advantage in the future. He leaned back in his chair before reaching into a drawer and pulling out a piece of paper. He placed it on the desk before sliding it out towards Jeongguk. “There’s a bounty out for her.”

Jeongguk’s eyes grew wide as he stepped forward, almost snatching the paper from him. His eyes hurriedly scanned over the black ink. In large, bold, letters was the word wanted, followed by a CCTV picture of you walking into what he could assume to be your building and a price underneath. “800,000 US dollars?! That’s a little over 1 billion won!” He looked at Namjoon who nodded. 1 billion just to deliver you to a specific address… “This can’t be real.”

He shrugged, leaning back in his chair again. “Someone really wants her.”

Jeongguk slowly put the paper down. His mind was working overtime, trying to figure out a reason why Namjoon shouldn't claim the money. You were useful — he knew so deep down in his gut. He just had to make sure Namjoon knew that. He grew quiet as his brows furrowed.

“This could solve our problems and then some,” Namjoon stated.

He was right, but a bounty of this amount couldn't mean good news for you. No way did this person just want you because they missed you or wanted to know you were safe. Say they handed you in, as soon as the people who made this bounty got what they needed from you, you were probably as good as dead. Namjoon thought the same of you, you were only worth the code in your head, but you deserved so much more.

“Do you think this is more than what’s in the safe?”

Namjoon’s brows furrowed. “1 billion won? You think her father would put that much away for her?”

“We don’t know what her father could’ve put away for her. It could be half a trillion.” Jeongguk watched as Namjoon’s facial expression relaxed, then grew tense again. He was deep in thought, pondering the other’s words. “Do you wanna take that risk for what could be less money?”

"Has she even hinted at anything about the safe?" He suddenly asked. Jeongguk became an icicle. "I know we agreed to do things your way, but nothing is coming from it."

“I just need to spend more time with her, that’s all. She needs to feel comfortable.” Jeongguk was slowly but surely prying you open. You were already comfortable to lay with him, so he just needed to get deeper. “She needs to feel like she’s needed here — like she’s part of the team.”

"But she isn't," Namjoon retorted. "She's useless and already caused trouble even though we agreed that she would be treated as one of us."

“You broke her fucking pinky yesterday and expect her to just drop the code to the safe right after?” Jeongguk scoffed. “You probably set us back ten steps just by doing that shit.”

Namjoon's eyes narrowed, glaring at the other over the lens of his glasses. "Watch your fucking mouth when you talk to me," he said sternly, sending a chill down Jeongguk's spine. He then leaned back into his chair. "She tried to run away and needed to be taught a lesson. Now every time she even thinks of doing something stupid like that, her pinky will twitch. Besides, she couldn't even get a fucking drug run down."

"Maybe that's not where her skills are! She's had everything handed to her her whole life, so stealing wouldn't be something she needed to learn. We know she could fight. We just need to apply her skills to the appropriate situations."Namjoon sighed deeply, taking his glasses off for a moment. He pinched his nose bridge between two fingers to delay the incoming headache. "Why don't we put her on the next mission?" Jeongguk suggested. "We've been scouting that house for weeks, and I just know she would be perfect."

Namjoon glanced at his younger. There was one quality Jeongguk seemed to possess that Namjoon could never grasp; hopefulness. Jeongguk always saw people’s potential rather than taking them as they were. Sometimes he’s right, Hoseok being the prime example, and he hasn’t been wrong until you. He put his glasses back on, “I’ll think about it. You’re dismissed.”

Jeongguk managed to suppress the smirk that wanted to grow on his face. Whenever Namjoon would say he'd think about something, it was practically a yes in disguise. He only said it to keep you on your toes and make you unsure, but Jeongguk knew his brother. He walked out of his office and headed back to the kitchen. After he finished cleaning up, he walked upstairs to his room. He quietly entered. He hoped you didn’t wake up and leave after realizing he wasn’t there. But a glance at his bed laid that fear to rest. He was glad you decided to stay, snuggled into his pillow with half of his blanket dangled over you. He made sure to lock his door before crawling into bed behind you. He wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you closer to him before falling asleep again.

You shifted your position a little — changing from your stomach to your side, where your back pressed against Jeongguk’s chest again. Your body was trying to wake you up by making you toss and turn. But you fought it, forcing yourself to stay in your dreamland where a shirtless Jeongguk was riding horseback with an extra cheese pizza in hand. You felt his heavy arm thump across your waist, only taking you out of your precious dream for a second. You managed to return safely, finally getting comfortable…

“Ahh!~”

What the fuck?

One of your eyes shot open at the sound. Was that…? No. It was probably something from your dreams. Maybe Jeongguk stepped on a crab or something, causing such a high-pitched sound to come from him. In reality, the quiet snores from the man behind you confirmed the sound was definitely from your dreams. Silence fell over the room once again, prompting your eyes to close. You fell into slumber once again with ease.

“Oh my god!~” Your eyes shot open again. OK, that was definitely too high to be anywhere near Jeongguk’s voice. Is someone moaning right now? So loudly that you wouldn’t be surprised if they were getting banged right against the door. Who had the absolute audacity to do such a thing? They had to know other people lived in this house.

"Oh god, oh god... Jin!~" The high-pitched squeal caused a groan to part from your throat. Fucking Jin. For some reason, you pictured Hoseok or even Jimin having obnoxiously loud sex. Seokjin seemed too uptight to even gaze at a pair of boobs. Has it finally started? The inevitable downside of living with a group of men? Why wouldn't Seokjin wait until later to enjoy his sexual hobbies? It was 11 in the morning! The moans continued, growing louder at particular points before calming down for a second before starting up again. Jeongguk finally let out a guttural groan. He pulled the arm wrapped around your middle even closer as if it was possible.

"God, not again," he mumbled. His lips were by your ear, his breath gently ticking you. Jeongguk's morning voice was nothing to mess around with. You noticed it earlier when you first entered his room but were too encased in the thought of revenge to enjoy it. Now that you were relaxed, and your mind was empty, you could appreciate it in all of its glory. It was deep and gravelly, but it wasn't rough at all. His tone was still soft, dipped in sleepiness. After he released the grip on you, he turned onto his back and stretched out his limbs.

“Again?” You questioned as you turned to face him. “As in this happens often?” You room right next to the man, and since you’ve been here, it’s been nothing but silence.

He nodded his head as he hummed. “Solar’s here, so Jin is making up for the missed time.”

There was another obnoxiously loud moan that dragged out. The look you shared with Jeongguk was one of utter disgust. Seokjin was akin to an older brother to Jeongguk, so as happy as he was to know he was finally getting some, he was just as easily disgusted to hear the odd low grunt or moan coming from Seokjin. For you, hearing someone having intercourse always made you remarkably uncomfortable. Sure, it was a very human thing to do, and you participated in the activity yourself. But living by yourself, you didn't have to worry about hearing a roommate getting it on. It felt so wrong, so forbidden, so... dirty. It was an intimate act shared between two people, and hearing it made you feel like a third.

Jeongguk glanced at you, watching the slow wave of discomfort wash over your face. You looked stuck for a moment as if you were trying to drown out the noise with only your mind. "Come on," he said suddenly while getting up. He picked up your shirt from the floor and tossed it to you before picking up his own.

You caught the t-shirt and pushed yourself up. You tried drowning out the moans that seemed to be getting louder by the second with some conversation since just pretending it wasn’t there failed. “Where are we going?” You asked as you slid the oversized material on your body.

He did the same as he walked towards one of his windows. “Somewhere where we can’t hear this shit.” He opened his blinds, allowing sunlight to enter the incredibly dim room. He then opened his window and crawled through it. He looked at you, assuming he was standing on some part of the roof, outstretching an offering hand to you. “Come on.”

Come on, he said like he wasn't just asking you to crawl out of a window. You acted tough, walking towards him where you took his hand. You climbed onto the window-sill where your body began to give you away. You started to tremble as fear coursed through you. Now, you didn't necessarily have a fear of heights, it was when the chance of falling came into play. You hated the feeling of it, never knowing when the ground was going to come. Being suspended in midair as seconds felt like hours until you're untimely doom was horrid. As you gripped Jeongguk's hand for dear life, resulting in a quirked eyebrow from him, you were suddenly reminded of those coming-of-age movies. You know, the one where the teen sneaks out to see their significant other or go out with their friends where something life-changing happens? It felt like you were the star, and in front of you was your best friend who always had the worst ideas. You've always wondered what it was like to sneak out of a window, but now you could tell this was not for you. You never needed to do so anyway. Your father's home was heavily guarded as a teen, so sneaking out of a window was instant game over. You preferred picking locks, considering it was much easier to bribe some guards with doe eyes instead of running from attack dogs.

Jeongguk watched as you made each precise move. He chuckled softly, realizing this may have been your first time climbing out of a window. “Are you scared?” He asked.

“No!” You quickly shot back despite the death grip on his hand and the window sill. “I ain’t scared of anything,” you mumbled to yourself. After firmly placing your bare feet on the rough textured tile you glared up at the man. “See!” You gestured to your feet as if to prove your point to him, but you were proving it to yourself. It wasn’t as bad as you thought.

Jeongguk let out a laugh until he heard the quiet cracking of the tile beneath your feet. All at once, you were wrapped in that dreaded feeling. A squeal escaped your lips as you lost your balance. Lucky enough, Jeongguk was quick to act. He reached out and grabbed your arm, pulling you forward with more force than needed. Your body collided with his, and your arms wrapped around his torso tightly. You were panting heavily, trying to calm the quickened thuds of your heart as you heard the tile hit the ground below you. Adrenaline worked through your veins as you glanced down at what could’ve easily been you.

“I guess I should’ve told you to watch your step, huh?” Jeongguk said, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Your eyes narrowed as you looked up at him. “You think?!” You took another glance at the tile on the floor. “I could’ve fucking died!”

A chuckle escapes his lips. With a hand placed firmly on your lower back, he used the other to close the window. “You’re so dramatic. If anything, you would’ve bruised something.”

“I could’ve broken a leg! Or an ankle!” Jeongguk laughed at you again, prompting an eye roll from you. “Oh haha, I’m glad you find my pain amusing.” Fed up with his cute giggles, you placed a hand on his chest and pushed at him. He stumbled back, freeing you of his grasp. “Get off of me,” you pouted. Jeongguk’s laughter died as he raised his hands in the air, showing his compliance with your demand. “Yeah, keep those hands where I can—”

Somehow, you lost your balance again. Your feet weren’t used to the slight curve of the tile. You let out another squeal as your arms wailed desperately in a circle, hoping to keep yourself from delaying the inevitable at this point. This was it. You were going to fall and hit the ground, cracking your skull open on the cement as you watched the world around you fade to black. And the last person you were going to see was Jeongguk. It was a bittersweet feeling. He wasn’t the first person you’d want to see before you die but wasn’t the last. Just as you were about to accept fate, Jeongguk came to the rescue. He grabbed the material of your shirt this time before yanking you toward him once again. Your arms wrapped around his body just as tightly as you shut your eyes.

Jeongguk could feel you trembling again. Your little hands gripped onto as much of his shirt as you could, trying to anchor yourself to him. “It’s alright,” he cooed as he stroked your hair. “I got you.” Suddenly, something inside of you shifted. Your heart was no longer thudding from nearly falling to your doom, but now a different type of falling. You squeezed his shirt in your hands as your face hid in his chest. You started feeling a little more at ease with him being so gentle.

“Fuck you,” you mumbled. It was a self-defense mechanism. You felt small, and you didn’t like feeling that way. It was scary feeling yourself grow this comfortable with someone who may have had ill intentions at a point.

“That could be arranged.” You could practically hear the smirk on his lips.

“Ugh, shut up. You’re so gross.”

“That’s not what you said this morning.”

Your eyes suddenly opened wide with shock as you finally looked up at the man. “Jeongguk!” All he did was offer you a cheeky grin. The happiness spread from his system to yours, forcing you to suppress the smile that desperately wanted to form.

“You know you like it,” he said confidently while winking at you.

You rolled your eyes, ignoring the singular butterfly that fluttered in your stomach. He was so annoying, making you feel these things. “So are we actually gonna go somewhere or was your plan just to stand on the roof?”

“We are going somewhere,” he stated, “but that all depends on if you’re good to walk.”

“I am!” You answered quickly, but you slowly released your grip on him. You didn’t dare to take a step away from him, considering what happened the last two times.

Once you let go of Jeongguk, he turned you around and guided you along the rooftop. You went at an unhurried pace. His hand was secured to your waist, just for safe measures. Each step you took was deliberate and cautious. The feeling of Jeongguk’s hand did help your confidence quite a bit. He stopped walking, causing you to stop as well. He turned you around to face him before lifting you with ease. You climbed onto a separate portion of the roof, crawling on your hands and knees until you reached a section far from the edge. You sat down, and Jeongguk joined you soon after. He laid down next to you while letting out an enormous sigh of relief.

You sat next to him, enjoying the quietness for a moment. There were normal sounds such as birds chirping and some cars passing by. It was a beautiful morning, sunny and warm, so there were bound to be people out. Neighbors had their conversation, and kids played in their respective yards, unaware of what happened in a house a few hundred feet away from them. How could they feel OK with others beating people up and kidnapping them in a wholesome neighborhood? At least your dad had the common courtesy to commit his atrocities on a private acre of land.

“You grew up here?” You asked as you glanced over your shoulder at the man.

Despite his eyes being closed as he took in the warm sun, Jeongguk shook his head as he answered, “No.” He opened one of his eyes, peeking at you briefly before closing them again. “We moved here a couple of years ago. This place is cheaper to keep up compared to my childhood home.”

“Ah, I see… Have you always lived with so many people?” Having such a full house was odd to you. For years, there were three people maximum in your home. You never had to wait for a bathroom to be available or have someone around at all times. Privacy seemed scarce, and even when you thought you had some, someone was always there a few rooms away.

Jeongguk shook his head again. “Nah, it was me and Namjoon for a while, like most of my teen years, then we started acquiring more people.”

“Wow, you guys must be close friends.”

“Brothers,” he corrected nonchalantly.

“Brothers?!” You looked at Jeongguk, who peeked at you through one eye again before nodding. You stared at his face while trying to picture Namjoon’s layered on top of it. Brothers? Was there some miniature resemblance that you missed?

He couldn’t help but chuckle at your perplexed expression. He gave it a minute, letting you work through your thoughts before finally chiming in. “I’m adopted.”

"Ooooh," you drawled out as you nodded. "That makes sense." You returned your gaze ahead of you before sitting in silence once again.

Jeongguk noticed the quiet falling between the two of you, deciding that maybe this would be the perfect moment to get to know you. He opened his eyes and sat up. "Where did you grow up?"

You blinked a couple of times before glancing back at the man. It was a little weird for him to suddenly ask questions about your life, especially since you'd been hanging out for almost a week. What was with the sudden interest? Nonetheless, you didn’t want to leave him hanging.

“Um, by an ocean. My room had the most incredible view of the sea,” a small smile formed on your lips as you began to remember. “Every night I would watch the sunset. It was my favorite. But we had to move.”

“Oh? How come?”

Your smile slowly faded as the last time you saw your mother's face flashed before your eyes — trapped underneath a car, smiling despite the tears staining her dirt-covered cheeks. Her smile was still a beacon of light even in the worst situation. Tears started to brim your eyes before quickly wiping them away. "Family issues," you said vaguely.

Jeongguk noticed how your energy changed, feeling a deep sadness radiating from you. He knew whatever happened was more severe than just some family issues, but he decided not to push it. It wasn’t the right time to share your trauma.

“What’s your favorite color?” He asked, desperate to keep the conversation going in some way.

You sniffled as you glanced back at him, letting out a small chuckle. “What?”

“What’s your favorite color? I’m pretty sure everyone has one.”

“What’s yours?”

“I don’t have one,” he said with a shrug.

You stared at him for a moment, and he stared back at you, mirroring your expression. A few seconds passed before you erupted into laughter. You attempted to cover your mouth with your hand as a smile cracked on Jeongguk’s lips. He felt a growing warmth in his heart as he watches you laugh so hard that tears form in your eyes again. The only kind of tears he would ever want to see in your eyes. As you calmed down, you looked at him with your wide smile lingering.

“It’s lilac,” you sniffle as you wipe the remaining tears from your eyes. “Or any kind of pastel color.”

“Lilac,” Jeongguk repeats, almost absentmindedly. His smile broaden just a bit as he tilted his head to the side. He swore he’s never seen anything as beautiful as you — how the sun hit the highest points of your skin and how your hair blew in the wind. He would never grow tired of looking at you. “Pretty, just like you.”

You stared at him before laughing again, reaching out to push him playfully, a poor attempt to mask the warmth flooding your cheeks. “You’re so dumb.”

That definitely should’ve been an insult, but the grin on your lips made him think otherwise. Your tone was sweet, almost filled with tenderness, which was nothing like when Namjoon would use that exact sentence. To be called dumb by you, with that smile, was the greatest form of praise he could ever hear.

“Whatever,” he rolled his eyes before returning to his original position. He placed his hands behind his head as he stared up at the sky. “I’m dumb but you still hang out with me.”

"That's because you're my favorite kind of dumb," you said as you lay next to him.

“Oh yeah?” He scoffed. “And what kind of dumb is that?”

"The kind where you make me laugh until I cry," you beamed as you turned your head to look at him. You watched him shake his head despite the smile on his lips. You also looked up at the sky, watching as the clouds peacefully drifted against the endless blue.

“I have another question for you,” he said.

“What? Is it what’s my favorite food?”

“I— What?” He stuttered for a moment, chuckling softly. “I mean yeah, I guess that too.”

"It's chicken tenders." He let out a laugh. "Hey, get really drunk one night and tell me some chicken tenders and fries don't hit!"

“Alright, I’ll take your word for it. But, um,” Jeongguk cleared his throat for a second. Things have calmed down a lot since yesterday, and being out here with you was so much fun. He didn’t want to ruin the mood, but he was curious. He had to know for himself. “Why did you try to run away?”

You went silent for a moment, not expecting such a serious question. “I still feel like a captive,” you admitted. “I know the only reason why I'm here and not dead is that you guys need the code to the safe. You need me alive, or you get no money. I’m not dumb.”

Jeongguk nodded his head. At least you knew why Namjoon still had you alive. “How do you feel like a captive?”

“You guys literally take turns watching me just in case I try to escape. Like I—”

“But you did try to escape,” he said with furrowed brows. “You proved that you did need someone to stay with you just for that reason.” You fell silent again. Being here wasn’t ideal, of course, but you just took ten steps back from gaining their trust. “And if I’m being honest, what you call a plan of escape was pretty stupid.” Your eyes went wide as you turned your head to look at his side profile. “I mean honestly, where were you going to go?”

“Shut up,” you said with a glare. “I was in the moment. I didn’t think Hobi was going to hit me.” You almost cringed at the feeling of his nickname leaving your lips. To be fair, you never thought Hoseok had any combat training, to begin with. He was always so nice to you, with what seemed to be a permanent smile. He may have joked around with you yesterday, teasing you about your crush on Jeongguk, but it still felt a little forced.

“You’re not good at escaping, are you?”

Your brows furrowed, and your nose scrunched as you sat up. "That's because I've never been caught! I wasn't taught how to escape because I was taught to make sure I'm never in that predicament! You guys just got lucky."

“Oh, that’s what you’re calling it? What if you’re just not as badass as you seem to be?” He asked calmly, glancing over at you. Jeongguk was curious as to why the well-known mafia princess hasn’t busted her way out of this place yet or hadn’t had her endless amount of followers come to her rescue. Besides the bounty, it’s like you disappeared off the face of the map. Was no one looking for you?

“I’m not a badass?”

You watched as he sat up, resting his arms on his propped-up legs. “Let’s see, you got kidnapped by a ‘nobody’ gang, and had two unsuccessful escape attempts. So I'm thinking that no, you’re not as badass as you try so hard to be.”

Your tongue briefly poked at the inside of your cheeks before looking at the sky again. You nodded your head. Did you agree with him? Absolutely not. He watched you before letting out a chuckle. Jeongguk could see you were getting frustrated, it was all over your face. He may have let his button-pushing tendencies get ahold of him. "So that's it? No pushback?"

"I'm not fighting you because I have nothing to prove to you." You shrugged before leaning back into your elbows. "You said what you said and I'm gonna let you have it." You were confident that the only reason why you were here in the first place was due to over-exhaustion. The night they kidnapped you, you were already past your physical limits. Fighting three guards, plus Hongjoong, then getting choked out? Someone could've blown on you, and you would've passed out. But that was beside the point. Being here was like a vacation almost. A heavily guarded vacation, but it was nothing you weren't used to. You're staying because you want to and not because of the responsibilities you have to face as soon as you go back.

Jeongguk raised an eyebrow slightly. He wasn’t going to admit that this confidence was a turn-on. So he scoffed, “Sounds pussy to me.”

Your eye twitched before looking at him. You completely forgot what an asshole he can be.“You just love riling me up, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” he said with a stupid smile on his lips as he stretched the word out. “You do this cute little nose scrunch, and sometimes you make a little fist with your hands. So cute and small.”

You groaned, looking away from him as the heat stained your cheeks. Him and that stupid smile. The same stupid smile that made your heart flutter like some lovesick high schooler. “Fuck you,” you muttered. It was sad that was your only line of defense whenever your heart was in control. Stupid thing hardly knew the difference between right and wrong before things were too late.

You felt Jeongguk’s chest press against your shoulder as he lay next to you. He placed his finger on your cheek before turning your head towards him. He smirked as he looked down at you, his fingers cupping your chin while his thumb rested against your lower lip. “Like I said earlier,” he leaned in as his voice lowered to a whisper, “that could be arranged.” He pressed a kiss to your cheek, then started a trail down to your neck.

The feeling of his lips trailing over your skin left you in shambles. It was a shame your angry exterior so effortlessly diminished into nothing but tiny giggles. How could you fold so quickly when it came to him? “On the roof?!”

“I mean,” he mumbled against your skin before pulling away to look at you. “If you’re kinky,” he wiggled his brows before returning to your neck.

You let out a squeal as you laughed. “Oh my god, get off of me!” After a few more kisses on your neck, he pulled away. The both of you giggled as you looked at each other, seeing a fondness in his eyes that made you flutter. “I hope you know you’re still an asshole.”

“Oh, I know,” he grinned, his thumb caressing your cheek, “but you like it.” Before you could answer, he leaned down and kissed your lips. You inhaled deeply, all further rebuttals erased from your mind as you melted into him. He placed his hand on your waist and pulled you into him as your hand rested on the side of his face. Why did being here, at this moment, feel so right?

↠ ɴᴇxᴛ :: ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴏᴜꜱ :: ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪɴᴅᴇx ↞

#fic: broken codes #jeongguk fanfic #jeongguk smut #jungkook fanfic #jungkook smut #jeon jeongguk fanfic #jeon jeongguk smut #jeon jungkook fanfic #jeon jungkook smut #bts jungkook #bts fanfic #bts smut #jungkook mafia au #bts mafia au #jungkook x y/n #jungkook x you

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jeonggukieverse · 6 months ago

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Ryeon rebrand + new motivation to write = SEND YOUR FIC REQUESTS IN BABES!!!

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hellbornsworld · 9 months ago

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JUNGKOOK FANFIC RECOMMENDATIONS(12).° ༘🎧⋆🖇₊˚ෆ

🪩 Miracle Of The Season | Angel Jungkook x Fallen Angel F!Reader | OneShot | @cybrsan

🪩 There’s Only Me When There’s You | Jungkook x Reader | OneShot | @koostattoos

🪩 PRINCESS TREATMENT | JK X Reader | Series | @2hightocare

🪩 best friends..? | best friend!Jungkook x fem!reader | Series | @just4koo

🪩 Home for the Holidays | jungkook x f. reader | OneShot | @jjungkookislife

🪩 Closer To You | Rich, spoilt brat!Jeongguk X Doctor! Reader | OneShot | @back2bluesidex

🪩 First type of Soul Mate: The Soul Crossing Mate | Prince!Jungkook X Reader | @beautifulfuckup99

🪩 What he wants, he gets | Jeon Jungkook x Reader (idol au) | OneShot | @wildestdreamsblog

🪩 Debut | sunbaenim!JK X Reader | OneShot | @yankpop

🪩 Cruel Beast | idol yandere Jungkook x Idol Y/n | OneShot | @kangmoon27

🪩 PREDESTINED | Mortal/commer jk x goddess reader | OneShot | @keen-li

🪩 ＤＥＡＴＨ | Yandere! Dark! Android! Jeon Jungkook x Widower! Fem! Reader | @pynkgothicka

🪩 Daddy Daycare | Technician! Jungkook x Teacher's Assistant! Reader | Series | @bunnyhugs77

🪩 Yours Truly | popular jungkook x tsundere f reader | @solemnreads

🪩 Cherry Flavored | Biker!JK X Reader | OneShot | @jungkookstatts

🪩 Oath | JK X Reader | Mafia AU | Series | @bangtan-yeonghon

🪩 too young | single dad!jungkook X Reader | series | @jeonggukookies

🪩 How to Get Rid of Your Virginity | badboy!jungkook x theaternerd!reader | OneShot | @strvngeweather

🪩 Mr. Take Your Bitch | Idol!JK X Reader | OneShot | @bunnyhugs77

🪩 Focused on her | aged jungkook X Reader | OneShot | @000jeon

🪩 sorry (not sorry) | JK X Reader | OneShot | @angelguk

🪩 ALL AT ONCE | unhinged jungkook X shy oc | Series | @muniimyg

🪩 Valentine Vixen | Stripper! Reader x Rich! Jungkook | OneShot | @bunnyhugs77

#bangtan #jungkook fic #jungkook x reader #bts #bts jungkook #jungkook #jungkook imagine #jeon jungkook smut #yoongi #seokjin #jk recommendations #jk jk #jk icons #jk x reader #jk x ck #jk x you #jk x calvin klein #bts army

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hritika13-tamboli · 8 months ago

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Jeon Jungkook Fic Rec List 3....

°`☆`°`☆`°`☆`°`☆`°`☆`°`☆`°`☆`°`☆`°`☆`°`☆`°`☆`°

Series :

Code of conduct || mafia!jungkook x fem!reader | mafia au || @go1denjeon

Summary : jeon jungkook lived by a certain code: never associate yourself with the mins but when he set his eyes on you, he may just have to break it.

My love is here || jungkook x f reader | best friend au | unrequitedlove au || @solemnreads

Summary : "You didn’t mean for it to happen. It’s not like you purposely woke up one day and thought “Hey I’m going to fall in love with my best friend!” No, that is not at all what happened."

Candles and flames || Jungkook x reader royal!au || @taegularities

Summary: wasn’t supposed to be yours. His foolery wasn’t supposed to target you. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Down bad || bad boy! jungkook x fem! reader | college au || @2hightocare

Summary : Despite undeniable chemistry, your guys’ relationship remains undefined, caught between playful teasing to deeper, unspoken longing.

Curse me foolish Destiny || beast! jungkook x fairy! Reader | beauty and the beast au || @dat-town

Summary : Once upon a time there was an arrogant king warning a proud princess that both of their nations would lose this war if they didn’t cooperate. What an irony that after all the mistakes he made, he was right about this.

Your eyes tell || artist jungkook x lawyer reader | soulmate au | lawyer au || @angellesword

Summary : You live in a world where people see in black and white. The solution to finally see the colors? It's simple. You need to meet your soulmate and look at him in the eyes, but what if the person bound to you is already contented with the monochromatic world? What if...Jeongguk, your soulmate, is already in love with someone else?

☆●●☆●●☆●●☆●●☆●●☆●●☆●●☆●●☆●●☆

One-shot :

This mortal coil || Alpha!Jungkook x Unspecified Wolf!Reader | werewolf au || @jinfizz

Summary: Some might say that being in love with your best friend is the single worst thing that can happen to you. That’s the least of your problems, though, because you’re still waiting to find your fated mate, you’re not getting any younger, and Jungkook is painfully, tragically human. Little do you know, your laundry list of problems is about to get a little bit longer–because there’s more to Jungkook than meets the eye.

Lost and found || Jungkook x reader | unrequited love au || @kooktrash

Summary : your college years have never been something you dwelled on for too long. you didn’t want to think of all the chances you lost and that’s why when the guy you had a crush on moves back to town, you try not to let it affect you again. but then he brings up old memories that didn’t go the way you thought they had and you’re thrown for a loop. you’re stuck between finding something new with him and falling back into old habits of never standing up for yourself. it probably doesn’t help that he dated your best friend, where everything seemed to go wrong.

Silent treatment || Jungkook x reader | Established relationship au || @thebangtancloud

Summary : You ruin the surprise he has planned for you and it's entirely his fault. Alternatively, Jungkook's silent treatment backfires terribly.

Cotton candy || werewolf!jungkook x witch!reader | werewolf au || @velocitae

Summary : your lure for fairies turned out to be a soulmate potion and you accidentally used it on a werewolf.

Melomaniac : Part 1 - Part 2 || Two-shot | punk!jungkook x reader | band au || @jungkxook

Summary : you’re wholeheartedly, madly in love with jungkook and yet you shouldn’t be because he’s supposed to be your best friend and nothing more. worst part of it all is that you know he’s in love with you too.

Easy || Jungkook x reader | college!au |fuckboy!au | bet!trope || @itsamejin

Summary : Date you, win a bet, get his rent paid off. Sounds promising enough, right? Jungkook should’ve known that his ambitions would end in disaster, but even if he did, that still wouldn’t have stopped him from pursuing you.

Seven storms || Jungkook x reader | forbidden love au || @wintaerbaer

Summary : As a young woman of considerable wealth, it has always been your father's expectation that you would marry one of the local aristocrats once you came of age. Your family's stable hand? Certainly not an option.

Fifth wish || Jungkook x reader | unrequited love au | bodyguard au || @jiminrings

Summary : jeon jungkook, world-class socialite and nepotism baby, should be out every night to celebrate while he’s at his prime. why should he fake-date his bodyguard instead?

Wishing for you || Two-shot | Jungkook x reader | Established relationship au || @kookiestarlight

Summary : you and your husband decide to finally start trying for a baby. It should be easy enough, you thought. But it turns out getting pregnant is a lot harder than you expected.

Not so bossy || d1 soccer player!jungkook x reader | soccer au | Established relationship au || @jungkookschin

Summary : An irksome feeling infests Jungkook's system when his girlfriend lets him know that she can't meet up after not seeing him for three weeks.

Babbling curse || Slytherin jungkook x Gryffindor reader | hogwarts au || @btsinned

Summary : Jungkook and Y/N, rivals at Hogwarts, made a daring bet: loser of the upcoming Quidditch match faces the Babbling Curse, exposing their darkest secret.

Lucky number 7 || husbandJK x wifeOC named Siri | cheating au || @smoljimjim

Summary : The seven year itch has hit Jungkook. It hit him so bad, he did the unthinkable to his wife, Siri. How will Siri handle it?

Fall back in love || Jungkook x reader | childhood best friend au || @bukguhope

Summary : jungkook somehow grew a reputation of sleeping around on campus, leaving him lonely and inexperienced with relationships. so when you, his old childhood best friend moves onto campus, he discovers what a relationship can feel like as he finds himself falling in love with you

Falling || Photographer jungkook x reader | soulmate au | college au || @starshapedkookie

Summary: a person who is bound to another through the strongest level of emotional and physical connection. one is given a name on the body upon 18 years of age and any transgressions against the laws of soul-bonding will not occur without harm.

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bunkoos-mole-enthusiast · 1 year ago

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Weekly Jungkook Fanfic Recs

Some fine JK fics for your reading pleasure. 🔞 Please show your appreciation to all the wonderful authors :) Gravity Check: This really wasn’t what you’d had in mind when you’d agreed to spend a weekend in the arse end of nowhere. You don’t even really know the bride that well, for Christ’s sake, but here you are stood amongst a group of her very best ‘gal pals’ with a poorly concealed look of horror on your face as the young woman in front bounces on the balls of her feet, petite frame brimming over with enthusiasm. https://gimmesumsuga.tumblr.com/post/171775180603/gravity-check By It's Cover: The one where Jungkook makes a horrifically bad first impression. https://gimmesumsuga.tumblr.com/post/178121026378/by-its-cover-m Hand-On-Learning: You have - most inconveniently - become obsessed with your dissertation partner’s hands. In an effort to relieve some stress about it, you begin sending texts to your best friend detailing - explicitly - what you want those hands to do to you. Perhaps you should have checked the number a bit more carefully. https://ladyartemesia.tumblr.com/post/619327581330784256/hands-on-learning Once Upon A Bracelet: You were born to nothing, but your powerful craft caught the eye of a charming prince. However, his distinctly un-charming younger brother challenged your betrothal and is routinely challenging you. Jeon Jungkook is (probably) a former necromancer and (definitely) the wrong prince… But the bracelets tell a different story. https://ladyartemesia.tumblr.com/post/646287201408352256/once-upon-a-bracelet Freak-Quency: Rockstar au. https://gukslut.tumblr.com/post/190127844851/freak-quency-m-jjk Boots: Rockstar au. Established relationship. https://gukslut.tumblr.com/post/613752356101816320/this-is-a-companion-piece-to-freak-quency-but-can Koopid: The sight of his shit-eating grin leaves Namjoon with a prickle of hot frustration that hurts when the video rolls to an end, with no flashy end credits or promotion. Just a black screen with his own idiot reflection staring back at him. Pornstar au. https://gwoongi.tumblr.com/post/184496918409/%F0%9D%97%84%F0%9D%97%88%F0%9D%97%88%F0%9D%97%89%F0%9D%97%82%F0%9D%96%BD-jeongguk-ft-namjoon Lana: This position is particularly ambiguous; your face is almost gone, only slightly in frame, with the lens zoomed further into your ass and Jeongguk’s thighs, his ass there but moving as he leans for the lube across the bed. If he wanted, Jimin could pretend the figure beneath Jeongguk was a boy- could be him, if he wanted. He does not want. https://gwoongi.tumblr.com/post/184658542171/%F0%9D%97%85%F0%9D%96%BA%F0%9D%97%87%F0%9D%96%BA-jeongguk-ft-jimin The Art Of Revenge: Sometimes, getting even can be hot. https://archiveofourown.org/works/47776474 Crimson Park: Mafia au. https://heartbeatan.tumblr.com/post/188847613935/crimson-park-return-to-desperado-series-return-to

#bts jeon jungkook fanfic #jungkook fic recs #jungkook imagines #jungkook smut #jungkook fanfic #jungkook fic #bts jungkook #jungkook #jungkook x reader #jungkook x oc #jungkook x y/n #jungkook x you #bts fanfic #bts jungkook fanfic #bts fic recs #bts smut #bts imagines

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btsmosphere · 5 months ago

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Supercharged | JJK

Epilogue: Sweet Taste

prev | masterlist

🗲summary: It starts with a blow to the chest that changes your life. When your city’s most celebrated hero pays a visit, it turns out the noble Bolt has no trouble tossing lives aside. Lives that won't be missed. Lives like yours. Seven mysterious and powerful men give you another chance – one that starts to feel more like a curse the moment you meet golden boy Jungkook. The boy who wants you as far from his brothers as he can get you. Is it you he hates, or the blue lightning that now runs through your veins? And could it be his golden light that illuminates your heart when darkness threatens? 🗲this chapter: How it all boiled down.

🗲pairing: jungkook x female reader 🗲word count: 1k 🗲genre: angst, action, eventual fluff, enemies to lovers, slow burn, superheroes/villains au, found family 🗲rating: pg15 🗲warnings: mentioned death, violence, weapons

a/n: and with this, we've reached the end of supercharged!! that is surreal to me🤯here's a reminder to those of you who may have already reblogged the masterlist to keep on your blog for reference (I'm honoured!), you may want to reblog it again now it's completed so all the links are there! since reblogged posts aren't updated on this wonderful site lol🤡 I also want to give a sincere thank you to everyone who had read, especially those who left even a single comment, reblog, tag or ask. this story was a lot of work but also a lot of fun and I'm so happy now I finally shared it! to hear anyone enjoyed it makes it all worth it😊you guys are the absolute best! I hope you enjoyed the ride, though there's still the epilogue to go👀 let me know what your favourite moment of this series has been!💜💜

“More information has emerged after celebrated hero, Bolt, was found murdered in his home yesterday. Another beloved hero, Monsoon, also fell in the same battle.

“The anonymous attackers, who many theorists have already connected with the lair attacked by a monster earlier the same day, have sent several records to our studio, apparently taken from Bolt’s home. They have… requested that we display these on air.”

The screen cut away from the reporter’s face to a series of photographs. Weapons laid out, one by one, labelled in Namjoon’s handwriting with the locations they were stolen from, and the purpose each one served.

Next, a map with several red crosses marked on it; the places Bolt had attacked, and several more he planned to. Your home was one of them.

There were other files on the drive Jin had mailed to them. Detailing Bolt’s plans, his building of weapons and allowing them to be used to justify his ‘confiscation’. Jin had been careful not to record too much, but it painted a grim picture nonetheless. Had Bolt been preparing to rule the city?

You knew there would be people out there who would never shake their star-studded image of Bolt. But there would be others ready to see him for the monster he was. All that mattered was that you had all shaken up the grip he held over this city.

The last clip that jumped on screen was from only the night before. Of course, Bolt had cameras. And, in the end, it had turned out to be most useful to you.

“Flush out the rats and they’ll have nowhere left to run.”

The dark, fuzzy image shifted into static. The next voice was your own.

“You did this to me.”

Another cut.

“You were nothing before I gave them to you…”

It faded to black again. Good. It was past time for the people to start questioning the man they had idolised for too long. The man who would have thrown their lives away, too, the moment they happened to be in his way.

The reporter’s face returned, looking grave.

“This has left citizens wondering: who was Bolt really? Was he truly as heroic as he seemed?

“But it remains to be seen how we can stay safe in the wake of his demise.

“Next up, we report from the scene of a spate of attacks in the early hours since the hero’s death was announced. And stay tuned to hear from the families who say their loved ones died needlessly when working for Bolt-”

The screen flashed off and you turned to find Hope lowering the remote, hand on hip.

“Good to know the tv still works!” he beamed.

Snorting, you followed him over to the kitchen. The table had been set upright again. All in all, the scene was only partially being lit by the hole in the roof, most of which Jimin had already pieced back together.

An intimidating amount of dust and debris remained to be cleared, but you were sure Yoongi would just hide it by making the space look extra bright and fresh until someone could be bothered to pick up a vacuum cleaner (which may well be buried itself).

Oh yes – Yoongi. You were sure he would be playing his usual lighting tricks again… once he was strong enough. After seeing to Bolt’s fate, he was the first place you had all run to. Hobi and V had already been at his side. You remembered the crushing dread in your chest at seeing their faces, the tightness with which you squeezed Jungkook’s hand.

All you had to do to quell the memory of that feeling was cast your eyes over your white-haired friend. He sat at the table, sagging a little wearily onto his elbows, but grinning begrudgingly up at a giggling Jin and Jimin.

He was alright.

Jungkook sat across from the injured Yoongi, staring just as intently. You knew the protective fire that burned in him for his team, because the same one lived in you. And you had walked through that fire enough times, finally ending up on the right side of it.

Sliding into the seat beside him, you wordlessly put your hand on his back. Let it drift to circle his waist.

Jungkook’s fingers loosened their death grip on his mug, gaze shifting to you. You felt his sigh more than heard it, his back relaxing where you held it. Together you shared a smile.

Although perhaps it wasn’t quite as private as you first thought, because a second later Jin was thumping another mug loudly onto the tabletop. Jumping, you sheepishly turned away from Jungkook and accepted the drink Jin pushed towards you.

“Right!” The eldest clapped his hands to gather attention now that you were all here. “Y/N and I have made some good progress checking inventory. The ceiling seems to be… looking up!” (you all groaned as he erupted into his squeaky laugh) “We’ll be settled back in in no time – with no one to bother us.”

“Quite,” Namjoon agreed. For perhaps the first time, when he turned to face you, you were certain you read pride there. “With Bolt and Monsoon out of the picture, we’ll let Pheonix take their place.”

“So, nothing much to worry about at all!” Jimin chimed in, to a round of chuckles. Even Namjoon gave him an indulgent smile.

A grin of your own on your face, you sipped your drink, welcoming its flavour which nestled beside the sweet taste of revenge curled in your gut. Even with a gap letting fresh air in through the roof, you felt warm all over. Mostly from the heat of the arm pressed against yours.

You couldn’t imagine keeping your distance from Jungkook ever again. Having been victim of his fierce fight so many times, you knew you could always rely on it now he stood by your side.

Thank you for coming with me on this journey💜What was your favourite moment?

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#jungkook x reader #jungkook series #jungkook mafia au #jungkook superhero au #jungkook enemies to lovers #jungkook fluff #jungkook angst #jeon jungkook x you #jeongguk imagine #jungkook imagine #jeongguk angst #jeongguk fanfic #jungkook x you #jungkook fanfic #bts mafia au #bts supernatural au

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theharrowing · 2 years ago

Text

Collateral 🗡️ 17 - Making someone cry is a side-effect of being in love, I'm afraid

Your ex-boyfriend gets in over his head working for the local mafia, and Boss Min has come to collect his payment: You.

But was it simply a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or has he always had his sights on you?

PREVIOUS | INDEX | NEXT

🗡️ Yoongi x Female Reader x Namjoon, Jungkook x Female Reader 🗡️ word count: 15.6k 🗡️ mafia au, strangers to lovers, graphic violence, major character injury, poly, smut, angst, fluff, nsfw, explicit 21+

🗡️ chapter warnings: excessive drinking to numb/forget; so much fucking tension lolol; Hwasa (yes, that is the warning); new nickname for the bingo card (doll/dollface); Jeongguk is a flirty little shit & he got his eyebrow and lip pierced; mc learns to dance; use of "whore" (not derogatory but also kind of derogatory); smoking weed; mc confessing to "going all ways" (sorry straight readers, but i don't know how to not write a queer mc); mc has some complicated feelings and is doing her best; Jeongguk sometimes says the wrong thing but he is also doing his best; a healthy amount of crying; mention of dead moms; discussion of drug use & addiction; inexplicit discussion of sex (sorry lads, the smut is in the second half. it's worth the wait!!!)

🗡️ note: this chapter spans about three weeks, and there is no clear definition of time in between some scenes because mc is just kind of...dealing with the passage of time in her own way. so if it seems kind of disjointed, that is because it is meant to. also, as you may have seen, this chapter wound up being 30k words, so i have broken it in two parts and beefed up some of the scenes. i intend to post chapter 18 very, very soon. ok i love you, enjoy!

🗡️ beta read by @neoneunnajimin!

🗡️ posted on june 2023 | read on ao3

You love Yoongi; there is no question about it.

Despite the hurt and confusion and pain, one thing that you are certain about, above all else, is that you love him.

And that is why you drink.

You drink to numb the myriad feelings. You drink to pass the time. You drink to forget. With a twinkling haze of intoxication, loud club beats, and bright lights, you drink, and drink, and drink.

Jimin caves instantly on his insistence to not teach you how to dance, and you realize that he is not only a brilliant dancer, but that he seems to really enjoy having someone around to join him. Behind Paradise is a ballet studio that he owns and rents out to instructors. When he has free time, he goes there to practice in front of the wall of mirrors while some sultry melody plays on an old-fashioned boombox in the corner.

Sometimes he throws on a hip-hop beat and does experimental moves with his body, contorting his limbs in square, jarring movements. Other times he drifts gracefully through the space to ballet pieces, muttering about Tchaikovski, Prokofiev, and other names of long-dead men that you struggle to pronounce. He is always magnificent—a true artist of his craft.

It takes no time at all to become a friendly face at Paradise. Within just a few nights, the cocktail waitresses, dancers, bartenders, and regulars all seem happy to greet you. Jimin has introduced you to everyone as dove, a nickname you quickly warm up to, which is what everyone there calls you.

Everyone, that is, except the new bar manager, Jeon Jeongguk.

At Paradise, under the flashy red, purple, and fuchsia lights, he calls you dollface, or doll for short. And at first, you fucking hate it; the words stick like bile to your tongue, heavy and tacky.

But the more he struts over with his black satin shirt unbuttoned just a little too low, hair slicked back, standing too close with his sticky-sweet whiskey breath and muttering shit like, "Looking gorgeous tonight, doll," you begin to warm up to it a little.

"What happened to buttercup?" you teased the first time he tried the new nickname, and he rolled his eyes, chewing on a piece of pink bubblegum wide-mouthed like an adorable a fucking cow as he said, "That was the old me, dollface; I'm not the same person I was yesterday."

It should come as no surprise that Jeongguk is really beginning to grow on you. Now that he works the bar and you see him a lot more often, his attitude is much softer. He still teases you, and at times, it makes your fucking blood boil, but there is a softness to his gaze, especially when his smile stretches wide, that makes your tummy do a backflip whenever his presence lingers.

All of this is extra dangerous in your current situation because the last thing you need while on sabbatical from both of the men who you continue to be in some unnamed but deeply romantic relationship with, is Jeon Jeongguk making you feel giddy. Try as you might to convince yourself that your feelings are purely a product of your loneliness, you know that is untrue; your feelings for Jeongguk had already begun to sprout, and, as time goes on, they continue to grow.

You are also finding yourself charmed by Jeongguk's second-in-command, a wisp of a woman with a wide smile and even wider hips named Ahn Hyejin—stage name Hwasa. Hyejin is tiny, barely standing taller than Jeongguk's shoulder with her sharp stiletto heels on. But she commands a room, voice booming and deep when she needs it to be, making all the dancers do exactly as she says.

Although you are surrounded by beauty in a place like Paradise, nobody steals your attention like Hyejin. Her beautiful diamond-shaped face is always made up with sharp black eyeliner and bright red lipstick. With wide, dark brown eyes that pierce into your soul, all it takes is one pointed smirk, and you are practically melting to her feet. She is always dressed a little revealing, showing enough skin that your eyes continuously trail back to her, just to get another glance.

You understand why men wage wars over love and lust. Hyejin is living proof of why so many sonnets and classic literature pieces are steeped in maniacal desperation over a woman some lonely man saw at a passing glance one time.

Hyejin was once a dancer, too, but she worked her way into a management position, and all the family men who come to the bar treat her like a sister, including Jeongguk, who only reluctantly calls her Hyejin-noona because she is two years older than him and likes to insist on the nickname.

She teases Jimin at times, too, being several months older than he is, and she uses it to her advantage when she wants him to do something for her. Jimin always grumbles, rolling his eyes while fulfilling her requests to make the stages and dress rooms better for the dancers, but he does everything out of love for her, and for his dancers, and he is grateful to have her on his management team, giving him advice on how to improve.

Hyejin is, in a word, amazing.

"I see the way you look at her," Jimin teases you tonight the moment she walks in sporting a red one-piece latex bodysuit with long sleeves and a deep v-collar, putting her thighs on glorious display. She wears matching red thigh-high boots, and her long, dark brown hair falls past her shoulders in waves.

Although you turn your head in the direction of Jimin's voice, your eyes stay on Hyejin as she struts over to the bar where Jeongguk is leaning forward on his elbows, getting his attention by draping herself over him and slamming her hip against his side.

"Hmm?" you finally ask when seeing the two of them standing side-by-side has your cheeks feeling entirely too warm, though it still takes a few stray seconds to pull your gaze to Jimin.

He has one perfectly manicured eyebrow raised, and he tongues the inside of his cheek, making you feel even more embarrassed. You are only human…what does he expect from you?

Tonight, Jimin wears silver shimmer on his eyes, with his brown hair styled off his forehead. His black satin button-up is undone to the center of his chest, and it is tucked into very tight, fitted black slacks, styled with black boots.

Everyone at Paradise is honestly so breathtaking; it is no wonder the place brings in so many high-rollers willing to spend top dollar. Although you are determined to keep Jimin as a friend only—not that he has ever shown signs of wanting more from you—you still find yourself stunned by his beauty.

"Gonna start calling you fawn instead of dove," Jimin teases, and you snicker at the wordplay, unwilling or able to deny you have been fawning over Hyejin since the moment you met her.

"I need a pet name bingo card," you tease, scrunching your nose to feign annoyance, despite finding it cute.

You smell a familiar perfume—bright floral and lightly fruity—dance softly in the air before you feel an arm sling around your waist, and you take a fortifying breath before turning to find Hyejin's beaming red smile inches from your face.

"Hey, dove," she greets in a deep, sultry tone that makes every little hair on your body stand up.

"Hey, Hyejin," you respond as your cheeks become hot.

"What are you up to tonight?" she asks, giving your waist a squeeze before sliding her arm away but staying just as close. "Practicing any more of your dance moves?"

You giggle and shake your head, feeling nervous about talking to her, of all people, about dancing. Once Jimin let it slip that he was showing you floor moves, both Hyejin and Jeongguk began hounding you for a demonstration.

"Ahhhh, probably not," you respond, sounding just as awkward as you feel. "I was planning on sitting here tonight and drinking all of Jimin's expensive whiskey for free."

Hyejin pouts and it sends your heart haywire, making you nearly cave. "I want to see your moves," she says in a sweet, baby voice that has you floundering for words—deciding that you would probably do anything to satisfy her.

"Maybe once I feel more confident," you respond demurely, nibbling on your bottom lip.

This seems to satisfy her, and she winks as she says, "Looking forward to it," before walking off to the dressing rooms to check on her dancers.

"Holy shit," you mutter under your breath once she is gone, catching your breath as if you had just run a marathon.

Jimin scoffs, teasing you as he says, "You are such a whore," and you laugh with him, rubbing your palms over your face. The effect that she has on you must be as obvious to her as it is to everyone else, and the prospect of that makes you nervous.

You have begun to dress a little nicer when you visit Paradise, starting from the first night Hyejn was introduced to you—wearing the more casual designer dresses that Jimin graciously brought from your room at the mansion, and letting him do your hair and makeup. She always gets a little too close when you have your cleavage showing, so you have been displaying it more and more lately.

"She's just so pretty," you complain as if it is an inconvenience, making Jimin laugh anymore.

"Careful, doll," Jeongguk's voice speaks way too close to your right ear, causing you to gasp and flinch, turning in the direction of the sound. "Keep flirting with her and it might make me jealous."

You scoff and lean away from Jeongguk, who only crowds closer, teasing you with a grin. Recently, Jeongguk has gotten his eyebrow and lip pierced, both on the right side—your left—and he keeps his hair cut short with a sharp, dark undercut. Today, his hair is styled in a swoop over his forehead, and his delicate, floral musky scent is dizzying the closer he gets.

Since working at Paradise, Jeongguk has begun to dress a little differently, and you find yourself unable to keep from sneaking glances at the slivers of skin he kept hidden behind buttons and t-shirts before. He continues to don his standard all-black attire, but he has also switched to satin, much like Jimin. His shirts are always unbuttoned to the center of his toned chest with no undershirt, and tonight he has several silver chains of various lengths and widths cascading from his neck.

"I wouldn't dream of it," you tease as you take a step away from Jeongguk and spin on your toes, toward the bar. A sexy R&B song plays loudly, and you swish your hips to the rhythm, knowing without having to glance back that he is watching you.

And although you tell yourself that you should not enjoy his attention so much—or anyone's attention, for that matter—you revel in the thrill it gives you. Yoongi and Namjoon have both encouraged you to pursue him, anyway…surely they wouldn't mind if you have a little innocent fun. After all, you have no idea when you may see the two of them again.

Nights at Jimin's house are lonely. His mansion is huge and empty, and you prefer not to spend much time there by yourself, which means you tend to be at Paradise from late evening to mid-morning most nights. At first, you thought your sleep schedule would adjust and you would become a night owl just like Jimin and Jeongguk, but as the days wear on, you find yourself exhausted, floating through a realm of half-wakefulness. The drinking likely does not help.

But what other choice do you have? Despite the deep ache behind your ribs, it feels too soon to return to Namjoon. During a brief phone call shortly after returning from Paris, he mentioned Yoongi was in the countryside at a facility to help him get past the first three weeks of withdrawal.

From time to time, you find yourself wondering how long it has been since you returned from Paris. It could have been weeks, but it could have been days; you have been disinterested in keeping track, finding the tangible passage of time too painful to confront. You figure the time will come when they are both ready to return to you and not a moment sooner; no use dwelling on it.

On the nights when all you wish to do is let go and forget, you either sit at the center stage and watch the strip shows with a drink in hand, or you head to the upper-level VIP section of the club and dance by the railings. When you are feeling outgoing, you find a group of drunk, friendly women by the back bar to become single-use friends with for the night and dance until bar close.

Back when you first moved into the mansion, Paradise was apparently a dance club with a brothel beneath, just like Serendipity. But during the weeks leading up to your Paris trip, Jimin had been working on getting the space remodeled—hence why you had not seen him around much, for a while. There still is a dancefloor, but it is rather compact near the back bar; not too many people come to Paradise just to dance.

The main room now consists of three stages—two smaller ones on either side of the room, and one large stage in the center, all equipped with a spinning poll. Everything is made up of dark wood, black leather, and chrome.

Beneath Paradise, there are still brothel rooms, but it is a very hush-hush affair that not too many patrons seem aware of. A patron can book any of the dancers for a private strip show and lap dance in a back room, but anything explicitly sexual is kept strictly to the lower level, and unless someone knows how to ask for it, they will get removed from the premises in a heartbeat.

Jimin oversees all Paradise operations, but his main focus is on the activities that take place underground. Jeongguk and Hyejin oversee everything on the main floors, including the strip stages, the back bar and dancefloor, and the VIP bar upstairs, which is more or less just a mezzanine with a bar and booths that cost a pretty penny to use.

Paradise is your oyster, and you more or less have free reign to do anything you would like.

During the nights when you do not feel like drinking, you go to the dance studio. Sometimes, Jimin goes along to let off some steam, either before he needs to run things at Paradise, or when he has a break in his duties. Other times, you go alone.

You have been getting a hang of moving your body in ways Jimin has shown you, and in new ways that you are discovering on your own. And although you are nowhere near as flexible or fluid as he is, you are surprised by how your body can bend and move and stretch when you allow it patience and grace to learn how. You get why he, and the other dancers at Paradise, take so much pride in their craft. To the patron, it may just seem like stripping and ass-shaking for some loose notes, but to them, and to you, it truly is an art form.

On nights when you dance, the loneliness is not at all quelled, and you find yourself spacing out often and getting lost in your thoughts. But the more you move and let out all of your pent-up energy, the lighter the loneliness seems to feel. Some nights you are able to relax and feel at peace, rolling and stretching your body without a care in the world. It gives you hope that there truly may be a light at the end of this tunnel, no matter how long it takes for you to reach it.

"Hey, pretty," a familiar sultry voice purrs, giving you goosebumps.

It is some unknown night in the middle of the week, and you left a group of bachelorettes by the back bar to step outside and smoke a joint. It is rare that anyone is out here, and you are surprised to find Hyejin, of all people, leaning against the brick wall in this quiet, employees-only escape tucked away in a dark alley. This spot is nestled behind a tall fence, past which is a set of dumpsters and a narrow path out to the main roads.

Hyejin is beautiful as always, wearing a black long-sleeve crop top shirt and high-waisted short shorts, under which black garters stick out and are clipped to black thigh-high socks. Her hair is pulled back into a bun, slicked on the sides, and as she approaches, her mary jane heels clack against the pavement.

"Hyejin," you mutter, swallowing thickly and abandoning the joint you had forgotten to light, cradling it in your fist. "Didn't realize you would be out here."

Tonight, she wears a nude lipstick rather than the red you have grown accustomed to, and her smile is not quite as warm. As she approaches, you are greeted by her lightly fruity, floral perfume.

"Stepped out for a breather," she sighs, eyes falling to your hand before they meet your gaze. With a raise of her eyebrows, she adds, "Mind if I help you smoke that?"

Your brain has to reboot before you lift your hand to inspect its contents, and you remember what you came outside for, chuckling as you hold out the joint and lighter to her and say, "Of course. You can hit greens."

Every once in a while, Hyejin will smile shyly. She has a practiced shy smile that she uses on Jimin, Jeongguk, and plenty of her customers—honed to perfection to get just what she wants. But this one is soft and delicate, filling her beautifully golden-tawny-toned cheeks with a deep red blush.

As she unfurls the soft smile that opens into a toothy grin, she reaches out both slender manicured hands and takes your offering, gently scratching her long, painted-black fingernails against your palms. The sensation sends a shiver through you, and you giggle, squeezing your hands shut before opening them again.

"That tickles," you admit when she looks curiously, laughing softly at you.

"You're easily ticklish, hmm?" she mutters with the joint cradled between her lips, then flicks on the lighter, giving her face a beautiful golden glow while igniting the tip and sucking in.

Hyejin takes a slow inhale followed by a sharp one, then holds her breath and passes the joint to you. When she lets out an exhale, smoke plumes in front of her, and you take a nice, big hit and hold it in, just the same.

The smoke is warm in your lungs and licks at your senses. As you breathe it out, you feel a small sense of release, letting your shoulders drop and your body relax.

When you turn to hand the joint back to Hyejin, she is standing much closer, leaning on the sliver of brick wall between you and the closed back door. You instinctively take a step back but rotate so that you are facing her, with barely any space between you. This time, when she smiles, her eyes have the sparkle that you are used to, but there is still an unmissable hint of sadness swirling in their deep umber depths.

"You know, you can always talk to me if you need someone," she offers unprompted as she takes a hit and hands the joint back.

You nod and mull it over, unsure where you would even begin. You have no idea what Hyejin knows about your situation, and although you think you can trust her, there is a part of you that is unsure whether you really want to talk about it, especially right now.

"Thank you," you say before taking a hit and holding it in. Hyejin turns her head to blow the smoke away from your face, then she reaches out one hand and gently rubs her fingertips over your wrist, snaking them into the sleeve of your black denim jacket and sending a tingling warmth into your bloodstream.

You turn your head to exhale, then hold up the joint, asking, "More?"

"I'm good right now," she responds softly, and you move your hand away from her inviting touch to pinch the lit end off onto the ground. In your pocket is a small plastic tube into which you slide the joint, placing a little plastic cap over the end so that its smell does not stick to your clothing, and then you return your arm to its spot and allow her fingers to resume exploring your wrist and hand.

"I appreciate the offer," you try, hearing the way your voice trembles as the weed settles over you and fills you with a heavy-weightless warmth, buzzing in a deep thrum that tenses and relaxes and relaxes and relaxes. Sheepishly, with a giggle, you add, "I don't…really know where to begin."

Hyejin's hand sides into yours, palm against palm, fingers wrapping and holding on tight.

"That's okay," she responds with a disarming smile. "I just wanted to offer, just in case. I know you have Jimin and Jeongguk, too."

At this, you laugh and sink further against the brick wall, tilting your head to rest against the scratchy, unwelcoming surface. "I do have them…for better or worse."

Hyejin laughs in understanding, then she rolls her eyes and says, "Jeongguk is so possessive; I thought the two of you were dating when you first started coming around."

"Oh?" you respond, a bit surprised by this news. Admittedly, when you first began coming to Paradise, you thought there was something going on between the two of them. It took a couple nights to realize that the way Hyejin hangs off of and pouts at her manager is all an act. "We're…not…" you begin, trailing off, unsure what to say.

"He clearly has feelings for you, regardless," she adds, and you search her face and fidget in place. Hyejin seems genuine and sweet, but you are so used to women in this line of work having ulterior motives and using kindness as a tool to gain information and an upper hand. But that does not seem to be what she is doing, and you let out the breath that had gotten trapped in your lungs and nod, chuckling lightly.

"Yeah," you admit, feeling your cheeks warm. "He…certainly does."

"Oh my god," Hyejin teases, squeezing your hand until you look at her wide, beaming smile. "You like him too, don't you?"

Try as you might to shake your head and mutter, "No," she mirrors the movement, laughing and practically shouting, "Yes, you definitely do! You are a terrible liar, dove!"

"It's…complicated," you mutter, squeezing your eyes shut with embarrassment.

A sweet giggle flits through the air like a flutter of butterflies, and you open your eyes to find Hyejin regarding you with the sweetest smile.

"I won't judge you," she assures, giving your hand another squeeze. "I don't know a lot about your relationship, but Jimin has mentioned you are dating two men, which…honestly, sounds like a dream come true."

Your heart seizes a bit around the word dating, and you swallow thickly and nod, unwilling to go down that path. Nothing has ever been established, despite your confessions of love and the huge, expensive fake-engagement ring that sits in your dark, empty bedroom. Sometimes, if you allow yourself to dwell on it, both the distance and time spent away from them make you worry that things may have an end date that is sooner than you expect.

But none of this is pertinent enough information to share at a time like this, so you smile as convincingly as you can while saying, "It has its perks."

Hyejin returns your smile and closes the already meager space between the two of you to press a kiss against your cheek. Her mouth is soft and warm, and you let your eyes flutter closed, smiling from the smell of bluebells and apple that fills your senses. As she pulls her lips back, she stays close, cradling your chin with her hand while opening her mouth to continue speaking. However, the back door flies open, cutting off what she was going to say.

The sight of Jeongguk looking around the corner makes you gasp and back up, kicking up a flurry of feelings in your chest. Despite nothing happening between you and Hyejn, this feels like too precarious of a position to be caught in suddenly. Daresay, it may appear somewhat intimate.

Jeongguk's expression is wide and shocked, but it quickly melts to intrigue. He steps outside and approaches, slinging an arm over both your shoulder and Hyejin's.

"Well, what have we here?" he asks with a tone that is far too gleeful for anyone's good.

"I was just telling our dove that I am here if she needs anything, and then I gave her a kiss on the cheek," Hyejin says, turning to Jeongguk and standing on her toes to plant her lips against his jaw.

Jeongguk looks affronted and gasps as she says, "There, now nobody is left out."

"Listen, I'm not here to break up whatever is going on between my favorite girls." Jeongguk says, gaze on you as he raises an eyebrow and adds, "I just didn't know our doll swings both ways."

Feeling indignant and a little claustrophobic, you shrug away from Jeongguk's arm and give his shoulder a shove.

"For your information, I go…all ways…" you mutter with a grimace, trailing off because you do not owe him an explanation. Labels for sexual orientation may work for some, but they have never been your thing; you like people for people, and it is as simple as that. Defensive, you add, "But she was just giving me a friendly little kiss on the cheek, so it doesn't matter."

Jeongguk grunts unconvincingly, then leans in close to say, "But a kiss between friends can easily spiral into something more, can it not?"

With that, Jeongguk takes a step back, leaving you standing shell-shocked and ready to smack him. Jeongguk winks and says, "Hyejin-noona, when you're ready, I have some things I wanna go over with for tonight," then he walks inside.

Hyejin holds out her elbow, asking, "Shall we?" and you lift a hand to slide against her soft skin, allowing her to lead the way.

Once you are back inside, the bachelorette group is still at the back bar, drunker and louder than when you left them, and you wave Hyejin and Jeongguk off as you walk over and allow the women to pull you into their chaotic little group for shots.

You wake up late in the evening with a hangover after hanging with the bachelorette group the night and morning before, taking shot after shot of overly sweet liquor that was far too strong for its own good. It feels like it has been ages since you have felt so awful, and the thought of having even a drop more of alcohol makes your stomach churn.

So, tonight, rather than go to Paradise, you decide to visit the dance studio to practice the floor moves Jimin has been teaching you. Although you are still certain you have no desire to dance at the club, practicing the moves has been cathartic. And it helps you slow down on drinking. Being a lush for a while has definitely been one way to handle your myriad tumultuous emotions, but the hangovers are too frequent, and after what you felt earlier today, you are eager to change your ways.

Dancing also makes you feel sexy. You enjoy watching the way your body can curve and flex, bending and swaying in ways you had never really attempted before. Tonight you alternate between taking moves slowly on the floor, facing away from the mirrors, before attempting to add speed and flow to them while watching your reflection.

With the cassette mixtape that Jimin has scribbled Whore Mix onto playing through the boombox, you stretch on a dark purple yoga mat that sits in the center of the floor while a sultry voice sings and raps over a beat that begs your hips to move, with the mirrors to your left and the studio door behind you.

The approaching click-clack of boots against the wooden floor that greets you does not strike you as odd at first; you have grown accustomed to Jimin and his affinity for boots. So you continue practicing without turning to greet him.

Anchored back on your elbows, sitting on the mat on your left hip, with both legs bent, you stretch your right leg straight and fan it out at an angle lifted in front of you. In the same fluid motion, you lift your left leg, creating a v-shape in the air. Then you curl your legs in, trying to perfect the graceful movement that Jimin is so good at, twisting until you are on your right hip.

Only when clapping echoes through the room do you realize that the boots had stopped moving and that the tell-tale frenetic energy Jimin always brings to the studio is missing. You turn with a gasp and find Jeongguk standing in the center of the room, wearing his standard all-black. His button-up is undone enough to show a dip of his chest, as always, with no shirt underneath, and it is tucked into black slacks that are so fitted, the material strains against his thighs when he shifts from one foot to the other.

"My, my," Jeongguk teases, approaching before squatting beside you. "What have I walked in on?"

Instinctively, you lean away, feeling warmth flood your cheeks. You sit wearing a tight purple sports bra and very tight, very short black athletic shorts, making you self-conscious to be met with such a hungry stare, especially knowing that he had been watching you, just now.

"Jeongguk," you mutter, having to clear your throat to get more sound out. "What are you doing here?"

"I was coming to see if Jimin was here. Wanted to run a few things by him."

You nod, feeling like a fish out of water with how your mouth hangs open. Jeongguk's cologne is stronger than usual and a little different tonight—musky and floral with hints of spice—and you find it incredibly intoxicating.

"But what I found is far more enticing," Jeongguk continues with a smirk.

Silence falls between you, and you feel your hands prickle with sweat. All you can think about is that kiss in Hong Kong and the chemistry you found in his lips—how delicately he asserted control but never pushed or pulled too much, causing you to unravel in moments. You want to feel that again—want to feel him again—so much that it seems like a bad idea for you to be left alone with him, like this. Flirting in the club, with people around, is one thing, but here, alone, seems dangerous.

Jeongguk stands, and you let out a heavy breath, then swallow a lump, feeling relief wash over you at the thought of him leaving. But then he walks over to the corner, to where some black chairs are shoved together, and he grabs one. Anxiety washes over you when he begins to bring the chair over, boot heels echoing loudly against the floor as he places it beside you and has a seat. He spreads his legs and leans forward, resting his wrists against his knees, tattooed hands so close you could reach out to him.

With his lips tugged into a sharp grin, he says, "Let me see that move again."

You must look as stunned as you feel, blinking up at him, because he chuckles and raises his pierced eyebrow, clearly amused by your lack of response.

"Come on, dollface," Jeongguk teases, leaning even closer and dropping his voice far too low for comfort. "Don't be shy."

Even as nervous as you are under his piercing stare, you like the attention he gives you. But continuing what was started between you without Yoongi or Namjoon present feels wrong, and it stirs up guilt and shame, starting in your tummy and working its way to your throat. You want to show Jeongguk your moves and crawl to him, grind your hips over his lap until he calls you noona and begs you for more. But not here. Not like this.

Luckily, the click-clack that actually belongs to Jimin's boots storms down the hallway and into the room, giving you an out.

"I told you to meet me in my office," Jimin complains, approaching with his hands on his hips, one balled into a fist that holds onto a manilla envelope. "Why did you come here? To bother her?"

"I must have misread the text," Jeongguk responds, eyes still on you while they glimmer mischievously before turning his attention to Jimin. "Office…dance studio…same thing."

Jimin lunges forward and slaps the envelope against the back of Jeongguk's head, saying, "Not the same thing, and you know it!" before shoving the document into his hands.

You watch somewhat stunned as Jeongguk's mouth falls agape, and he chuckles. Then, as he begins to open and read through the contents of the folder, you take your leave, rolling the yoga mat in your hands as you walk away. Draped over one of the black chairs in the corner is a black hoodie and sweatpants, and you pad over, set the mat onto a chair, and slink into the garments, keeping your hair tucked into the shirt and the hood pulled low over your face.

"Gonna head back to work," Jimin says in a flurry, exiting just as fast as he arrived with the folder in his hand. "Come to the club if you want. Or call me if you need anything."

With a nod, you turn on your toes and begin for the door.

"And just where are you going?" Jeongguk asks, stopping you in your tracks and pushing a sigh from your lungs.

"Home," you say before your lips flounder, and you correct yourself, heavy-blinking. "Jimin's place."

With a hum, Jeongguk stands and says, "I'll drive you," picking up his chair to bring it back to where he got it from.

Although you have made no plans for a ride, you know that Hoseok was at the club earlier, and you had planned to call and see if he was around. Jeongguk giving you a ride would definitely be convenient, but is that something you want right now?

"You have work to do," you insist, shaking your head and feeling nervous at the thought of being in a vehicle alone with him.

But Jeongguk sets the chair down, takes you by the back of the arm, and begins to usher you rather forcefully out the door. As your sneaker heels dig into the wooden floor, rubber squeaking with each step he makes you take, you feel petulant, and you are dragged to the dark hallway before you manage to yank yourself out of his grasp and take an uneasy step back.

"What the fuck are you doing?" you ask, feeling anger rise and fighting the urge to slap him.

"What?" Jeongguk says through a chuckle, looming over you while he steps forward, closing the distance with each step you take backward until you hit the wall. "You're dancing like a whore now, so I figured you wanted to be treated like one, too."

Although you feel anger buzzing through you like a livewire, sending every nerve on high alert, more than anything, you feel deflated. Despite Jimin jokingly using that word to tease you, there is something about the way Jeongguk says it—something almost sardonic and mocking in his tone, met with how forcefully he dragged you out of the room. It settles like bile in your guts and makes you feel extremely uncomfortable.

But, rather than put up a fight and challenge him, you storm away, shoving past his weak attempt to hold you back as you stomp toward the door.

"Hey," Jeongguk calls, heavy footsteps trailing behind you. "What's the matter with you?"

Unable to hold in your rage, you spin on your toes, shoving your palms against Jeongguk's chest as you say, "What's the matter with you?"

Jeongguk hardly flinches, and when you step forward to push him again, he grips onto your wrists and holds you still, tugging you close to him but not in a way that is meant to be rough or suggestive. He almost looks worried, brows knit as he studies your face.

"Hey, hey," he mutters, holding onto you just tight enough that you have no choice but to stop lashing out.

Somehow it works. Maybe because you are exhausted, or maybe it is the floral, musky scent of his cologne—or a combination of things wrecking your tiny sense of sanity—but you hold still and let Jeongguk softly shush you while rubbing his thumbs over the knobby joints in your wrists.

"I don't like it when you talk about women that way," you say, feeling a swell of sadness fill your chest. You are aware that this is likely a trauma response to the way men have treated you in the past, but you need to at least attempt to establish a boundary. "I know we joke about it at the club, but the way you said it, I—" You close your eyes and shake your head.

"When have I ever talked about women that way?" Jeongguk asks, voice sounding more defensive than apologetic. "Look, I was joking. I'm sorry."

"Just don't do it, okay?" you insist, yanking your hands away until Jeongguk relents and folding your arms over your chest. "I was a whore before, Jeongguk. Is it so terrible? Do you really need to make it sound so demeaning? Yoongi's mother was a whore, too, you know."

Jeongguk's face pales, and he appears angry for a split moment, but you do not attempt to argue. Perhaps it is out of pocket to bring up Yoongi's dead mother, but you were a part of the honey bees who came after her; you belonged to the same organization, come hell and high water.

"You're right," he says, taking a step back and sliding his hands into his pockets. "I don't look down on sex workers, and I shouldn't talk as if I do. I'm sorry I offended you. I know that we make jokes, and I guess I got carried away. I didn't consider how even playful actions might bring up bad memories for you, and I get what that's like."

Surprised and unsure what to say, you rock on your feet a little before settling on, "Okay."

"My mother was a whore too," Jeongguk adds, stepping forward slowly. "I never held it against her. Even when it got her killed, I never thought badly about her."

There it is, once more—the taste of guilt.

"Jeongguk," you say, taking a step forward, but he holds up his hand and shakes his head.

"I offended you. I'm the one apologizing. Let me make it up to you by driving you home?"

You nod, conceding. "Alright."

The walk to Jeongguk's black sports car is quiet in a way that feels charged and awkward, but as you settle in, you begin to relax. Silence continues to hang during most of the drive, and all the while, you think of Yoongi. As you stare out at the city lights that fade the further you get from the city, you wonder how he must be doing and whether he will return home soon.

"Did you supply the heroin?" you ask without thinking, staring out at the dark roads past the city line.

As silence stretches, part of you worries that Jeongguk might be offended by your question, and you keep your eyes on the shadowed hints of trees, refusing to acknowledge the expression on his face.

Finally, Jeongguk mutters a simple, "No," and you allow yourself to regard him.

Jeongguk's jaw is tense, and he stares ahead at the road, tonguing on the inside of his mouth while both hands tightly grip the steering wheel.

"I didn't think you did," you respond softly, watching as his pierced eyebrow raises. "I don't know why I felt compelled to ask."

Jeongguk's gaze flicks to you, then back on the road. "Because you overheard my conversation with Namjoon that morning outside your bedroom. And because I was the one in charge of the drug operations."

"Yeah," you respond with a shrug. "But I don't think you would be that careless."

With a hum from Jeongguk, silence settles once more. You relax back in your seat, watching the road curve and become a little hilly before evening out. By now, you are familiar with this stretch, anticipating the sight of the property to come into view very soon.

Whenever you pass the mansion these days, it is dark and quiet. If not for the outdoor security lights, it would be nothing more than a looming shadow—a silhouetted remnant of lives at a standstill. Namjoon must sleep in his own home, and from time to time, you consider walking down the dirt and gravel path to his property to see him.

But everything feels off balance in a way that you struggle to reconcile, and you feel like you need a little more time. You fish your phone from your hoodie pocket and check his Instagram feed, sad to see he has not posted anything to his story.

Namjoon likes to post his workout routines, what he is listening to, and shots from trips to museums. Lately, though, he barely shares anything, making the lack of his presence feel heavier. You nearly ask Jeongguk to drop you off at his place, but you cannot seem to open your mouth to get the words out.

Instead, you text him.

You: It's hard to keep tabs on you when you don't post story updates.

The message feels stupid, and you chew on the inside of your mouth once you hit send, staring at the screen and hoping that when he sees it, he does not find it annoying. Is there a chance of him being offended?

Three dots appear and disappear, over and over, making the anxiety in your tummy frantically build and crash like a wave pool that has just been switched on. But then he sends a simple little sentence that stirs both immense joy and deep, profound sadness—

Namjoon: I miss you too, sweetheart.

—and you stare down at it until your vision blurs with tears.

As you open your mouth to ask to be taken to Namjoon's house, the dots appear and disappear again, and rather than speak, you clear your throat and wait for him to say more.

"What is it?" Jeongguk asks, and you turn your head to him, confused at first, then realize he may have taken the sound as a feeble attempt at starting a conversation.

"Oh," you respond, "Uh, nothing."

"Alright," Jeongguk says simply as he begins to turn into Jimin's driveway, waiting as the metal gate opens and allows you entrance.

As you pull into the drive, listening to the gate close behind you, the urge to cry becomes more difficult to tamp down. You swallow thickly, blinking away tears as Jeongguk stalls in front of the door.

"You good?" Jeongguk asks, and you turn to regard him, but as soon as you open your mouth to tell him you are fine, the sounds die in your throat, and you have to swallow everything back down again.

"Th-thanks for the ride," you manage to mutter as you get out of the vehicle and run to Jimin's door, punching in an eight-digit code and holding your eyes open as wide as you can manage for the retina scan.

Once inside the dark, empty mansion, you sink against the cold, wooden door, feeling your chest heave with emotion so deep, you become nauseated. Gripped in your fist, your cell phone vibrates, and you lift the device in a shaking hand, checking the notification—

Namjoon: I miss your voice. And your smile. I hope you're taking care of yourself.

—which sends you crashing over the edge as tears pour and your voice comes out in a loud, terrible sob.

Your heart pounds as you cry, feeling the crushing weight of how deeply you miss Namjoon. Although each breath that enters and exits your lungs is a storm, rattling and shaking you to the core, you sniffle and hold your phone tightly in both hands as you place a call. It is late, but Namjoon is responding to texts, so perhaps he is free to talk.

Namjoon picks up on the first ring, and when his deep, surprised voice says, "Hey, sweetheart," you sob even harder. How is it that something so tiny could make his absence feel so much heavier?

"Hey," Namjoon says, sweet and alert, "are you alright? Where are you?"

"I'm okay," you cry, punctuated by a sniffle. "I'm at Jimin's. Everything is fine."

"Everything does not sound fine," Namjoon insists, and you smile softly at his concern, taking in a deep breath. "Do you need something? Can I…can I do anything?"

Namjoon still owes you an explanation, and it is not something you will easily let slip. But you are certain that you cannot continue to keep him at a distance, even if it means putting the much-needed conversation on the back burner. Although life with Jimin has been fun and a little exciting, the loneliness you feel from being away from Namjoon and Yoongi has a tendency to become excruciating.

"Can I see you?" you ask weakly, like a child who is afraid of being scolded.

The soft chuckle that proceeds, "Of course, you can," warms your heart, and you close your eyes and smile wide, clutching your phone tightly to your ear. "Give me ten minutes? I'll be right there."

With a wet, disgusting sniffle, you say, "Okay," and rub the back of your hand against your nose.

"I'll be there soon," Namjoon says as he ends the call, and you nod to nobody as you drop your phone down and clench it to your heart.

It takes effort, but you peel yourself from the floor and kick off your shoes before heading up the stairs to your borrowed bedroom, squinting as you switch on the light. The room is similar to your room in Yoongi's mansion, but the bedding and curtains are pinks and oranges—a permanent sunrise.

As you cross the room to the walk-in closet, you pull off the joggers and athleticwear from earlier and find a cute, soft pair of pink sleep shorts and a matching, loose pink tee. Then you run into the bathroom to brush your teeth. Even though you did not drink anything tonight, you want to kiss Namjoon until your lips bruise, and you need to be minty fresh.

By the time you are rinsing your mouth and wiping your chin off, you hear a loud knocking on the front door, surprised that ten minutes could have passed so quickly. You run out of the ensuite and find your phone on the bed to shoot off a message before heading down to let Namjoon in.

You: One minute!

Although the rest of the mansion is dark, Jimin also has security lights on outside, and they shine through the windows enough to cast a silver glow over the small mezzanine and down the steps. You scurry down quickly, feet carrying you light and fast, and when you get to the front door and fling it open, you hardly have a chance to take in the sight of Namjoon before he is crossing the threshold and lifting you into his arms.

A sob quakes through you as you wrap your arms and legs around him, burying your face into his neck. He smells musky—a bit sweaty—but the bright cologne with gentle floral hints you are used to are present. Namjoon closes the front door, haphazardly steps from his shoes, and makes his way to the stairs, stepping slowly as he holds you tight. If you are not mistaken, it feels like his breathing shutters through him, and you wonder if he may also be crying.

"I'm sorry," you find yourself muttering when the silence stretches on long and oppressive.

Namjoon squeezes you harder.

"No," he says softly, voice trembling, "sweetheart, you have nothing to be sorry for."

"I made you cry," you sob, feeling guilt and sadness fill your lungs until it hurts to breathe.

Namjoon chuckles and sniffles, reaching the top landing of the stairs and turning to the right, toward the only light in the home that is on. He says, "Making someone cry is a side-effect of being in love, I'm afraid," and your heart goes wild behind your ribs, bursting with affection.

"I've missed you so much," you whimper against Namjoon's skin, and when he leans forward and attempts to put you down onto the bed, you tighten your limbs, clinging to him like a koala.

"Let me set you down so we can get comfortable," Namjoon suggests, and you shake your head, groaning as you hold on tighter. He sighs, and tries, "Come on, I want to see you. I want to kiss you."

Once his attempts are futile, Namjoon gets onto his knees on the bed and bends until you are lying on your back with him towering over you. You finally move your head away from his neck and heavy-blink as you meet his eyes—which are bloodshot and blinking back tears.

"I've missed you too," Namjoon says as he kisses you, soft and sweet and warm. "I'm so sorry for everything that happened. I should have told you about everything, but I was scared to."

Namjoon's kisses are salty and wet, and he trembles above you, gripping the blanket tightly in his fists on either side of your head. Finally, you concede to his need to get comfortable, and you press against his chest, rubbing your fingers over soft black cotton.

"Hey, lay down," you say softly, pushing a little harder. "You were right, let's get comfortable."

Namjoon sighs through his tears and gets up onto his knees, then crawls over to the pillows and makes a feeble attempt at moving the bright pink and orange floral comforter away. You sit up and help him, then run to the door to close it before adjusting the dimmer switch, lowering the lights just enough so that you can still see him.

When you turn back to the bed, Namjoon has figured out the comforter, which is bunched up at the end of the against his feet, and he is sitting against the wooden headboard with his hands in his lap, watching you with a soft expression while tear tracks shimmer against his cheeks. He wears a black tee and black joggers, with his legs extended out but one leg bent slightly at the knee, and he is breathtaking—just as you remembered him. Maybe even more so.

He has gotten a haircut recently, just above his ears, making him look younger. And it is darker; a more natural color. Some time ago—maybe a few days, or maybe a week—Namjoon posted a mirror selfie of the cut, obstructed mostly by his phone, and you are happy to finally see it in person.

As you get onto the bed, on your knees, Namjoon reaches for you, pulling against the backs of your thighs until you have no choice but to straddle his lap, giggling at his insistence. You settle and drape your wrists over his shoulders to rub your fingertips over the short hairs on his nape while Namjoon's smile oscillates between joy and sadness.

"I want to tell you I'm sorry," you begin, without giving him a chance to speak. You have been thinking about this every sober waking moment of however much time has passed—and some intoxicated moments, as well—and you feel it is necessary to get it off your chest. Emotions rise as you gather your thoughts, and your next exhale comes out shaky. "I was angry in Paris, but the things I said to you and Yoongi did not come from the heart. I was hurt, and I still am, but…I don't understand addiction. I have no idea what Yoongi must be going through, and I—"

You choke on a sob suddenly as a flash of Yoongi's face comes into view. The hurt way in which he stared ahead, straight through you, while you screamed and cried and demanded to be taken home.

Gently, Namjoon rubs his hands up and down your back, covering you in comforting warmth. His smile is sad, but he does his best to show that he is listening and that he is receptive to what you need to say.

"I just feel so awful," you continue as tears fall. You are so tired of crying and hurting, but it is a necessary step in healing, and you do your best to let it quake through you and settle into your bones. "I love Yoongi. I don't want him to be in pain."

"He knows," Namjoon finally says, but you screw your eyes closed and shake your head. He may have an idea of what you are going through, but he needs to hear from you that you are sorry. You need to tell him, yourself. "Yoongi using again was a bit of a surprise to all of us. Although it is something I always fear may happen again, I really had no idea it would happen like that, especially on vacation."

"When is he coming home?" you ask, feeling hopeful.

"Less than a week," Namjoon responds, smiling sweetly as he lifts his hands to thumb away the tears on your cheeks. "I have cleaned out the mansion, and Jeongguk has made sure the team taking over his responsibilities knows that heroin and other opioids are off limits. Jeongguk was already avoiding selling either in the first place, but he has reiterated that fact, to be on the safe side."

"That day, outside my room, you said there was a package with what looked like heroin," you say, watching as Namjoon's face screws up with worry. You grimace, adding, "I'm sorry I was eavesdropping."

"That…I still don't have all the details ironed out," Namjoon responds sullenly, "but I am certain that Jeongguk had nothing to do with it. Yoongi admitted that he had sent for the package on his own, and it arrived from overseas with a bunch of tailored suits. I don't know how he got a connect in Italy, but I really shouldn't be surprised; Yoongi knows people everywhere."

You nod somewhat listlessly, waiting for the crucial detail where Namjoon tells you he threatened the Italian guy, or found some way to rough him up—whatever the case—in order to keep him from sending Yoongi junk again. But when he does not continue, worry and sadness sink into your tummy like a brick.

"So…" you begin, heavy-blinking and feeling at a loss for words before settling on, "...how do we make sure he doesn't use again?"

Although Namjoon continues to smile, his eyebrows pinch sympathetically, and he returns to rubbing your back.

"We just love and support him," he offers, which feels both gigantic and minuscule, all things considered. "We continue to be there for him and…hope that it is enough."

"That's it, huh," you sigh, defeated.

"Yeah."

Silence hangs, and you let your vision blur, attempting to sort out what you could possibly do. What if loving Yoongi is not enough? What if the pressures of his lifestyle only continue to press and press on him until he sinks another needle into his vein, desperate for relief?

"I wish he could just…not do this anymore," you mutter, blinking Namjoon back into focus. "Maybe having all this power and responsibility is too much."

With a sad chuckle, Namjoon nods. "Yeah, well…the only way out of a life like his is death."

Although that is not the response you want, it is the one you expect, and you lean heavily into Namjoon, accepting it for now. There is not much more to say until Yoongi is back.

"Can we sleep?" you ask, feeling your body become weighted down with exhaustion and warm with a comfort you have not felt in what has seemed like eons.

"I would love to sleep," Namjoon responds sweetly, releasing you from his hold as you slide down to the bed and begin to reach for the comforter.

Namjoon gets out of bed to turn off the light, and for a split moment, in the cold, crushing dark, you begin to feel anxiety rush over you. In the cold, crushing dark, you are alone, alone, alone, isolated and heavy and so terribly scared. But then the bed dips, and warmth slides into place beside you. Limbs settle with a familiar weight, and suddenly, the darkness feels and smells like home.

"I love you," you tell the darkness, gasping when lips graze your cheek, your nose, and finally, your mouth.

"I love you, too," the darkness tells you sweetly as you begin to drift to sleep.

Tonight, you did not get to kiss Namjoon until your lips bruised, but you feel satisfied with the fact that you were able to lighten the burden of heavy sadness just a little. And, in a matter of days, when you have the same conversation with Yoongi, it may not go the same way, but at least the three of you can continue to take steps in the right direction, and that allows you to sink into sleep with a smile on your face.

When you wake up alone, your first instinct is to panic. You sit up with a start and check for any sign of Namjoon, but the ensuite door is wide open, and there is no sound coming from inside. The spot where he had slept is cold, and you begin to worry that it was all a dream and that he was never here at all.

Frantically, you begin to search for your phone, which is not on your bedside table where you usually keep it, feeling the overwhelming urge to cry take over. What happened last night, and why is there no trace of him to be found?

With a deep breath, you close your eyes and run over the events of the night. You came in and changed, then you messaged Namjoon to let him know you were going down to let him in. Vaguely, you remember tossing your phone to the bed, and you begin yanking at your comforter, desperate to find it.

Your phone must have been wrapped up in the bedding, because after only a moment of tussling and searching, you hear a nice loud thunk against the floor, at the foot of the bed. You let out an exasperated sigh and crawl to the edge, draping your body over the end as you reach and search for the device that has managed to find its way just under the bed frame.

As soon as it is in your hand, you turn on the screen, eager to find evidence of Namjoon's existence, with your torso suspended in air. As soon as you see a notification from two hours ago, you smile and wiggle backward into a seated position to properly read it.

Namjoon: Hey, sweetheart, I'm so sorry I left while you were still asleep. I tried to wake you, but you were out cold. I'll be visiting Yoongi this afternoon. If you want to come along and you see this before 2 PM, let me know. Otherwise, I hope to talk to you soon. Thank you for letting me in this morning; I slept better than I have in weeks. I love you.

Although affection blooms brightly in your chest, you feel sadness squeeze you tight, like an old friend. You do want to see Yoongi. You want to see him so badly, it hurts. But you are not sure you want to see him before he comes home. Wherever he is staying, and whatever state he may be in…you are not sure that you are prepared for that.

It is only 1:45 PM, so you decide to call Namjoon. Not only are you eager to hear his voice once more, but you are not eager to voice what is in your heart over text.

He picks up on the second ring, sounding a bit winded when he says, "Hey, sweetheart."

"Namjoon," you respond brightly, smiling widely. "Hey, I just woke up and saw your message."

"Ah," he responds, breathing heavily, "what time is it?" After a pause, he shouts, "Oh, shit, Gguk, I gotta go!"

You laugh as you hear them chatter lowly, then say their goodbyes, imagining how adorable Namjoon becomes when he is frantic—eyes wide and worried while he flails his muscular limbs around somewhat aimlessly.

"Gguek and I were working out," Namjoon says as you hear the sound of a door open and shut. "Lost track of time."

You smile, nibbling your lip. "Good thing I called."

"Good thing, indeed. So, did you—"

You don't mean to cut Namjoon off, but there is enough of a break between his statements, that you say, "Listen, Namjoon, I'm—" then halt, realizing you had spoken over him.

"Go on," Namjoon urges, and you close your eyes, listening to the sounds of his breathing, of birds singing around him, and of feet walking somewhat frantically down the dirt and gravel path between mansions.

"I don't think I can go," you finally say, feeling meek and embarrassed as your voice drops and comes out with a tremble. "It's just…I don't know what to expect, and it…it scares me."

Namjoon says nothing for a few moments, and it makes you worry. But then you hear him keying in the passcode to his home and let yourself breathe. He is probably too stressed to be multitasking while in a rush.

"Can I call you back? Or maybe we can talk about this later?" Namjoon finally asks, and you let out an even deeper sigh in relief. "I don't blame you at all for not wanting to come, but it feels like there is more you need to get off your chest. I have to take the fastest shower of my life, though, so that I can leave soon."

"Yeah, no…yeah. That's…" you stammer, squeezing your eyes closed and allowing yourself to smile while hot tears run from your eyes. Namjoon is so kind and understanding—so caring and giving. Affection burns for him, and you want to hug him so tight and never let him go. "If you want to tell Yoongi that we talked, I think it might make things easier for me later, but do whatever feels right…I don't know."

"I'll tell him what we discussed," Namjoon responds breathily as feet storm up a flight of stairs. "I know it'll make him happy to hear how you are doing, and how you have been handling things. I'm bringing him home in four days, so we can all sit down whenever you feel ready."

Four days is not soon enough, yet it feels like no time at all. Looming and terrifying, yet promising.

"Okay, sounds good. Thank you, Namjoon."

When Namjoon says, "I love you so much, sweetheart. Thank you for calling," your heart squeezes, and more tears fall, cascading like tiny waterfalls.

"I love you, Namjoon. Drive safe."

"Will do. Bye."

You mutter, "Bye," but your finger is already pressing the end call button, giving Namjoon all the time and space he needs to get ready. And then you hug your phone tight to your chest and continue to cry.

Somehow, the happy tears feel thicker and hotter than sad tears—more present and urgent. If Yoongi comes back in four days, that means it has been just over two weeks in Jimin's home. You heavy-blink in an attempt to conceptualize the time, feeling ashamed by how little of it you remember. Briefly, you worry that you may have imposed, but Jimin has never so much as hinted at that fact, so you allow yourself to let the idea go.

It is difficult, at times, to accept the many ways in which you are loved. It feels strange to look back on how you ended up tangled in this web, with these men. Part of you wishes you and Yoongi could start over—meet organically and fall together not because of proximity and a need to cure a deep, aching loneliness that had built over years, but because you simply want to.

But could you simply want to fall in love with the head of a crime syndicate? No, you think. Probably not.

Still, how do you explain that to someone who asks? I was kidnapped as collateral, but we fell in love feels like a story not too many people would understand. Probably, the average person would ask if you were alright and attempt to help you find refuge. Probably, they would be in their right mind to do so.

The next three days drag. Knowing that you will see Yoongi and Namjoon again soon has you a little on edge, but not necessarily in a bad way. Your dancing suffers for it, and you find your movements too stiff, too off-beat; your head and your heart are clouded, and you cannot seem to get your body to do anything. Still, you try. Wasting away drinking at Paradise does not feel like the best way to spend your lonely nights, but you want to wait for Yoongi's return before spending too much time with Namjoon.

Although the three of you have different bonds and dynamics, you almost feel guilty at the thought of hogging Namjoon to yourself while Yoongi is out healing in the countryside. Despite knowing he would tell you not to worry—to be with Namjoon and keep him company.

And, part of you thinks of this time as getting your last moments in with Jimin before moving out of his space. You have not voiced it, but you have been going out of your way to spend just a little more time with him after work, before the two of you crash for the morning and sleep, curled up on the couch with whichever anime he feels like playing in the background—currently, Chainsaw Man.

Jimin is phenomenal company, and you have really enjoyed following him around the house while he cooks, practices impromptu dance moves around furniture, and talks about nothing and everything. Even in quiet, still moments eating ice cream in the glow of the television, you feel the bond that has formed quickly and effortlessly, thankful to have a friend and ally on your side.

Despite the budding friendship, Jimin remains a somewhat secretive person. You have learned that his upbringing was privileged and full of wealth, but his parents were not kind about his desire to chase his own dreams instead of taking over the family business, and they quickly cut him off when he went to school for contemporary dance. It took no time at all for Jimin to wind up houseless, using his beauty to sleep with wealthy men and women for a meal and a warm bed.

When Yoongi's mother found Jimin on the streets, she took him in with the promise of a better life, but how he came to replace her is unknown. How long Jimin spent on the streets, the kinds of things he saw in that time…all of those details, he hides behind a bright, practiced smile, only given away by the sadness that pours from his beautiful, round eyes.

"I see myself in you, dove," Jimin says often, usually accompanied by a side hug or a kiss on the cheek.

And at first, it made you feel strange. Jimin has come so far that maybe, you had originally thought, he sees you as a pet project; someone who needs to be fixed and turned into something beautiful. But now, you know that is not true. You know that Jimin sees persistence and survival; he sees someone imperfect but caring who just needs a little push to understand and figure things out, at times.

Everything he has, he gained with persistence and survival; nothing was handed to him. Yoongi and his men, and possibly Yoongi's mother, taught Jimin the skills he knows today, that make him who he is. None of them became this successful alone; all seven of them play a crucial role. Eight, now, with you.

You feel sentimental tonight when you lean against the bar cradling a glass of whiskey that you have been nursing for the last hour. Tomorrow, Yoongi returns home, and although it has not been voiced aloud, you can tell that the prospect has Jimin and Jeongguk in a better mood. You even spot Seokjin, Hoseok, and Taehyung coming in and out of Paradise, and they all seem chipper.

Jimin is done up with pink and silver stage makeup, with his eyes and lips bright and shining. He wears his standard black satin top tucked into tight, leather black jeans, and tonight, he has a thick black rhinestone choker around his neck.

Jeongguk, on the other hand, is pattern-clashing in a way that is both alluring and confusing. As standalone items, his silk, long-sleeve, plunging neckline leopard print shirt, and tight silver and blue floral lurex pants are solid choices. The shirt's neck falls nearly to his navel, showing beautiful topography of his chest—dips and hills of muscle and golden-tanned skin, accentuated by several mismatched gold necklaces; and the pants shine brightly in every light that dares grace his figure, drawing the eye to his muscular thighs and perky, round ass. But they look so strange and mismatched together, you cannot help but question what on earth he was thinking.

"You sure have a staring problem, tonight," Jeongguk chides as he walks by, sending an inviting wink that makes you laugh far too boisterously.

"Just trying to figure out what you have going on, here," you respond with an incredulous smirk. "Did you get dressed in the dark, Gguk?"

With a roll of his eyes, Jeongguk responds, "Both items are Dolce and Gabbana, but okay."

And, without missing a beat, you say, "Pretty sure Dolce and Gabbana also produce plain clothes that would match better than this. Your black satin shirts would look really good with those pants, and…well, anything else would look good with that shirt."

"I don't expect you to understand fashion," Jeongguk teases, raking his eyes over your form as he takes a step closer.

"Black, Jeongguk," you say, chin tilted high. "You have a closet full of black that would look phenomenal with both pieces."

With Jeongguk stepping into your personal space, that damned cologne hits you, and you begin to lose your composure. He really is suitable for smelling like a bouquet of wildflowers, especially with the spicy musk underneath; it is perfectly him.

"I don't expect someone in boring Vuitton rags to appreciate the nuance," Jeongguk teases, voice dropping lower as he towers before you.

"This dress costs as much as both that shirt and those pants combined," you bicker more quietly than before. The dress you wear tonight is certainly less flattering or flashy than what he wears—a Louis Vuitton brown and black knit mini dress with glitter thread mottling throughout. It has a square, rolled neckline and thin straps, but it hugs your curves nicely, falling mid-thigh. You raise your eyebrow to add, "Boss Min happens to like the way I look in Vuitton rags."

At the mention of Yoongi, Jeongguk softens, and you know you have won this round. Jeongguk scoffs, then slams back the rest of his drink, spinning on his shiny black leather boots before stomping off to where Hyejin and the dancers are congregated behind the main stage, going over something pertaining to the newly installed dance cages on either side of the bar, judging by how she points to them.

You watch as Jeongguk walks away, allowing your gaze to linger on how those gaudy, silver-blue pants shimmer when they hug his ass, thanking your lucky stars that his silly fashion sense has, at the very least, provided you with a good show.

When you turn back to the bar, you drink the rest of your whiskey and ask for another. The night is still young; the club has barely just opened and only a few patrons linger during the hours before the dancers take to the stages, but you have a feeling you are going to need to at least have a steady buzz to handle whatever bullshit Jeongguk is on.

Two hours into your night, you are proven correct during a very flirty conversation with Hyejin about the dance cages—about how she thinks you should make your Paradise debut in one, asking if you would ever let her handcuff you to the bars—when the bartender informs you that the boss would like to see you in his office.

Jimin seldom calls you to his office, but he is the only one who properly has one, so you head toward the back of the main room, past a security guard, and into a hallway that leads to Jimin's office, the dressing rooms for the dancers, and a meeting room that Hyejin and Jeongguk use when they need to.

As you make your way to the door, you can hear the sounds of dancers chattering and laughing coming down the hall, and you assume that Jeongguk must be giving them their nightly pep talk in one of the dressing rooms. You knock twice on the office door, then try the handle. To your surprise, when you enter, the room is empty.

Jimin has allowed you in his space alone plenty of times, so you make your way to have a seat in the leather armchair just in front of his desk. You decide to check your notifications while you wait and pull your phone from a small black purse that is slung over your shoulder.

The door opens and closes behind you, so you put the phone away before you have a chance to turn the screen on. And, instinctively, you stand to greet Jimin, surprised when you turn to find Jeongguk closing in, fast.

Before you have a chance to speak, Jeongguk has the armchair shoved away, caging you against Jimin's desk, leaning close and low with both of his hands gripping the wooden surface. You practically sit against the edge, doing your best to lean back and away from Jeongguk, but he is a persistent, towering presence, and he wastes no time dragging his lips over your neck, just below your ear, sending a rush of arousal tingling through you at the touch. The scent of his cologne has your senses simultaneously dulled and on high alert.

"Jeongguk," you gasp, attempting to twist away but finding you do not want him to stop. "We can't—"

"I know," Jeongguk responds, voice deep and silky, lips dipping lower, dragging across your throat and leaving only the faintest hint of a spit trail. "Just want to tease you a little; make you squirm."

"Why?" you breathe, leaning back to create more space.

When Jeongguk does not move, you lift your hands and press against his chest, attempting to push him back, but your palms slide on the silk shirt, and you wind up rubbing over his nipples, feeling metal under the drag of skin, causing Jeongguk to hiss as you gasp. Arousal builds and builds, and you squeeze your tights together, desperate to stave off the effect he has on you; you are, admittedly, touch-starved and somewhat feral.

"I know you feel it, too," Jeongguk practically groans, still leaning way too close, voice spoken beside your ear. "We have undeniable chemistry."

"Of course I feel it," you respond, closing your eyes in an attempt to get your bearings while your heart pounds dizzyingly fast.

Jeongguk asks, "Do you know how fucking hard it is to keep my hands off you?" in a tone that almost seems steeped in pain.

"Yes," you mutter softly, nodding shallowly. "I think I do."

With a sigh, Jeongguk finally takes a step back, but he stays close enough that you have to crane your neck; there is no room for you to stand away from the desk. The two of you stare at one another, and then Jeongguk scoffs and shakes his head.

"Seeing you around so much has been…god, you drive me insane."

You chuckle, though you feel somewhat awkward being faced with his admission. Although, truth be told, being in Jeongguk's proximity so much during the last few weeks has also made you want to see him more and more; you know that, once you return to your normal life, you will come to miss him a lot. Or, perhaps, you can continue spending time at Paradise; there is nothing saying you cannot.

"Last night, when I dropped you off," Jeongguk says, reaching up to gently cradle your chin in his hand, surprising you with his shift in demeanor, "were you crying?"

Although you glance away to respond, shyness rises, you nod slightly and say, "Yeah."

"Was it something I said?"

Quickly, you nod and return your gaze to Jeongguk, who looks genuinely concerned. "No. I was crying because I was missing Yoongi and Namjoon."

Jeongguk hums, drops his hand away, and takes a step back.

Suddenly, the silence feels heavy, and you struggle to identify his reaction. He very clearly knows your involvement with both men, so why tense up at the mention of them?

"What's the matter?" you ask, unwilling to let anything weird hang between you.

Jeongguk shrugs, but his eyes are on the floor, and it is clear that something is bothering him.

"Jeongguk," you insist.

He sighs, and, without looking at you, says, "It just sucks that when things become normal again with you guys…I just…it's been nice to see you here."

"Ah," you respond. And you get it; it has been great to be around here and see him, Jimin, and Hyejin regularly.

"But Yoongi will return and demand all your attention—" Jeongguk practically snarls, and you tut your tongue at him, staring incredulously as he balks at the interruption.

"Yoongi does not demand anything from me," you say, standing up straight now that there is some space between the two of you. You feel defensive, but you can understand where Jeongguk is coming from; you really have not had any independence since moving into the mansion, but part of that is not having any direction or much desire to venture out, finding comfort and safety behind the familiarity of those walls. "Honestly, I have been loving it here. It's nice to leave the house for no occasion and see other people. I consider Hyejin and Jimin friends, and it has been so great having friends again. I don't want to suddenly stop seeing them. Or you."

"Won't you have your hands full with both of your boyfriends?" Jeongguk teases, and you are glad to see his mood has at least somewhat lightened; his smile has returned, even if his gaze remains sad.

"Oh they definitely know how to keep my hands full," you respond with a wink, watching as Jeongguk's eyes and mouth widen comically. "But it is also nice having some space. Although I hate how all of this came about, I think taking a step back and allowing myself to really miss them and think about the many facets of our relationship has been important. I needed it."

"So I might actually see you from time to time?" Jeongguk asks, stepping close once more, seeming hopeful. It still amuses you when Jeongguk is all soft edges after so much time spent bickering with one another.

This time, you step in close and rub your palms over his chest, making sure to drag your hands over his pierced nipples, smiling when he shivers beneath your touch.

"We still have to finish what we started in Hong Kong," you say, voice dropped low and intentionally sultry. "I just haven't wanted to do anything without the others present…we haven't really discussed that, and I would feel too guilty leaving them out."

"I understand," Jeongguk responds, leaning into your touch and surprising you with a very soft, very chaste kiss on the lips before he mutters, "Taehyung will fucking kill me if we do anything without him."

Warmth floods your cheeks, and you drop your hands while taking a step back. Even after such a tiny taste, the urge to kiss Jeongguk is too great to stay in such close proximity.

"We're going to have an entire audience, huh?" you ask, feeling more turned on by the prospect than shy.

Jeongguk chuckles and says, "Sounds like we will."

It almost feels surreal to discuss the topic of you and Jeongguk having sex so openly. Although you have had enough whiskey to give you a steady buzz, you are still clear-headed enough to spiral just a little over the thought of his body, and having it all to yourself. That is, unless the others want to play, as well; you really have no idea what to expect, and you are not certain you would deny them if they wanted to.

As you search for a way to end this conversation and return to the main bar before someone begins to notice the two of you are missing, Jimin comes barging in with his brows knit. Although you have done nothing wrong, there is a split moment of panic over how this may look, with the two of you in Jimin's office alone.

But he simply glances between you and Jeongguk, huffs out a sigh, and says, "Oh, thank god. I was hoping to find you two in here."

"What's up?" Jeongguk asks, and you straighten out, worried that something may be wrong.

"One of the regulars came in piss drunk and started harassing Hyejin. He groped her ass and when she slapped him, he got in her face. Security was able to intervene, but I need you to take him out back and fuck him up. Let him know shit like that doesn't fly at Boss Min's lovely establishment."

Anger spikes heavily in your chest, and when Jimin turns to you and adds, "Dove, if you don't mind, I think she could use a friend," you nod, determined to do whatever it takes to make Hyejin feel safe.

"On it," you say, walking past the men, down the short hallway, and out into the bar.

Loud R&B music with a quick, enticing trap beat plays, and you stomp in your overpriced patent leather chelsea boots to the beat, storming into the main bar room like you own the joint and scanning the room for your girl.

Standing at the main bar with her arms pulled tightly over her chest, is Hyejin surrounded by dancers. As soon as you approach, a girl who goes by Lily backs up and opens her arm wide to welcome you into the space. Hyejin is shaking when you drape your arm around her, hugging it loosely across her chest.

"Hey, beautiful," you say, and she turns and melts into you, throwing her arms over your shoulders and letting out a deep sigh. "Want to go out back and have a smoke?"

Hyejin hugs you tight and shakes her head, and you rub your hands over her back, waiting for her response. The dancers begin trickling out, having to get ready to perform, leaving pats on your and Hyejin's backs and soft words of support and encouragement. Once there is more space for her to breathe, Hyejin stands up straight and lets out another deep breath.

She is not crying, though her eyes are red, and when she looks at you with a frown, you gently place your hands at her temples and thumb at the smudged mascara under her eyes before muttering, "Perfect," with a grin.

"I hate men," Hyejin says with a fake snarl, and you roll your eyes and nod dramatically, making her giggle.

"Wanna talk about it?" you ask, and Hyejin shakes her head and says, "No. I want to dance."

Sitting on the bar is a half-empty pint of something bright blue, and Hyejin chugs it back, then leaves the empty glass behind and takes your hand, dragging you to one of the dance cages. The floor of the cage is raised about three feet from the ground and is a glowing octagon of rainbow color. Hyejin, wearing only a black satin bodysuit with lace trim and black stiletto heels, walks around to the back of the cage, closest to the nearby wall, and opens a door that blends in with the bars, then she takes a step up and hoists herself onto the platform.

You follow behind and step up and into the cage, moving to the other side of the space to allow Hyejin to close the door. Although you are no stranger to dancing in sight of others, being in an elevated cage has your nerves spiked, and you wish you had taken a shot or three at the bar before agreeing to follow her.

Hyejin wastes no time closing in on you with her fists around bars on either side of your head, and she holds on as she drops her hips low and swishes back up, all the while keeping her eyes on you. You sway to the beat with slower movements than the ones you watch Hyejin make, feeling entranced by her beauty and struggling to actually move the way she does.

"Are you shy?" she asks with a raise of her eyebrow, and you chuckle, letting go of some of your anxiety while you nod and mutter, "A little."

Hyejin spins with her arms still lifted, and wraps them over your shoulders, then dips down again, rubbing her ass against your thighs before standing up straight. You realize too late that you are frozen in place with your arms somewhat bent, like a Barbie doll, and Hyejin turns and immediately starts to laugh, bending and flinging her hair in front of her face.

"I'm not apologizing for who I am," you whine as you join her in laughing, feeling embarrassed by your inability to act like a normal person around her.

"I would never dream of asking you to," Hyejin says as she leans back against the bars across from you, swaying her hips with an amused grin. "But it is very cute how flustered you get."

You roll your eyes and smile, glad to at least be considered cute. Flirting and being flirted with is hardly an issue, and you would probably relax more around her if things were not so uncertain at the moment, in your love life. You are sure Yoongi and Namjoon would not mind, but it is a conversation you would like to have before you allow yourself to get carried away.

Or, perhaps, there is nothing to allow. Probably, there is no way in which things could get carried away, but you are once again spiraling because Jeongguk has gotten under your skin. With a deep inhale, you remind yourself that Hyejin is likely just being friendly and that you are allowed to relax and have fun with her.

So have fun, you do. The song changes to something with more of a club beat, and Hyejin begins to pump her hands in front of her chest while shaking her ass in overexaggerated movements, gyrating in a chaotic circle. With your hands pulled over your head, you begin doing some wiggle-shake move creating waves all the way down to your legs, laughing as Hyejin throws her hands over her head in an attempt to do the same.

"What do you call this one?" She shouts over the music, and you shake your head and say, "I don't know! The overcooked noodle?"

Hyejin practically throws her body against yours with laughter, and you trip backward, catching yourself with a hand on one of the bars to lessen your collision. There are definitely patrons behind you who have a view of whatever it is the two of you are doing, and you try not to feel too embarrassed.

"Yah," Jeongguk calls, making you attempt to turn around, trapped in place by a hysterical Hyejin. He rounds the platform enough to come into view and grabs onto two of the bars as he teasingly says, "You girls are gonna scare away the customers."

You raise one hand toward him as if threatening to strike him, shouting, "Oh, shut u—" but the word dies as soon as your eyes fall to Jeongguk's knuckles, which are scraped and bloodied.

"Jeongguk, what the fuck?" you ask, reaching for the nearest hand, which he slides away.

Hyejin stands alert, then squats to be at eye-level with Jeongguk, and you fully turn, checking to make sure he has no other cuts or bruises, glad that he seems otherwise perfectly fine.

"Relax," Jeongguk grumbles, tonguing the inside of his mouth while he cracks the knuckles of one fist against his palm, then switches to the other side. "This is nothing; scuff marks. That guy didn't land a single punch before he was lights out."

You sigh but accept that there is nothing you would be able to do to convince Jeongguk not to fuck someone up. It is, after all, something he has likely been trained to do and is celebrated for within the ranks of the family. Still, you hate to see his pretty hands bloodied.

"Well, you know I don't condone violence," Hyejin says, reaching her hands between two bars, smiling when Jeongguk steps closer and allows her to grab onto his wrists. "But I really appreciate you sticking up for me."

"Of course," Jeongguk grumbles, smiling the soft smile that he does when he is attempting to hide the sweetness that festers inside him, threatening to burst. Cute.

With a sigh, Hyejin lifts the wrist that Jeongguk wears his watch on, yanking it close while tilting her head to get a look. "I should go tend to the girls," she grumbles, releasing Jeongguk and standing to give you a kiss on the cheek.

You follow Hyejin's movements, watching which bars are part of the door, nervous that they blend in well enough and that you could be trapped in this cage for the rest of eternity, then you turn back to Jeongguk, who has two hands on two bars, and is staring up at you.

"So," he says, stretching himself tall to speak to you, arching his back and tipping his chin upward. "I was wondering…"

Since you are already in the cage, and Jeongguk had already been a menace to your health and well-being earlier, you decide to take a page out of Hyejin's book and swish your body in an inviting wave as you squat, dragging your hands down the bars but keeping them lifted above your head.

Jeongguk visibly swallows, losing what he was just in the process of saying, and you watch as his eyes trail to where your short skirt hugs your thighs, undoubtedly giving him a view of the black panties you wear underneath. And although you do not mind letting Jeongguk sneak a peek, you are glad that the lights are fairly dim in the club.

"What was that?" you ask, tilting your head to the side and giving a look that feigns innocence.

The expression on Jeongguk's face flashes comically from needy to pained to frustrated, and he huffs out a sigh, shaking his head as if trying to rattle his thoughts free.

"What I was going to say before you so rudely interrupted me, is that we should have dinner soon."

Jeongguk's offer takes a moment to compute, and you stare at him, heavy-blinking, trying to determine whether he is asking you on a date, or if we means more than just the two of you.

"We, as in…"

"You, me, and our men."

"Ah," you respond; that makes sense. "Yeah, we should. That would be fun."

Jeongguk nods, letting his gaze fall once more to your legs before drifting slowly back to your face. "I'll talk to Taehyungah. Perhaps he can host, and I'll cook."

With an incredulous raise of your brow you ask, "Oh, you cook?" in a mocking tone of sheer disbelief.

Jeongguk reaches up and holds his hands over yours, gripping firmly while he leans in, head between the bars and close. From here, you smell his cologne; from here you resist the urge to lean in close and kiss him.

"I happen to be an excellent cook, dollface."

"Is that so?" you ask, voice much less confident than a moment ago.

"That is so," Jeongguk says, then he leans in somehow even closer, making your head spin. "So, it's a date?"

"Yeah," you respond, feeling your heart go wild behind your ribs. "It's a date."

What you did to me made me see the world differently Mis lágrimas se secan solos, solos Pues mírame a los ojos Dime si ves el vacío que deja amor perdido Yo no duermo hasta que mis sueño' están cumplidos Sé que estoy perdiendo, pero el juеgo no ha concluido

🎵 visit the playlist

ahhhh!!! how are we feeling??? i presonally really love this chapter. the next one containing the promised smut™ is coming very, very soon!!!! i promise. i was sad to leave Yoongi out of this chapter, and it was not my intention to have a full chapter without him, but it made sense to split the mega chapter this way, and it felt wrong to rush him back without mc taking time to sort her thoughts out and attempt to gain some independence.

thank you for reading!!! 💜💜💜 reblogs and comments make the world go 'round, and likes are nice too!!!

tag list: @acquiescence804 @afangirllikeme-blog @annacroft23114 @angel-121 @artgukk @btsiguess-kpop @bts-ficreviews @che-er-ful @codeinebelle @curryshesus @dasexydevitt13 @giriiboyy @fakedanger @fringe-frank @illnevertrustmyselfagain @jalexad @juju-227592 @kissme-ornot @leanimal90 @likeshatteredrainbowglass @m1sss1mp @mayeolorie @mgthecat @mushroom-main @mwitsmejk @openup-yourmind @pamzn @sleepilysworld @stocking221 @spookyminyunki @thelilbutifulthings @valhallawhispers @xyahrinx 🗡️ comment or dm to be added!

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#yoongi mafia #yoongi x reader #namjoon mafia #namjoon x reader #jungkook mafia #jungkook x reader #yoongi smut #namjoon smut #bts smut #bts angst #bts mafia #bts poly #namgi smut #fic: collateral #Spotify

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bangtanwritershq · 1 year ago

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BangtanWritersHQ Presents: “Golden Works of Art" Masterlist

For November 2023, we assembled a masterlist collection of fics to showcase the number 7 for Bangtan and Jeon Jungkook, and the release of Golden, Jungkook’s first album! There are many different AUs, genres, and pairings featured! So, if you're in the mood for all things SEVEN & GOLDEN, this masterlist is for you! Note: All fics are OVER 7k in length, and many feature Jungkook as their focal point but are not limited to being Jungkook-centric

Browse at your leisure and ENJOY!

KEY:

🔞 - nsfw (mature themes) ✅ - sfw (no warnings) 💖 - smut ⚠️ - other warnings

SET UP - emojis: Title (if link is to another platform) | Author [parts] pairings, genre/aus, rating, word count

🔞💖⚠️ Promises, Promises (Ao3) | @downbad4yoongi [1/1] Pairing: Jimin x Jeongguk AU Type: Mail Order Husband, S2L | fluff, angst, mild smut Rating: MA WC: 11,280

🔞💖⚠️ Make You Mine | @colormepurplex2 [2/2] Pairing: Alpha!Jungkook x Omega!f.Reader AU Type: A/B/O, E2L | angst, smut Rating: MA WC: 11,231

🔞💖⚠️ Lights, Camera, Action | @colormepurplex2 [3/3] Pairing: Actor!Jungkook x Artist!Reader (ft. Director!Namjoon x Artist!Reader) AU Type: Poly/3way Relationship, Coworkers/Strangers to Lovers | smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 22,484

🔞💖⚠️ Slow and Steady | @yoonia [1/1] Pairing: Jungkook x female reader/Jungkook x female OC AU Type: Art | smut, angst Rating: MA WC: 7,137

🔞💖⚠️ Mirrors: What Becomes of Us | @yoonia [1/1] Pairing: Jungkook x f.Reader AU Type: Friends w/Benefits to Lovers | smut, angst Rating: MA WC: 8,454

🔞💖⚠️ In Motion | @yoonia [14/14] Pairing: Jungkook x f.Reader AU Type: Sex Club | smut Rating: MA WC: 175,587

🔞💖⚠️ Song of You | @bethschamberoftales [1/1] Pairing: Jungkook x Reader AU Type: 1930-40s Romance | smut, angst, fluff Rating: MA WC: 8k

🔞💖⚠️ Let Me Heal You | @bethschamberoftales [1/1] Pairing: ex!bf Jungkook x reader x lawyer! Taehyung AU Type: Coming of Age, Infidelity, Crime, Thriller | angst, smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 26k

🔞💖⚠️ I Put A Spell On You | @colormepurplex2 [2/2] Pairing: Demon!Jimin x Witch!f.Reader x Vampire!Jungkook AU Type: Demon/Witch/Vampire Halloween | angst, smut Rating: MA WC: 9,257

🔞💖⚠️ Chasing Shadows | @colormepurplex2 [4/4] Pairing: Sherlock!Jungkook x Journalist!f.Reader AU Type: Modern Day Sherlock Holmes | angst, smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 21,511

🔞💖⚠️ Flowers of Fate | @colormepurplex2 [4/4] Pairing: UnseeliePrince!Yoongi x Human!f.Reader (ft. x UnseelieGuard!Jungkook x SeeliePrince!Jimin x WoodNymph!Namjoon) AU Type: Strangers to Bonded Mates | angst, smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 56,072

🔞💖⚠️ On Wings of Mist & Memories | @colormepurplex2 [3/3] Pairing: DragonRider!Jungkook x FieldScribe!f.Reader AU Type: Enemies to Lovers, Exiled Royalty, Fantasy | angst, smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 39,753

🔞💖⚠️ Seeds | @downbad4yoongi [1/1] Pairing: Persephone!Yoongi x Hades!Hoseok AU Type: Modern Greek Mythology, Strangers to Lovers, Mafia | angst, smut Rating: MA WC: 7,902

🔞💖⚠️ Lifeline | @downbad4yoongi [1/1] Pairing: Namjoon x Reader AU Type: First Responder | smut, light fluff Rating: MA WC: 7,157

🔞💖⚠️ The Agile Fox | @yoonia [1/1] Pairing: Jungkook x OC (named female character) x Yoongi AU Type: Shifters, Werewolf | fluff, angst, smut Rating: MA WC: 51,966

🔞💖⚠️ Bad For You | @yoonia [1/1] Pairing: Jungkook x f.Reader AU Type: Stripper | smut, angst Rating: MA WC: 11,340

🔞💖⚠️ To All The Men I’ve Fucked Before | @hisunshiine [1/1] Pairing: Jungkook x Reader AU Type: tatbilb!au fake dating!au | angst, smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 30,586

🔞💖 Laundry Love | @hisunshiine [1/1] Pairing: Jungkook x Reader AU Type: s2l, non-idol au | smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 9,983

🔞💖⚠️ Bangtan Scouts | @hisunshiine [20/20] Pairing: Jungkook x Reader AU Type: sailor moon au | angst, smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 48,937

🔞💖⚠️ College Nights, Diner Fights | @hisunshiine [1/1] Pairing: Jungkook x Reader AU Type: e2l, diner au, college au | angst, smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 9,841

🔞💖⚠️ Seven Days | @hisunshiine [7/7] Pairing: Jungkook x Reader AU Type: f2l au, fwb au | angst, smut, fluff Rating: MA WC: 34,607

All stories copywritten of the specified author. The authors provided consent for their stories to the network to be shared by submitting their stories. Stories posted in the order of submission to the event.

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piedpiperslists · 1 year ago

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Jungkook One Shots (LXII)

* s - contains smut

The Quest to Bedding the Lead Singer of Frontman by @kpopfanfictrash s wc~9.5k / punk!Jungkook, strangers to lovers Summary: Frontman is your favorite band in the world and honestly, the only reason you waited this long in line is to stand at the front for a shot with the lead singer. Enter sexy sound boy, who just won’t leave you alone.

Liars and Fire by @kpopfanfictrash s wc~3.1k / ex-husband au Summary: It’s been nearly a year since your divorce was finalized. Why, then, do you still find yourself falling into bed with your ex?

Friendly Fire by @kpopfanfictrash s wc~10.4k / ft JHS, friends to lovers Summary: The dynamic: Hoseok; your friend and previous fuck buddy. Jungkook; Hoseok’s roommate and subject of your massive crush. The scene: determined not to drunk-gush about your crush any more (to his face), you decide to seclude yourself from all campus parties. Until, of course, Hoseok guilts you into a favor. Things spiral from there.

All’s Fair by @kimvtae s wc~13k / ft KTH, boyfriend!Taehyung, college au, polyamory au, soulmates au Summary: They say soul mates get their marks on the same day, and you’ve been dating Taehyung for almost four years now, but it isn’t his name that shows up on your wrist. It’s Jeon Jungkook’s, also known as your least favorite person in the world.

Dangerous by @kimvtae s wc~5.7k / established relationship, PWP Summary: Control is all about trust.

Young Spy by @jeonstudios wc~11.6k / spy!Jungkook, mafia au Summary: Three down, many to go as bad men are meeting their deaths tonight. The brown-haired one, who’s next in line, has given up his fight. Will you make it in time?

Dear Stranger by @jeonstudios wc~3k / ex-firefighter!Jungkook, strangers au Summary: Lucky you, getting stuck in an elevator, your worst nightmare come to life. Lucky you, getting stuck with a stranger.

Love You, Crazy by @jeonstudios s wc~3.1k / established relationship Summary: “I wish you would write a fic where jungkook wants to get off but you’re not available (for whatever reason) and he gets off by himself.” Or, you’re at a party with a coworker who has the hots for your boyfriend. Jeongguk decides to put an end to her comments once and for all, and he does it through… facetime?

All I Want by @chimoona s wc~4.7k / ft KTH, friends au, PWP Summary: It’s a Christmas miracle you caught Jungkook and Taehyung crossing paths under the mistletoe. Tis the season for generosity, and being the bearers of good tidings, how could they ever deny your request to watch?

Falling by @starshapedkookie s wc~31.4k / college au, soulmates au Summary: soulmate (noun): a person who is bound to another through the strongest level of emotional and physical connection. one is given a name on the body upon 18 years of age and any transgressions against the laws of soul-bonding will not occur without harm.

#jjk list #jungkook oneshot

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clumsy-jiminie · 1 year ago

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✨ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀ ʟɪꜱᴛ ✨

✧ before you indulge ✧

- minors do not interact with this blog. my stories/reblogs will include mature themes including but not limited to: mature language, depictions of mental distress, vivid descriptions of sexual content, depictions of violence, and alcohol/drug consumption. each post will include a warning list before reading. if you feel I missed anything, you can shoot me a message. - I switch off between named oc’s and second pov y/n’s pretty often. pick your poison. - my updates are sporadic unless stated otherwise. - my inbox is always open. 💕

✧ key ✧

🔞 - mature content ☁️ - fluff 🥀 - angst 😈 - smut (os) - one shot | (s) - series | (d) - drabble | (ds) - drabble series

✧ fic recommendations ✧

✦ kim namjoon ✦

↣ just a neighbor | (os) | 😈

◦ neighbor!namjoon x fem!reader ◦ summary :: you get some help from your generous neighbor. ◦ themes :: hookup culture, cheating

↣ to hold a flame | (s) | 🔞☁️😈

◦ demon!namjoon x fem!mc ◦ summary :: tba ◦ themes :: hurt comfort, fated mates ◦ status :: coming soon 🕯️

✦ kim seokjin ✦

↣ little white lie | (d) | ☁️ (coming soon)

◦ kim seokjin x fem!reader ◦ summary :: tbh ◦ themes :: instalove

✦ min yoongi ✦

↣ twice the fun | (os) | 😈

◦ jung hoseok x fem!reader x min yoongi ◦ summary :: your regular hookup has a surprise for you. ◦ themes :: hookup culture, threesome, mfm

✦ jung hoseok ✦

↣ twice the fun | (os) | 😈

◦ jung hoseok x fem!reader x min yoongi ◦ summary :: your regular hookup has a surprise for you. ◦ themes :: hookup culture, threesome, mfm

✦ park jimin ✦

↣ ghost | (d) | 🥀

◦ park jimin x fem!reader ◦ summary :: you haunt jimin's dreams at night. ◦ themes :: two ships passing in the wind, star-crossed lovers

↣ inevitably yours | (s) | 🥀😈☁️

◦ park jimin x fem!mc ◦ summary :: the line between love and hate is thin after all. ◦ themes :: enemies to lovers, slow burn ◦ status :: coming soon 🕯️

✦ kim taehyung ✦

↣ the eros pact | (ds) | 😈🥀☁️

◦ kim taehyung x fem!reader ◦ summary :: you ask your best friend for some serious help. ◦ themes :: hookup culture, roommates, friends to lovers ◦ status :: completed ✔️

✦ jeon jeongguk ✦

↣ broken codes | (s) | 🔞🥀😈☁️

◦ mafia!jeon jeongguk x mafia!fem!reader ◦ summary :: where an arrogant decision sets a path to destruction. ◦ themes :: mafia au, stockholm syndrome ◦ status :: coming soon 🕯️ (currently being rewritten)

#bts fanfics #bts one shots #masterlist

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softieyn · 1 year ago

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💜💜💜

Before I Leave You (Pt.60)

(Omegaverse au, Mafia au, Bts x Reader)

Summary: Life changes come in many many forms; courting gifts, leaving jobs, and...Murder

Tags: Slow burn getting warmer, Angst, fluff, hurt/comfort, Trans! Tae, Transphobia, gender thoughts, workplace discrimination, flashbacks, murder, the word 'r*pe' is used to describe what Geumjae did to her but there are no graphic depictions of it, allusions to physical abuse, graphic violence, there is a brief moment where someone not in the pack touches the m/c's ass without her consent, blood, briefly implied suicidal actions- but it's nothing like what you haven't seen before.

W/c: 12.6k

A/n: i'll be attending my cousin's wedding at the time this is posted so! give me lots of love when you read it cuz i'm so nervous~ i've never been around so many fancy people before <3

Previous part ~ Masterlist

You dab at the skin under your eyes carefully. You know they must look red and puffy. Tae’s careful instruction to treat your skin well as all good baby pups should has somehow stuck.

Even here. Even now.

“Do people like always loose it with you? Like when they walk in, do they all cry?”

Your therapist (yes, your therapist) across the narrow room is the opposite of threatening; soft face, pulled back hair, neutral clothing that might just as well be out of a country living catalog.

You don’t know where Jin found her, what little medical booklet he perused like a take-out menu, or how much her services cost per hour. Those kinds of details were not for delicate little pups like yourself to worry over in his opinion.

Most of the time, you're glad not to have to worry about things like this. But right now you're chomping at the bit. Weighting your odds. The other unknowns hover before you. One sticks out. One you're most concerned about.

Is she trustworthy?

Nothing about Dr. Rima seems outwardly threatening, yet you curl in on yourself. She smiles, scrawling something on the top of her notepad before she answers, and something taught in you ticks tighter.

“You’re correct in assuming that most people I meet cry in the first few minutes when they meet me, but you are the first person to cry on my threshold. Most of the time people wait until they’re at least in the chair.”

That has a smile tugging at your lips, albeit unwillingly. Your smile is like a leashed wild animal, with too many teeth when you feel threatened. Contained for now.

If you got up and walked out right now, would she call someone to restrain you? Will you be committed if you tell the truth? Or are you just misinterpreting the stakes?

You are here of your own volition. Even if it was a condition that Jin and Namjoon weren't willing to budge on after the events of last week. It's not like the pack is having you put in a mental institution or something, although they did come with you today. For moral support.

The waiting room was stuffy and yellow, one of those little waterfall mirrors in the corner that you’d watched in a fog sat between Yoongi and Jimin while Jin filled out the necessary paperwork. His pen hovering over the small boxes every few seconds. He'd taken the afternoon off of work to make sure he was there, just to fill out paperwork.

Are you on any medications? Do you have a history with substance abuse disorders? Do you have any intent to harm yourself or others?

Sending glares to anyone who dared to come too close, Jimin had looked and smelled threatening. You're not sure he’d have let you go into an isolated location with her if she’d been an alpha. Jin too had looked close to snapping.

yoongi was the only one who looked somewhat calm, althoug his hand was tightly laced with yours (and a little sweaty)

It’s a wonder that the rest of your pack had agreed to stay home for this. This was just one of several concessions you’d made after what the pack has politely begun referring to as 'sad pup time' during your more vulnerable moments, and blatantly 'your breakdown' during less fragile ones.

But sweet words or not. The facts remain; You are here in this chair after a nearly tearful departure.

You’d met the therapist in the doorway, shaking in your boots, and upon being separated from your pack with the promise that they’d be just downstairs in the lobby, you’d followed her inside.

Yoongi had made a noise in his throat, making you turn back. Dr.Rima turned to watch as he’d pulled you in for a last-minute hug, ducking down to your level. “One hour, okay? We’ll be just downstairs. Text me if you need me.”

His eyes were heavy-looking at the stranger. Unwilling to let you go just yet. A little stalwart, a little standoffish.

“Take good care of her please. She’s very precious to us.”

Precious.

That much was evident by the nearly three-page document that both your pack alpha and omega sent through once Namjoon and Jin had selected Dr. Rima as your therapist. Dr. Rima has quite a bit of experience dealing with overprotective pack alphas and pack omegas. Let alone a pack alpha and pack omega who have such a clinical background.

Yes, you must be well taken care of. At least on paper.

She’s already itching a little, to get her hands on all the others. Packmates and their names are written out, as a part of all intake files. Large packs aren't so common anymore. Her eyes fix on one name; Min Yoongi (beta, mate) unemployed.

The big windows help it feel not so small, on the second floor, the trees block out most of the view of the park below. A small voice that sounds like Hobi whispers that it’s a shame she doesn’t have any plants in here, they'd do so well with all of this natural light.

Your knees clack together a little, moving listlessly, the anxiety in your body begging to be released somewhere.

“I don’t know where to start.”

“Why don’t we start with why you wanted to come in today.”

You avoid her eye contact, looking instead at the tops of the trees, you don’t know why they haven’t changed color yet, all of the trees on your street are half bare already. She has a smooth inoffensive scent, but you’re mated to a beta so you know what to expect when it comes to the relaxing effects, the subtle haze at the edge of your vision. It must come in handy, having the biological upper hand, when it comes to patients in distress.

If therapists are rare, beta therapists must be even rarer.

You can practically hear Jin, “Nothing but the best for my pup.” There is a part of your brain that won’t ever turn off, appraising everything around you. The designer pumps that she wears. The knickknacks on her desks, there are no photos of any packs that she might call her own, just a pink calendar in the corner.

Your breath goes just a little bit rapid, just a little, hitching when you think of it.

“Did Jin tell you anything?”

“He didn’t. Although my secretary did inform me that he filled out the paperwork for you.” The air in the therapist’s office is cold. Cold enough that it has you wrapping your sweater sleeves over your knuckles.

Your cheeks heat “My pack they- get a bit- protective.” Your fingers circle your wrist. You’re glad that Hobi convinced you to take one of his sweatshirts. He'd had a strange look on his face while he zipped it up, and you'd had to worry and wonder about it the whole morning. You'd worried more once he texted, just after he must have gotten to work.

“I have kind of a history of self-destructive behavior and I- I kind fell into bad habits a few days ago and blew up. It was all kind of triggered by this like- thing that happened with me and my other packmate.” It’s surprisingly easy to tell the truth.

You’re a right side better than you have been the last few weeks, now. A little bit more present, less foggy. The doctor just looks at her screen and not at you. What is it with her asking questions that make you not want to lie? Why does it feel like you should anyway?

Dr. Rima reads between the lines, what you're trying to say without saying it. “Is there a possibility of you hurting yourself again?” She clicks at the screen a little rapidly.

“No.”

The truth is you have no idea. It seems best to lie in this situation. But you consider it; one of your packmates making the call that you are too much to handle, that you need more help than they can offer. You imagine what it would be like to be in inpatient care. Grippy socks and group therapy and probably observed mealtimes. Maybe Iv's and feeding tubes if it came to that. Away from the pack and away from Yoongi.

He’s just downstairs, but that feels too far. There was no way that he was going to let you do this alone, you wouldn't be surprised if he never left the waiting room.

It’s just a therapy session. The very thing that you once refused. But now that you're here you might as well heal, you might as well work to stop this endless train of brief highs and endless lows. you'll give it a go, why not? What do you have to lose?

And yet, the texts from Hobi remain unanswered:

Ho-🐝 (9:48): Hey, I’m really proud of you.

Ho-🐝 (9:48): I’m really happy I get to be your packmate. In case you ever worry.

Ho-🐝 (9:49): And your best friend too <3

Ho-🐝 (9:51): Just so you knowwww

The pack has kept you substantially plied with little solutions since your breakdown last week. They haven’t let you rot like usual. They’ve kept your days full of little activities; nothing too extravagant or tiring. Letting you rest when you need to and encouraging you to get outside of your comfort zone when it’s clear you’re giving in.

It comes down to that more often than not; giving in or not giving in.

Not giving in looks like trips back to the beach with Hobi. Like going to the salon with Tae and shopping with Jimin. Or another workout class with Jungkook where you’d spent more of the time lounging on the yoga mat than actually moving your body. But you'd still tenuously agreed to sign up for more classes under the encouragement of Wonho and Jungkook.

And now twice a week, you’ve got a mat to call your own during any classes, in the back, if you decide you want it. Your callender hasn't felt so full in years, it feels strange, to have something to do during the weeks that isn't just scraping the bottom of the barrel and doing house chores. Strange in a good way.

Not all of the pack's solutions aren’t silly but sometimes, silly is a good way to push out the dark.

The morning after your breakdown; you'd watched your pack work, fighting back a flush. Sitting at the kitchen bar stool while Yoongi applied painter’s tape to the floor, not intent on keeping back paint this time, but marking it off for you.

You’re a little bit more determined this morning although your first night without nightmares in a little over a month had kept you in higher spirits. You feel more well-rested than you have in ages.

“You don’t need to- I promise- I’m not going-“ but your requests had fallen on deaf ears. Worry building until Jungkook stood up fast grinning up at you, pupils wide brown pools from getting scented stupid this morning.

(Scented stupid, you'd been scented by the pack too, had struggled a little against it, too shy as Namjoon dragged his throat along yours, squirming until yoongi held you down a little, checking with you each few seconds that you wanted that, that your squirming was really just needing to feel a firm touch, a dominant one.

You will go nowhere until your pack have had their right to you, scenting you up, making your scent gland tender and swollen under their teeths and tongues.

It felt so much better to be made to handle it, each of the pack, even hobi, hovering over you to scent you with their wrists and throats. until you smelled so claimed by them that you couldn't breathe without smelling it- Pack.

Jungkook had pouted until he'd gotten the same treatment, although the omegaspace haze had lasted longer on him than it had on you.

He stands up so fast that his hair fluffs. Catching himself on your leg with a giggle before he topples over. grinning up at you before pressing a sleepy sloppy kiss to your knee and then another to your lips,

“No pup zone!" Omega Space Jungkook can get a little bit ridiculous even at the best of times. He's got a case of the morning omegaspace zoomies as he giggles and nips at your nose. You playfully push at his chest. He doesn't budge.

"Your whole face is a no-pup zone." The dissatisfied pur-chirp he'd let out had sounded half hurt, half encouraged.

Namjoon had eased your discomfort. Pulling you from the stool to lean back against his chest, fingers drumming out a rhythm on your legs as Jungkook huffes into your throat.

Having this failsafe- this rule, does not mean that they think you’re going to fail, these are guard rails to keep you on track. Namjoon looks down at you, his full bottom lip tucked a little, not a pout but close. “This is the easiest solution, if you don’t go near it then maybe, maybe it helps.”

His fingers drum against your skin again, and you lean back into him. Uneasy but willing to let him soothe you.

So yes, you’ve been banned from the kitchen, banned from crossing that line that runs from the edge of the coffee stand and just in front of Tae's library room, to the island and over to the fridge. Unless there is someone else close by. You are not allowed here without supervision.

It’s a simple solution, limiting you from the place that you use to hurt yourself. Never mind the fact that there are dozens if not hundreds of other possible avenues you could use. Your creativity knows no bounds when it comes to pain, but you quiet that part of yourself when the desire for hurt gets loud.

You can’t say it hasn’t helped. But then again, the pack has kept you so busy since your breakdown that you haven't had any time to think of hurting yourself let alone put any plans into action.

Across from you, Dr. Rima waits expectantly.

"It was kind of triggered by this thing that happened."

The tip of her pen bobs a little as she writes. “Could you describe the event to me? Or is that something you're not ready to talk about?" You nod and she waits patiently. It takes you a breath to answer.

“A little less than a month ago one of my packmates and I found a dead body."

You feel a little vindicated at her inhale of breath. Wide eyes that say yes- that is something traumatic, yes, it's fair that it kinda triggered you into a more fragile state.

"It dredged up a lot of feelings about my past. Before that, I was kind of starting to feel s-safe which I haven't like, ever been able to feel."

“And your packmate?"

There is new treacherous wetness balancing on your waterline. “Hobi’s a lot stronger than me, his past and mine are really similar but he just- handles his better. A lot of the time it feels like I learn from him even though he’d tell you the opposite is true. He’s my best friend." Your voice goes quiet, "I love my mate more than I love anyone else, but sometimes- Hobi just- gets me you know?" You go a little misty-eyed. Hands tightening on Hobi's sweatshirt.

“Yet he’s not the one sitting in my chair right now.”

You close your eyes, "he's not."

“For what it’s worth- you can have more than one best friend.” Dr. Rima writes as quickly as she can, taking it down. “How long have you been romantically involved with him? Who came first, your mate or him?”

You jolt forward, “Oh no- we’re not- Hobi and I aren't-" You take a deep breath to clarify. "Everyone else in the pack is together but Hobi and I are just friends. We all have our like… little units?”

"Primary partners." Dr. Rima offers.

"Yeah, that." But even that doesn't really cover it, because while Jin and Namjoon are JinandNamjoon and Jimin and Tae are JiminandTae. Jungkook is everyone's problem (in the best of ways) and you and Tae are something else too. The pack's girls the rest of them would say.

(You and Hobi are, well, YouandHobi.)

It sounds weird to say it once it comes out of your mouth. It makes an odd choked feeling lodge in your throat. Too much hope and too much shame for hoping blooming in your chest.

“I don’t know if I want to talk about him.”

She folds her hands over her knees, setting her pen down. Dr. Rima has chubby hands, disproportionate to her body. They look like they'd be soft.

She reminds you of your mom a little bit.

“That’s okay, we can talk about whatever you want. What you want and need is going to be the focus of our sessions. You’re the pilot here. I’m just here to help you interpret your thoughts and feelings.”

She folds her hands over themselves, setting her pen aside, “Why don’t we talk about the last time you remember feeling safe.”

"Physically or mentally?"

"Either, you can choose."

The rest of the session passes frightfully quickly. You can’t say that you don’t cry again. When you finally talk about Geumjae, her smile quickly dissipates. You talk and talk and talk until your throat is raw. Until you’ve depleted the whole box of her tissues. She shows you she's got more hidden under her desk when you apologize, her secret stash gets a laugh out of you.

“The fact that your pack omega filled out your paperwork isn’t the most unusual, but his preference for daily meetings or every other day is a little bit on the nose for a pack omega, I’m wondering if you share his preference.”

“He’s just overprotective.” She eyes you like Jin has good reason to be. You don’t blush this time, a little more comfortable with Dr. Rima than you were at the beginning of this. “I think maybe more than once a week but not every day.”

“How does Monday- Friday sound?”

~-~

When you walk to the door with Dr. Rima Yoongi stands abruptly from his chair.

You can tell by the shiny edge to his to his scent that he doesn't want to stay here any longer than necessary. He gets the information about your next appointment and then tugs you out the door.

Jins got his legs crossed, fancy leather shoes glinting in the sunlight by the windows. The lobby is buzzing with people coming and going. This building isn't just a therapy office but a collection of other businesses with a few shops and restaurants on the ground floor as well. He looks up and double-takes when he spots you, not standing from his chair, but he opens his arms and you fold yourself along his side, conscious of the other eyes but this.

This you need.

You press your face along the column of Jin's neck, breathing his cream scent in deep.

“Oh pup.”

Your red-rimmed eyes are too obvious and you sniffle wetly, “It was okay, I like Dr. Rima.” He laces your hands together and resists the urge to pester you with questions. Yoongi's hand is still tangled in the hood of your (Hobi's) sweatshirt. Your therapy sessions should be yours and only yours. Yoongi and Jin do not have Dr. patient confidentiality.

And yet the need to know if that helped burns through them. They won't have to wonder for long.

By the coffee stand, Jimin waves and he returns to you when the barista hands over a bag of sweets and a quad of cups. Jin continues scrawling something out for another second before he’s standing and pulling you in for another chaste scent mark.

“Let’s go home.” It's somewhere between an order and a request. But no one disobeys.

On the drive back (37 minutes total) you're a little quiet. You let the sounds of the others be your buffer. You look down at your phone and stare at Hobi’s texts. You respond with just a little heart emoji when you finally still can’t figure out a good response and you're close to home.

Home is its usual conflagration of moving bits and pieces. Each of your packmates is like a shiny cog in a pretty clock, tick tick tick tocking along. Tae and Namjoon are at the table looking through some of the pack’s bills, the pastries and coffee cups litter the table with little piles of powdered sugar and cinnamon. jimin bought enough for the whole pack.

You look at them a little too long, although not because you don't want to eat them. It’s been a while, a few weeks since you’ve made something like that, but every single one of the pastries is something you know how to make. You don’t know why you keep looking at them.

Tae smiles at you, still in the doorway. and it makes you feel a little less like you want to burst into tears. Her voice speaks of the quiet time you have in the library (the tenderness of having someone else do your makeup, another person combing your hair). You hope you'll get some dedicated one-on-one time with her soon.

"Hey little lovely, How was it?"

"She put me through the wringer but I think she got some suds out."

She and Namjoon giggle and you smile small. and you can tell that Namjoon wants to ask you more but he doesn't after a pointed look from your mate. There are footsteps in the hall and before you can move to take off your shoes Hobi is standing in the archway.

Yoongi efficiently strips you of Hobi's sweatshirt with a frustrated huff. It's Kind of like he’s trying to peel away the sadness (your clothes are soaked with your sour scent, rainy and unhappy. Regardless of Jin’s scent mark, you kind of stink).

You might have overheard their words just before you got into the car. Jin's hissed admonishment. “A lot of people cry during therapy Minnie, she’s not in trouble, can’t you smell it?”

Your scent is mellow underneath the memory of your distress, going sweeter by the second. Yoongi wants all memories of your sad scent banished from the house. Hobi stands at the door to the hallway, shifting back and forth, his eyes a little warmer than usual, hands shaking a little bit.

You’ve caught him looking at you a lot since the night he ran away, in the quiet moments when he thinks you’re not noticing. Eyes a shade warmer than usual, a sweetened franticness to his scent. Nervousness and happiness mix like blueberries and whipped cream.

When he pulls up beside you during movie nights and sits thigh to thigh with you. When his hands intertwine with yours over his knee or sometimes or when he pulls your legs sideways across his lap. He looks at you like that when he's doing the small things and he's looking at you like that right now.

You know how love starts, that it starts with the small things.

Hobi resists the urge to open his arms. would you come to him? Would you fold your body along his front so that he could feel your heartbeat? Pressing again and again to the opposite side of his chest with every thump?

He doesn’t say hey, but he does step a little closer. Fingers reaching out. The pad of his index finger slides down the meat of your pinky till it reaches the ball of your wrist. His own special hello.

Your breath hitches, just barely, almost imperceptible if it wasn’t for how close he stands.

A look behind you says Yoongi hasn’t made himself scarce, instead fussing with the pack's coats. Now that it’s getting colder, they don’t all fit by the door. You look behind Hobi and find Namjoon watching the three of you, he raises a singular eyebrow.

“How was it? Bad?” Hobi asks, breaking the silence and the tension, drawing your attention back to him. The next breath you let out is a lot less heavy, and your eyelashes flutter as he steps closer. Hobi smells good, a little earthy, mellowing out his usual sweetness. Sweet for an alpha.

“It was kind of hard, I kinda wanted to run away for a bit at the beginning." You can't keep meeting his eyes with how intensely he's looking at you and they flutter down to his hands. "I almost did.”

"I'm glad you didn't pup." Jin comments, full of reproach, the mirror to you and Hobi as he leans down to press a kiss to Namjoon's forehead. Shucking off his lapelled jacket and rolling up the sleeves of his button-down shirt.

“If you’d have called me, I’d have picked you up. We could still like- run away, if you're down.”

But the house is starting to heat up, and Jin and Yoongi are starting to cook. The light is still honey-yellow happy. And you tip your cheek into his arm. He finally- finally lets his arms settle around your waist.

“Nah, not yet.” You drag out the syllable all playful, and something forbidden stirs in Hobi’s gut. “Jin’s making my favorite tonight. not until later?”

Hobi goes silent, pulls back, biting his lips, eyes flickering from your eyes down. and-

You laugh and Hobi blushes. “Just spit it out.”

Everyone’s been a little bit touchier with you since that night (a little more overbearing too). You won’t immediately chalk Hobi's touchyness up to what you're all thinking. But the affection makes your scent gland feel tender. Zinging when Yoongi steps up behind you and nuzzles into it, huffing again.

Friends can hug each other after therapy right? Hobi swallows thickly and you feel it against your collar bone as he pulls back and steps away from you. “I ugh- got you a present?”

You brighten up instantly, and Hobi's anxiety increases tenfold. A bit of casual mischievousness on the edge of your lips that always have Hobi feeling like he’s being teased even though he knows he isn’t.

“Oh? A present? You’ve never gotten me a present before!”

He kicks at imaginary dust bunnies, fighting back what he knows is a noticeable flush. “I ugh- still owe you, from the car you know and honestly it's not even like a big gift it's like- so small in comparison and-”

Yoongi huffs and continues to disrobe you. Pulling your sweater over your head when he’s not satisfied that your unhappy scent has dissipated. Muttering something like. “hopeless alpha” under his breath. Your tank top pulls up, inches of your hip and skin on display. It's nothing that Hobi hasn't seen before and yet the blush reignites. The sunshine to your morning glory.

“I guess you're right.” But it doesn’t feel like it. Hobi doesn’t owe you anything for that, not when it was so easy to give. Not when you’ve gotten so many late-night drives from that gift.

Hoseok got the idea for your courting gift, one morning while watching you say goodbye to Namjoon:

The pack alpha has always been a fan of goodbye kisses, good morning, and goodnight kisses too. The particular kiss that morning had ‘I’ll miss you’ written all over it. It was so pretty in the way that you lingered, arms around Namjoon’s neck. His hand is underneath your shirt on the small of your back. Such a small touch and yet so gently possessive that it had Hobi aching to see it.

Hobi is unfortunately prone to jealousy and it turns the back of his neck hot. Makes his hands feel oddly tender. He's distracted by the visual, the task of packing up his work bag forgotten. Hoseok’s shift at the flower shop doesn’t start for another few hours, and he’s waiting, watching, an unhappy voyeur.

You and Namjoon have quite the height difference, if he was in between the two of you he’d be the perfect middle ground. That’s just another stupid thought, another stupid thought in the countless number of stupid thoughts that he’s had. (I like my alphas a little pathetic, and nothing's more pathetic than an alpha pining after an omega.)

He grumbles.

Yoongi prattles on, more awake than all of them as he outlines what you have to do today to make progress on the house- which is to go find a place that sells cheaper tile than the ones you first thought of using in the bathroom on the first floor. And maybe change it up a little.

The bathrooms escaped the renovations somehow, and a few nights ago- Jimin had admitted how much they actually use it even though it’s not the pack's primary bathroom anymore. Now that it’s not in use, they’re more willing to part with it for a few days for some very necessary re-styling. it toes the line from vintage to old a little too hard. The yellow is a little…yellow.

Yoongi wants to go light and airy with the color scheme, like he did with the upstairs bathroom and it's seafoam and brown tones. But like with most of the house, your vote is for colorful. “How about a light blue-” Yoongi continues to argue while you kiss Namjoon a little senseless in the doorway, at least Namjoon seems properly dazed, chasing your lips when you pull apart.

“No- we don’t have a room that’s magenta yet!”

This starts the same argument as always; “We can’t make every room in this house pink for Tae.”

But goodbyes take precedence, and when you turn back and smile at Hobi he flushes, shy to be caught looking. He moves, stepping around you and Namjoon to put his water bottle into his bag when you shout, “Stop, Seokie!”

Seokie is a new nickname, one that Jin only uses in the quietest of moments that you've somehow adopted when you don't want to call him Hobi. Hobi always thought that if you’d use any other nickname with him- you’d use daisy (he might want you and yoongi to share that pet name). But he’s a good pup and stops what he’s doing. Every atom in his body every electron no longer circulates neutrons but circulates you instead. Pulled in by your gravity.

You’ve moved so suddenly that you’ve spilled a bit of your coffee onto the floor. Maybe kissing Namjoon has left you feeling a little dizzy too. Yoongi just sighs fondly and wipes it up. Jimin looks up from his phone, smiling when he sees.

“You’ve got a rainbow on your cheek.”

It’s a trick of the light, early morning sunshine refracted through the mottled window just right to cast a single rainbow on the wall and on Hobi when he steps in front of it.

You cup his cheek, finger skimming across where the rainbow sits.

"Pretty."

Hobi feels hot all over.

At Tae’s call of, “If I have to do my eyeliner one more time I’m going to scream!” You giggle and dart away from him. Going to tend to Tae with a soft reply of "I've got you baby."

Hoseok is left, blushing in the morning light. Staying still like you might come by and cup his cheek again, Like a flower staying still in the hope of pollination.

Hobi is left, wanting to scream and somehow demand you back, both would be fair. His plight isn't missed by his packmates, who lean in like a set of jackals, grinning ear to ear at hobi's flustered predicament.

She's going to send him into rut if she's not careful Jin thinks, but doesn't say. instead he teases, “You’ve got to leave in the next ten-minute Hobi.”

Only then does Hoseok move- released from his spell and finally losing the rainbow on his cheeks though they might as well have stayed with how happy and warm he feels. How absolutely incandescent the love is glowing in his chest. A full spectrum of feelings, longing for you to come back.

He almost trips over noodle, darting after you with his tail raised high, catching himself on the edge of the couch at the last second, one shoe on and one off, his water bottle falling and spilling in the process.

yoongi sighs, and stoops to wipe it up. Jimin giggles and pulls Hobi up by his hips, the alpha's fingers feel hot where they've touched him, scalding. “What’s wrong, omega got your tongue?” yoongi returns to his breakfast, throwing the wad of soggy paper towels into the trash.

Jungkook laughs, “It’s more like he wants an omega to have his tongue in her-“

“You guys are gross,” He pushes at Jimin’s shoulder finally moving right. Yoongi hides his smile in a mouthful of Captain Crunch.

Hobi doesn’t think about the rainbows again until his next afternoon shift. When the low angle of the autumn sun cuts through the windows and catches the suncatchers that they hang in the doorway of the flower shop and cast more rainbows- dozens of them really across him and the flower.

He remembers when you came to visit, how you'd lingered over them, looked at them a second longer than you looked at the plants.

It’s a bit of a kitschy display. Other polished stones and nick nacks sitting on the deep shelf along with some smaller potted plants. A little tray of rose-quartz stones falsely advertises themselves as ‘heat reducers.’

The colors start to blend, and the rainbows sway softly in the light, gentle and pretty. He snaps a photo and thinks about sending it to you, but doesn’t.

The store is blissfully empty of Hobi's coworkers when he selects three of them. It's quiet when he packages them in tissue paper, one with a huge pink stained-glass moon at the top, another with three tiers. Each of them is delicate and pretty in their own right. No one’s bought a single one of them in the last three months anyway. They'll hardly be missed. Hobi gives himself a fat employee discount.

Hobi is unfortunately bad at hiding things, especially when he's nervous. Luckily the pack alpha doesn’t have it in him to tease. Namjoon had in fact been only too encouraging and given him a pep talk just this morning about courting and courting presents.

“The worst that can happen is that she doesn’t like it- and then you just have to try again which you were already planning on doing anyway.” Namjoon is quite simply the best at courting. It doesn't matter which subgender; alphas, beta’s, and omegas have all fallen under his touch. At least Hoseok has the opportunity to learn from a professional. Somehow the thought that you'd compare him to namjoon doesn't cross his mind.

Hoseok isn’t good at the romantic gestures that courting necessitates. He’s more of the ‘there when you need him’ kind of lover. Ready to make the small changes to make his loved ones' lives more manageable. Ready with his car keys for adventures. Those parts are easy, this is out of his depth.

Especially when it comes to you. Even After the love confessions, (are confessions still confessions if they’re so internal?) Hobi feels mostly unmoored. About to shatter upon unknown shores.

God, crushes are so frustrating (in the best kind of way, the way that keeps you sighing and daydreaming, the kind of way that makes you look in the mirror a little longer).

Tae helped him half an hour before she started on the pack's paperwork. They'd spent an hour deciding which places were best to hang them to get the greatest number of rainbows. She had even fussed with his hair a little to make it lie right. Having him hop up on the couch so she could see Hobi's face from your angle.

Hobi wanted to make sure there were at least one or two rainbows when he shows you. But when he leads you to the sunroom, his hands over your eyes (the same position you found yourself in when Namjoon surprised you with the nesting pod) there are more of them than there were when he set them up, whole constellations swaying softly.

The suncatchers are pretty and twinkly sparkly in the golden hour light, and your lips part in a simple show of awe when Hobi tells you you can open your eyes. It's so bright, they send dozens of little rainbows across the walls and your nesting pod. Over the white couch and the fig in the corner.

It’s very very pretty. and when you turn back to look a thim, Hobi once again has a rainbow on his cheek.

Your eyes twinkle, but you don't say anything. you stay quiet for long enough that Hobi gets nervous. his anxiety makes him talk fast. “I hung them here- but you can put them wherever you want- in the kitchen or upstairs or I can get you more for any places you want to put them- or- or- ”

You just about tackle him, arms looping around his neck resting your weight in his arms that instinctively grip around your waist. Hobi teeters, unsteady with such a heavy heart, toppling both of you onto the couch as you cry. "I love it!"

You’re sprawled not lying across him but his hand goes out to support the way you cling and rub your face into his chest, a happy little chirp slipping past your lips.

The wild thing in Hobi’s chest settles, settles, and curls around you. Tight and protective like a vice. You pull back, and your smile is just as bright.

Hobi sags, and rests his neck back against the couch, "Good- thank fucking god- I was so fucking nervous-" You fiddle with the buttons on his flannel, it's one of Yoongi's. It seems fitting that you steal his clothes and he steals Yoongi's.

"What brought all this on?"

Hobi doesn't have a good answer, in the quiet with the rainbows, or at least an answer he's ready for. He doesn't say that this is a courting present, and he doesn't need to because instead of answering your question- he replies with one of his own.

“Wanna go for a drive later?” he asks, voice tremulous like he thinks you might refuse him. You’ve never said no to him before, never said not tonight only not right now. Do you treasure our little talks the same way I do?

“Sure, after dinner? like I said? Just-" You lean back against his chest, and Hobi’s hands go tight tight tight around your waist. Holding you close. Clingy. He does not slip his hand under your shirt to cup the side of your hip the way that Namjoon might, but the thought crosses his mind.

Hobi is a good alpha, he won't cross that line until you tell him it's okay. Until then a thin layer of fabric separates his skin from yours. You're still warm to the couch.

“Sit and watch them with me?” You ask quietly. Almost shy, like you think he’d refuse you. He nods and the two of you sit on the couch to look at the rainbows together.

Eventually, Noodle finds the two of you, meowing and hopping up to stretch out along your thighs. Worming his way between the two of you.

The rainbows don't last forever, but Hobi sits with you until they fade.

~-~

Tae’s library is just like every public library:

Tall windows, wide quiet shelves with room for the stories to breathe. A colorful young adult section and an even more colorful kid’s section. A bit aways from the tables and computers so that any over-excited pups don’t disturb the adults. Big deep beanbags for small children to cuddle up to while they ponder fairy tales and adventures only a plastic-covered book away.

Tae’s long plaid skirt barely makes a whisper along the ground. The colder weather has allowed her to live all of her cottage core fantasies, her dark academia aesthetic truly flourishing. Her shirt is a little translucent today, and the fading summer tan of her skin pokes through it in spots where her tank top doesn't hide. Pretty long earrings dangle and clink in the quiet while she works on her shelving.

Wearing her chosen clothing items at work has been a bit of a work in progress.

Most of Tae’s coworkers approve of her transition in that overly willing-to-be-an-ally way that middle-aged women who generally consider themselves progressive outside of closed doors all do. And the ones that don’t approve have swallowed their words with lingering sour eyes and raised upper lips after the general receptiveness to Tae’s social transition.

It's hard to know who's genuine with it, who just doesn't want to cause a fuss, and who just doesn't give a shit. But most of the time her outfits get one or two compliments and thats it. Tae would rather them say nothing than anything negitive.

Tae likes the quiet of the library at this time of day, the silence gives her enough room to let her imagination wander. Tae likes to file away books in mid-morning, when there are fewer people around and her humming is less likely to disturb any of the library’s patrons. She sings to the stories and they sing back, tempting her with every well-worded title and delicately chaste summary.

But she doesn’t just think about stories or the book she's writing (her book is currently giving her hell on the 30th chapter) No. Today- there is a much more interesting love story blooming in her head, in the pack's den too.

She’s been thinking about you all morning (Tae thinks about you almost every morning) there are even little poems scrawled on the edge of her newspaper. Lines that are you and a bit of Hobi too.

I wished that I might be your hair clip / to know what it feels like / to be pressed against the nape of your neck/ To be your suntan/ perched on the edge/ of what you show everyone and what you show no one/ To be the bearer of every freckle/ like the sky holds the stars/ To hold and never let go/ Like birds hold sunshine / and flowers hold songs.

Everyone had noticed of course, how much time you and Hobi have been spending together.

The pack had even talked about it during a quiet moment without you and Hobi. Yoongi’s lack of communication regarding you and Hobi. “I don’t know anything” he’d unsuccessfully lied, and nearly been heaved up and wrestled to the couch as a result. But Jungkook’s puppy eyes had unsuccessfully endeared him.

Yoongi has kept Hobi's secret, but it's kind of hard not to notice. Tae isn't a fool. Tae is a much better liar than Yoongi is- because when you'd come to her after your late-night drive to gush with her about Hobi and the rainbows over makeup. She hadn't said anything about what she knows.

Tae couldn’t tell you how many times she’d noticed little touches, Hobi’s hand lingering on the small of your back, grabbing your waist when he moved behind you in the bathroom. When he take the greatest care to set out his sweatshirts in the morning and even asks Jungkook to make sure they’re clean. They’re practically not even his sweatshirts anymore with the amount you’ve been wearing them.

Tae isn’t an idiot, she knows that Hobi’s finally realized it. While she doesn’t trust herself to play matchmaker given how poorly the first time she pointed out Hobi’s attraction went. that doesn’t mean she’s not going to park herself firmly on the edge of her fantasy land with a box of popcorn.

If they were gonna get married, would Hobi wear a red tux or black or grey? Her brain is already thinking of wedding dresses. One of these days she’s really going to have to make a Pinterest board. Hobi would probably want to do sunflowers, and that might clash with the red unless it was a fall wedding- ooh, and what about pearl details and daisies? a beach wedding might be a little too on the nose for you.

Tae is so absorbed with her shelving and her daydreaming that she doesn’t notice the sound of small shoes on the carpeted floor. Nor does she notice the light-up flash of tiny iorn man sneakers. Her musings are easily interrupted by a small tug on her skirt, shy almost. She startles a little, looking down at the sudden touch.

The little pup's thumb is wet from where it was clearly placed behind their bucked teeth. He's got wide brown eyes and soft-looking hair, Tae can't stop the smile that comes to her lips.

“I wanted to read a book but I couldn’t reach, can you help me? Please?”

Tae’s heart swells as she leans down to the pup's level. “Of course, I can! Why don’t you show me what one you wanted,” diligently Tae follows the little one a few isles over, tugged along by their insistent pulling as he tells her about the pretty cover.

The little pup turns back, furrowing his bushy brows up at Tae, “are you a princess?” he asks. Tae almost has to laugh, a bright happy gender euphoric feeling filling her chest, that feeling of I could be filling her.

She makes her whisper just a little more hushed, playing along, “Don’t tell anyone okay? It's a secret.” The little pup nods, eyes darting around like there are dragons that would threaten her.

“What gave me away?”

“Princesses wear long skirts!” the pup says cheerfully, like it makes the most sense in the world. He's a little too loud and Tae winces. He finally finds the shelve with the story. The spine glimmers pink and gold and Tae is unsurprised to find the illustrated copy of Cinderella. Not the Disney or PJ version, but the Brothers Grimm version.

Tae cringes at the pair of doves on the cover.

Tae doesn’t say that the little pup is too small to read a book so big, or that there is one with more pictures much more appropriate away from the young adult section. The child can’t be more than 6 years old.

But still, Tae retrieves it and delivers it to their waiting arms. The little one clutches it to his chest, thanks Tae, and then promptly plops themselves onto the carpeted floor right there.

He opens the first page, huffs, and then looks up at her imploringly.

“I just realized I can’t read.”

He pouts and Tae melts. Tae wonders where the pup's mother is, but really, there certainly can't be much harm in this. This isn't the first time Tae has been guilted into reading a story to a pup while their parents work or make use of the library's computers.

"Just the first page.” She intones, caution for the child’s hopes in her voice, she presses her skirt under her knees and sits on the scratchy carpet. The pup curls close to see the pictures. Resting his tiny chubby cheek in the billow of Tae’s big puffy sleeve.

Tae's chest is all tight as she reads. The pup is very well-behaved, he pauses, and asks questions in a soft voice only when Tae gives him space to respond. Tae easily ommits the parts that aren't appropriate. but tae finds herself watching the pup a little bit more as the minutes stretch.

In a few years with your own little ones around, will Tae become the defacto bedtime story reader? Will she do this with the pack's pups one day? Will she be the one to take that bright little light in their eyes that imagines things as greater and more and cultivate it? Her cheeks feel warm at the prospect, heart beating like a hummingbird's wings in excitement.

Your pups and Jin's pups too- they're gonna be so loved. Tae's gonna be the best mom to them, The best alpha too.

One page turns into two and then three. In this quiet corner with only Tae’s voice as ruler and god, the little pup hinges on every word. Until there’s another voice close by. An adult not wishing to be loud, a whispered name.

“Jae?”

Tae smiles up at the woman at the end of the aisle of books. Her smile turns sweeter when Jae hops up and runs to press his face into her jeaned thighs. Tae remembers how that felt, how every scent besides Tae’s own omega mother felt overwhelming and icky.

Tae stands with a crack of her knees and makes to hand over the book, “This makes a great bedtime story until about chapter 8, that one you might want to skip until he’s a little older.”

The woman makes to smile, but it only goes so far. Tae watches in perfect detail, everything in slow motion, as her eyes flicker down to Tae’s Addams apple.

She drags her child close by their wrist quicker than Tae can blink. Tae sees the moment that the child realizes this touch isn’t gentle, wide eyes going fear-stricken as he's tugged behind her back. And then it's all downhill from there.

I'll spare you the more vile bits.

But the saddest moment of the argument that follows (Which involves not one but three of Tae's co-workers to calm down the hysterical woman whose screeches echo around the quiet library) is when the pup tries to get his mother's attention. "Mom, I liked that she was reading to me."

"He" the certified Karen hisses, moving in a way that makes the pup flinch back. "-should know better than to corrupt a pup with such- such-" her eyes dart down and up, and Tae's skin burns. "Disgusting behavior."

The misgendering doesn't even sting. What does hurt is the eyes peering in. She isn't being quiet and it's causing many of the library's patrons' attention is diverted. Tae's coworkers have put themselves between Tae and the woman. But there still aren't enough people (enough packmates) in between her and the verbal tirade.

An hour later, after the woman has left after threatening to call the police, Tae talks with his boss and his boss’s boss. The room behind the front desk is glass, and he knows that the door doesn’t keep the sound of their raised voice out.

“I wasn’t harassing her child; I was just helping him find a book for Christ sake!”

The worst part is that this isn’t the first time that this has happened. No- since Tae came out there have been two other complaints leveled against her from bigoted patrons. Both right at the beginning before she got the hang of presenting how she wanted to.

At least those confrontations weren’t face-to-face. At least those complaints didn’t end with someone threatening to call the police and a pup cowering, tugged along too roughly out the door.

The little pup had glanced back at Tae, mouth in pout, eyes swimming with tears.

Even if the woman felt righteous in her anger, the least she could have done was not yell in front of the pup. Tae promises herself right then and there, that she'll never raise her voice in front of the pack's pups, not in anger.

The book has stayed on the counter at the front. Pink and gold and treacherous. Tae hopes that if anything, the pup finds it and reads the ending one day. Stories have a way of finding us, even when the world makes us let them go.

Now in the back room behind the check-out counter. Tae’s boss levels her with an expectant look, the kind that people give when they don’t want to be transphobic not really- it’s just so hard for them not to, so learned. Tae is the nail that sticks up. It’s bullshit really. Tae can tell it's bullshit before she opens her mouth.

“Really? He asked for Cinderella?”

“Yes.” Tae’s biting tone is an alpha’s tone, not a man’s, and yet she knows how it sounds.

“I find that hard to believe.”

“I’m not lying.” Is Tae supposed to only help some children find the books they want? Is she supposed to look at them and make her best guess if they’ve got homophobic parents and skip them over? It’s not her fault that the sweet sweet pup’s parent was a bigot.

“I can’t help but feel like- you’ve got a personal agenda-“

"Charlie-" the district manager cautions.

Tae can’t stop herself from snapping, alpha anger sparking with the intent to burn. “Little boys should be allowed to read Cinderella if they want to” Rats and all. Her hands are shaking, and it isn’t missed by them. The room smells thick with Tae’s spicy cinnamon anger.

The district manager sets her hand on Tae's shoulder, and her anger ebbs just a little. “I think maybe you should go home a little early today, just to cool off. We can talk about it more tomorrow.”

Tae doesn’t want to go home early, Tae doesn’t want to go home at all as she packs up her books. Her bag lighter than usual, absent of the stories that she wants to take home. For once there aren’t any that she wants to read.

She walks to the train station because Jimin won’t be off work for another 2 hours and that’s when he’d usually pick her up, the last three days he’s gotten her flowers too; white roses the first day, pink the second, and red the third. She sends him a text.

Tae <3 (1:48): I left work early today, you don’t have to pick me up, I’ll get an Uber home.

Mini-alpha (1:49):!!!!!

Mini-alpha (1:49): What happened? Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up? I can leave now.

Tae sighs, looking down at her phone while she waits for the crosswalk light to come on. Red still, green in a few seconds, she only has to wait. She can practically feel Jimin's nervous energy through the phone. it's a wonder he doesn't immediately call her.

It makes her soft. It isn't in Jimin's nature to give any of his lovers any space but he always makes an effort when it comes to her.

Tae <3 (1:53): No. It’s fine. I’ll talk to you when you get home.

Tae doesn’t want to talk to Jimin about transphobia again. At least not yet. It’s too much energy. It’s not that Tae doesn’t want to make what happened during Namjoon’s rut better. It’s not that she doesn’t want to talk about it- it’s just that there’s nothing to talk about, the explanation of his actions are such a burden for Tae to bear. And Tae trusts that Jimin’s heart is in the right place even if he makes mistakes. And even telling Jimin off, yelling at him, wouldn’t change it.

Either one day Tae will not have to deal with bigoted parents, either one day she’ll pass and won’t have to worry, or she'll always be in this awkward middle ground.

Trans people are like toupees, you only notice them when there’s something off, something a little misplaced about them. Tae fears that most of all. Femininity, as much as she wants it, as much as it's hers to take, what if it won't ever fit right? What if she never passes?

Tae loves her job at the library, it’s the perfect mix of boring and safe and easy even if it doesn’t pay enough. But even as she's gained things like skirts and puffy sleeves, she's exchanged them for days like today. Really, the library was her favorite place before today and now, every step away from it makes her feel a little lighter. She's not even angry anymore, just exhausted mentally.

Tae decides to walk home at least she’s in her most conservative channel flats, they could use a little bit more wear and love and Tae’s thoughts are still too sharp. She dulls them to a palatable edge that all falls apart when she gets home.

You’re there, thank fucking god you’re always there when she gets home. You’ll always be Tae’s comfort person.

Tae opens the door with a creek and push of cold air, you're saying something to Yoongi turning with a toss of your hair, eyes brightening when you see her before you've even said her name.

You look a little healthier today, with a little bit more of a rosy glow to your cheeks and a healthy brightness to your eyes, not all glassy.

"Tae! You're home early!"

Tae will never stop being proud of how hard you try, and will never stop being a bit envious either because Tae-

Tae looks at you and wilts, bag flopping onto the floor, and predictably burst into tears.

"Oh- oh Tae."

"Baby girl-"

You and Yoongi are just about the best security blanket a packmate could ask for. You're so good as you pull her down to your level so you can kiss away her tears, maneuvering her like a perfect team onto the couch. Yoongi's strong hands slide off her shoes. Yoongi's fingers digging into her sore heel as you kiss away her every tear.

A substantial amount of babying and a Sos packmate in distress text later, and Tae is reclining across a freshly fluffed nest, the muscles in her body relaxed. The blisters on the back of her feet are bandaged and kissed. Every inch of her body is too.

You don't talk about it until after the pack's facemasks are finished, and hobi's clear coat has dried over the tiny nail sticker that you left. a small bumblebee.

Your skin smells sweet after a long long bath full of fancy bath bombs. Jinnie had also rubbed oil onto her freshly shaven legs. You helped, dragging it along oh so carefully to not nick her skin. Ending each pass with a kiss to her ankle and then upper thigh.

Tae’s head is in your lap now, cheek pressed against your (slightly chubbier) thighs. Her sniffles the background music as Tae gives her final recap of what happened.

Your nose gets a wrinkle in it when you go cross. "There's so much meanness to the world, I hate how people have to add to it."

Jimin’s anger leaves an undercurrent in the air, dragging the other alphas along, Hobi’s hands are strong where they dig into Tae’s shoulders, belly down in the nest while you play with her hair, braiding it back and forth. The attention makes her feel a little tingly.

“Do you know what her name was? Did you get a look at her car-“ Jimin asks, nearly barking. The library has cameras. Jimin knows it does.

Jin sets a hand on the back of his neck, a scruff threatening. “Down pup. Tae doesn’t need you to track them down.” Jimin’s teeth look particularly sharp in the light. For a face so soft he has quite the mouth on him.

“They made her sad,” he growls, but it's softer, more pointed as he crouches over her.

Namjoon’s quiet voice unlocks the whole world's worries, massaging gently down the column of Tae’s delicate neck, rough hands, worn tender touching her regardless. Namjoon is rarely ever so pointed, but it's logical, from an alpha's perspective, Tae knows what he hints.

"I think that if your bosses aren't going to protect you from people like that, then I want you to leave your job." Jin gives him a look like, 'Now you know where I'm coming from' but Tae's the important packmate right now.

Tae rolls Namjoon's words around her tongue, her hand loosely twined with his. Namjoon has the steadiest hands out of everyone in the pack and a few minutes ago he repurposed his surgery skills to do her nails. Took off the chipped red and re-did them because Namjoon knows she feels best when her claws are polished. He checks them now. Tapping them lightly to not smudge them.

It's a girl's night, the first girl's night you've ever had with the whole pack. Tae's face is still glossy from the face mask.

“I don’t think I want to quit; I don’t think that would help at all that’s not going to like- solve the world and all its issues.”

“No, but- if it’s making you more sad than happy. Then maybe it’s worth considering.”

Tae knows Namjoon’s not saying that she doesn’t make enough to affect the pack's finances, but that's still the truth. Hobi pulls himself along her other side and you watch him with heavy-lidded eyes.

Hobi presses a kiss to Tae's temple, “All you want to do is write every day anyways, and we just want you to be happy,” 6 heads nod their agreement.

Hobi isn't wrong; The last four weekends in a row Tae has woken up several hours earlier than the pack would usually stir from morning cuddles, just to get a few hours of uninterrupted writing done. She’s also spent nearly every night in her library room, staying up late after the pack has retired upstairs until one of you comes down and wrangles her upstairs. The pack's prettiest alpha needs her beauty sleep.

But is it enough to count on? Is it worth quitting her job over?

You duck down low, kissing the same spot Hobi did, your lips touching just a Tae away. a heavy breath wooshes out of her chest. "Yeah why wouldn't we want you to quit? If you're always here then I can always do this."

Your kiss is gentle, and it tastes like belonging more than Tae would ever be able to write, to describe. A love that makes you feel like you belong is a rare thing. And Tae's hand goes up to tangle in your hair, keeping you there for just a shared breath longer.

The next breath tastes a bit like freedom. It's scary to be free.

(But Tae leaves her 2 weeks' notice on her boss’s desk before the end of the next work day, and she doesn't feel bad about it one bit).

~-~

(1 year prior)

Maybe the truth is that the reason why you don’t feel you deserve agency is because you know what your agency looks like. The choices you’re willing to make when it comes down to it.

The secrets you tell and the lies you have buried deep in your pocket like one of Hobi’s found things. Something you can’t get rid of and cast back into the ocean. No matter how hard you try. There is something about murder that sticks, that stays no matter how many times you try to wash your hands of it.

It's not guilt, because you don't feel guilty for what you had to do.

Being backed into a corner can make someone do a whole hell of alot of monstrous things. And back then Life was monotonous. Back then there was Anguish without change.

Your life went like this: Go home. Get beaten. Get hurt. Get Raped. Wake up. Meet up with Hyejin. Make poison. Make pastries. Go to the Don’s house. Feed it to them. Listen to Moonbyul tell you to wait. Go home. Get beaten again and again. Get raped every night. On and on and on.

Clean up your blood from the tiles. Clean it from the carpet. Hydrogen peroxide and not bleach. Cover the bruises up with color corrector first before you put concealer over them.

Smile and tell everyone that your husband and you are perfectly happy. There will be a pup on the way soon enough, I'm so lucky to have someone who supports me, and I'm so lucky to have a love like this.

Go home. Get beaten. Get hurt. Get Raped. Go to sleep and don't cry because then he'll beat you for keeping him awake.

In the darkness that curls around you. Blood going tacky between your legs, you start to dream of wicked sweet things.

What you've been through would be enough to make anyone go crazy, Enough to make anyone consider drastic action. Enough to make anyone consider murder.

Enough for you to slide a pair of small syringes off of Moonbyul’s night desk and a small packet of arsenic too. You know how to make a simple syrup. You know how to mix in arsenic to it, how to make it liquid soluble without breathing it in.

You make it in the fine china and break it after so that you can throw it out without worrying. You get a beating for it but you hardly feel it when Geumjae drags you across the floor by your hair. It hardly breaks your heart when he steps on your ribcage with the intent to break bones because you know what you have to do.

After, with your own blood on your teeth, you make sure to leave it in the bottom of the trash, and ask the cleaning staff not to take it out yet. They're supposed to find it.

You don't care if you die, you just want to make sure the necessary villains are punished. When it comes to blame the person who is most to blame is you anyway. You are simply numb to pain, numb to your own anguish. Numb to the idea of your own death too. Geumjae's already killed you in every way that matters.

Cut off a wolf's head and it still has the power to bite; give a girl an enemy and she'll do dangerous things.

Your meetings with the Don and beta always go the same; gossip, and greetings. Sometimes when you come bearing bruises, they tell you to wait just a little longer.

Go home. Get beaten. Get hurt. Get Raped. Wake up. Just give it time for his temper to settle. Once you're mated it will get better.

Even Moonbyul and Hyejin tell you that planning the perfect crime takes time. That you'll be saved if you only wait. Help is coming.

Bullshit.

You’re tired of waiting for him to kill you, you're tired of waiting to die. You're smarter than all of them because you know exactly how to get everything you want and you're willing to do anything to get it.

The next time Moonbyul and Hyejin take you to the Don and Beta’s house under the guise of afternoon tea, you are prepared for war and dressed with revenge in mind. Your white dress knotted at the shoulders falling in a heavenly sheet, like an avenging angel, neither pious nor sinful.

You are a force of nature and nature does not ask when it takes lives.

What’s worse; the people that enable the abusers or the abusers themselves? Who is more to blame for the pain caused?

You are no longer hiding and you won't let them hide this time. The bruise on your cheek is purple and mottled, the rings of bruises on your wrists from his hands while he held you down.

When you smiled at Geumjae over breakfast this morning, there was only one thought in your mind.

You’re next.

Your agency looks like this; elegantly done hair your skirt a little short for fall. A basket of arsenic-backed goods in a basket as is usual. Fluffy pink cupcakes with the perfect Swiss meringue buttercream in little spirals.

A gentle smile at the beta when she opens her doors for you, letting the monster in, because you’ve been over enough times that she trusts you. You suppose that's your doing too, you've fooled her into thinking you're just another idiot girl who decided to marry rich and didn't bother to consider the strings attached. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, you bare your teeth when you smile.

Hyejin has helped on that front; over the past few months, she has taught you exactly the kind of conversation that the beta likes- the useless conversations about family drama, the small little bits that you let through about your husband’s opinion on which pup is marrying whom, which alpha is good or bad for the packs near dozen omega pups that aren’t mated yet. Which alphas are likely to be a liability? This kind of gossip is all information and strategy.

You might have lied in your call to her and told her you were fearful of one of the younger ones- and a conversation you’d happened to witness on a street corner, a shadowy figure that looked a little too severe not to be the authorities. Of course, these kinds of things have to be handled with discretion and ginseng tea.

The Don does not bother to turn down the TV when you walk in, sitting vulnerable in his recliner with his feet up. It doesn’t appear that he has any sort of inclination or plans to interact with you when you sit here at his kitchen table and talk. Instead, he lounges and watches his sports, loud because his hearing is so bad, nearly deafening.

It’s good. hopefully anyone nearby will not overhear.

You hope that if this goes south before you have a chance to confess that they find the letter you wrote at home; the one that says your husband is the one that put you up to this.

You know that the pack’s retribution will be swift, that any sort of alibi he has will be null and void with the evidence you’ve been leaving. A little trail of breadcrumbs that leads right into a pretty little grave for your husband. Even if you won't be around to see it.

You're already a friend of pain. You already find comfort in it. If they kill you (which they will) then at least it will finally be over.

You wait until the moment you know is coming, when the Don looks over his shoulder at you and comands “Be a dear and bring me one.”

You put one of your artfully created confections on a pretty gold-rimed plate and walk to his side, you lean over to put it in his lap as he indicates. the same way he does every time you come over with sweets.

The lingering hand on your ass is hardly abnormal. behind you the beta's tea cup clinks as she sets her tea down and says nothing. even though you know she notices.

He’s so busy coping a feel he doesn’t notice your other hand, going to the syringe duck taped to your thigh.

It happens quicker than the Don can blink. The most powerful man in the underworld can't be bothered to protect his life for a pretty little piece of ass. You smile down at him, and his hand squeezes the round apple of your behind.

His hand is still on your ass when you whip your arm around with as much force as you can and drive the syringe and plunger into his neck.

You must have hit something in his neck because he barely has a second to splutter before he’s going still and quiet. Mouth falling horrifyingly slack. His breath rattles and his eyes dart as his whole body is paralyzed near instantly, in the time it takes for his blood to circulate.

Two paces, swing, plunge.

The beta barely has a second to scream or stand to attack you. You are so much younger than they are. Your body might be fragile and frail but It’s still stronger than hers. Her brief scream is easily drowned out by the scratch of the TV.

She ends up on the floor, the icing on the cupcakes sticky as she falls into half of them, tossed onto the floor by your brief tussle as you straddle her struggling form. Her pushing gets weaker and weaker and she sobs.

It doesn’t surprise you when you see the black tracery of a dying mating mark itching up her skin.

One thing that the family had always been oh so careful of was to talk only in their mother tongue around you. Secrets are best kept when they’re spoken in foreign tongues. It was a way to isolate you. To make them speak English for you to understand felt like a beholden request. At one point It was a point of insecurity for you, always left out of the loop, always relying on your husband to keep you in the know.

You bend over her as her pushing gets weaker and weaker, the arsenic doing its job, causing numbness and the tingling of extremities before it causes paralysis and then coma and death. Your hair falls in a sheet over the beta’s face.

You’ve studied much over the last few months. Enough that you lean in close over her and speak your words in perfect Korean.

“You look so angry,” you croon softly, dragging a finger down her cheek. Spittle froths at her mouth as she breathes heavily. “You shouldn’t- if you want someone to blame you only need to look in the mirror.”

You lean in close until your lips brush her ear, “it's your fault you see- you're the one who lied" you mimic her voice, making it scratchy, "'just wait a little longer, it will be better for the family if you stay quiet." you laugh, "as if that where true, the only person it benefits is you. You where ready to let him hurt me and kill me if i just stayed quiet."

You wipe away a bit of spit from her lower lip, "You always told me how it was your duty to protect the family- but you only serve yourself. If you'd have done something, if you'd have helped me I wouldn't have had to do this. You just wanted me to shut up and die quietly.”

You switch back to English, “Well now it’s your turn.”

You watch her tongue go numb, paralyzed, but the poison hasn’t advanced far enough for her not to speak.

“Fucking- worthless bitch.”

You laugh and stand brushing some crumbs from your skirt. She’s already too weak to move, to shout, or fight you. You watch the light start to leave her eyes, winking out so slowly, like a dying star. But she still looks so pissed.

“You don’t have a right to be angry, you killed me first. You can’t blame me for fighting back.”

She gives her last breath and the TV plays on. Your shoe ticks her hand, her fingers twitching weakly. You watch as she gasps her last breath, a small smile on your face.

You sit at the table and turn the TV down. You wait a few minutes, but it quickly becomes an hour. You have yourself a nice little treat while you watch, turning the channel to a food network while you eat.

You really are a fantastic cook. The crumb on this batch is so nice you don’t even taste the metallic tang of poison. You eat through one, and then another, until the whole basket is empty.

Before you know it there is a concerned knock at the door. The lock clicks and turns when you answer it.

When Moonbyul opens the door, you laugh at the expression on her face. Licking the frosting from your lips. Even that is delicious.

She takes in their bodies, crumpled on the floor the frosting on your cheeks. The evidence. Both of them dying. A violence you cannot undo.

Her voice is somber. “Oh Pup, what have you done?”

~-~

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~-~

Notes:

this chapter is a very classic bily chapter, in the fact that there is a fuck ton of fluff and then bang the mafia bits just take you out. we needed to get back into the mafia bits of the story sooner rather than later though 💀

i felt like i was going a little too over the top with certain bits of puptalk in this chapter, but i really wanted to use it to show that like yeah- the pack has been treating her alot more gently since her breakdown, they've been babbying the fuck out of her, even if we don't get to see it :(

Hobi's texts are so???? Fucking cute?? He's so hopeless my god he wants to make her feel loved without actually saying it and i hope you read them and just go "oh, you're an idiot."

I have this whole elaborate backstory to how wonho's gym works with monthly subscriptions to classes where people can decide how many classes they want to take a week, ie gym dues for facilities and then discounted classes on top if they pay for it before hand, with several tiers.

this chapter almost feels clerical- this is definitely more of a set up chapter- where i needed to check off a lot of boxes, like hobi's courting present- before we go any further into the story. things are going to start amping up in terms of stakes pretty quickly.

That one part, where hobi is kinda malfunctioning after the m/c touches his cheek and everyone teases him feels the most representative of the pack as a whole. like that part where they're all replying- feels very real. i struggle a little to capture a sense of domesticity in concise ways, but i think this part is very tidy.

That little touch with hobi- where he touches her wrist and her finger, that touch has so much weight to it, i personally think the whole pack was tasting the sexual tension on the air, can you guys feel it too or is it all in my head?

idk why yoongi calling tae babygirl makes me so flustered but it does 🥵

i really wanted to work calling tae mommy into the chapter someway but tbh this chapter felt complex enough without it.

there is like- one plot hole in this whole story, and that is in the first chapter of the story when yoongi gets a call the person on the other line says "grandfather is dying." implying that his death wasn't instantaneous like this is shown to be. however, in my mind- the injections don't actually kill the don and beta but plunge them into a coma that they never wake up from- is this an actual possibility with arsenic poisoning- NO IT ISN'T lol, you're just going to have to suspend your disbelief for me.

the m/c has always been the person who killed the don and the beta- i've known this since like...maybe the 4th chapter? it wasn't in the og og plan for the story but almost everything in bily has been hammered out since then. and tbh you already knew she killed them just not that it was this violent! does this count as a secret???? idk! maybe!!!

she's a little murder baby just like minnie <3

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