#kim giving piglet

[earlofbats]

Harry a dog? Kim a cat? Uh pretty sure they're both pigs.

[msweebyness]

Weeby’s Random Thoughts #9 (The Barbie Series)

The final small installment of Weeby’s Barbie Randomness, before I move on to a bigger project! Enjoy! @artzychic27 @imsparky2002

Swan Lake:

In a distant kingdom, thriving in a time of magic, there lived a young girl, Ondine (Odette), the daughter of the village baker, with beautiful red hair and a lovely dancer. One day, a unicorn, Missy (Lila), happens to wander into the village, and Ondine is compelled to follow her through a waterfall into an enchanted forest. When Missy gets caught on a branch by the rope around her neck, Ondine pulls a crystal from an ancient tree to cut her free, observed by Caline (Fairy Queen), the ruler of the forest and two of her most loyal elves, Denise (Carlita) and Simon (Ivan). It turns out the crystal is magic and the one who pulls it free will save the forest from Gabriel (Rothbart), Caline’s evil cousin, who then shows up with his daughter, Lila (Odile). He curses Ondine to become a swan during the day, as he did to most of the elves with other animals, but Caline turns the crystal into a crown which provides Ondine protection from further magic. To figure out how to defeat Gabriel, they visit the troll, Anais (Erasmus), to get the book of Forest Lore. After this, Ondine meets Prince Kim (Daniel) who Gabriel lured to the forest to shoot her while she was in swan form. The two quickly develop feelings for each other, and he invites her to royal ball, giving the magical creatures hope that the blossoming love between them can defeat Gabriel, but the wicked sorcerer has a plan involving a disguised Lila to prevent that. Ondine and the Enchanted Forest denizens work together to combat this, hoping they can make it in time…

Diamond Castle:

In another distant time, loving couple Rose (Liana) and Juleka (Alexa) live in a cottage together where they love to sing together and grow the flowers they sell in the village. One night, just after they find two perfectly heart-shaped stones that they use to make necklaces, a terrible storm blows through, destroying their garden. Despite this, Rose offers some of their food to a starving old woman, who gifts her a beautiful old hand mirror. As they sing while repairing their garden, a third voice joins them, which is when they meet Mindy (Melody), a young muse apprentice trapped in the mirror who is hiding from Nadja (Lydia), a scorned muse who desired to be the only one. Juleka and Rose quickly befriend and agree to help her, but they are found by Nadja’s dragon minion, Alec (Slyder). Mindy explains that if she plays the instruments of the other two muses, Clara and Vivica (Dori & Phaedra), they may be able to defeat Nadja. They begin their journey to the Diamond Castle, the home of the muses, along the way joined by Roarr and Daizzi (Lily & Sparkles), a tiger cub and piglet, and twins Adrien and Felix (Jeremy & Ian). But Nadja manages to get to Juleka by threatening her mother and brother, prompting her to try to keep Rose from continuing the journey when they happen upon a mansion that is supposedly fated to be theirs. An angry Rose refuses and leaves with Mindy, prompting a despairing Juleka to remove her magical necklace, leaving her able to be brainwashed by Nadja’s flute. Rose is then captured and meets the mesmerized Juleka, with Nadja taking Mindy, who agrees to take her to the castle if she releases the other two girls. Thankfully, Roarr brings Juleka’s necklace, allowing Rose to break the spell on her girlfriend, allowing the two to escape the cave to try to save Mindy, the Diamond Castle, and the world’s love of music!

Leave your thoughts in the comments and reblogs! Keep an eye out for an announcement about my new project!

[skzsauce01]

Blurbs - Maknae Line

Description: Fluff blurbs with the maknae line!

Warning: none

Pairing: maknae line x fem!reader

Happy White Day!

Han Jisung

“Sungie! Come here.”

“Wazzup,” he replies, emerging from the couch with his nose still in his phone. You sniffle a laugh as you tuck away your shoes and walk up to him.

“Jisung~” you call again. At last, he looks up. When he sees what you are holding in your hands, he nearly drops his phone.

“W-what are these? Did someone else buy you flowers?” 

You shake your head and thrust the bouquet towards your boyfriend. “I bought them myself. They’re for you.”

“M-me?” he stutters, still confused. “But I’m a man!” Despite his words, a smile sneaks onto his face as he takes the arrangement into his embrace. 

“So?” you shrug, heading for his restroom.

When you come out, you find him still standing in the foyer staring and sniffing at the flowers. A grin splits your face as you skip up to him and snake your arms around his waist. You rest your chin on his shoulder and peer down at the bouquet for yourself. “Do you like them?” 

Your presence seems to pull him out of his trance.

“Yeah. Yeah, I do. They remind me of you.”

Lee Felix

Felix walks into the room, surprised to see his wife already under the covers. However, you seem to be on the wrong side of the bed.

“Switching things up?” he asks, changing into sleepwear. 

You shake your head and roll to your side once he is ready for bed.

“Hmm,” he hums contently. “Nice and toasty.” Then the realization hits him. He looks over to you with a growing smile. “Were you here to warm up the spot for me? Because I had that shoot in the snow today?” 

You nod shyly, and his smile reaches its maximum. He opens his arms and you quickly crawl into them. 

“Here, let me warm you up too.”

Kim Seungmin

He lays down on the couch and pulls on his Eeyore onesie to get a little more comfortable. Why did he agree to chaperone his cousin’s girl scout outing when he isn’t allowed to share a bedroom with anyone?

“Are you asleep?”

He knows why. He sits up on the couch and sees you, the troop’s leader, in your Piglet onesie, rubbing your eyes. You must have been finishing checking up on your girls and didn’t realize that you don’t need to on him.

“Just about to,” he replies. 

“Do you need anything?” Your speech is between a mumble and a slur. It’s been a long day, and he wonders if you are even awake enough to realize who you’re actually talking to.

“A good night kiss?” he jokes.

“Okay.” You stumble over, and before he can even react, you grab his head and leave a peck on his crown. Alright. You definitely don’t realize who he is. Are you even awake, or just sleepwalking?

When you pull back, he stares at you with full-blown eyes. You’re grinning goofily and grabbing the ends of Eeyore’s ears, swinging them to and fro. 

“Cute,” you giggle, and he goes beet red.

Yang Jeongin

It’s a lazy Sunday. You’re in bed, scrolling through your phone with your cat napping on your chest. Your husband walks through the door, and you lift your eyes to greet him

“Hi— Why do you look suspicious?”

Suddenly, his lips split into a wide grin. Before you even realize what’s happening, he’s grabbed the cat and bolted out of the room. A loud “meow” can be heard from the kitchen followed by rapid approaching footsteps. Your husband reappears and olympic dives into bed, burying his head where the cat had been. Of course, the feline is not far behind. She jumps up next to you and swats at Jeongin’s face.

“No,” he pouts, pushing her away. “She’s mine.”

You laugh and kiss his hair which makes him hum. “Was that necessary?”

“Of course,” he coos at your touch. 

You give him another kiss. Secretly though, you are rubbing the cat behind the ears and tucking her under your other arm.

~ ad.gold

[drivingsideways]

SFD rewatch, episodes 1-5

One of the best first episodes of a series. Quickly and indelibly establishes the characterization of all the major players.

Love the kid actors, but mainly Lee Re as Boon-yi.

Piglet scene still as unacceptable as the first time. Come on.

Absolutely in love with the theatrical scene constructions, including how we meet Jeong do jeon (stealing a potato); the farce at Yi In geom's residence, Ddang-sae telling the story of "Viper", and the first time we see the Do Dang. I do love Jeong do-jeon inciting a riot (and Kim Myung-min's sexy sexy voice) but also? I think on the first watch and now, it felt a bit off. Mostly because the song becomes a swelling soundtrack over the scene- I wish they had just let it be Jeong do jeon's voice going hoarse and a few people singing it.

Got impatient with the segue into Gongmin's assassination, and at some points the name drops become tiresome. I know SFD was written for an audience familiar with these characters, and so this is on me, but having to pause every few minutes to look up wiki or bodashri's tumblr (seriously MVP of the SFD fandom) is not a great viewing experience for me.

Gil Tae mi -11/10 no notes, especially in that mango-yellow robe. Park Hyuk-kwon completely pussy out in this drama, playing twins who are polar opposites in everything except that they fight like ballet dancers.

Had to ffwd Yeon-hee's rape scene and aftermath. Yes, we get it, losing his mother and his lover are foundational to everything about Ddang-sae, but hoo boy, how about they'd...just not?

I just really, really enjoy Hong In-bang's villainy- his turn to it makes 50 times more sense to me that whatever is going on with that little psycho with his murder grove. [When he went on about justice preventing evil, my eyes rolled back in my head so hard. OKAY, you pathetic little meow-meow, if that works for you, I GUESS.]

Love that the writers re-used a line from TwDR- paraphrased, it's that "the people endure, while monarchies rise and fall". In TwDR, when Sejong says it to Jeong gi-joon, it's to refute his rather nihilistic view of the chaotic future where people are able to choose their own leaders; here Hong In bang uses it to justify raising taxes on an already overtaxed population. Writers nim, your minds.

Boon yi is THE BEST

Moo-hyul is a baby. Imagine watching the extremely boring Jo Jin-woong playing this character in 2011 and then waking up to Yoon Kyung-sang's adorable himbeaux portrayal in this.

Byun Yo-han is such a genuinely lovely actor; I just wish that Ddang-sae's whole trajectory wasn't unmitigated misery. It's harder on the rewatch because at least the first time I had hope. I think writer nims are fond of reminding us that being born poor , and consequently often powerless to resist constant degradation, is a lifelong curse that only a few escape- you see it in Kang Chae Yoon's fate as well- but I think Kang Chae yoon's fate felt like less of a punishment by capricious gods than Ddang-sae's.

Ok, but Byun Yo-han and that marketplace performance. LOVELY.

Ddang-sae's leaving Baek Yoon's dead body in the street like a prom invite for Sambong. (and then he went and left and actual note that says "whom do i kill next?") made me laugh. C'mon Sambong, take some time out from fulfilling your divine purpose to give this boy the railing he deserves. I feel like so many of both their problems would have been solved by this.

[sly-merlin]

KILLING ME- 14

pairing : law student!reader + yuta

genre : (fluff)  angst , mafia au/ arranged marriage au.

warnings of this chapter : cursing, mention of drugs, character death.

words : ~4k

summary :

“life’s never fair y/n. realise it as soon as you can . it is the only secret for living a regretless life.”                                  

or            

“ curiousity got the cat hitched”

K.M masterlist

K.M 13

TAGLIST : @kpop-choco @moon-yuta @kawaiiayasan @btm-taeyong @exfolitae @lanadreamie @cheersskznct ​​ @hyuckiesgf ​​ @theworld-accordingtocasey ​​@simplybree

@yiyi4657 @sorrywonwoo @sillywinnergladiator   @minejungwoo @leesalts @mal-nakamoto23 @ro2424 @itlittlefangirl @nctzens-world @bl–ankhaeji @jeaneteflo @nuoyii @bralessmermaid @minhoseyeliner @tyongpoetry @swimmingkpopblog @jkjkseo @orphicmoon @floralescapes

A/N : this chapter marks the celebration of this blog surpassing 600 followers! thank you so much for all the support! also for minor readers, the sfw versions of nsfw chapters are given at the end of the masterlist so check those properly before reading.

•••••••••••••

y/n! Are you sleeping?”

Registering his words, you replied in a groggy voice,“What the fuck do you want?”

“Your phone. I left mine in the medical room. I need to call Mark right now.” with some authority, he spoke.

Whining loudly, you fell back on the bed. It was only due but flailing your arms and legs like a kid in a toy store, you let out a screech full of annoyance, cursing your fate.

Were you really going to babysit him now?

"Have you suddenly lost your hearing? Stop with this sick attitude and open the door."

A puff of air left your nose, your chest moved rhythmically with your stomach and you relaxed your arms beneath your head, eyes fixed at the fan above and ears ringing with his voice. He kept calling you and after a number of shouts, you started humming to distract yourself, afraid that you'd end up helping him otherwise. That was something, naturally, you were not interested in. Last time he had ignored your voice and now nature had presented you with an opportunity to return the favour. Just with a bit less flavour.

"Are you dead?"

"Hmmm. To you, yes I am." Mumbling, you yawned and pushed yourself up to reach your side table and fishing out your earphones from the bottom drawer, you untangled them and fixed them comfortably in your ear, hiding yourself underneath the sheets.

Sonata no.14 instantly transported you away from the noise and the stress that was your unwanted husband, yuta. The smile playing on your lips widened as you realised that you were his only mode of communication at the moment.

But You were going for a nap. Until then, he could wait. And thrash. And cry. Or die.

Rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, you rotated the handle of the door to walk outside but your little trip was interrupted when your body collided straight into a wall. No. The obstruction was too soft for a wall.

Opening your eyes properly, you saw yuta standing stiff. Surprised at the sudden appearance, you immediately stumbled back and in hurry, hit your spine on the wooden door. The glare of his eyes, that always spoke more than you could comprehend, coupled with a clenched jaw, was not a very pleasant sight for sure yet you found it harder to dart your own eyes away from him.

"Your phone" he seethed, breathing deeply.

"Huh?" You croaked out.

He raised his brow and in an instant, the previous scenario played like a short movie in your head. Snapping your head down, you regarded his leg with pity. He obviously noticed it immediately but seemed to ignore it and refrained from saying anything. Good for you, you thought.

"Are you deaf?"

Your furrowed brows met his eyes and with a roll of his own, he picked up his finger to force his demand but you managed to walk back inside your room before he could've done that.

Your back faced him as you contemplated your options while slowly stretching your arm to reach for your phone on the other side of the bed.

should you even be giving him your phone?

You had more trust in Taeyong than the man you shared a roof with so there was no way you were doing that.

Unbeknownst to you, yuta was watching your movements intently and the way you bobbed your head, he knew you were scheming something so he decided to be polite for a moment. Only until you were needed. Or your phone was needed.

Once the phone was in your hand, another thought crossed your mind.

"Wait. Where is the house phone?" Crossing your arms, you asked him slyly, already knowing the answer

"You fucking never got it installed. It's still in its stupid package" he seemed rather impatient.

"And you could've called reception through the door telecom. He would have phoned Mark for you. These rich apartments certainly have more hospitality tha-

"I CAN'T GO AROUND DISTRIBUTING AN UNDERGROUND CRIMINAL'S CONTACT NUMBER TO EVERYONE"

He inhaled and exhaled and you just watched until he opened his eyes again, hand reaching out to you.

"Chill. I've every right to be sceptic especially when you are the one asking for it."

Finding Mark's number on your phone, you called him.

Yuta's hand threaded through his rough hair as he noticed what you were trying to do.

"Hey mark!" Your chirpy voice resounded in the room and yuta was sure this was some different spirit speaking. You sounded too bubbly for the way you were investigating him just a second ago.

"Yes yes. His phone exactly.i don't trust him enough to hand over my phone so that's why I'm calling you myself. Just hurry up if you can or you might have to clean up a dead body in the next few hours."

With that you cut the phone. Without meeting yuta's gaze and resting your hand on the handle, you mumbled,

"He'll be here in an hour."

You were about to close the door when he stopped it with the palm of his hand, alerting you with the force.

"Tell him to get some food too."

And limping, he retired back, to the couches.

Sighing, you messaged mark. Had it been for something else, you'd have ignored but your own stomach had signalled you that it needed some good food so you chose not to fight against your own body.

Now, only the taste of the food could decide how many days you were going to tolerate that barbaric human.

"Are you still going to that stupid internship?" Johnny hesitantly murmured from your desk chair while taking big bites from the plate.

"It's not stupid please! I’m just waiting for them to actually pay attention to my awesome capabilities so they can transfer me to the main branch. This is not bad either but”, you stopped to lick your forefinger and tasting the sauce, continued, “but I really wanna go into the criminal unit. That’s where the actual fun is. As long as i’m being paid decently, i’ll suffer with the stupid research work here.”

“With the tongue as sharp as yours, I think you should be getting ready for a demotion instead” he laughed, showing you his fake bunny teeth in the most annoying and childish way.

“Ha ha ha ha. Some well wisher you are! Thank you so much for looking out for me but I'll be fine. Who knows the gatekeeper’s pay package is more than me. So it’d be a win-win in that case too I guess?” when you did a drum roll with your chopsticks to stress upon your point, he laughed harder.

"So being broke is the new black?" Rolling his eyes, he dragged out, "I swear you kids don't know how this world works."

"And you, grandpa of the century, knows?"

"I'm aware of what I need for my survival and from what I've learnt, you can either take risks or look for job security. In your case, " he fake coughed, "where the proportions of risk taking have already exceeded the acceptable limit, a job security is the best and safest option to choose."

"And that would justify my greed and desire to work for the biggest company of this city."

"Kun. The security you need and the independence you seek would be given by kun. Chois are hmm how to say? Cheap? Yeh cheap. They have no work ethics. "

"Have you worked with them, johnny?"

"No. I'm ju-

"Then was your ex a choi?" You saw his eyes comically and cutely widening at your remark.

"No. My ex wasn't a choi and that's not what I'm saying and you know that."

"Oh. So your ex wasn't a choi. Then a lee? Kim? Im? Oh my god! Look at your cheeks seo!" You dragged out. He shook his head as you kept wiggling your brows at him.

"She was a kim but that doesn't mean I would hate all kims dude. That's baseless and stop ignoring the topic. I want you to apply in Kuns. It's the best option. Do it as soon as you-

"Yeah yeah we'll see about that. First take that bitch back. I can't even nap in his presence. "

"Umm. Yeah. You gotta tolerate him. And besides he's injured. Injured yuta is like a gun without a bullet. He's gonna shout for a day or two and then peace out. He'll be sleeping and reading in his room and you won't even know if he's alive or not."

"Now that's bullshit. What is he going to do here anyway? I hope he can hop himself on one leg because even if the sun rises from the north, I am not going to do a single task for him. He can die hungry , for all I care.”

“Do you think you can endure him for some tasty dinners?”

Clicking your tongue, you quipped, “Do you really think you can buy me with a few homemade meals?”

Day 1

Yes. you were sold. The moment the tasty noodles had melted in your mouth, you knew you had no dignity. And you were indeed ashamed of yourself.

Earlier, Renjun had called you to inform you that he had delivered the food and medicines for yuta and had left your dinner box but he had failed to mention the special and endearing note that was pasted on the glass box. In the curvy letters, it read bitchy piglet and you swore the only person you’d be killing before yuta would be jaehyun. But you were going to use jaehyun to build up your tolerance instead.

When you went out to clean your dishes, he was playing some game on his phone, excitement evident from the way he was laughing every other second. Maybe if he remained occupied, he would not be so insufferable.

Day 3

"Oyii! Oyii!"

No. You were wrong. He was very very much insufferable.

At midnight, his voice echoed, disturbing your sleep. You cursed at the cool atmosphere that had prevented you from using the air con which otherwise would have blocked his annoying screeches. But it seemed like bad luck wanted to change its name to y/n instead. With your name being called like a broken record, it was a fight between you and him that you were not going to lose. Shuffling to your side, you covered your ears with the other pillow and tried to drown out the annoyingly demanding and hoarse voice. There was no way you were giving him the satisfaction of having any power over you. He could cry for all he liked!

“What the fuck do you want at this hour?”

Attempting a glare at him through sleepy lids, you spewed with irritation. Unlike you, he was very much awake, breathing with the sole purpose of making you question your whole existence.

“Pillow” scratching his non-existent beard, he mumbled.

Your nostrils flared and jaw clenched at such inconvenient command.

“You summoned me for a pillow? A pillow that can normally be found on a person’s bed? Can you please rectify your demand or did I just simply hear something wrong?”

The opened curtains and the moonlight that drenched the room was the only source that illuminated his face for you and even with drooping eyes, you could see how serious he was and yet you couldn't hold your tongue back because he simply deserved every shit you bestowed him with.

“Turn the lights on and count the pillows on my bed! And when you are done, get me some pillows from your room.” he simply stated.

“Why should i give you my pillow? I need them!”

“Because I don't use a pillow and I need it asap!”

“Then why do you suddenly need one? To disturb my sleep? Oh that makes sense.” and suddenly, your eyes had synced with your body to side with your fight mode.

“I need them for elevating my leg. The bandage is too tight and it’s not comfortable.”

“Then why don't you walk out of the room and get some cushions for yourself!” you raised your volume.

“Because my leg is in pain and i’m unable to get up? What makes you think I'm dying to see your ugly face at this time of the night. I dont wanna have nightmares of you as well but i can't help it ok!”

“you should have kept them near you. And who are you calling ugly hmm? You poop fac-

“Okay scream for all you want! But get me a pillow when your battery dies down!”

“What the fuck d- are you covering your ears? Wow ways to be generous!”

Stomping your foot, you left the room to get the hardest cushion on the couch.

“Here! Next time call Mark if you want anything. Don’t raise your voice ever again to call me because unlike you, i have work in the morning and hence I need some sleep..”

Just when you were about to leave after shoving the cushion in his hand, he spoke up again,

“This is damn hard! I asked for your pillow specifically and not th- AHH!”

A scream left him as you harshly removed the support , leaving his leg to painfully meet the mattress.

“How about you fix your attitude before fixing your leg?” suggesting, you dropped the cushion on the floor and left.

He didn't call you after that. Nor that you cared. However, the sleep in your eyes somehow vanished. Dancing on your sides didn’t help. Neither did drinking a glass of water. So, with a groan, you listened to your conscience and picked up your extra pillow that was sadly too perfect for your enemy.

Padding to his room, you tried your best to scrutinise and hearing his heavy snores, you placed the pillow right under his thigh and the cushion under his calf. Scoffing at his sleeping figure, you internally groaned to remind yourself that you hadn't done it for him. It was just a debt. For the blanket he had once covered you with. Nothing more and nothing less.

Day 5

You just wanted him out of your hair. He was just being a load on your head. At first, only the work was kicking your ass, then jungwoo was kicking you like a punching bag for an hour straight and adding to your distress was yuta.

"I'm not your maid! Stop piling up the dishes for me. I've had enough mercy on you. From today onwards, get a cleaner for yourself or buy disposable cutlery. I'm not going to clean after you!"

With a roll of his eyes, he had ignored you.

And so did you. Pasting a warning note on the sink tap, you had left for the library with a dying hope that maybe the kitchen would be spotless on your arrival or you'd be dialing some numbers in the evening.

For someone who despised the solemn atmosphere of libraries, you had successfully spent 11 hours in the said hellish room. It was 11 p.m and you wanted to sleep, more than anything but here you were, waiting for yugyeom so he'd just pick you up for a good drinking session that you were dying to have.

Fortunately, you weren't the only one who had missed living these past days. Everyone, for different reasons, was suffering so you felt a little less bad for yourself even though you knew your troubles were far more grave than their academic burdens.

"Wake up shorts" someone whispered in your ear. Squirming on your seat, you whipped your head in your sleepy state and found jungkook caressing your head, goofily smiling at you.

"I thought you wanted to hang out till the next morning" air quoting the last words, he picked up your bag.

"Yeah. Let's go. I'm all ready for a night full of vodkas." You yawned out.

"Definitely. No. You are going home. We can have a small get together me and yuggy are done with our final project." He dragged you out into the parking lot.

" I feel like it's been years since we got drunk together. You are never here anymore!" You whined at him, complaining your heart out.

"I will be. Soon. Then we can celebrate your little choi job as well."

"Oh please. Don't even mention it. If I had penny for every time they rolled their eyes at me, I'd be richer than your parents kook." You huffed out and as his gentle laugh surrounded you, you closed your eyes resting your back against the seat, expecting to be up by the time he'd park.

But the next day, you woke up tangled in the sheets of your bed, unaware of the events of the previous night.

When you had warned yuta about the dirty dishes, you hadn't expected him to fill the corners of the kitchen with disposable containers. It looked like you had missed a whole drama while sleeping in the library. The kitchen was shining except for the new utensils. But as long as you were not babysitting him, you were fine with anything. You didn't want to jinx your relief, however, you were glad you would be able to get some work done. finally.

You had spoken too early for your own good. Just when you sat down to write your paper, passionate and enthusiastic howls of that man pierced through your earphones and once again, you opened the window and hopped outside, in the balcony, ready to drown him out. Sipping on your lemonade, you gaped at the scenery the not so distant traffic provided you with and somehow, your thoughts wandered to the only person these horns reminded you of. Johnny.

What are you doing? Your fingers hovered over the text but once again, you deleted the message, declaring it to be too childish for someone as mature as him. Maybe you were just being silly. Maybe you were not. But who was going to put a stamp on your maybe?

Tears pricked your eyes as the harsh words of your senior thundered in the room. He kept shouting and you had no option than to consume each and every word he directed at you. Even if you were being insulted in front of your twenty other co-workers, staying quiet was the best option, you ascertained. so along with your saliva, you gulped your explanations down your throat.

Howsoever unconscious, you were still in the wrong. There was no excuse as to why you had mailed the wrong bills, apart from the headache that was caused by the person possibly lying on the sofa and watching t.v back home. No matter how much you tried to run away from his existence, he had somehow managed to let himself inside your head.

Glaring at the kid who asked for his turn on the park swing, you pushed yourself a little higher, letting the wind greet your stinging eyes as it hit your face in waves. Your phone buzzed in your pocket and you chose to ignore jungwoo for a day as it was the time, you decided, to let all the lessons that the past few months had taught you sink into your mind, to bleed into your soul so you won’t ever be able to deviate from them. Ever.

Only if that was so easy. You knew blaming others for your problems was no solution but trivialising them by not paying heed wasn't a smart move either.

When you reached home, your frustrations had died down. So when yuta simpered and pointed towards your empty container, telling you how he had already finished your supposed dinner, you simply rolled your eyes at him, robbing him of whatever he wanted to achieve by riling you up. Heating up the water, you were about to open the noodles packet when yeong called you.

You stared at the shattered phone screen in disbelief as the endless tears ran down your cheeks. As you verbalised the words to yourself again, your body met the floor with a thud.

Jungkook. Drugs. No more.

Three words had silenced the screeches in your head and your mind busied itself in rejecting what you had heard for it had to be a lie. But what how were you going to ignore the heart wrenching screams that yeong had let out. How were you going to dismiss the truth.

How were you all going to accept it?

••••••••••••••••

next update: Some day between 5-7 June.

[writersrealmbts]

Lonely Little Jack-o-Lantern

Description: Yoonkook x reader, Hybrid Au, Zombie Apocalypse Au. You operate your own little farm, living in an area that doesn’t have as many zombies as other areas, but one day a group of hybrids show up, and the changes are immediate, especially where Yoongi and Jungkook are concerned.

Warnings: Mild language, mild blood and gore (very mild)

Posted: 10/30/2020

Tags/Genre: Yoonkook x reader, hybrid au, zombie au

Sort of Fluff, Sort of Angst: 12,331 words

A/N: This is long as heck, so I hope you guys enjoy it, it’s not the normal zombie au type so bear with me, and I got caught up in details. All the details. But here is your story, @ditttiii​, my baby bird. And It’s technically still the 29th, but I was formatting it anyway and thought, hey, only a few hours away for me! Happy almost halloween!

You walked carefully, furtively looking around.

Then you spotted it, lifting your machete….

And quickly sliced down and through it, cutting it off at the neck.

Severing it’s lifeline.

How else would you dispatch it?

You straightened up with a grin, putting your machete again. “Perfect! You’ll make a fine jack-o-lantern! And your buddy will make a fantastic pumpkin pie!”

The pumpkins didn’t respond, not that you expected them too.

You picked the smaller one up by the vine and cradled the other in your arm, humming happily as you headed back toward your home.

Sure, there was a zombie apocalypse going on. In fact, most people had retreated to the shelters and military safety zones.

But…you hadn’t actually seen another soul for a couple months, or a zombie since last spring.

Cold was surprisingly effective at getting rid of zombies. They had all migrated to warmer climates, except for the odd straggler that moved so poorly due to frostbite damage that you easily dispatched them.

You’d taken up residence in an abandoned farm-store, with an attached greenhouse that you utilized to maximize food production (plus several extra greenhouses a ways away which definitely helped, but you didn’t use all of them for obvious reasons). You went on your merry way, making enough food for yourself, plus extra just in case, and setting aside extra goods for anyone who happened to come your way. You’d give them shelter plus some dried foods to take with them as they journeyed onward, and they usually repaid you with a couple days of help around the farm or kitchen.

Heck, last summer, you’d hosted an impromptu wedding. The group had been traveling together, both families having been together to meet one another before the wedding, and the groom’s father was a priest. He basically ordained you before he left, even told you where to look for legal documentation at the courthouse for if you ever needed to conduct another wedding.

At this point, the ceremony was more of a comfort sort of thing. A long-held tradition to bring a sense of normalcy to the abnormality of the life everyone now lived.

You paused once you reached your home again, feeling as though something were off.

Slowly you lowered the one pumpkin to the ground, grabbing your machete again.

Then you spotted them. Five figures, moving slowly, just shapes at the moment.

You scooped up the pumpkin again and quickly went inside, putting up your defenses just in case after depositing your pick onto the floor. Then you went out around the back to secure your livestock, which mostly consisted of birds that you had adopted from the abandoned homes and farms around you, a few rabbits, three goats (that you honestly only sheltered for the night, they did their own thing and you let them), and a little piglet that a passing family had left with you a few months ago (the runt of the litter, very weak at the time but slowly growing under your care). You went down the street every morning to milk some of the cows that lived there. You didn’t know enough about them to fully care for them, so you weren’t entirely certain what to do for them, but there was a farmer that came up once or twice a summer to check on you and the cows, and the small herd of cows hadn’t suffered yet. And you had butter, cheeses (when you didn’t mess up the process), canned milk, condensed milk, sweetened condensed milk, and had even tried to make yogurt once or twice (it didn’t go well).

Your next foray would be trying to milk the goats, something you’ve been avoiding because you’d never liked the goat products your family had always pushed on you when you were younger, but desperate times and all.

But that depended on you protecting your home today.

They were moving pretty slowly for humans, but not quite as sluggishly as you would have expected of zombies.

You would have to wait until they were closer.

Whatever they were, they still hadn’t spotted you, even as they got within a 100 feet of you.

“Halt! Identify yourselves!” You called out, pointing the rifle at them.

They stopped, some of them raising their hands, most of them looking surprised.

“We’re just passing through, trying to find our way to the sanctuary!” One of them called.

All of them were men, which made alarms go off in your head.

“You know you’re going the wrong way, right?” You asked, really not buying that story.

Until they all drooped and started griping at each other in a foreign language.

“Hey!” You yelled. “Still waiting!”

“Right, sorry, sorry, um, we were at the Cherimo base, but it was being evacuated, and we were on a smaller plane and it crashed…and…we’re lost…” The one that had spoken before said.

You studied them for a while. You had heard over the radio that something was going on due to resource loss, but the signal had been fuzzy and you weren’t sure why they would….

Was that a tail?

Oh.

Oh.

“Are you hybrids?” You asked, lowering the rifle carefully.

One of them nodded before the spokesperson, then nervously halted when he saw the others weren’t nodding.

You lowered your guard a little more. “Let me guess, autopilot failed?”

They all nodded this time.

It made sense. If there were limited resources, why wouldn’t they get rid of lifeforms they deemed less useful. Nevermind that so far hybrids had shown more immunity to whatever it was that made people zombies. If one of them were bitten or injured by a zombie, as long as they cleaned the wound thoroughly and quickly they wouldn’t turn.

“It…it seriously hurt one of our friends. The other stayed behind to take care of him, and we were supposed to find help. That was a couple days ago though….” The spokesperson said, voice trailing off or choking up.

You bit the inside of your lip, looking at your home from the corner of your eye, then sighing and putting the safety on. “Alright. I’ll get the truck ready, but if there are two people there, I can only take two extra people. The rest of you will have to stay here.”

“You’ll help us?” The spokesperson said, sounding completely surprised.

You nodded, heading toward the door to unlock it. “But there are going to be so many ground rules. First of all, I’m allowing you into my home, don’t make a mess of it. Drink as much water as you like, it’s clean, and I’ll cook something when I get back. But you can’t sleep here. It’s too dangerous for me. You can sleep in the greenhouse, or you could try the farmhouse down the street. I’ll make an exception for your injured friend and one other to keep him company. And I’m still going to be celebrating Halloween in a couple days, so deal with it.”

He was translating, but they already seemed to be agreeing.

You ushered them in while you got the keys to the truck. “Names?”

“Kim Namjoon,” The spokesperson said, “Fox is Jimin, Otter is Hoseok, red panda is Jungkook, and Taehyung is the bear.”

You paused to study him. “And what, exactly, are you?”

“White-nosed coati,” He answered, nervously.

You blinked at him, then shook your head and kept moving. Grabbing your first-aid kit (had you raided the emergency medical center a few miles from your home? yes, yes you had) and heading out to the truck, you didn’t bother looking to see who would join you.

It was Namjoon and the red panda, who thankfully looked strong. Jungkook?

They guided you back to where the plane had crashed, which wasn’t too hard after you got in the proximate area thanks to whoever it was that had stayed behind keeping a nice, smoky fire going.

But they hadn’t been joking.

Their friend was seriously injured.

The other looked up, obviously scared and desperate, relief visible when he smelled his friends, calling out to them in their language.

You hurried over, not caring about the snarl he emitted as you got close.

They had strapped him down carefully, so he couldn’t injure himself by moving, which was good, but….

“Yoongi, she’s here to help,” Namjoon said, more firmly.

You bit your lip. “Get him in the bed of the truck. We need to get him back to a clean environment, get him fully hydrated so that he can replenish any blood-loss, and then I’m going to have to clean and suture his wounds. Someone get the tailgate.”

The four of you quickly moved, but carefully got him into the truck and made sure he wouldn’t get jostled around too much. Then you drove carefully back to your home, parking as close to the door as possible.

You hopped out and hurried inside, rushing to the basement to grab some of the supplies you kept in the cold down there.

It was a slow process, especially since you kept double checking with the medical books and manuals that you were doing the right thing, but the other boys were patient. Namjoon reading it again aloud if you were uncertain, and reassuring Yoongi that you were being careful and doing your best.

So you had his wounds sanitized and stitched, had carefully given him some medicine to fight any infection that may have started despite the dedicated care Yoongi had provided, and all of you had decided that an I.V. was too dangerous to attempt without further research and verification.

And he was partially conscious by the time you finished, so you all just resolved to carefully give him lots of water (he was no longer strapped down, they knew his neck and back weren’t broken, they were just trying to keep him still), and he was carefully propped up in your guest bed by two in the afternoon.

You left Taehyung carefully giving him sips of water, closing the door softly to limit the stimulation.

“Thank you,” A voice said quietly, accent present.

You turned toward the voice and spotted Yoongi, head down. “No problem. He’s okay for now, I think. I’m not exactly a doctor or a nurse, but I’ve done everything I can.”

He nodded slowly, but you weren’t sure how much he actually understood. You thought he must have understood most of it, though.

You nodded as well, then took a deep breath…and turned away, heading for the kitchen. “Let’s get you all something to eat.”

They hesitantly followed you into the kitchen, peeking around furtively, and sticking to the spots that seemed to be out of the way.

You glanced at them, then grabbed a couple jars of chicken broth. “Well, are you going to stand there, or are you going to help?”

“Help,” Yoongi said immediately, stiffly walking a little further into the room.

You nodded, then pointed toward the pantry. “In there are potatoes, carrots, and onions. I need two onions…eight red-skin potatoes…and ten carrots. Could one of you go into the greenhouse, through that door, and get me three stalks of celery?”

Namjoon relayed the message and Jungkook nodded eagerly, heading that way.

“Garlic?” Yoongi asked, bringing out the other things.

You contemplated, then shrugged. “Sure, but only one or two cloves.”

He nodded again and headed back into the closet.

You glanced at the other three, then pointed toward the pantry. “In there, rice. Fill this.” You set a measuring bowl out.

Jimin (?) nodded and took the bowl, heading in to find the rice.

You got the jumbo-sized pot out and some of the butter and oil, but didn’t turn it on yet.

Jungkook came back with the celery and you smiled your thanks, getting a cutting board and a knife to carefully cut it up. Then you turned on the stove on a low setting to let the celery cook a little longer.

You had Hoseok (?) peeling the carrots, with instructions on how to chop them afterward.

Namjoon was washing the potatoes.

Jimin was carefully washing the rice.

Yoongi was chopping the onions.

You set Jungkook to mincing the garlic so you could pay attention to the cooking celery, and trying to remember what else you put in the soup. “Jimin, can you go pick some spinach? Fill this bowl, the tiny spinach, though.” You set a bowl down on the counter.

Jimin looked uncertainly to Namjoon, who translated, then he nodded, and headed out into the greenhouse.

Hopefully he knew what the spinach looked like.

Yoongi brought you the onion and you dumped it into the pot.

“Can you go get green onion? Just a small one,” You asked.

He blinked, then nodded, heading out.

You grabbed some eggs setting them nearby for when the onions were ready, and accepting the garlic from Jungkook, but keeping it to the side for the moment.

You handed the spoon to Jungkook. “Stir now and then.”

He nodded confidently.

You grabbed a pan and some of your cherry peppers and mini-sweet peppers. You cut them into chunky pieces, not too big, then coated them in some oil and put them in the oven under the broiler for five minutes, initially.

Jimin came back with the spinach with Yoongi, who had the green onion you had requested.

Jimin took all of it to the sink to wash it, asking something in Korean.

“He wants to know what you need done with the rice and the spinach,” Namjoon translated.

“Spinach can be coarsely chopped, just keep the rice set aside. The potatoes can be cut, somewhat large…um…” You looked around, then pulled the pepper chunks out of the oven. “Slightly bigger than this.”

Namjoon translated.

Hoseok nodded, grabbing the scrubbed potatoes and waving Namjoon away.

You continued watching to make sure they understood, then nodded and went back, checking to see how the onions were cooking, then adding the garlic.

Jungkook looked curious, but also frustrated, like he wanted to ask something but wasn’t entirely certain how.

You cracked half of the eggs into a dish to whisk them up, opting for more eggs since it meant more protein and you had a ton of them anyway. Then—pushing the onions, garlic and celery to one corner—you poured then eggs into the pot and then plonked the lid on for a couple minutes to let the egg cook a bit.

Jungkook stared at the lid, then looked at you, still seeming to lack the words to inquire.

You shrugged, gathering the peppers, and then quickly chopping the green onion, the green part a little bigger than the white, and tossed both of those into the pot when the egg seemed to be the right amount of cooked. Stirring carefully, not wanting to break up the eggs too much, but also wanting to let any uncooked egg have a chance and free the onions, garlic and celery from their eggy prison.

Dear god you hoped this would taste okay.

You boldly poured in the chicken broth, making sure nothing was clinging to the bottom. Then you added the rice, spinach and potatoes and left it to come back up to simmering while you pulled the extra chicken you had cooked out of your cooler. You had planned on making chicken stew, maybe cooking up some dumplings, but…you could tell they were hungry and this would be faster than chicken stew and less nitpicky.

You paused before starting to cut the chicken, quickly going to grab some seasoning and being very careful about measuring that up.

“What is this called?” Namjoon asked, gesturing to the pot.

“Would you believe chicken and rice soup?” You asked, going back to the chicken with a knife. “If you hadn’t noticed, I was kind of winging it. Hopefully it will taste okay.”

Yoongi gave you a thumbs up. “Thank you.”

You nodded. “It’s not much. We don’t even know if it will be good.”

“Still,” Yoongi murmured, shrugging and looking away.

You quickly looked back down at the chicken. “You all are the first people I’ve seen in a couple months. Don’t get me wrong, I love living here. It’s probably safer than even the military zones. The zombies can’t withstand the winters and it makes them easy to dispatch.”

“Lonely,” Jungkook murmured.

You shrugged. “Even in a crowd, people have the ability to feel alone. I think actually being alone is better. Then at least I can’t resent others for not noticing me. It’s an apocalypse. At least I chose this life. No one forced it on me, not the apocalypse, not a plague. I chose this for myself. There’s a sort of satisfaction in that.”

Yoongi came beside you, cat-like eyes flickering over the chicken you were shredding. Then he met your curious gaze, holding it for a long moment.

“I suppose that makes me lucky,” You added. “To be able to decide my own life.”

He blinked slowly.

You shifted on your feet, unnerved.

“Uh, the pot….” Namjoon said, voice nervous.

You broke away from Yoongi’s gaze, and turned toward the pot.

It was boiling, so you turned down the heat for the moment and gave it a stir, then went back toward the chicken.

Yoongi had already taken over.

You stared for a moment, then went to wash your hands. “This place runs on solar power, and has a well. Normally, when I have people here they exchange work for a place to stay for a few days. Your friend is in no shape to be moving anywhere—”

“We’ll happily help you with anything you need,” Namjoon said quickly.

The others were nodding in agreement as he quickly translated, all looking scared and somewhat terrified.

You held your hands up to stop them before they continued down the panicky path they were treading. “I was just going to say, that you can stay as long as you need while your friend is recovering. I’m going to go check on your friends.”

They nodded.

Jungkook followed you out and into the bedroom again.

Taehyung and Jin were asleep.

You carefully closed the door, then studied Jungkook for a moment, noticing a tear in his shirt that looked pretty big. “Are you hurt?”

He glanced down, then looked sheepish and shrugged.

You pointed to a chair. “Shirt off.”

He carefully removed his shirt, obviously in pain from the gash on his ribs.

You could just hit him upside the head. All that lifting he did!

So you did. “Don’t do stupid things like lifting people when you’re injured.”

He looked at you with wide eyes, and you don’t know how much of it he understood, but his cheeks turned red and he looked away quickly.

You went and got water and a cloth, then knelt beside him to carefully clean the wound. You tried not to notice how well-muscled he was, or how he looked much less innocent like this. Sure, he still had an adorably bushy tail, but—

You flinched as a hand rested on your head, lightly stroking your hair, peeking up to see Jungkook mesmerized by your hair.

He grabbed your free hand, which you’d put out to balance yourself when he startled you, and brought it to his heart.

You could feel it racing, and you locked eyes with him.

He shyly looked away after a moment.

You swallowed hard, then finished cleaning his cut, wiping some antibiotic ointment on it carefully, and then bandaging the area. “There. No heavy lifting for a while. I see you overworking and we’re binding your whole ribcage.” You stood up and packed the first aid kit up again, then hurried back into the kitchen.

You stirred the pot, pulling some rice to test it. “Not yet. Tomorrow, I thought a few of us could venture to the local stores and get all of you some extra clothing and shoes and other supplies. Only those of you who aren’t injured, though. There are monsters hiding out in some of the stores still. That means no Jungkook, and no Jimin—I saw you limping.”

“Jungkook?” Yoongi asked, eyes widening.

You nodded, turning to glance at Jungkook as he followed you in, shirt back on. “He has a nasty cut on his ribs. He shouldn’t have been doing any of the lifting he did.”

All of them started ragging on Jungkook, who was sheepish.

Yoongi was over beside the red panda hybrid talking lowly, quickly, and somewhat sternly.

Jungkook nodded, slouching to rest his head on the cat’s shoulder.

You added the chicken to the pot to distract yourself. You’d never really met any hybrids, except a couple of your childhood friends’, but you figured the scenting you were witnessing was more of a private thing from the way the others sort of averted their gazes.

But you were also morbidly curious.

Yoongi came over a few minutes later. “Seokjin?”

“Sleeping still. It’s good for him to rest. How much English do you understand?” You asked, turning a little.

He sort of shrugged.

“Sorry I can’t speak your language,” You said a little more quietly.

He shrugged again. “You…nice. Keep going.”

You blinked at him for a moment, barely registering Jimin in the background making a lot of complaining-type noises. “I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean, but…thank you?”

He nodded, looking embarrassed, then mumbled something to Namjoon.

Namjoon looked reluctant.

You studied the room.

Namjoon finally turned to you. “Yoongi was wondering how much you understand about hybrid situations during this…pandemic.”

You carefully tasted the broth as you debated how to answer. “I know…that many hybrids have been used as…stress relief for certain clientele to boost morale. Illegally. Others trained as foot-soldiers in the war against zombies. Sent to a slaughter.”

“Yeah. We were transferred to Cherimo six months ago. We were more for shows than anything too….” He didn’t seem to know how to continue.

You stirred the pot nervously. “Shows?”

“Music,” He reassured you. “But…they were talking about us…taking on second jobs. Just before the crisis. Then we were determined to be expendable.”

You nodded. “I understand. Well, once you’ve recovered, we’ll see about getting you all set up on your own, where no one can determine what you can or can’t be. With any decency, you’ll never have to face such threats again.” You tasted the rice again and nodded firmly. “Well, threats from zombies always exist nowadays. Soup is done. Someone grab the bowls from that cupboard.”

Jungkook was hurrying to do as you asked, getting out the four bowls you had, and then looking worriedly in the cupboards.

You went over, opening the one he hadn’t looked in and pulling out assorted other bowls. “They’re all sort of scavenged. I’ve never really needed more than six bowls before today. Guess we should pick up more when we break into the store tomorrow. I think Seokjin should just have broth for now.”

Jimin nodded, taking the bowl of broth you’d ladled out and heading back toward the room.

You gestured for the other boys to get food for themselves, not exactly hungry yourself since you’d had a decent breakfast and instead opting to bring up your pumpkins. One to carve, one to eat. And then you’d also be able to roast any pumpkin seeds to munch on throughout the winter.

Jungkook, Yoongi, and Namjoon stayed in the kitchen while they ate, mostly watching you as you prepared to cut open the pumpkin you were going to carve.

“What…are you doing?” Jungkook asked carefully, quickly filling his mouth afterward.

“Making a jack-o-lantern. I’m going to gut this, then carve a face into it and pretend it’s a normal Halloween occurring in a couple of days.” You managed to get the knife through the thick rind, then carefully cut open the top of the pumpkin.

It took a while for Namjoon to translate since he’d been in the middle of inhaling his food, but after he did, Jungkook nodded, still looking curious.

Yoongi seemed indifferent, mostly muttering something that alerted Jungkook to the fact that his soup still existed, and giving Jungkook a big chunk of chicken.

“Where do you get things like flour and rice?”

You made a face. “Well, most of it I pilfered from stores. I was lucky to find this place early on, lived about a half-hour drive from here, and they had some things. There are stores equidistantly around here: One to the south, one to the north, and one to the east. West is more farmland and forest mix, as you probably surmised by the drive to your crash site. And there’s a farmer to the south that I do work exchange with. He grows wheat, corn, and sugar-beets, and helps me with some livestock. He in turn knows a guy to the east that’s been running some flour and sugar-beet processing, so he’s been providing me with some flour and sugar when he gets the chance.”

“And what do you do for him?”

You pointed to your basket of eggs. “His wife is allergic to feathers. I provide them with bird meat, and eggs. And I can grow things here throughout the winter, and I have a pretty efficient canning process going here. We just exchange goods and services. Nothing else. His son came with him once last winter. They were out of greens. Thankfully, I had enough for what they needed, and sent them home with plenty of greens and some extra goods to help them out. There are benefits to being a party of one, just as there are downfalls.”

“Being lonely,” Yoongi said quietly, not missing a beat and not looking your way.

You shrugged. “But I get a lot done. And I know that if I need company, it’s not terribly far to where his family is. The rule is to bring some goods though. Like, his wife came to visit me sometime in January—they have a horse and wagon that he rigged a heating system in—and she brought me a cherry pie. I spent Christmas with them, and took an apple and a pumpkin pie. That sort of thing. And if you guys settle near here, then we’ll probably do trades with you guys as well. And if you don’t, that’s fine too. What I’m saying…is that solitude isn’t quite so terrible when you know that there is someone around if you really need them.”

Jungkook had moved closer, watching you scrape out the pumpkin guts with clear curiosity.

You glanced at him again, then turned your attention to carefully cutting slices of pumpkin flesh from the inside of it, not wanting to waste any of it. You were determined to experiment more this year, try not to waste anything because it was…hard. Hard to make everything count, and with seven extra mouths eating you were going to need to make every bit count. You had multiple foods curing in the sun so that you could store them on the shelves in the basement, but still…even though you’d been doing this a while, it was always a curious thing trying to figure out if you had enough food for the winter. And it wasn’t as though you could do much about it with it being the end of October.

“How much warning did you get?” Namjoon asked, the first question he seemed to have himself.

You gave a half-laugh. “Well…we knew about the outbreaks in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa…and my family was already taking it seriously. My parents decided to move out to live with my brother. I was still working, and printing off binders worth of information. No one ever thought to hit bookstores. My dad had started buying gas-tanks and filling two whenever he went to get gas. Left that for me since mom wanted to be by my brother and his family.”

“You didn’t go with them?”

You shrugged. “Half-brother? Not on the best terms. We would have killed each other. As it is, we talk on the sat-phones on Mother’s Day and Christmas. Everyone thought the world would shut down completely, but it didn’t. Anyway, I was banking on them surviving. As much as we don’t get along, my brother is a former marine and his neighbors are well spaced and consist of an older trapper and his wife, a marine buddy of his with his wife, and a cattle ranch. They’re doing great. And I got enough plants and seeds and information, not to mention people raced to get out of the area when they were told it was safest to get to a fort or the nearest Military zone. I hid in the basement for three days after that announcement, but nothing happened to me. I stayed at the house for a month after, packing the truck and trailer. I had my car still, with a full tank of gas, and I went around to see what things were like. There were still a few groups evacuating, but no one really paid attention to me. Met the owners of this place, asked if they were staying or going. They were older, and had been planning on selling the place before all of it went down. I gave them a wad of cash and a box of canned food, they gave me the keys. Everyone I did meet thought I was crazy. I was very careful about moving everything, and I kept everything locked up tight.”

“When did the zombies hit?”

“About this time that year. I remember because I thought it was ironic that the zombies would finally show up around Halloween. They were pretty bad that fall, and into December because it wasn’t as cold of a winter as normal. But January swooped in like a champ with below-freezing temperatures and lots of snow. I was lucky. Very lucky.” You finished picking the seeds out of the guts (at least, you were fairly certain you had removed all of them). “The cell towers were still work intermittently, so I can look up information quickly if I want. And the powerplants…they were still running until December. But hey, I’ve got three generators, and a crap-ton of car batteries for powering extra things, like the greenhouses.”

“Did you farm before this?”

You wrinkled your nose as you thought about it. “Honestly? Not to this extent. I’d thought about it, but the most we ever had was a vegetable garden and a couple of fruit trees. To say there was a learning curve would be an understatement. But I got through it.

“Scared,” Jungkook asked, gaze locked on you.

You shrugged. “Who isn’t? Would you like more soup?”

He looked at his bowl, then looked toward the pot.

“You guys can just help yourselves. I’ll probably eat later.” You picked the knife up again, seeing the end of the conversation in sight once more. Less distraction while holding a sharp object. Sure, what you were cutting out of your jack-o-lantern wasn’t going to be pretty, but you could roast the, up like fries and that would be really yummy. Or you could try to make a pumpkin spice something or other. You weren’t really sure what you would do with all of the pumpkin innards you were breaking out.

You just knew the shell was getting a face.

You paused, turning back to the egg basket. “I never let the animals out again.”

Someone followed you as you rushed out the back door to the small stable/barn/shed that you had shooed the animals into (that weren’t already secure in their own pens, mind), opening the doors to the fenced area for the pig and goats to run around, including your favorite pygmy goat that you honestly rescued just because it was cute. Whoever it was helped you shoo the ten chickens, two turkeys, three ducks, and one grumpy goose out into the bird run.

“Go on chicks. Guster! Get your tail-feathers through that door,” You scolded, picking up the grumpy goose and essentially tossing him through.

He landed just fine, honking angrily at you.

The ducks were happily settling near you, but you carefully shuffled them through the door.

The turkeys had gone through the moment you opened the door, the smarty-pants.

As for the peafowl in the pen on the other side of the property…well…as pretty as they were, you pretty much just fed them and cared for them because you felt bad for them. Sure, you had lot of pretty feathers for crafts in wintertime, but they were loud. And picky. And they ate so much, and needed warmer, dryer, well-kept pens.

But they were also very sweet and probably hand-raised because they always came right up to you.

Without a feed source to purchase for them, you hadn’t thought they would survive this long, but they were still plucking along. You let the male out during the hot days of summer to roam, but he always came back just in time for you to put clean water and whatever treat you’d scrounged up.

You’d let all of the birds out when you’d been tilling, letting them get the grubs and ants and other insects that were in your way.

The ducks would usually go down to the pond, but you’d just cleaned out their swimming pool, so you figured they would be fine as long as Guster didn’t decide they weren’t allowed to be there.

You would have to add more minnows to the pool.

There were so many things you hadn’t considered when you were setting up everything and rescuing the animals you did, that you just sort of figured out as you went. Like, hey! If you capture some minnows and raise them you can give them to your ducks and geese and they will adore you for centuries.

You had to raid the U-Haul and get a bigger transport vehicle, then raid a bunch of farm and pet supply stores. Then again that would use up a lot of gas as well.

“Uh…sheep?”

You turned around, looking at Jungkook, then at the goat that was trying to eat his shoe-laces. “Goat. Carl. Just push him.”

He did, and Carl plodded away.

Yoongi was also there, holding an egg and looking curious.

You glanced around, then grabbed an egg-carton. “Guess we should check for more eggs while we’re here.”

They nodded and helped you search, noses twitching and active as they explored the nooks and crannies.

Four eggs wasn’t bad considering you’d just collected eggs that morning. You’d put them in with the broody turkey. She’d hatched at least half of your chickens, and your third duck. She was your most valued asset.

The boys stood well-back while you carefully pushed her from her nest from behind, and placed the eggs before she could attack your hand, then closed the back hatch.

She was happily situated once more when you peeked in.

“Great. Okay. I need to make the trip across to the other pen, and then go down to see the cows this afternoon. But I need to show a couple of you what to do since we’ll probably be gone most of tomorrow,” You spoke, not really expecting a response.

Jungkook caught your wrist. “Me.”

“Alone?”

“You are alone.”

“But I’ve had practice. At least get Jimin and…who else is staying behind tomorrow? Besides Jin.”

Yoongi shook his head. “Jungkook and Jimin.”

You nodded. “Okay, then at least get Jimin to come see what to do as well. Don’t rush. We’re heading toward that building.”

He looked and nodded, then jogged away.

You huffed. “That boy.”

Yoongi made a soft sound, like he agreed but was also amused.

You turned to him. “Does it bother you when I just ramble on?”

He shook his head, a certain intensity in his gaze as he met your eyes that made it hard to continue meeting his gaze.

But impossible to look away.

His ears twitched, but they were angled toward you. His tail flicked as he stepped closer to you.

Warning lights went off in your head. Seven men. One girl. Alone.

You whipped around as fast as you could and started walking, grabbing the bucket of feed you’d prepared earlier. “Welp, let’s go. I’m sure they’ll catch up with us soon.”

And you swore you heard him hiss in surprise, and you just wanted to laugh at how ridiculous you were being and how ridiculous this situation was, but honestly who would have thought—

You squeaked in alarm dropping the bucket and running back toward the house to grab the rifle and the axe, then racing back toward your peacocks to save them from the zombie.

Yoongi gladly accepted the ax, hurrying after you, but also staying a good ways back so that you would have time to shoot the thing so he could chop it’s head off.

You’d become a very good shot in the past two years.

Yoongi looked like he might be sick after cutting its head off.

You didn’t blame him.

Wordlessly the two of you dragged it a place where you could bury it when you got the chance.

Jungkook and Jimin were there when you two returned, with Namjoon to translate.

Poor Namjoon.

When you were finally done instructing them on the peacocks, and the other animals on the property, you all headed down the street to the cows.

Jungkook fascinatedly touched the cows, while Jimin and Yoongi crouched beside you to learn.

And Yoongi was only gulping several times while he watched the milk tin you and Jimin filled, one cow after another.

The boys were also teasing him, and though he refused to give them much of a reaction, his cheeks were a little red and there was a twitch at the corners of his mouth that hinted at a smile and man that was adorable, especially with how his eyes closed slightly and his hair—

Oh no.

Oh no no no.

Nope.

Nuhuh.

Stop it.

“So, what do you do with it now?” Namjoon asked.

You shrugged. “Take it home, separate the cream, pasteurize the milk. Then I’m either going to drink it or make something out of it.”

“Cool,” He replied, then translated, but you got the feeling that only Jimin really needed the translation as the two of them walked away, Jimin carrying the container effortlessly.

Jungkook and Yoongi walked with you, looking around at the farm while you got the cows some fresh hay, and inspecting the houses that the three of you walked past on your way back.

“Where did they go?” Jungkook asked carefully, looking at each abandoned house.

“I don’t know,” You answered quietly. You’d been to each house. When you finished your chores in the winter you amused yourself by inspecting the houses around you. Gathering furniture and supplies that you decided were needed.

“You live there,” Jungkook asked.

You shrugged. “Yeah. It made sense. Live where you work. I was just lucky that they had an extra room attached to the store area that I could turn into my room. I’ll probably just sleep in the kitchen, though. It’d pretty comfortable there once I set up the cot. Nice and warm.”

Jungkook paused by one of your smaller pumpkins that was sun-cured and awaiting transport to where it would be resting for winter or for later processing.

You paused as well, then picked it up. “Come on, panda boy. You can carve one too.”

Yoongi started purring but quickly coughed to cover it.

The other boys were distracted, talking with Taehyung quietly but animatedly, and the door to the room where Seokjin lay was propped open slightly. Seokjin was asleep and Taehyung was eating, cheeks bulging slightly from how much food he’d shoveled in.

Felt good to have your food appreciated, even if they were only eating it because they were half-starved.

Yoongi and Jungkook followed you into the kitchen (Yoongi moving the milk pails, that Jimin had left on the floor near the sink, onto the counter for you).

Jungkook went at his pumpkin carefully, but the one time he didn’t do something carefully he earned a low growl from Yoongi. He proceeded to stick his tongue out at the feline, and continuing carefully.

You pushed the bowl of seeded gut, unseeded guts, and seeds toward Yoongi with a grin.

He winced, but didn’t fight it. He did get a fork and spoon to help him sift through though.

Jungkook hummed as he worked, filling the slight-awkward-slightly-comfortable silence, sometimes murmuring a word or two in Korean.

And you believed that they’d been in the music industry, because there was no way they would pass up the chance for a rare hybrid that could also sing. And Red panda hybrids were rare.

There hadn’t been much of a hybrid-culture around you growing up, so you were aware of it, and had met a few hybrids that were therapy hybrids, but you’d never had significant exposure to them aside from your one road trip with you friends when you broke down in a hybrid town. The hybrid women that came to your rescue been extremely kind to you and your friend and had gotten you on the road again. But they’d told you to avoid hybrid males, “For everyone’s sake” and now…you still weren’t certain what it meant.

You wondered how they were doing during this apocalypse. They’d probably just stayed put and established more defenses. They were already mostly self-sustaining, with their own power supply and water system. Most people wouldn’t have even passed through there unless they were very, very lost.

“There’s a hybrid town…there was a hybrid town, to the east of here. There were completely self-sustaining. After your friend heals up, you might want to head that way,” You said in the silence after Jungkook finished his song. You were finished with your jack-o-lantern, just peeling the skin off of the bits you had carved out to add to the pile of salvaged pumpkin flesh.

Jungkook went rigid, and his tail fluffed out.

Yoongi also looked…tense.

“Or not. Do whatever you guys want,” You quickly added, a little alarmed at how alarmed they got. You’d just wanted to let them know that there was somewhere they might have a better chance. They’d said they wanted to go to the nearest safety zone, but that would also mean returning to servitude, discrimination, and possibly worse things.

Jungkook and Yoongi started having a rapid conversation over the workspace, Jungkook looking desperate and despairing, Yoongi looking uneasy and reluctant and adamant.

You weren’t sure what it was you had said, but they seemed to be quickly heading toward some sort of dispute and Jungkook suddenly turned adamant as well and Yoongi got a fed-up look.

“Namjoonie-hyung!” Jungkook finally called loudly, slamming the knife he had been using down on the counter and turning to head toward the main room.

Yoongi’s eyes widened and he hurried after the panda. “Yah, Jungkook-ah.”

You watched them go, then quickly grabbed the knives and put them in the sink in case they came back. Then you started sorting the seeds out of the guts of Jungkook’s pumpkin as the debate appeared to continue in the next room with lots of shushing.

You really wished you’d gotten more language textbooks and dictionaries. But honestly, there was no way you could have foreseen needing to know Korean.

———

Seokjin was already looking better the next morning, and more aware. Taehyung was carefully feeding him, and between the two of them they managed to tell you about the other pains—possibly broken bones—that Seokjin had. But all you could really do about them (aside from feel them and see if you could feel any displacement, which you didn’t) was splint them and tell him to not take any risks. Unfortunately, at least one of his legs appeared to be broken. You had a brace that he went into comfortable, but that was the best you could do for him.

At least they weren’t avoiding you like the others.

You weren’t sure what it was that you had said that set them off, but, after the…discussion yesterday afternoon, most of the boys sort of avoided you. Looked nervous.

But as it got later in the morning, you gathered and loaded some supplies into the truck. You’d already hooked up the trailer

Jungkook met you there, looking determined.

“No,” You said firmly. “I told you, no injured people on this trip. Too dangerous.”

His brow furrowed.

“No,” You repeated. You were not going to be fought on this. No way.

Finally he stalked away.

You wished you felt victorious.

Namjoon, Yoongi, Hoseok, and Taehyung were set to go with you—though Taehyung appeared to be giving very detailed instructions to Jimin and Jungkook about Jin’s care—and soon packed into the vehicle.

It was very awkward. Yoongi sat in the back with Hoseok, but he wouldn’t look at you.

Namjoon and Taehyung were crammed in the front and Taehyung had apparently tired of practicing his English because he was talking with Namjoon.

Your hand went to the pocket with the list of things you wanted to look for, as if the list would reassure you that everything was okay.

You could feel someone’s gaze burning into you, and you knew who it was without looking.

You knew it was Yoongi.

You just wished you knew why.

You’d gone east, since that town was fractionally closer, easier to navigate, and hadn’t been raided as much.

“What’s the plan?” Namjoon asked as the houses started giving way to more business stuff.

You started to reply, then pulled into the hospital that was there (just a random specialist center, not a full one, but you thought it still might have some things you could use). “First we see if we can find Seokjin a wheelchair, crutches, or more braces—anything that might help. You have your weapons?”

They nodded.

You parked the vehicle, studying the building for a moment. “Okay. We stick together. Two people look, the other three guard. Got it?”

A smattering of agreements and a queasy nod from Hoseok let you know that they agreed.

“Hoseok and Yoongi, you want to look for the equipment?”

They nodded, though Yoongi was slightly more reluctant.

“Yoongi thinks I should help look for equipment and he should help guard.”

You gave Namjoon a quizzical look.

He rubbed his neck sheepishly. “I’m a little clumsy. They call me the god of destruction. He doesn’t want me to destroy everyone.”

You nodded. “Okay. Also, guys, if you see medical things that will fit in our bags, go ahead and carefully grab it. Especially gloves.”

He nodded, translating for everyone, then listening to a few follow ups. “Okay, so, just to be sure we’re all on, uh, the same page—Hoseok and I search and gather large and small supplies. Taehyung and Yoongi guard, but also grab things as they see them, and you’re guarding and searching as well?”

“That is correct,” You answered, curious. Had that not been clear? “I mean, I can also push one of the carts we brought but…I don’t even know if this place will have zombies. It was mostly an rehab center for old people, and I mostly think we’ll find gloves and hopefully a wheelchair or walker.” You shrugged.

Famous last words?

There were definitely a few zombies.

And by a few, you mean a few dozen.

Also, Hoseok was completely terrified of both the zombies and his weapons. No wonder he looked queasy.

You found a room that was empty and the five of you managed to get inside without zombies , locking and then barricading the door so you all could catch your breath and double check for injuries.

Yoongi grabbed you, moving you around and frantically checking you over, then sighing wordlessly.

“I’m fine. Were any of you hurt?” You asked, trying to visually assess Yoongi since he blocked your view of the others.

“We’re good, Tae had a close call, but he wasn’t bitten.”

Hoseok moved into your line of sight and pulled on Yoongi’s shirt, which somehow effectively pulled him away from you.

Which was good.

You were starting to feel a little nervous.

“Wheelchair!” Taehyung suddenly shouted, all signs of fatigue gone as he rushed toward a whole stack of them.

You looked around at the supplies, then met Namjoon’s gaze. “I guess this would be the supply room.”

Namjoon just grinned.

All of you quickly dispersed to fill your bags with supplies, Namjoon grabbing the different braces and checking how big they were, Hoseok carefully grabbing boxes of gloves and carefully looking over bandaging and such, and Taehyung still playing with the wheelchair.

Yoongi was trying to decipher the labels on the medicine.

You started bagging rubbing alcohol, peroxide, other creams and liquids that you recognized.

Which led to you being beside Yoongi helping grab medicines.

Yoongi seemed to look you over again. “You’re okay?”

“I’m okay,” You answered again, shrugging.

Yoongi nodded, then showed you a label.

You nodded, then went to check on the other boys.

But Yoongi stopped you, a strange desperation in his eyes. “Stay by me,” He said firmly, anxiously.

You stared into his eyes for a moment.

“When leave, stay by me. Please,” He begged, grip on you tight.

You weren’t certain what it was about the way he asked, but the moment he asked, you knew you would say yes. “Okay. When we leave.”

All of you jumped when something banged on the door, but it didn’t sound forceful, and a glance toward the door proved that it was just one of the zombies lightly hitting the door with a cane. Geriatric zombies, those were a thing now. Zombies who used canes and possibly walkers.

Now if only they weren’t interspersed with other zombies that didn’t need such aids, getting out of there would be a cake-walk.

But like most of your life since the pandemic, of course it wouldn’t be easy.

“He should be fine,” Namjoon reassured you, pouring more peroxide over the nasty bite and ignoring Yoongi’s growl of pain.

“Why would he do that?” You asked in a whisper, shaken to your core. The five of you were in a different parking lot now, treating his bite since the coast was clear.

The boys just exchanged glances, then shrugged or muttered something.

“Well…he can take a bite and survive as long as we sanitize fast enough, whereas if you were bitten…that’d be it for you,” Namjoon said carefully, watching as Hoseok meticulously cleaned the wound and then applied antibiotic cream. “It’s preferable.”

“It’s still dangerous,” You whispered, then scanned the surroundings again for any interlopers. “And we’ll give him some antivirals just in case. I still don’t understand why…why he acts the way he does around me. One minute he won’t look at me, and the next he’s getting bit by a zombie so that I won’t be bitten.”

Namjoon looked uncomfortable, like he was hiding something.

Hoseok’s gaze darted up at you, and Yoongi was definitely looking a little red.

Taehyung was checking out the store-fronts, only a couple of steps away from the group. He pointed at one of the stores. “Why…why?”

You followed his gaze, noticing the door that you had marked. “I did that. I barricaded it and marked it. The back door too. I cleared it out. It’s safe to go in there. We’ll get you guys clothing, shoes, coats, and other extra things. But they may have gotten in through the back, so we should secure that before we start grabbing things. And I get to approve of the coats, because there’s a certain type you’ll need to make it through a winter here. Hats. Scarves. Gloves. Blankets. Sheets. Pots and pans. Dishes. You should stay in the truck,” You said pointedly, looking at Yoongi.

He rebelliously looked back, stubbornness in his features. “No. You go, I go.”

You huffed, and folded your arms, but you weren’t about to fight him as well. “Fine, but you’re staying back.”

His eyes narrowed, but that was the only response he seemed to give you.

Once Hoseok had bandaged it, and used one of the compression sleeves you all had liberated from rehab center to hold the bandaging in place and give it more protection, all of you carefully removed your barrier and then cautiously entered the store.

But the barricade on the back door was still in-tact, so you all blocked up the front door for while you were shopping, and each of you took a grocery cart or two with you. You went to the kitchen stuff first and filled a cart, then the home goods stuff and filled a cart. Checked on the boys, but they were trying on clothes and shoes together and seeming to discuss the sizes of the others.

So you went and got yourself some more clothing, your gaze continually catching on the night clothes and intimates.

But that was ridiculous. You didn’t need that stuff. You had no one to impress or dress for.

Then again….

After you put those carefully packed suitcases near the front with the carts you’d filled, then started going through coats, grabbing a few for yourself, but mostly pulling options for the hybrids. The warmest brands. Sturdy ones.

You flinched and jumped at the sound of someone sighing just behind you, staring at Yoongi as he examined one of the coats you’d set aside.

Yoongi met your gaze, looked back to the coat, then stepped closer to you. In your space.

You held your breath as he held you in his stare.

He stepped closer, body right next to yours, and then he ducked and tucked his face against your neck.

You froze, feeling his nose brush against your neck, his furry ears tickling your cheek.

Then his lips pressed to your skin and he pulled away, hand resting on the other side of your face, cupping it so that you didn’t look away as he pulled back.

After a second, amusement sparkled in his eyes and he smirked slightly.

Then he was walking away.

And you were frozen. Absolutely frozen.

Because what the hell was that.

Once you had a coat for each of them, including the ones that were waiting at home, they all sort of went to explore since they could.

You grabbed hats and gloves, some beauty products that it carried (which weren’t numerous). Socks. Boots for when yours wore out.

Then you and the boys carefully packed everything into the trailer before heading over to a farm store that you’d raided and secured before.

Except this time you had extra muscle power to load those wood-burning stoves into your trailer. And extra lumber, chicken wire and other fencing supplies, tools, oils, kerosene, butane, propane, rope, nails, screws, sleeping bags, tents, flashlights and lamps, brooders, feeders and waterers for all of your animals, extra chicken coops and rabbit hutches and just so many different and various things you needed or would need. And lots of seeds. And heavy duty work-boots, overalls, and other labor gear for everyone (yourself included, because you would wear through those boots eventually and your father had drilled in you the importance of good footwear).

Not because you couldn’t come back. With the gas you’d managed to salvage, you probably had enough for another eight trips if you kept decent speeds and your car stayed maintained. And your neighbor had been talking about rigging vehicles with alternate fuel sources, so if he ever got that working….

But you had to assume that he wouldn’t, which meant getting as much as you could while you were in town.

Which is why you thought it couldn’t hurt to see if that little oriental market that had been near there had anything that kept that they might enjoy. But it was smaller, so you told them only one other person could go in with you and still be able to fight, and that you’d prefer it be Namjoon since the two of you could communicate more easily.

There was extreme reluctance, especially since you hadn’t specified where you were going and there were several stores in that plaza, but with the walkie talkies that you all had acquired they finally agreed.

And you got five sacks of rice that still seemed to be okay.

Then you guys hit the plaza with two big-box stores. Getting storage containers, mattresses (because none of you trusted the mattresses left behind in the houses, and the boys insisted if they get one [bless them, they planned on sharing one] that you get one as well and Yoongi wouldn’t let you say no so you made them get two mattresses for themselves), and then you all split up to search the many food isles for unexpired goods.

And of course you got paired with Yoongi.

Neither of you said anything as you started walking up and down the isles, you pushing the cart because he was insisting on being the guard. Not that you guys thought there might still be zombies lurking around (you highly doubted there would be any still hiding after the way Taehyung had run around yelling happily once the group had finished killing the four or five zombies that were in there), but it was better to be safe than sorry.

So there you were, chucking snacks that had been chock-full of preservatives into the cart, and wondering if the cereals would be stale or if they could still be good after two years.

Wondering if he was ever going to say anything.

Grabbing just about every canned good after checking expiration dates.

Taehyung said more when he brought you guys two carts, speaking mostly to Yoongi, who translated roughly. Something about the other boys and medicine.

And then Taehyung was gone with the other two carts he had been pushing, and dragging your full cart away.

The store next door had yarns and fabrics that you all just packed right up, regardless of pattern or texture, as well as all of the threads and pins and beads, packing everything in more boxes and such. Raiding the notebooks, pens, pencils, books (including text books, which included English textbooks that Yoongi grabbed several of, and a Korean-English dictionary and textbooks that you grabbed since you figured they’d be there for a while and hey, what’s another language to pass the time), clothing (again, what could you say, you didn’t know how to make socks or comfortable underwear), instant-photo cameras (Taehyung was especially excited about those with main mentions of Jimin in his ramblings), another pharmacy raid, shampoo and soap, and all of the hybrid stuff that they could ever want, extra furniture that was easier to move, more dishes and cookware, candles, canning supplies, solar panels, solar batteries (could never have enough of those), more foods that you knew would keep (because you were now feeding eight people and Taehyung liked to snack, he was doing it in the store the moment you said something was still good), and then if the boys secreted some things into what you all got you didn’t pay attention since they also didn’t pay attention as you checked out the period supplies because that didn’t stop with the pandemic and though you had alternatives (which you picked up more of, thank the heavens) sometimes it was just easier.

And Taehyung had a cart full of ramen that you weren’t about to fault him for.

Yoongi was the only one awake on the drive home.

“What was that earlier?” You asked. “At the coat store.”

He sighed and you heard pages turning. “True partner.”

You waited for more, but that seemed to be all he was going to say on that front. “What does that mean?”

He sighed again, this time more aggravated and with a slight hiss to it. More pages flipping and you could see his frown in the rear-view mirror.

Finally a frustrated growl and the thunk of a book closing. “Home. Jungkook.”

“We’re almost there,” You replied quietly, sighing. “Almost there.”

Jungkook rushed out when you all arrived, grinning with relief. “Hyungs!”

“Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi called back, hurrying to him and grabbing his wrists.

Jungkook immediately nuzzled Yoongi’s neck while Yoongi started muttering something, with glances toward you that soon had Jungkook staring as he gently fingered the fabric over the bandaging.

Taehyung raced inside.

Namjoon gestured to the load. “Unload today, or tomorrow?”

“Unload light stuff, leave the heavy stuff for later.”

He nodded, translating and calling Jungkook and Yoongi over.

You grabbed an old pumpkin cart and brought it over for them while Jimin brought over a couple of the grocery carts.

And Jungkook….

You had to scold him about eight-dozen times not to lift things that were too heavy, but every time he just grinned at you and cutely said “no speak English” and carried on (but it usually gave the other guys time to get over to him and at least help carry the heavier things.

Jimin was parked in the basement stacking canned and jarred goods on your food shelves and medicines and other non-food items on your other shelves, since it required less movement and he apparently aggravated his injury while all of you were gone. You were guessing one of the goats tried to get him, but Namjoon didn’t seem to know how to translate what was said, so you just left it at that.

Taehyung had rejoined everyone in unloading, and was working with you as a two man conveyor system for Jimin.

You swore Jungkook was trying to show off.

Yoongi took the suitcases that all of you had filled with clothing and coats and stacked them in your bedroom to go through later.

And before you knew it, the truck and trailer were almost completely empty.

Jungkook had ingredients out like he was about to cook, and he looked at you happily, as though inviting you to cook with him.

You nodded, gesturing for him to lead on.

He grinned and then brought you some vegetables. “Chop.”

You nodded, not even surprised as Yoongi also joined you and Jungkook and everyone else disappeared to ‘go check on Seokjin’. Because you could see Taehyung and Jimin playing outside and exploring one of the greenhouses, looking at the pumpkins, and Namjoon was just through the door, looking through a stack of books. Which meant Hoseok was probably the only one who actually went to check on Seokjin.

Yoongi and Jungkook somehow managed to give you enough instructions that you managed to help them, and when they couldn’t find an ingredient and couldn’t name it, you would play a guessing game with Yoongi. The hardest was probably soy sauce.

But the most surprising thing was probably how…touchy they were with you.

Or when Jungkook just came up behind you, wrapped one arm around your waist, shoved his face in your neck, and licked you.

Licked. You.

And you yelped, because all of that happened in about two seconds, and you could feel their surprisingly stunned stares as you booked it out of there.

You walked quickly across to one of the greenhouses, cursing frantically and pretending you were doing something completely routine by getting treats for your animals.

Namjoon found you, looking nervous. “Hey. Yoongi sent me to find you.”

“Fuck,” You hissed, picking up a pumpkin. “What the hell is going on, Namjoon? And I am not in the mood for and BS.”

He winced. “Um…what do you know…about…mates?”

“I suppose we aren’t talking about the British or Australian definitions, and more biological definition?” You led the way toward your rabbit barn and hutch.

He nodded, looking anywhere but you. “Definitely more biological.”

“Sorry you got caught in the crosshairs as translator,” You muttered, dropping the pumpkin so that it would break, and then putting pieces of it in the different hutches with some of the seeds for them to enjoy, but also giving them lots of fresh grasses and greens so that they wouldn’t overindulge. You’d give the rest of it to the goats and pig.

He shrugged, peeking at the rabbits. “Cute. So, for hybrids, potential mates are identified by smell a lot of the time. Jungkook and Yoongi are technically mates, but…they also identified you as a potential mate. So…they…want to stay near you.”

“So, hypothetically, if I had told them about a hybrid city that you all may have wanted to go to after leaving here and they reacted poorly to it, it would be because it was almost like an unconscious rejection of them?” You asked, darting glances toward him.

He snorted, and then started laughing. “Is that what happened? Geez, they’re so dramatic. Look, I already told them to take it easy around you because you are human and it might not be something you want for yourself. But…even if you aren’t…we would all like to stick around. Maybe not here exactly, but we could be close by and help you out when you need it. You’re the first person, hybrid or human, who has ever been kind to us. And we feel safe here. Would it be okay if we stuck around?”

You considered it for a moment, wondering what it was that made them feel so safe or comfortable. And if you were okay with what he’d said. Yoongi and Jungkook wanted you as their mate. As proposals went, you’d heard worse, but you also hadn’t known them long enough to commit to anything. “Tell them they have to play the long-game. And…I kept a couple of the nearby houses from having burst pipes the last two winters for when people pass through. If we get the one across the street set up with a power supply, you guys can live there. The house next door is for refugees on the move, and me. It’s easier to bathe there.”

He grinned at you. “We can stay?”

“Yeah, sure. Why not. But that means we’ll have to be frugal. I’ll need you guys to help me get two more greenhouses planted.”

“Sure! We can do that!” He grinned happily, bouncing on his toes.

“Great. Now, go tell the boys to stop attacking me with affection out of the blue.”

He laughed and hurried off to tell the others.

What had you just agreed to?

———

You weren’t sure what it was about Halloween that always brought more zombies around than normal. Maybe it was the swift approach of winter. The hard frosts. Urging them to migrate.

Either way, you’d had your work cut out for you from the moment you woke up.

Thankfully, the boys hadn’t wandered off alone at all, and never unarmed after you woke everyone by shooting the rifle.

You did lose another chicken though, the one that refused to go into the coop once she’d escaped the previous evening.

“Is that coffee?” Yoongi asked, gaze locked on your mug.

“Sort of,” You answered, gesturing to the pot. “There’s coffee in it, if that’s what you’re asking.” You’d combined your coffee-tasting tea with some of the frozen coffee grounds you had. You hadn’t resorted to your instant coffee yet. You weren’t ready to admit defeat. You weren’t ready to say goodbye to coffee.

But that day was fast approaching.

You would have to bid your vice goodbye.

Another gunshot alerted you to an issue out front, but you waited for the holler for assistance.

“We’re good!”

You nodded and poured Yoongi a mug of the sort-of-coffee sort-of-tea.

He took a sip and sighed. “Good.”

“Glad you like it,” You replied.

He nodded, then sat back beside you, surveying the fields for more zombies.

Jungkook came and sat between the two of you on the ground, leaning against Yoongi’s legs.

They sat with you in comfortable silence, though Jungkook was also tracing the seam along your calf. Barely touching, seemingly an absentminded action, but slowly capturing your full attention.

Jungkook peeked up at you, then back down, tugging on the seam. “Okay?”

You smiled. “Sure.” It was amusing that he wanted permission to play with a seam.

Yoongi glanced around, then got up. “Can see house?” He asked, pointing toward the house next door.

You looked around seeing Jimin and Hoseok coming around to relieve you and Yoongi from your watch. “Sure, just tell them where we’re going.”

Jungkook nodded, hopping up and racing to meet them, glancing back multiple times as they continued walking over.

Jimin gave you a thumbs up, and they took your places.

You led the two curious hybrids over to the house, glad you’d kept up with cleaning it once a week. It was chilly in there, but not freezing. And honestly, during winter, you preferred staying in there because of the bathroom. You’d set up a shower in the store, and a sort of bath, but usually if you really wanted to feel clean and bathe in nice hot water, you came to the house and indulged because it had an energy efficient water heater that could run on the power supply you generated all through the year.

Either way, the cozy house was clean and well-furnished.

Jungkook looked around curiously, straying a little.

Yoongi stayed close to you.

“Not much to see. I put overstock food in the basement when I need to.”

Yoongi nodded, then got closer to you, seeming to ponder his words carefully. “Namjoon told you, scents and things.”

You felt a decently strong urge to start running. “Uh, yes. Did he tell you what I told him?”

He nodded, then rolled up his sleeve. He rubbed against certain parts of his wrist and arm, then held it out to you.

You blinked at him, confused beyond reason.

“Smell,” He said quietly.

You looked between him and his arm skeptically, then leaned forward and casually sniffed his wrist.

Then you sniffed again, because who the heck smelled like petrichor?!

Jungkook eagerly joined the two of you, offering you his wrist.

Jasmine.

Your weaknesses.

Yoongi gently pressed a kiss to your cheek. “You smell nice with us.”

You closed your eyes.

“Oranges?” Jungkook guessed, nuzzling up to your other side.

And oh, those sneaky fluff-butts.

And didn’t they know that there were zombies around.

But of course they could tell how you felt about all of this thanks to their superior sniffers.

Which was probably how you ended up kissing Jungkook while Yoongi kissed your neck.

All of you stopped at the sound of a particularly loud gunshot.

Shortly followed by two more shots that had all of you hurrying out to make sure everything was under control.

You carefully avoided them the rest of the afternoon, not entirely certain you trusted yourself around them and their stupid petrichor and jasmine which were your favorites. And they said you smelled like oranges and what did that even mean aside from Yoongi saying that you smelled good with them. Were oranges a desirable smell?

But whenever you passed by them, or were near, they found a way to lightly touch your arm, brush their hand against yours, rest their hand on the small of your back, tuck your hair away from your face and you totally didn’t end up kissing Yoongi when he went with you to feed the broody turkey.

And you both definitely wouldn’t have been overtaken by a zombie if Jungkook hadn’t conveniently come by and shot it.

Jungkook peppered you both with kisses, as though those would help calm you from the close call, and then pointed out that he had set out the jack-o-lanterns.

You stared at the glowing pumpkins and started laughing, because, of all the things to prioritize that day, with zombies all around…he made sure the jack-o-lanterns were put out.

So maybe when all of it was you were assigning watch duty for the night, you made sure those two would be with you, because you felt safe with them looking after you. Both of them had saved you.

“Lonely?” Yoongi whispered, staring up at the stars.

“No,” You whispered back, fingers running through Jungkook’s hair. But this time that was all you needed to say. It was enough.

“Good,” Jungkook sighed, giving a sort of rumble of approval and melting further against you as you gently scratched behind his ears, fluffy tail wrapping around him and eyes drifting shut.

There was a long trial ahead of you. Learning their language, fighting zombies, making sure there was enough food to eat, fighting zombies, caring for the livestock, fighting zombies, and exploring whatever this was with Yoongi and Jungkook. Maybe even convincing them to try and make it over to the hybrid town, just to try and initiate trade or something.

There were a lot of things to think about, and consider, questions to ask and have answered.

But in the glow of the three jack-o-lanterns, with soft smell of petrichor and jasmine surrounding you and the sounds of the others talking and laughing inside, you weren’t worried.

You weren’t lonely. “Not anymore.”

--

Next

--

Zombie Apocalypse Masterpost

Tagging: @lost-xim, @bryophytas, @young-yellkie, @alex--awesome--22,  @missmoxxiesworld​, @knjhe​,  @i-dont-even-know-fck​, 

[dreamescapeswriting]

Great Day Out ~ OT7 [Request]

WORD COUNT: 1.3K

GENRE: Drabble, short fic, Going to the circus with a scardey cat Jin

PAIRING: OT7/ Platonic  Kim Seokjin x GN!Reader

A/N: I have NEVER EVER Been to a circus so ahhh I hope this is okay! Sorry it’s on the shorter side 

When you first went to the boys with the idea of going to the circus none of them seemed best pleased with it except for Jungkook. The boys didn’t think it would be a good idea in case someone recognised them but Jungkook was all for it, trying to convince the rest of the boys to go along with the plan. Telling them that they could all go in deep disguises and that no one would have to know about it, it was their first time off in months and it was the only time you would all get to hang out together as friends.

“Come on guys,” You called out as you waited outside of the car that Yoongi had driven you to the circus in, it was a huge nine-seater car that you all cramped into the back of. Jungkook stealing the front passenger seat leaving everyone else to battle it out for the back seats. Ultimately Jimin ended up in the middle seat since he was the smallest and Yoongi needed to be able to see out of the back window.

“This was a stupid idea,” Jin mumbled as he got out of the car and stood beside you, cap pulled down to cover his eyes with some sunglasses and a surgical mask. No one would notice it was the boys unless they were paying close attention and even then the circus was far too busy for anyone to notice them and if they did you could get lost in the crowds trying to lose them.

“It was not, it’s going to be fun. We can get cotton candy, play games, see the clowns oh and the animals!” You yelled out, jumping up and down on the spot as you got excited about seeing Horses, Elephants, Zebra’s and other animals all close and personal. Being the lucky person that you were, you managed to swing tickets for the petting zoo for all eight of you and you’d been most excited for that. 

“Hyung, you didn’t think it was stupid when you were coming out early this morning,” Jungkook mentioned as he stood beside you, wrapping his arm around your shoulder and smiling brightly to show you how excited he was to be there. 

“Exactly, I heard you woke up almost as early as Guky here. Don’t pretend like you’re not excited,” You poked his cheeks causing a blush to roll up on his face before he walked away to help Namjoon out of the car with their bags. Yourself and the boys had been friends for many years, growing close with one another since you’d started working for Bighit around the same time as them. 

“You know, since it’s your week off as well you should pick what we do first,” Yoongi told you as he locked the car and put the keys into his bag, waiting to see what you had in mind for them to do first. 

“I say we go on some of those rides, the ferries wheel, the merry-go-round-”

“Yes, because nothing says “we’re on a break” like the death traps they have at travelling circuses,” Taehyung grumbled nervously at the fear of going onto one of the scary-looking rides that had been put up at the circus. To give him credit the rides didn’t look like they were in the best condition it looked as if one gust of wind would send either of them onto the floor. 

“Then how about we go and get something to eat and drink and then see the animals?” You suggested something a little tamer which they all agreed with, after spending hours in the car it would be nice to stretch their legs even for a little bit and get some food since Yoongi ordered no one to eat in the car ride. 

“What’s wrong?” You asked Jin as you noticed he was behind everyone as you went towards the petting zoo area of the circus, his face was pale and it looked as though he’d just seen a ghost walk in front of him. 

“I’m just, not feeling that great.” He lied hoping that you would buy into it and let him go back to the car while you and the boys continued on with the other animals but you weren't going to let him slack behind. Out of all of the boys, he was the one that you were closest with, choosing to spend most of your time together. 

"Don't tell me you're scared," You noticed how jumpy he was whenever something moved too suddenly next to him and whenever he would flinch if something made a loud and sudden noise. 

"No! No, I'm not-" He let out a small scream clutching onto your arm and you laughed softly, holding onto him tightly. 

"I'll protect you and we won't have to let the others know, here..." You walked over to the rest of the guys who were all feeding the pigs that they were standing in front and Jin watched you closely, wondering what you were telling them in order for them to leave you alone even for a little while.

"What did you tell them?" He questioned nervously, normally the boys would want to follow you both everywhere you went but they seemed happy and content with the pigs and piglets, 

"I told them we were going to look at different animals. Come on, we can go and get some food or something." You began dragging him towards the direction you thought you'd seen some food stands while JIn felt bad for taking you away from the thing you were most excited about seeing, 

"Come on...You love elephants and I'm sure they'll be the calmest thing in the circus..." A giant smile took over your face as you realised Jin was going to do this just for you and you pulled him in the direction of the elephants. 

Gasping in awe as you saw two elephants standing together near a baby elephant that was attempting to walk for the first time, 

"It's so cute," You whined out, watching in amazement while Jin gripped onto the fence watching in horror not knowing what to do with himself.

"Hey, Jin-" You stopped talking when you turned behind you to see him shaking in fear and you instantly felt your heart sink. 

"Let's go get something to eat, I've seen enough." You told him as you slowly walked over to him, wanting to get Jin away from the animals so he could calm down. As Jin turned to leave with you he let out the highest-pitched scream you'd ever heard come from him and the horse that had been close to him ran off, its small baby following after it as it stumbled. 

"Jin," You gasped grasping onto his arm and quickly pulling him in the direction of the food stands, paying for some water and finding somewhere for him to sit. 

"Here, here," You spoke to him, sitting beside him as you tried to get him to calm down, he was holding onto his head with one hand while he drank from the bottle with the other. Sighing to himself as he looked at you, 

"Sorry,"

"Don't be, I'm sure one day we'll both look back at this a laugh...Maybe," You nudged him and he groaned slightly, drinking from the bottle while the other boys walked over to you. 

"You should have been there! We just heard this loud scream but we couldn't find the person anywhere, they must have been terrified of animals." Jimin laughed loudly making JIn's body slump in the chair as he continued to drink the water in silence, his ears turning red as he silently thanked you for not telling the boys that it had been him that screamed.

Tagline: @lyoongx @mitzwinchester @fan-ati--c @rjsmochii @kneel-begyourpardon @taestannie @sw33tnight @innersooya @sweeneyblue1 @jin-from-the-block @acciocriativity @that-anxious-bisexual​

[gale-gentlepenguin]

Gale’s Top 10: Favorite Rivals

For this list, I will be picking my favorite Rival Character’s in Media. Video games, anime, manga, comics, etc.

Now the question is, What makes a character a rival?

For this list I will be making clarifications:

1. If one of the goals of one of the characters is to surpass another character, battle multiple times, state that this person is their rival, and/or have the same objective as a character but puts them in conflict.

2. Moral alignment doesn't mean anything. They can be friendly rivals or even hero/villain rivals as long as their main objective is to best their opponent.

3. Bonus points if the rival is equal in strength and find themselves on opposite sides.

4.There are differences between Archenemies and rivals. So likely Super villains, Like The Joker (who do exist to defeat batman, are more like nemesis rather then rivals).

5. One per franchise

_______________________________________________________________________

10. Dark Pit/ Pittwo ( Kid Icarus Uprising)

Dark Reflections are often seen as cliché when it comes to rivals, but I have a soft spot for this dark copy.

Dark Pit is a copy made by Pandora to be Pit’s equal and defeat him for the sake of the underworld. But the process of making him resulted in his obedience being... shattered.

Dark pit doesn't side with the underworld or Skyworld. He does his own thing and wants to be his own person. Even achieving unlimited flight for a brief period, making him superior to Pit.

Equal in strength, speed, power, and abilities. Dark pit is a pinnacle of dark copies. But he is even seen being more observant and smarter then Pit. Since he is more self reliant, he is shown to see things more objectively.

His connection to Pit is revealed that if Pit falls, He will fall as well. So it makes for an interesting dynamic that Dark pit wants to prove his superiority yet still bound to Pit. Which leads to an interesting dynamic.

(also if you have not played Kid Icarus Uprising, for the love of Palutena DO IT!)

9. Metal Sonic (Sonic the hedgehog)

Oh I can see the anger from the Shadow Fans. ‘Why did I pick Metal Sonic?’ ‘Why not Shadow?’ ‘Shadow and Sonic have more of a rivalry?’

Here is my response. Metal Sonic is Sonic’s greatest rival and vice versa.

Created by egg man to be Sonic’s equal, to learn and grow with each fight. Metal sonic always pushes Sonic to his limit.

There are even cases where Metal Sonic has Surpassed Sonic going so far as to have sonic need the help of others to best him.

His goal of defeating Sonic goes beyond programing. He will even find a way to break free of Eggman’s control just to achieve his goal of besting sonic.

Whether its the Comics, the games, movies. Metal Sonic is seen as Sonic’s most dangerous rival.

And proof? He is a character in the game Sonic Rivals! So that shows he is a rival of sonic.

Not to insult shadow, but the OG shadow wasn't focused on fighting sonic, he had his own goals and sonic just happened to be involved. While later renditions have him more of a vegeta knock off to sonic. I find these interpretations lame.

I also considered Scourge, but that would give acknowledgement to ken Penders and honestly I aint gonna do that.

_______________________________________________________________________

8. Sasuke Uchiha (Naruto/Naruto Shippuden)

Yes, cue the cliche gasps. Despite how obvious he was that he is on the list, it makes sense why he is here. His and Naruto’s dynamic is iconic. Best friends, rivals, enemies, brothers in arms.

The two went down two different paths, striving to surpass the other to achieve their dreams.

The main reason I put him on here is simple.

I could write several essays about why Sasuke is on this list, but that would be boring. You all know why he is here.

He is an iconic rival and that is a fact

_______________________________________________________________________

7. Kim Ban Phuong (Sun-Ken Rock)

Now I know what you are thinking. Who the f*** is this guy? Time for gale’s obscure pick.

And that is understandable, since this is a manga that wasn't made into an anime (despite DESERVING TO BE ONE) (though to be fair, it is MEGA DARK, a lot of messed up themes in this. Really nails how corrupt people can be)

A man that became a monster for the sake of surpassing Kitano Ken (the main character of the manga)

A man that was one of the only two people to have ever beaten the main character in a fight (and the only one to do so when the main character was trying to be a boss)

Formed an assassin guild to destroy Ken’s gang. 

The tragic backstory of this character is enough to give the reader the understanding on how he is Ken’s shadow. Why he is fighting against Ken so hard. All the way to the tragic end he faced. Something which I dare not spoil here.

The fight between him and Ken is nothing short of breath taking and this is written by the guy that did the Dr.Stone Manga.

Seriously, while the fan service can be grotesque at times, the plot of the story about Korean gangs, race relations and asian history are something to behold. The fact that its so underrated is a travesty. (but skip the idol arc, it does capture how messed up the entertainment industry can be.)

_______________________________________________________________________

6. Ryoga hibiki

The undisputed king of getting lost. The man of many misfortunes. The half piglet half man. Ryoga.

For those who have seen Ranma 1/2, What you see here is top tier best boy in the series.

If you go strictly by the anime, you would believe that he is a better match for akane (or Ranma depending on what side of the fandom you are on)

Ryoga puts Ranma as the focus of all the misfortune he has faced, he is mostly self taught and is acknowledged by Ranma as his only true rival.

When it comes down to it they are constantly on a seesaw on who is stronger. Despite all of the hardships, Ryoga does see Ranma in a friendlier light as the series goes on, even considering him a friend. They actually have helped each other on occasions, The manga showing times where Ranma tried to help Ryoga with his date with another girl. Or Ryoga putting his feelings for Akane aside to stop Brainwashed Ranma from marrying shampoo.

The back and forth between the two and the unspoken connection of having a jusenkyo curse has really made the two have a strong bond.

Ryoga deserves a spot on this list because of his strong character.

______________________________________________________________________

5. Henry Cooldown (No more Heroes)

For those of you unfamiliar with the series of No More Heroes, Henry is the Scottish Half-brother of the main protagonist. Cool, confident, a kick ass accent, and a masterclass assassin. He is the final boss of the first No More Heroes.

The rivalry between the two really takes head when the main character, Travis, finds out that this cool customer that stole his kill and saved his life was his half brother and wants to settle it in a duel to the death. Henry was a rival that was always one step ahead of Travis. Travis wants to bang Silvia, (the woman that set up the assassin ranking system) She was Henry’s Ex-wife. Travis wanted to be the number one assassin, Henry was the original number one. Travis has a beam Katana, Henry has one that looks even cooler.

In terms of the cool rival/ brother rival archetype, Henry Cooldown is the best fit, and he even helps travis out again in the sequel.

_______________________________________________________________________

4. Paul (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl)

For those of you that have seen the anime, You understand EXACTLY why Paul is on this list.

In Ash’s journey through Sinnoh, there was a Pokemon trainer that always seemed to one up Ash, no it wasn't Gary Oak, it was Paul.

But what made Paul so different? Why not pick Gary?

Paul was Ash’s antithesis.

Ash loved his Pokemon and battled with instinct and trust.

Paul evaluated his pokemon’s potential, he released any that failed to meet his standards. He was focused on attaining power and would use any means necessary to attain it.

He saw how his older brother failed, and refused to give up like his brother did. Paul wanted to prove himself better.

Ash saw Paul as a strong trainer but HATED the way he treated his own Pokemon. Ash even ended up asking Paul’s Chimchar to join his team after Paul abandoned it, which allows for a more dynamic clash in their beliefs.

Battle after battle, Paul kept proving better then ash, until the Sinnoh League tournament. Where they faced off in the quarter finals.

(Which is personally my favorite anime Pokemon battle of all time)

Ash gets to show Paul the importance of Loving and respecting one’s Pokemon. And that is pretty beautiful.

_______________________________________________________________________

3.Shego

Shall we talk about my favorite character in Kim possible? About time we had a lovely Lady rival on here.

Yes, we shall.

The former Super powered Hero turned Villain, the Number two of Dr. Drakken.

Shego is a self interested individual that loves to pamper herself and to do bad.

Whenever she is involved, it is guaranteed that she and Kim are going to be fighting.

The fights are always intense and always show the capabilities of both fighters. In a way Shego is a dark reflection of Kim.

Capable, sassy, fashionable, and a total threat to anyone that gets in her way.

Not to mention, (I TOTALLY WAS CRUSHING ON HER AS A KID)

Shego’s only reason for not being the most evil villain out there is simply because she couldn't care less about actually ruling the world, Not that she wouldn't do it if she had the opportunity (a stitch in time showed she totally would) She is just more relaxed, even willing to help Kim.

There is even an episode where Shego turned good and she and Kim got along legendarily.

When it comes to rivals, Shego’s got sass, class and can whoop ass.

______________________________________________________________________

2. Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

Don't act like you don't love this arrogant douche.

Seto Kaiba is one of the most iconic characters in Yu-gi-oh.

This Blue eyes dragon fetishist is the head of his own company and wants to prove that he is the greatest duelest in the world.

His obsession with besting the Pharaoh (Atem / Yami Yugi) is documented and the lengths he is willing to go.

He advanced the technology of the world so far just so he could find the long dead pharaoh who went back to his time/ spirit world and he nearly did it.

He even found a way to counter magic using technology.

Though despite his ego that could rival MOUNTAINS in size, Kaiba does care about his little brother mokuba, willingly sacrificing himself just to protect him. Even willing to put his life on the line to save him.

When it comes to showmanship, Seto Kaiba is number one, and likely the inspiration for EVERY BADASS ANIME OUTFIT TO EXIST

_______________________________________________________________________

1. Vegeta (Dragon ball Z and Dragon Ball Super)

When one thinks the word Rival, one man pops into my head. Bar none, the Prince of all Saiyans. Vegeta.

The prince of all Tsundere’s, the walking Napoleon complex. The genocidal warrior to defender of earth and father of two.

Vegeta’s goal was to be Number one, and Kakarot/ Goku is the one that stands in his way.

After Frieza’s defeat, Vegeta’s goal was to surpass Goku, to prove he is number one.

His actions and antics could hardly be considered good, not until the end of the Buu saga would he even be considered a good person.

But the reason why vegeta is number one is because of what happened during Super.

Vegeta has gained a LOT of character development during the sequel series. Especially in the super Manga.

Vegeta shows that he has grown to care about the planet that he has lived on, even feeling guilty of his actions back in the Namek saga, doing his best to make things right.

He still wants to beat Goku, but he has more reasons to fight then simply his pride.

Vegeta is arguably the most developed rival on this list.

There are other iconic rivals that could have hit number one, but Vegeta is the text book definition of Rival.

Thats why the Prince of all Saiyans is finally number one

[taetaesbaebaepsae]

Love Me Less

A/n: This was up on Patreon a week before I posted it here, I release fics around a week early over there and have some Patreon exclusive drabbles, fanart, so feel free to check it out at my Patreon. Commissions are also always open. I’m going to be doing profiles and such for characters here too, so stay tuned!

Summary: Jimin is an undercover cop, and you know he’s lying to you. But he’s trapped in a huge mess, and he doesn’t want you in the crossfire. Multifandom Mafia AU (BTS, EXO, Got7)

Warnings: Some violence, mention of drug use, angst

Word Count: 2892

Jimin winces when the door shuts too loudly, but it doesn’t matter anyway, because you’re sitting at the kitchen table and there’s a bag packed by your feet and his heart sinks to his toes. Suddenly he’s so tired he can barely hold his head up, and you’re looking at him warily and he can’t help thinking about how this all started.

Jimin couldn’t help but notice you bartending at this little place near the freeway, a dive bar called the Dirty Dozen and owned by Min Yoongi, who was well known for playing all sides of the game, letting certain gangs drink free depending on who owned the area that month. He’d been trying to blend in, trying to be just another thug ordering soju from you, but he couldn’t help catching your eyes when you brought him a drink in these little cut off shorts, asking you about the tattoo on the long line of your thigh.

It’s second nature, flirting with a bartender, especially one that looks like you, and your easy smile made the two years he’d already been undercover seem just a little bit lighter. It’s fun and casual and easy, and he tells himself it’s just for intel, buying you soju so that your tongue gets looser, maybe you’ll slip out something about Kim Yugyeom since he was always hanging around you at the bar.

A month later, he has a drawer at your apartment and he’s spending four nights a week there, barely making it out of the house to meet with Namjoon and Hoseok because he just can’t stop kissing your upturned mouth.

Hoseok gives him a wary look the sixth time he shows up with your nude lipstick on his collar, and throws a few pictures on the interrogation table. Jimin only glances at them, sees they’re mostly of you with those long thighs draped over his lap at the bar, and looks up at Hoseok expectantly.

“What? You gonna tell me you never got some strange while undercover?”

Hoseok shrugs, sits down across from him, slumped in the chair a bit, legs spread wide.

“Sure. But that’s not what this is, and we both know it.”

Jimin leans back in his chair, smirking a little, putting his hands behind his head. He hasn’t even seen Jung in a couple of months, not since he’d given him the poke and stick “Nevermind” across his ribs, telling him if he’d be telling people that he’d done time, no one would ever believe he got away without a mark.

“It’s not? You know something I don’t?”

“I know you’re spending an awful lot of time at her place.”

Jimin shrugs. “That Yugyeom kid from the Im gang is sweet on her. Sometimes he tells her stuff.”

“Yeah? You think he’ll keep doing that after you threw him up against the bar wall last night?” Hoseok says, deadpan, and Jimin laughs a bit.

“What can I say? I’ve always been a bit territorial.”

“Just tell me you aren’t getting too deep, Jiminie,” Hoseok says, softly, and Jimin loses his smile, sighs and places his forearms on the table.

“Maybe I am. I don’t know. It’s hard to tell, Seok. At first it was just a pretty smile and long legs and intel, but now… I’ve been in this what? 18 months now? It’s easy enough to believe a street kid from Busan chose a different path. Hell, sometimes I believe it myself.”

Namjoon comes in, then, with a huge file, and Hoseok groans.

“Fun’s over. Christ, look at that paperwork.”

“It’s good news,” Namjoon promises, throwing it down on the table with a thud. He looks as if he’d had one too many late nights, his white button up wrinkled and stained with coffee, hair mussed and too long at the collar.

"Good news?" Hoseok looks skeptical.

Namjoon slides a photograph out of the file and flashes them at Jimin.

"This is your girl, yeah?"

Jimin stiffens a bit. It's you, all right, piggybacking on this muscle pig's back, he'd recognize those legs anywhere.

He nods. "Who's the beefcake?"

"Lee Hoseok. He was high up in Hyunwoo's crew until he went ghost a couple of months ago. Everyone thought he was dead along with Hyunwoo, but turns out both of them have been in lock up over in Daegu. Turned themselves in, been ratting out all their friends for weeks. We just got the file."

Jimin groans. "So you're telling me the crew I've been trying to bust for a fucking year and a half just rolled over? Just like that?"

"Just like that," Namjoon agrees, but he's rifling in the file again and Jimin knows there's more.

He slides a photograph across the table to Jimin.

Jimin looks it over curiously. The guy is tall, lean but his suit is expertly tailored and there are muscles there, for sure. His first undercover stint had been in an underground fight club and he hadn't broken the habit of sizing people up. Probably not too strong, but fast, likely, well balanced. His hands look manicured so he probably didn't get his hands dirty, and that suit…

"New player? Family ties, I'd guess?"

Namjoon nods. "Good eye. He's Kim Junmyeon's cousin, and mostly we'd dismissed him because he stays quiet, to himself. Lately he's been seen with Do and Zhang, though, and the rumor is that he's up to take over for Kim."

"He looks young," Jimin muses. He's handsome, full mouth, charming smile.

"He's only a few years older than you. We'd expected Minseok for next in line but he's been in the spotlight so much, been arrested five times this year. This kid... Jongin... he's clean. No record at all."

Jimin throws the photograph down on the table. "What's this got to do with me?"

"Turns out he drinks at your girl's bar. Not only that, Min says he tips double when she serves him."

Jimin frowns. "Min's giving intel again?"

Hoseok snorts. "Yoongi would sell out his own mother for a few thousand won."

Namjoon nods, his eyes going wide and bright like he gets when he's chasing something.

"Your girl has all the connects. She used to live with this Lee Hoseok and now someone from Im's crew and Jongin have the hots for her? You've gotta stick with her."

"She's popular," Hoseok grins, and Jimin wants to punch him in his perfect teeth.

"So you brought me in to tell me to use my girlfriend for intel?"

"Oh, she's your girlfriend now?" Hoseok teases, but Jimin ignores him.

"She's got ties to three of the major players in Seoul, Jimin. You know how to pick em."

Jimin leaves soon after, popping the collar of his leather jacket against the wind. He's pissed off, having them tell him to stay with you as if he'd ever had any intention of leaving.

Hoseok was right. He'd been in over his head since the moment you'd smiled at him and now that he knew you lived and worked in a snake's den, it made panic claw up his throat to think that he couldn't protect you.

First, Kim Yugyeom with his predator's eyes and wolf's smile and now the fucking future head of the Kim crew?

Jaebeom and Hyunwoo were small potatoes compared to Kim, dabbling in carjacking and marijuana mostly.

Kim had his fingers in all the pies, heroin and cocaine smuggling, black market guns, whores, every crime you could think of, they were committing...and most of them got away clean.

Only a couple of them even had records and it was for petty shit like battery or simple assault.

Jimin would have stayed with you anyway because of the way he felt waking up with your long leg looped over his hip, the way you'd grumble and tuck your face into his neck in the mornings.

But now? He had to make sure you were safe, no matter what that meant for him.

It's less than a month later when everything falls apart for Jimin, and he can't tell you a single word of it.

Jimin manages to track this low level crew boss, a foreign kid, not even 21, goes by Lucas to an opium den.

He catches him outside the abandoned building, has the arrest warrant based on pictures and intel already. There's no one in the alley so Jimin cuffs him on the spot as he whines in protest. Then he hears a familiar verse and drops the kid on the ground, cursing.

"Well well well," Yugyeom drawls. "Park Jimin the piglet. I can't fucking believe it."

"Don't fucking try me, Kim. I could bust you right now."

"Bet you won't. Bet you won't want that pretty little thing of yours knowing how clean you really are, yeah? She wouldn't like you as much."

Yugyeom is grinning, eyes glassy from alcohol or weed or god knows what and he's getting closer to Jimin.

"Don't-" Jimin warns, already instinctively spreading his legs, in a fighting stance while barely realizing it.

"Baby likes it dirty," Yugyeom continues. "She likes to slum it, I should know."

Jimin's hands are itching to clock him, right on the chin because Yugyeom isn't protecting himself at all, too drunk or stupid to block, but he waits for him to get closer.

Yugyeom is tall and lean, has a higher center of gravity and the closer he gets the better, and they always do, the tall ones, think because they tower over Jimin they have the advantage.

But they're easy, always go high, swing wide without protecting their middle and when Yugyeom swings, Jimin ducks and punches him in the gut, a sharp jab that takes the younger man's breath.

While he's gasping for air, doubled over, Jimin grabs him, swings him around and puts a knee in his lower back, taking him to the ground easily.

Yugyeom is still laughing and Jimin presses down on the back of his neck, grinding his face into the gravel.

Lucas is staring wide eyed at them, having turned over on his side, but Jimin ignores him.

"What the fuck are you laughing at?" Jimin growls, and Yugyeom's snorts, blood spurting from his nose when Jimin presses down harder.

"Now I get to do whatever I want. You can't fucking touch me."

Jimin's heart sinks and he hauls them both into the station but of course, Yugyeom is right, he sings like a canary and now he's an informant and Jimin can't touch him with a ten foot pole.

Now instead of shoving him into the bar wall for palming your ass when he slips a tip into your back pocket, Jimin has to grit his teeth and ignore it.

Jimin buys a ring after nine months, keeps it in a sock in his underwear drawer because he can't get down on one knee when he's lying to you.

He starts to drink more than he should, stays out too late because he can't bear to come home and lie to you about where he's been.

The third or fourth night he gets home and you're already asleep, you wake when he plops down clumsily on the bed, turning over and trailing your hand across his chest.

"Baby," you murmur. "What's wrong?"

There's something stuck in his throat, all the secrets he's been keeping from you and he snakes an arm around you, squeezing you tight.

He can't bear to say "nothing" because that'd just be another lie so he tugs you on top of him and kisses you silent.

When he's got you flipped onto your back, buried inside you, he says the one thing he can, the one truth he can tell you, over and over.

"I love you, jagi. You know I love you, yeah?"

But of course, love isn't enough.

He ends up here anyway, with you looking at him with hollow, wary eyes.

"Jagi-" he starts, but you cut him off.

"Is there someone else?" You ask, your voice low and shaking.

Jimin scoffs. He's barely noticed other women even exist since you'd come into his life, but when he puts himself in your shoes, he supposes it isn't a far stretch.

"Not since the moment you smiled at me, jagi," he says earnestly, and your face softens.

"Then what is it? What's going on?"

You stand up, come around the table to wrap your arms around his waist and Jimin wants so badly to tell you everything, to pour out all the secrets that burn like acid in his throat.

"You're leaving me," is all he can choke out, his voice hoarse, and you sigh and rest your forehead against his chest.

"I don't want to," you admit, locking your hands at his back.

"Then don't. Jagi. Y/n. Please don't."

You shake your head against his chest and Jimin's heart cracks right down the middle when you look up at him, tears standing in your eyes.

"All you have to do is tell me the truth."

His throat works and you sniffle.

"Jiminie...please. I don't care what it is. We'll work it out just...just tell me."

He feels tears rolling down his face and he doesn't bother to stop them.

"Please," he pleads, and you release him, put a hand on your suitcase and Jimin wants to rip it from you, throw it across the room but all he can do is stand there and watch you, a sob catching in his chest.

He can't watch you leave, stands with his back to you, and when he hears the door close behind you, quiet and anticlimatic, something inhuman rips from his chest and he grabs onto the back of the dining room chair when his knees give out.

Jimin lets himself wallow, turning off his phone so that he doesn't call to beg you to come home, crying into your pillow because it smells like your shampoo, going only as far as the corner store to replenish the soju he replaces all his meals with.

It's Hoseok that finally nearly breaks down his door and Jimin stumbles to the door and jerks him inside, rubbing at the stubble on his chin and blinking at him blearily.

Hoseok looks around at the bottles of soju littering the table and Jimin gives him a look.

"Don't, Jung."

Jimin expects him to berate him, tell him he was stupid for falling in love and losing all their intel, but he doesn't.

Hoseok just puts a hand on his shoulder, pulls him into a hug, and Jimin can't stop the tears that are always so close to the surface.

After Jimin is sniffling instead of sobbing and Hoseok has gathered all the bottles to throw in the garbage, he sits down at the kitchen table.

"Jimin...I came to tell you something."

"Fuck," Jimin mumbles, rubbing a hand across his face and taking a long sip of the glass of water Hoseok had brought him.

Hoseok nods. "Jongin is spending four nights a week at the Dirty Dozen."

"Let me guess," Jimin says tiredly. "Only the nights Y/n works."

"Bingo. Joon has been going in your absence, he's gotten close to the other bartender. Y/n is living with her and Joon says…" Hoseok pauses and Jimin drops his forehead to the table.

"Just spit it out, Jung." He says miserably, keeping his head on the table.

"Joon says Y/n went home with Jongin a couple nights ago."

Jimin had been bracing himself for what his friend would say next but he hadn't been prepared for this, how it took the very breath from his lungs.

"No," he wheezes through the pinhole that has become his throat. "No, he's wrong, it's only been a couple of days, she wouldn't-"

"You've been mia over two weeks, Jimin," Hoseok says softly.

Jimin gasps in a breath, lifts his head.

"We've got an unmarked car following her. We'll watch out for her, you don't have to-"

Jimin barks out a bitter laugh. "Shut up. Just shut up, Seok. Of course I do."

Hoseok sighs and nods. "I told Joon you'd say that. Word of advice?'

Jimin looks at him.

"Shower first."

So Jimin ends up right back where he started, sitting at a table at the back of The Dirty Dozen breathing in the fog of tobacco smoke and the errant joint, watching you walk toward him with a bottle of soju and a shot glass.

"Hey," he says dumbly, and you give him a ghost of your easy smile that makes his heart skip.

"Hey, Jiminie. Long time no see."

You pout the shot and go to leave but Jimin takes your wrist.

"Ah, leave the bottle."

You frown at him, and he wants to tell you he has to stay a certain level of drunk so that he doesn't beg you to come home, break down when Jongin inevitably shows up and arrest him the second he smiles at you, to keep the steady ache in his chest just numb enough.

You leave the bottle, though, going back behind the bar, and sure enough, Jongin has already slipped in while Jimin was distracted, leaning across the bar with a big smile.

Jimin takes in a shaky breath and downs the shot, thinking he had a lot of long nights ahead of him.

[youarejesting]

BTS365 Prompts.Week 45

[Full Masterlist] [Prompt Masterlist] [Tag yourself here]

Please tag me in your work if you use my prompts. I want to see your work. Ever your Jester. Tell me your birthday and I will tag you on your special day!

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         Nov 5th - 11th

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Kim Seokjin - Task

Since Kim Seokjin’s name was called from the goblet of fire, he had been a bundle of nerves. He somehow made it through the first and second tasks, how? was beyond you, but he was actually not coming last. He was sitting comfortably in second place. With that being said this task was scary than all the rest, he didn’t know if he would make it out alive. 

Why was asking someone out to the yule ball worse than any other task he had faced so far. Maybe it was because it was you.

Min Yoongi - Devil

“You look like an angel, walk like an angel” you sang walking around the almost empty diner, spinning around to the music playing from the quiet jukebox. “Talk like an angel”

Spotting the customer on his laptop a lot of equipment on the table working with earphones on, his cap low, and mask pulled under his chin to slowly eat some breakfast. He had friends previously sitting at his table but they were asleep in the truck stop overnight and stayed on a big bus. His cup was empty so you grabbed the coffee jug and fluttered over raising the jug in question. He nodded smiling politely to thank you. 

“But I got wise, You’re the devil in disguise,” you sang pouring the coffee looking up connecting eyes before you blushed looking down again, “Sorry.”

“No, it was really nice” he hummed.

Jung Hoseok - Eggs

BTS in the soop was a hit, as were all the bon voyages. But this time it was farm bang, where the boys would have to go to the countryside and learn how to take care of the animals and crops. They woke up early each getting dressed in cute overalls and jeans some with cute straw hats or light flannels. They were each given tasks, Hoseok was to collect the eggs from the chickens. 

He excitedly ran to the coop and began talking cutely to the chickens “Owaaaaah Chicken Chicken, ahahaha annyeong chicken eeee ah Namjoon-ah look at the chickens!”

“Hoseok-ah they have little piglets over here, ahhhh so cute wow!” The leader of the group called back across the farm.

Hoseok was quick to step into the pen and immediately he froze up, he was afraid of the little chickens that would peck him. “Excuse me miss chicken I have to collect the eggs,” the whole process was scary but soon he had the eggs in his hands and he stepped out.

Running across the yard he shouted, “Yoongi, look, look I got the—” The hyperactive rapper tripped, falling and crushing the eggs in his hands. The whole group started laughing and he whined upset. “No, I broke the eggs!”

“Gwaenchanh-ah?” Jimin said lifting up the older male, “Hobi-Hyung comes first,” 

Kim Namjoon - Common

“Namjoon! Are you okay?” A phrase he had heard multiple times this week when he fainted, vomited, when his nose started bleeding, and when he had refused to eat his favorite foods. This time it was because he couldn’t stop coughing something must have been going on. Something major and scary.

He was referred to your clinic as someone whose job is to investigate and pinpoint illnesses you looked over his blood tests and sighed. “Ah, mister Kim, it seems you have a common cold, my recommendation would be rest and perhaps some chicken noodle soup with a soda on the side” Your grin was cheeky letting the idol know you were a bit of a fan.

Park Jimin - Men

Jimin was searching youtube for the latest trends, music, and funny videos. Just anything to pass the time, he saw something that caught his eye. It was a thumbnail of himself and something he wasn’t too sure what it meant. “The Jimin effect” He read the English title slowly.

Clicking on it he watched a 13-minute compilation of men and women falling in love with him making the idol, giggle his cheeks a brilliant pink. It was funny watching things from a different perspective. He never saw these looks people were giving him because he would be turning away or facing a camera.

Kim Taehyung - saxophone

Taehyung was meeting your parents, it was a really serious thing. Your parents were kind of strict and they didn’t know anything about, Taehyung, South Korea, or Asians in general besides stereotypes. Your parents were kind-hearted people they were just ignorant. 

So when you introduced Taehyung to your father the two shook hands, Taehyung making a polite bow and your father stood there pretty awkward. His only idea was to strike up a conversation. “What do you do for work?”

“I’m a sexy porn star” He grinned

“You’re what?”

“No dad, he pronounces it a little odd he said Saxophonist, see, I have pictures of him playing the saxophone”

Jeon Jungkook - diary

Jungkook was staying with your brother Namjoon, he did that every now and again during the holidays. You had only been crushing on the boy since you saw him your first year at Hogwarts, he was in Namjoon’s year but you were the grade lower. 

He had helped you with your flying lessons even though you were a natural, unlike your brother, but you let him anyway. There was a whole collection of entries in your enchanted diary about him, it was enchanted to never run out of pages.

The diary would only open for those with innocent intentions. You didn’t know where you had put the diary, last you remember writing something whilst in the kitchen that night but when you got there it was no longer around. Thinking your brother perhaps took it and was trying to break it open you raced upstairs. He almost managed to break the spell, the evil genius and you wouldn’t tempt fate this time.

When you stepped into the room you shouted “Namjoon put down my diary!”

“Namjoon isn’t here and sorry, I didn’t know it was a diary and I see you all the time with it I thought it was a good book and when I opened it I saw my name and I read a bit and I am sorry, I was just curious”

You snatched the diary and he frowned, “I think you are really cool y/n, it’s just that”

“I get it I am not your type,” You laughed not turning towards him.

“No, you are definitely my type, it’s just, Namjoon is my best friend and I can’t with you because he will actually destroy me with some elaborate spell that will remove my knee caps and I like my knee caps” the boy was rambling “Albeit, I like you more and would gladly give up my knee caps, ahhh, this was a bad example. Namjoon would kill me if I tried anything”

[staytheb]

My Favorite Kimbap

Pairing: iKon’s Bobby x OC [Naly] Genre: idol!au, slice of life, slight fluff Word Count: 3,234 Summary: To Naly, Bobby will always be her favorite Kimbap... although to him, he wished that his girlfriend would call him by another nickname.

Warning: none except that it hasn’t been proof-read since 5 years ago so yeah...

omg, i had so much fun writing this one due to Bobby’s many nicknames. and i just love his nickname as ‘kimbap’ bwhahaha and so this is how it came to be... and because he’s one of my sister’s biases in iKon. xD but um yeah, happy reading and kthxbai, Admin Lia~

Naly just walked into her boyfriend's, Bobby, apartment that he shared with eight other guys when someone came running out calling for her once he spotted her. It was one of Bobby's roommates named Donghyuk.

"Noona, noona, help me!" Donghyuk pleaded as he ran up to Naly.

"Hmm?" She gave him a weird look. "Why?"

"Bobby hyung is being so bossy." The younger man complained as he helped her with the groceries. "He told me to do push-ups as much as I love him, get him a towel, give him water, and he even told me to give him a massage!"

Naly let out a laugh at the whole weird orders. "Really?"

"Yes. After the massage, I ran away not to listen to him anymore."

"I thought you were a nice dongsaeng?"

"I am... but Bobby hyung is just too much."

Naly let out another laugh. "Ah, you've should of seen the other day when B.I was ordering Chanwoo around, too. It was so cute and funny."

"Really? Where was I?"

"Yup... and I think you... went out for one of your dance sessions?"

"Oh... I see."

Naly then started putting the items from the bags away. "I think Nhi recorded it, I'll let her show it to you."

"OK!" Donghyuk beamed.

All of a sudden the two heard Bobby yelling for Donghyuk to come back to the room.

"I don't know how you put up with him." Donghyuk whispered. "He doesn't act like this when you're around."

"Haha, yeah... well, ohh." Naly then pulled out a yummy treat from one of the bags. "Choco pies. I need to-"

"I'll do it!" Donghyuk volunteered as he took the box out of her hand.

"Wait, you don't even know what I'm going to do with it, Donghyuk."

"Of course I do." He smiled wide at her. "It's for Ky noona."

Before Naly could respond to that, she was interrupted by Bobby's yelling. "YAH! KIM DONGHYUK-AH!!!!"

"You take care of hyung and I'll give this to my favorite noona. Bye!" Donghyuk suggested with a happy expression as he dashed off with the box of choco pies and out of the apartment giving Naly no time to reply back.

She shook her head at Donghyuk. "Favorite noona, eh?" She let out a laugh and then shook her head once more when she heard Bobby calling out for Donghyuk's name.

"Where are the rest of the boys?" She asked herself looking around and realized it was silent and empty except for Bobby's constant whining for the younger man to come back to him.

Naly left the rest of the groceries on the table and began to walk towards the room that Bobby shared with his other two roommates, Junhoe and B.I who was also known as Hanbin. She peered inside and saw Bobby rolling around on the bed while thrashing his body as he whined like a kid waiting for Donghyuk to come back.

"DONGHYUK!!"

"Yah, Kimbap!" Naly called for his attention as she stood at the doorway while giving him a judging look.

Bobby quickly turned to look over where the sound came from and fell off the bed. Naly suppressed her laughter as she saw her boyfriend struggle to get back up on to the bed.

Once Bobby composed himself he smiled sweetly at her. "Naly, baby, hey, what are you doing here?"

"Why are you being such a brat, Kimbap?" She ignored his question with another question of her own as she continued to stare at him.

"Aish." He rubbed his face in annoyance. "You hang around B.I too much."

"That's right." She smiled as she pointed at him while coming closer, but not joining him on his bed.

"Can't you call me something else, like Bobby the Pooh?"

Naly shot him a weird look, but dismissed it. "What's wrong with Kimbap?"

"It means "seaweed rice" and doesn't sound like a nice nickname from my girlfriend, y'know?"

"But I think it's cute and nice. Kimbap. Kimbap." Naly laughed and then became serious. "So, why were you bossing little Dong Dong around?"

Bobby sat up and shrugged his shoulders. "Hanbinnie, Jinhwannie, and I just wanted to mess around with the younger ones is all."

"Ah, so that explains the other day..." She then scowled at Bobby. "That's not nice."

"It was just a prank." Bobby said innocently. "No one was hurt."

"This kid."

"Hey, hey. I take offense. I'm a man."

"You sure? And you wanna be called Bobby the Pooh. You're still like a kid."

Naly laughed as Bobby pouted. "Why you gotta tease your man like that? Besides, Bobby the Pooh is cool, okay."

Naly shrugged not answering him, but continued to laugh. Bobby then rose from the bed and grabbed her arm and pulled her down onto the bed with him.

"Ahhh!" Naly let out as she was unprepared from this sudden motion. "Bobby!"

Bobby chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her and began cuddling up next to her. "You're too tense, babe. Relax."

Naly turned to look at him annoyed, but secretly she enjoyed the moment. "I wouldn't be so tense if I didn't have to buy you guys groceries and other necessities like everyday."

"Who said you needed to buy it? You don't live here."

"Hah! Like the nine of you know what to buy for your place."

"Hey! We managed pretty well."

"You guys consume nothing but chips, soda, and candy. The toilet paper runs out so fast here! You guys take a shiet like everyday or something?"

"Babe, chill." Bobby told her with a calm voice. "I don't know about the toilet paper part, but none of us really cook. That's why we always order in."

"You guys are hopeless"

"That's why I got you, my Hello Kitty."

Naly rolled her eyes at his nickname for her, despite her obvious obsession with Hello Kitty as Bobby laughed at her expression.

"Aww, is my little Hello Kitty frowning? Do I need to hug my little kitty." Bobby began to coo as he hugged her tighter and pressed her closer to him as he began wiggling on the bed.

"I'm not frowning." Naly denied as she lightly punched him in the chest. "You're so annoying."

Bobby let out a feign gasp. "Annoying? How can my girlfriend say that to her boyfriend? Rude."

"Whatever."

Bobby then began to nuzzle her neck and Naly squirmed at the ticklish skinship.

"Hehe, tickle fight!" Bobby called out as he began tickling Naly all over.

"Yah! Kimbap, stop!" Naly ordered him as she moved away from his wriggling fingers. "I'm not ticklish!"

"Then why are you running away?"

"Because I don't want to be tickled. Duh, Seaweed Rice."

Bobby just stared at his girlfriend with a stupid look. "Seriously?"

"Yeah." She simply replied as she made a move to get off the bed. "Anyways I-Ahh!"

Bobby pulled her back down onto the bed and enveloped her in his arms again while lying the both of them down.

"Again?"

"Again what? I'm not doing anything. My arms just wanted to hold you."

"Stupid."

She heard him chuckling against her ear as he pulled her closer to him. "Let's stay like this for awhile."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I have to put away the rest of the groceries."

"That can wait later."

"The other boys are going to return and make a mess out of it all."

"So? Let them clean it. You're not their mom."

"I feel like it whenever I come over with the other girls."

"Then that's your fault."

"So not helping."

"I"m not trying to help. Hehe."

Naly rolled her eyes. "Lil bish."

"I love you, too." Bobby squeezed her tighter as he rubbed his cheek against hers. "You're so soft."

"What the?" Naly turned to glared at him. "Yah! Kim Jiwon, I'm not a stuffed animal."

He chuckled. "You're my stuffed animal, my Hello Kitty. Maybe for next Halloween, you can be Hello Kitty again but this time I'll be Dear Daniel and we'll be the cute cat couple."

"What? You're so weird. That's stupid."

"How is that stupid?"

"I'm not gonna dress up as Hello Kitty again."

"Why not?"

"I don't wear the same costume twice."

"Then how about I dress up as Pooh and you as either my Honey Pot or Piglet."

"That's even more stupid."

"You're so harsh, but I'll change your mind."

"Whatever. Anyways... I gotta go."

"No." Bobby replied as he held her tighter.

"Don't be such a kid."

"No."

"Ahh, stop being such a brat."

"No."

"C'mon."

"No."

"Bobby!"

"No."

"Kimbap!"

"No."

"Yah! Kim Jiwon!"

"No!"

"Ahh, Donghyuk's wrong. You do act like this when I'm around."

"No!"

"What the. I didn't even-"

"No!"

"Just let me-"

"No!"

"Aish, fuckin' Bobby Kim Jiwon a-k-a Kimbap!"

"No!"

"Stupid Seaweed Rice acting like a baby"

"No!"

Naly turned to hit him, but all Bobby did was giggle and wiggle around.

"You're being such a baby right now."

Bobby imitated her.

"Stop that."

He did the same thing.

"Yah."

Bobby continued.

"I'm gonna break up with you and you won't see me until never." Naly threatened him as Bobby's eyes went wide at what she said. "You wouldn't dare."

"Wanna try me?"

Bobby gave Naly a dazed look and then let her go and rolled away. His back was now facing her as he began to act like a stubborn child.

Naly rolled her eyes as she rolled over to back hug him. "You know you're quite troublesome."

He didn't respond and continued to give her the silent treatment.

"Oh well." Naly said as she released him and moved away from him. "I guess this would be good practice."

Naly got up from the bed and was about to walk off again when she heard the sheets rustle and Bobby wrapped his hand around her wrist to prevent her from leaving. "What do you mean by the 'good practice' part?" Bobby questioned her as he brought her around to face him.

Naly looked down at him while biting her bottom lip. "Um... how do I put this?"

"Are you going to break up with me?" He suddenly asked.

"Wait, what? No." Naly looked at him alarmed. "I'm not breaking up with you."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Oh, me and the other girls are going back home for two weeks."

"TWO WEEKS?!"

"You don't have to yell!"

"Oops. Sorry." Bobby smiled shyly. "When are you leaving?"

"The day after tomorrow."

"WHAT?!"

"Hey!"

"Hehe, oops, again. Sorry, babe. Why are you barely letting me know now?"

"Because it was a last minute decision."

"How can it be a last minute decision when going back home?"

Naly freed herself from his grip and walked out of his room while still explaining. "Something came up and that's why all four of us are going."

Bobby followed after her, still shock. "Wait, who's the fourth person? There's only you, Nhi, and Ky."

"Oh, Nhi's friend, Risa. You guys haven't met her yet."

"Wait, why is she going?"

"Because Risa lives towards that direction."

"That still doesn't explain anything."

"Ahh, it doesn't matter."

The two finally reached the kitchen where Naly continued to put away the things.

"Then what does matter?" Bobby asked her as he, too, helped her put away the things.

"That we'll be gone for two weeks, so you and the boys will have to fend for yourselves."

"We can take care of ourselves."

"Yeah... I notice." Naly shot him a smirk as she put away the last bit of the groceries. "You've guys have been doing so well in caring for yourselves."

"Is that an insult?"

"Oh, no." She lied with a small smile. "Anyways, we won't be here to cook, clean, and take care of you guys. You guys will be alone for the next two weeks without us."

"I'm sure we can manage."

"I kind of doubt that, but it's not really my problem."

"Tch. Wanna make a bet then?"

"A bet? Why?"

"Because it's fun to do bets."

"I couldn't care any less for bets. So it doesn't concern me."

"You're no fun."

"You got that right." She laughed while doing a gun motion at him. "Besides, what would the bet be about?"

"If the boys and I survive without you guys, then..." He trailed off with a sly look.

"Then what?"

"You'll have to buy me this huge Winnie the Pooh plush doll."

"You're serious."

"Very."

"I"m not gonna buy you a big ass toy because of a stupid bet, Bobby."

"That's heartless, Naly. Why are you being so cold-hearted?"

Naly laughed at him while patting him on the cheek gently. "I'm not, but I will admit that I'm a bish though."

"Yeah you are." Bobby agreed with a pout. "You're so mean."

Naly shot him another gun motion with a laugh and began walking towards the living room. She didn't have the chance to settle because Bobby dragged her away. "Well, since you'll be gone for two whole weeks, let's have some fun in the bedroom." He suggested with a happy tone. "Just you and me in my bed."

"What?! No way!" Naly refused him, but found herself back inside his room with the door closed this time and no chance of escaping, anyway. "Jiwon-Ahh!"

Bobby threw Naly onto his bed and he quickly followed in after her and then threw the covers over the both of them. Naly let out incoherent sentences as Bobby just laughed at the whole thing. He finally got his girlfriend to calm down once Naly realized he was messing with her as he was still laughing.

"Ahh, you're so annoying, Bobby Kim!!" Naly let out exasperatedly about the whole thing as she struggled to get out of his embrace, but he just seemed to hug her tighter. "Hehe, my Naly is so cute when she's flustered."

"Aish, whatever." Naly gave up struggling and accepted his hold on her.

"Good, let's sleep together for the next two days. Ow!"

Naly had punched him.

"What was that for?"

"You're still going on about that?"

"What? I meant actually sleeping together on the bed, sleep, sleep. Sheesh, you got a dirty mind, too, huh?" Bobby wiggled his eyebrows at her in a teasing manner.

"Shut up. Whatever."

"I really don't mind, if you wanna get it on. Owww! OK! Let's just sleep."

Naly had punched him again and she was secretly smiling inside. "Hey..."

"Hmm?"

"What if the members walk in?"

"Oh right."

Bobby then momentarily released her, rolled off the bed, ran over to the door to lock it, grabbed the computer chair and firmly set it under the doorknob to prevent whoever from turning the knob to enter the room, and re-positioned himself back onto his bed with Naly in his arms once more.

"You're totally for real?"

"I'm totally for real. Now let's go to sleep."

"Bobby it's only six. In the evening."

"Shh, just let this be a little longer."

Naly just rolled her eyes, but let her boyfriend have his moment. She snuggled closer to him and enjoyed the warmth he brought her. The moment was short-lived when the couple heard the commotion of the others entering the apartment, and Bobby's bedroom's doorknob began to rattle and the door was beginning to shake.

"Yah! Kimbap! What are you doing in there?" B.I's voice was heard behind it.

Another voice, Junhoe, was heard. "Are you alone?"

"I'm with Naly, so leave us alone!" Bobby yelled back and then Naly elbowed him not wanting the boys to think they were doing the dirty dirty. "We're not-" Bobby covered her mouth and replied instead. "If you hear any yelling and screaming, don't worry about it! We're having fun."

"Yah, hyung, I don't need to know that." Junhoe replied before immediately walking away.

"Oh really?" B.I let out amused. "It's about time. I'll tell the other kids to leave you two alone to enjoy yourself and we'll be back later when you're done. Just message us."

"Will do!" Bobby responded back. "Thanks!"

"No problem! Bring me a nice niece or nephew, noona!" B.I laughed as he hurried away before being possibly hurt by Naly as he ushered the rest of the guys out of the dorm and leaving the couple alone.

"Ow! Did you just bite me?" Bobby asked Naly as he examined the hand Naly bit

"Yeah. Who's fault is it? Yours." Naly huffed at him, annoyed that the other boys were now thinking that she and Bobby were getting it on. "You're so troublesome."

"Ahh, don't be like that." Bobby tried to calm her down. "I was just teasing."

"Well, the boys are gonna think differently."

"Then you wanna grant Hanbin's wish?"

"What?! No way!"

"I thought you wanted to have a family before you turned twenty-five?"

"I also wanted to get married before I'm twenty-five, too."

"Well, let's get it on now and then in two weeks we can get married."

"You're so unbelievable."

"Hey, you're supposed to compliment me after we done it."

"Gah! You're so annoying." Naly then gave him the silent treatment as she faced her back to him.

"Aww, babe, don't be like this. I was just teasing. Babe." Bobby slightly whined as he tried to make her face him, but she wasn't having any of that. "Naly-yah."

Bobby was successful in having Naly turned to face him again. "What, child?"

"C'mon, I was teasing. Relax a bit more. Stop being so tensed." He cooed as he tried to reason with her. "I won't get to see you for the next two weeks, let's not be mad at one another when we're apart."

"Fine." Naly agreed. "Good thing I like you."

"I thought you love me?" Bobby said as he face slightly fell. "Right?"

"That too." She smiled as she closed her eyes.

"Hey..."

"What?"

"I didn't receive my hello kiss yet."

Naly opened her eyes to shoot him an annoyed look.

"I'm kidding." He laughed while smiling at her. "Let me give you a cheering up kiss instead."

And with that, Bobby moved closer and pressed his lips against Naly's. It was brief, but it made Naly smile when Bobby pulled away. "Thanks. You're a sweet boyfriend."

"Of course. Because I have an even sweeter girlfriend." He smiled brightly at her. "Whom is my honey that I love oh so much."

"And that's why I love you, my sweet Kimbap." Naly giggled.

"I do suggest that you give me a new nickname and one that is not created by the other guys." Bobby frown. "Like I suggested earlier, Bobby the Pooh has a nice ring to it."

"Nah, I think Kimbap still suits you."

Before Bobby could complain again, Naly shut him up with a kiss that lasted longer than the previous one. She pulled away and then snuggled herself closer to him as she closed her eyes. "Forever my favorite Kimbap. My Bobby the Pooh forever."

Bobby smiled wide when he heard her use the nickname he suggested as he cuddled closer to her while pulling her towards him even closer. "Forever my favorite Hello Kitty. My sweet, sweet, honey." He pecked her on the forehead before closing his eyes.

The two fell asleep in each others embrace with sweet thoughts entering their dreamland of the other with them as well. Even if the time was close to being eight o'clock at night.

[scrapyardboyfriends]

Jenny’s Belated Live Blogging - Week of 14th January

Overall - This was a bit of a weird week. Other than a few bits with Bob, Spamela and two seconds of Billy/Ellis, there really were only three stories this week and I don’t feel like that normally happens. I feel like there’s always random side plots going on but this week there were none. Very odd. 

Bob - I do genuinely feel bad for the guy, which is I assume by design after he became so unlikeable last year through the Bobel fiasco. But as with Edna’s debt story and Ashley’s homelessness, it’s hard to watch them speed towards rock bottom while everyone is kind of densely oblivious. I’m curious to see if it will be Brenda that helps dig him out of the hole or if it will be someone else. I like that they’re having Brenda stand her ground still, but at this point, I wouldn’t hate it if they got back together. If they did it right. Then maybe I could get my Doug and Diane back cause I’m still annoyed that Lachlan ruined that. 

Spamela - Therapy piglets for everyone! Bless. It was cute and I enjoyed Belle and Lydia’s little chat about Lydia thinking Sam meant kids and not a pig. I really like the three of them together, plus Samson when he gets to be around. And of course I can’t wait to see more Spamela next week. 

Billy/Ellis - JUST GIVE ME MORE! It’s all well and good to continue to drip feed me scenes of Ellis not wanting anything to do with Billy, but I really want to get into why. Give me the details! I did appreciate the Aaron mention at the party though. Both that Sam actually remembers that Aaron exists and is part of the family and that they’re minimally keeping the Aaron/Billy conflict alive even though I want more of that too. Hopefully we’ll get some of it next week but I still want to see Aaron and Billy have it out. Just cause in general...I just want more information.

Maya/Jacob - This is definitely their best story right now even if it is massively uncomfortable to watch. I feel so bad for Jacob getting so mixed up and manipulated by her. He just really doesn’t even know what to do anymore but I’m glad he tried to stand up to her even though I doubt it will work in the end. We’ll see. I do wonder how far they are going to take this before it all comes out. I’m glad to see Ellis’s continued involvement though, however small. That scene with him Jacob and Eric was a lot of fun. I’m also glad to see Priya getting suspicious too. I just really want to see some massive fallout from this and have it affect a lot of people. Plus I want there to be a whole army of people to stand up for and be there for Jacob. 

Vanity - The Vanity stuff was actually quite enjoyable this week, especially running along side the Cain/Debbie stuff. It was nice to get a little bit of a lighter comedy plot next to that, even though I guess it is a bit weird that all this massive stuff is going on with Debbie and Cain and Charity is just blissfully ignorant trying to come up with proposal plans. But I’m sure she’ll be filled in eventually.

- In any case, definitely one of the issues I’ve had with Vanity during the somewhat soul sucking Bails case was the fact that they were so isolated. So this week, having Chas and Tracy and Rhona around and interacting with them was a lot of fun. Charity and Tracy was a good pairing, good comedy potential there.

- I do think the proposal was very Charity in that she would try and steal someone else’s proposal and I did like that it was messy and didn’t work out right away. It at least gave them a little something. It’s definitely still all a little easy for me and it all feels a bit hollow sometimes but I did mostly enjoy it on a surface level. And despite whatever next week will bring, I’m happy for the people who are happy about their ship getting engaged.

- I did enjoy the bit where Charity started her final little speech with ‘There’s clearly something seriously wrong with you to be willing to put up with me’ because that felt like a very Charity thing to say. I just wish I felt more for them because I do genuinely like both characters. Ah well, at least their fans enjoyed it and it did keep me entertained. I did think it was kind of shitty that they didn’t get a kiss though. 

Cain/Debbie/and the robot - Well I’m glad Debbie just blatantly called Graham a robot. Cause it’s so accurate it hurts. It’s hard to even criticize him because he’s just nothing. I don’t get it. I went back and watched a clip of him on Downton and I was like ‘yep...same performance’. 

- Positives? I think Jeff is doing a great job showing Cain spiraling. I thought the Faith and Cain scene was great. I’m glad the Jacob’s Fold set is being used again?? Haha. What is it with that damn house? Matty living with Vic sounds fun and I want to see it. I sort of hope it lasts for a bit. It was nice seeing people working at the garage again and having Megan come by to see about her car. I want more of that, integrating various plots with characters needing their car fixed like the old days. 

- Negatives? I mean, it’s generally just a boring story for me. I really think so much of that has to do with it hinging on Joe and the convoluted mess that led to his death with that week. It was just so random, it’s hard to build up stakes on top of that for these characters no matter what they do. Because like...who cares? I mean, obviously Debbie but since I never cared about her relationship with Joe, I find it hard to care now. I also don’t care about her relationship with Cain at this point. Still the only person I care about in all of this, besides not wanting this to destroy Coira, is Noah. Poor Noah whose mother still forgets about him, who lost his brother to a convoluted retcon. I just feel bad for the kid. But otherwise, I just don’t care and I don’t know what the stakes are for any of this. Cain didn’t actually kill him so ultimately, he’s not going to go to prison for it I expect. So Debbie will just have to forgive him eventually...and whoever else gets involved. I feel like Coira will ultimately be fine in the end even if it gets worse before it gets better. Like...are they going to try and take down Graham? How will Kim figure into all of this? I just don’t get where it’s all heading I suppose. And I find most of the scenes pretty dull, when they involve Debbie and the Robot. Robograham? Haha. 

[mvssmallow]

Memento Vivere

Part IX

Masterlist

Pizza and ramen when he’s on hiatus. His mum’s cooking for the holidays. Chicken salads and protein health shakes when he’s on tour or promoting. A warm coke when he’s working overtime.

All that seems light years from where he is right now; trying to peel potatoes as Hanbin buzzes around the kitchen in between watching both kids.

After June went home, he spent the afternoon doing laundry with Minji, working on holding Jae without dropping him and trying not to piss Hanbin off any more than he’s already done. He was mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted, which is surprising considering how good his stamina usually is. Maybe the Jiwon in this world doesn’t hit the gym.

“You still like mashed potatoes right?” Hanbin asks as he bends down to check on the chicken in the oven.

“Yeah.”

Mashed potatoes were definitely a banned food when he’s on tour. All those carbs and sugars apparently make him ‘sluggish’ and ‘lazy’. But he did always like it, especially the way he remembers Hanbin making it for him-salty, buttery, creamy and all the things that his manager tells him he shouldn’t eat.

“Me too daddy!” Minji yells out from the kitchen table, where she’s still going at it with paper and crayons.

“I thought you were only eating blue food this week, Min.” Hanbin points out.

“Potato too!”

“Oh, potato too. Okay.”

“Can Jae Jae have potato?”

“Jae has his own food.”

“And Rocket?”

“Rocket eats dog food.”

“Can I eat Rocket food?”

“NO.” 

He looks at Hanbin in horror as they both reply in unison. That split second of co-ordinated fear and worry over her wellbeing catches him by surprise and he feels the air changing around him somehow. Hanbin doesn’t seem to notice because he’s gotten himself tangled in an un-win-able argument about why people can’t eat dog food.

He starts cutting up the peeled potatoes just as Minji points out that dog biscuits were technically still biscuits, biscuit is a human food word, therefore all biscuits qualify as human food. It’s like the most illogical version of Six-Degrees-Of-Separation. 

Hanbin might be the most clever guy he’s met but he wonders if he’s ever won an argument against this kid.

“It’ll make you sick, Min. Don’t eat it okay? You have to save it for Rocket. You don’t want him to be sad that all his dog food is gone, right?”

She shakes her head aggressively. “I love Rocket.”

“Good. So don’t eat his food, okay?”

There’s a half-shrug-half-nod before Minji goes back to drawing some huge yellow blob in her colouring book but judging by Hanbin’s grin, it’s probably the closest anyone gets to a win.

Without even thinking, he blurts out the first thing that enters his mind. “She’s all you.”

“Meaning?” Hanbin asks, the challenge loud and clear in his voice.

“Too smart for her own good. Wins every argument.” He says, hoping it comes out as well-intentioned as it sounds in his head. “It’ll be fun when she’s a teenager.”

Hanbin lets out a quiet scoff but when he looks over, there’s definitely a small smile on that face.

Dinner is kind of chaos. Jae has to be fed first. Then Rocket has to be ushered outside for his meal (he swears he got actual daggers this time). Then Minji has to be convinced that eating is more important than finishing her drawings. Everything just takes twice as long here and he might’ve dreaded the pace this morning but as he cuts up Minji’s chicken and heaps mash potato on her plate, it feels kinda nice. Kinda right.

Afterwards, he does the dishes as Hanbin goes to give both of the kids a bath. He can hear the happy shrieking and splashing but he thanks the Universe that he wasn’t asked to do that tonight. The smallest thing he’s ever bathed was the family’s old maltese and that always resulted in a wet dog running around the house.

“You want to do the stories tonight? She’s asking for Winnie and Piglet and apparently I don’t do the voices right.”

He’s sitting in the bedroom, wondering what the hell he should be doing now, when Hanbin comes in with a half soaked t-shirt.

“Why are you so wet?”

Hanbin just rolls his eyes like the answer is obvious. “You think Minji is all me? Then Jae’s all you.”

Such a small comment that probably meant nothing but it hits him in the gut anyway. It really shouldn’t have but it does.

The wall clock tells him it’s 7:30pm. Both kids are already in bed, which means the day is winding down soon. Just another 5 hours and he’ll be waking up in his own life again. His real life.

It’s a relieving thought at first; he can sleep in his own bed, drive his own car, do his dream job and go back to being only responsible for himself.

But...

Hanbin. And Hanbin’s kids. The sleepy neighbourhood. The dumb fucking car and judgmental dog. The worn in life here. What if...

“So is that a yes? Because you know she’ll just be in here in 5 minutes with her books.” Hanbin asks, now pulling off the damp shirt and wondering into their own bathroom.

“Yeah, I’ll do it.” He replies.

As predicted, Minji is still awake and sitting up in bed clutching the ‘Winnie The Pooh’ book in her hands with an expectant face.

He remembers that book. Not just the title or the edition but the actual physical copy. He takes it to flip to the first page and yes, it’s still there-the uneven childish scrawl stating: jiwons book!

This is his. From when his parents used to read it to him as a baby.

Jesus Christ.

How did she get that?

How real is this?

His hands are sweaty and shaky as he starts to read.

“Once upon a time, a very long time ago now, about last Friday, Winnie-the-Pooh lived in a forest all by himself...”

He reads and reads, all the while letting something thaw and melt inside him. It feels like memory and regret and nostalgia and guilt for not calling his parents more often. What even happened to him? What happened to the guy who used to love being read to? Or who used to eat platefuls of Hanbin’s mashed potatoes without a single care in the world? Or wanted to give everything to the one person he loved? What happened to that guy? When, how, why did he change?

Minji is fast asleep by now, her tiny rocket ship pyjamas sticking out from baby yellow bedsheets. Hanbin made an amazing kid. Not that he expected anything less.

“Night Minnie Mouse.”

Checking in on the baby was a mistake. He can’t help it. Minji was right about Jae; he is magic. A magic sleeping thing in a cow print onesie with the tiniest fingers and softest hair.

“Night little man.”

It’s not real.

It’s not real.

Don’t get upset over something that isn’t even real.

He repeats it over and over in his head until that feeling of impending loss fades and he feels less pathetic for maybe wanting to stay a bit longer. Just out of curiosity or something.

When he gets back, Hanbin is already in bed, scribbling something in a notebook. It’s so early but maybe people with kids just go to bed earlier. It makes sense. He’s exhausted.

“The Park twins just cancelled all their piano lessons next week, guess we’ll be down $100 bucks.” Hanbin says with a slight frown. “No more unsolicited purchases of cherry ripe bars.”

He feels the warmth on his cheeks. Kim Jiwons never blush but apparently they do here.

“Sorry, thought you liked them...”

“No, I do. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

He’s still thinking about cherry ripe bars and piano lessons as he stands underneath the shower. Well, that explains the shiny black Steinway piano in the living room. He knew Hanbin studied music and theory throughout Uni (he was there) but last thing he remembered was Hanbin going for some kind of job interview or internship at a big record company. They had crazy dreams of writing music together once. What the hell happened. What kind of choices did Hanbin make to end up giving kids piano lessons as his job? Such a small title. Hanbin deserves something bigger, always has, always will.

He dresses hurriedly in the bathroom because well, it’s kinda weird being naked here. It’s stupid really. Hanbin’s seen everything anyway.

“Hey, mum just messaged me. You still want to go out tonight? They can come over to keep an eye on the kids.”

Jesus.

Going out?

After the long-ass day he’s just had?

“Okay, I know that face. So that’s a No then?” Hanbin says with an amused smile.

“We can.” He says, trying not to let the hesitation and dread show. “We can if you want to.”

Hanbin shakes his head and types out a text reply on his phone. “No, it’s okay. I know you had a rough day. Maybe next week?”

The hopeful lilt at the end of the question makes his chest ache from the heaviness of guilt. Is there any version of Jiwon that’s good to any version of Hanbin?

“Yeah, definitely next week.” He nods as he climbs under the weird yellow sheets, avoiding eye contact because he knows that there will be no Next Week for him. Maybe the proper Jiwon will remember to go.

“Okay.”

Once the lights are flicked off, it’s even more tense and awkward in the dark silence. Neither of them are asleep.

9pm.

Nearly there.

“Was it just the headache?” Hanbin asks suddenly. “Or is there something I missed?”

He turns his head but it’s too dark to see much. “Just the headache and maybe the flu or something. It’s...it’s nothing you did. Just felt like shit when I woke up this morning.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Okay. Night, then.”

“Night.”

10pm.

11pm.

11:50pm.

He’s still awake.

Eyes well adjusted to the darkness by now and not once leaving the rise and fall of Hanbin’s sleeping body next to him.

I don’t want to miss you.

But I think I already do.

Midnight.

[djseaward]

expat thoughts on the bake off finale

a bake-off post! in case you still aren't sure what i'm nattering on about, i've been baking along this autumn to the show, the great british bake off (series 9) which just had the finale this week. as i know this series will hit the states several months later, i just want to say: i will mention the winner of this series sometime in the post (spoiler alert!), so if that matters to you, go ahead and skip to my bakes (below) or click out. but something has been rattling around in the old craw about this year's bakers that i just felt like i had to comment on.

i found the finale deeply touching this year, especially all of the scenes with rahul, giving viewers even more background and depth to his story. rahul is one of the three finalists -- he moved to britain eight years before to study for a doctorate degree. rahul is sort of the eeyore of this year's bakers. or maybe more of the piglet. but the point is, he happens to be an extremely endearing and likable person even though he admits the one word to describe him is "depressing", he can't at all handle the judgement, and seems to have a low opinion of his own abilities.

in this week's finale episode, we learn more about his background. we already know that he skypes with his parents back in india every day, but this episode, the contestants get talking about who will be there to support them at the finale garden party that occurs each season. kim joy's partner is coming, ruby's large family will be there, and then we meet rahul's two closest friends-- a couple in sheffield. he thinks of them as family, and it is touching to see how they've supported him in his expat journey to the united kingdom.

see, rahul is an expat. or immigrant; i'm not exactly sure as i don't personally know his intentions with how long he plans to remain in the UK (shorter term or indefinitely), but either case, he finds himself in his eighth year in his new country. his friends, the aforementioned sheffield couple, admit that they encouraged him to get into baking as a way to learn about his adopted culture. and now, here he is, one of the top three (if not the best) amateur baker (of traditional western baked goods!) in britain. can you even imagine the kind of talent and intuition that would take? it is incredible.

rahul says, during one challenge to the camera:

"nobody brought me [to the UK]. i came here myself, because i wanted to."

later, when rahul's name is called as the the winner, my heart just swelled with pride. the camera pans to his sheffield friends, looking at each other wide-eyed. his family, his parents in india weren't present at the party, but he had these sweet friends supporting him. from one expat to another, this entire episode was incredibly touching. rahul made a new life in this country halfway around the world and such sweet friends are supporting him, like family, in this huge success. i couldn’t help but relate it to my own experience -- having such wonderful people supporting us here in our own choice to move to a new country, no family around. it is friends like this that make everything worth it.

rahul holds the glass cake stand as he poses for the cameras and his hands won't stop shaking. "i've never won anything before." he calls his mum and tells her the result.

later after the series, we see that his parents in india finally visit rahul in the UK for the first time. he is shown sitting on the couch with them and his glass cake stand trophy; serving them a british cake in the kitchen. i just lost it. it must have meant so much to him to have his parents realize how important this competition was to him, to britain, to all the viewers around the world. it must be hard to have a child move around the world "because they wanted to". it can be also very difficult for one person, unsponsored, to make it in a new country. and now, rahul is introducing his parents the flavors of britain. it was a beautiful moment.

what an ultimate measure of success! on an expat level, i felt very much for the contestants this year.

now, i can talk about two bakes!

vegan week (week 7) was a breeze for me. i've been cooking vegan recipes for almost a decade and feel pretty confident about it... if i had to give one type of food i am good at cooking, it would be "asian" and vegan. i decided to opt for the signature challenge of the savory tart, which gave me a little problem because even though the vegan category doesn't scare me off, i've never blind-baked a tart before and i couldn't think of anything heat resistant enough to put in it to keep the shell from caving in a bit, which of course, it did.

in the end, i made a roasted red pepper and walnut tart with a coconut oil-based sage spelt crust. the filling was quite delicious and great for a tart -- i think the crust, however, i would choose to make with whole-wheat flour in the future instead of the spelt flour. still, it was full of autumnal flavor. roasted red pepper is almost always a win!

danish week (week 8) was exciting for me, and i was happy to bake my first ever loaf of danish rye, which came out quite nicely. i had to bake it much longer than directed to get the dense middle to finally cook, but i really enjoyed snacking on it throughout the week. it also made me appreciate all the rye bread that we have around here, whether i like it or not. i still prefer the more fluffier american-style bread but now i feel like i can finally eat rye without grimacing inside.

for my two smorrebrod (open-faced sandwiches) that were required in this signature challenge, i made a salmon and medium-boiled egg and spring onion on delicious homemade remoulade, and a "beet tartine" with giant capers (not shown). as the loaf wasn’t very tall, the slices are thin (but good).

the last challenge which i will be tackling this weekend: the world of french patisserie for the semi-final challenge. i can't recall having made french patisserie before, so i'm looking forward at finally trying my hand at it.

have you been watching the show this season? what did you think? curious if any fellow expats had similar feels as i did.

(photo source 1 & 2)

[jeongyeonandsunflowers]

‘I'm saluting to your lips’ ~ Kim Woojin Soulmate AU ~ Part One

I know this took ages, I'm sorry, but here is part one, it was getting way too long, so I thought I’d split it up, otherwise it would have ended up really rushed at the end. and no one needs that. I also proofread this like 6 times so if there’s a mistake I need to be taken out. 

Not a lot of things are certain in this world, but of the few things that are, finding my soulmate was the most exciting. Knowing that someone somewhere was absolutely made for me? That was the most incredible thing I could ever think of.

I used to be teased in school, kids told me that I didn’t have a soulmate, and if I did they would take one look at me and want nothing to do with me. But I knew I had one, somewhere in this world.

See, I have proof, the squiggles and weird lines that pop up on my arm every so often, they’ve been existent since I was 13, that’s when they start showing up on everyone, your soulmate writes on their own body you get to see it too, in the exact same place the exact same handwriting, and size, its all the same.

Some people find their soulmates straight away, they’re lucky enough to have their soulmates live close by or even be someone they’ve known forever.

My friends Bailey and Felix found each other on Felix’s birthday, Bailey couldn’t see her own drawings yet, but Felix could see his, and what he had written on her arm just seconds before in class, “if you let me copy your homework I’ll love you forever.” And sure enough, in his slightly messy handwriting on his left knee, as it was on hers, was the same phrase. To keep the story short, he squealed like a little piglet and ran out of class, later showing Bailey why, and they cried together, their soulmate was their best friend.

That’s usually everyone’s dream, that its someone they know, that way they don’t have to learn everything about a new person. But that’s sort of what I dread, there are only three people in my life that I can stand, the first being Felix and Bailey who are already soulmates, and then Chris, he’s two years older than me, and been my best friend since I could remember, I used to have a massive crush on the guy, but then I realised how great of a friend he was, and how much I needed o value him as my best friend rather than my crush.

That and on Chris’ 13th birthday drawings started popping up in his arm that weren’t mine, and that’s when I knew there was no chance anyway.

On the day of my own birthday I become indescribably excited, I woke up that morning and before I could register it was my birthday, I looked at my hand and saw tiny symbols on my palm, not remembering writing them, it suddenly clicked in my head, these were my soulmates symbols, my soulmate wrote this, they did this. I screamed. I quite literally screamed, my mum came into my room, looking panicked wondering why I was screaming, I showed her my hand and she screamed as well, then raised the question. What was it on that was on my hand?

I asked everyone I could, everyone that might have an answer, anyone I could find, and no one had any idea. No one except Chris.

I hadn’t seen him that day, not until the night of my birthday, going out for dinner with my family, Chris, Felix and Bailey, who basically counted as family anyway. New symbols had appeared throughout the day and I still had no clue what they were or what they were supposed to mean or represent. Chris sat next to me, and took one glance at my hand, and asked, “since when did you know Korean?” and suddenly it made sense, they weren’t weird little drawings, just a different language. Oh no, it’s a different language.

“its Korean? Like? From Korea, Korean?”

“yes Y/n from Korea, Korean,”

“my soulmate is Korean?”

“it seems like it.” 

The weeks went on, the Korean continued, and I began trying to learn the language, Chris tried helping translate, since his family spoke Korean at home, but he couldn’t be around to translate every word that was written, so I had to start learning myself. It seemed that my soulmate had also begun to try learning English, throughout the weeks I saw messily written “hello” and “I love you” because obviously that was an important phrase.

 It went like that for 5 years, we both bettered our second languages, each becoming better and more fluent, I started seeing reminders pop up, some in Korean, some in English, I was starting to understand his lifestyle, they’re training for something, but I can’t figure out what yet. Felix, Bailey and I were still friends, and still trying to decipher everything.

Chris and his family moved to Korea after my 14th birthday, he kept in contact for a while and then he just sort of faded away and only Felix had been graced with his presence, and even if it was apparently the equivalent to passing words and phrases, at least he had some contact. At least I knew he was doing well.  

Apparently, Chris had started “training” as well, and went by ‘Chan’ now. Felix said that he was trying to become an Idol, which was like a celebrity for us, he was getting into the kpop industry and so our friends got into it too, Bailey and Felix became devoted to it, they kept up with all the latest news just waiting for a glimpse of Chris, or Chan I guess. It made me wonder if maybe my soulmate was doing the same kind of training.

I’d always assumed it was something sporty, but now I understand why “drink more water to help voice” was written almost every day for 3 years.

I started looking into kpop too, waiting, and hoping that one day I might see someone who I feel could be my soulmate, but no one ever made me spark like I thought I would. I started to lose hope, realising tat there were many different obstacles in the way of us being together. I was a broke uni student now, I had no means of getting to Korea, and it seems as if my soulmate had no intentions coming here either.    

 But still I remained optimistic, I had to be, I’d been dreaming about my soulmate since I could hold a comprehensive thought, I would fine them one day and that is a promise I made to myself and my soulmate. I couldn’t give up and I wouldn’t.

The day it happened is a day I won’t soon forget, I was in the middle of class at university, when I got hit with a sudden sharp and almost unbearable pain in my wrist, I saw words start to etch themselves across my skin, forming words I was yet to recognise, my squiggles never pained me like this before, it felt like something was wrong, this wasn’t a common occurrence, in fact I don’t think anyone on record, has had this happen before.

The professor stopped the class since I was making so much noise, he took one glance at my wrist and sent me straight to the office to find the nurse.

She sat me down on one of the plastic chairs, looked over my wrist, poking the other squiggles, asking me what language they were, whether the rest of them hurt as well, to which I replied, that no they don’t, she grabbed out her phone headed to google translate and did her best to translate the other words on my arm, in hopes that maybe there was some sort of clue.

She translated the last one, fading on the palm of my hand ‘오늘 오후 1시 30 분에 문신’

“well love, it looks like this might be the answer, it still doesn’t make any sense, but by the looks of things, your soulmate got a tattoo today.”

She was right, that didn’t make sense, usually tattoos didn’t affect the other half, but that came to be the genuine outcome. There truly was no explanation.

I called bailey to tell her about what happened, but as soon as she picked up the phone she was ahead of the gun and already talking.

“oh my god y/n you’re not going to believe what I just found out! Chris found his soulmate, apparently, he was out travelling in Seoul and this girl bumped into him, he accidentally spilt his coffee all over her white shirt, she ran before he could even say anything to her. Anyway, so he gets back to his dorm and sees a new note on his hand, that says, “reminder: call Carmel about cute guy who spilt coffee on me,” and then Chris was like well that’s me I guess and wrote his number on his hand just below I with his name! who knew that dork would be so smooth right?”

My world felt like it was crashing down around me, not because Chris had his soulmate but because he didn’t call to tell me. He promised, ever since his 13th birthday that he would call as soon as he found the person, and he didn’t. I suddenly felt betrayed, I told bailey that I would have to call her back, and then immediately bombarded Felix for Chris’ number. He gave it over almost immediately, I must have scared him because he’s never been that easy to break before.

I sat there contemplating whether it was a good idea or not, he hasn’t spoken to me since I was 14 but he is the person is known longest, I decide to call later.  

Later ended up being 30 seconds later, soon I was met with the ringing, and then someone greeting me in Korean, I heard Chan and I started ranting.

“listen here prick, you promised me that would message or call me as soon as you found your soulmate, and I had to find out from Bailey? What the fuck is up with that? Come on Chris, you’re the one who made that promise, you’re the one who told me it would be okay when you moved away, you told me that you would still talk to me, that it would be the same. And now I haven’t heard from you in almost 6 years, I don’t even recognise your voice, who even are you?”

There was silence, for a little too long, and then the person cleared their throat on the other end.

“I am really, really sorry, Chan is a dick for doing that to you, and I didn’t know he was even capable of being rude, here’s not here right now, he left his phone when he went out with Jamie, ahh that’s his soulmate or whatever. Umm I’m Woojin, I’ll yell at him for you when he comes back, what’s your name so I know who I’m defending?”

“oh um, I’m so sorry for going off at you for that I’m, I’m really really sorry, my names y/n but you don’t have to go off at Chris for me, I’ll just call back later, but thank you.” “that’s okay Y/n it was nice talking to you.”

”You too Woojin thank you for listening to me rant even though you didn’t have any choice”

I hung up the phone, smiling and annoyed at the same time, I looked down at my wrist again and noticed words that weren’t there before.

“reminder: tell Chan about call from y/n, ask him when he got mean.” 

[autumnnprincess]

Challenge

Okay... I got challenged by @thatdoodlebug and decided to give it a go! 

Rules: List ten favourite characters from ten different fandoms and tag ten other users (I won't be tagging anyone, but everyone reading this are welcome to do it if they want)!

This was quite hard, since I tend to like almost all the characters from my favourite shows/movies/comics etc. I have tried my best to pick my favourites, but be warned - there will be a some honorable mentions here, too! ;)

Here you go, my favourite characters (in a random order):

1. Zootopia, Nick Wilde 

I really like Zootopia, and choosing Nick as my favourite from this movie was easy. I think he's great all through the movie, and he was definitely the character who's story I got most emotionally involved in. I love how he grows throughout the movie. Also I ship him and Judy so hard, they better become a couple in the next Zootopia movie

2. The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper

I love this show! Ranty and I watch it all the time, and I like all the characters. Still, my favourite has to be Sheldon - and I think one of the reasons why is that I see so much of myself in him. Of course, there are things he does/says that I would never do/say, but there are many situations in the show where I know I would have reacted the same way Sheldon does. Also lots of people tell me I remind them of him. 

3. Skam, Isak

Couldn't leave Skam out, could I? I LOVE this show! Seriously, I have no words for how great it is. Just watch it now, if you haven't already. I love all the seasons, but my favourites are number two and three. I had a hard time picking a favourite character, because there are so many good ones (Noora, Eskil, Even, Jonas, William...), but I think my favourite has to be Isak. The actor is amazing (seriously) and the growth of this character from season 1 to season 4 is such a joy to watch. Can't wait to watch this show again sometime soon!

4. Regular Show, Rigby

I haven't watched that much of Regular Show, but I really enjoy it - the style and type of humour kinda remind me of my own comics. Its quite difficult for me to choose a favourite character from this show too, but I think Ill have to say Rigby. He's fun and mean. I like him.

5. Kim Possible, Dr. Drakken (and Shego)

I watched Kim Possible a lot when I was younger and really enjoyed it. I would love to watch all the episodes again some day! :D There are many characters I like from this show, but my ultimate favourite is Dr. Drakken. He's fun, and I like how there's not always anything more to him than just that - he's a wonderful comical relief, which can sometimes surprise you by showing a feeling or two. I also had to mention Shego, because she's one of the elements in the show that makes him so great. I love them together.

6. Winnie the Pooh, Rabbit

I've loved Winnie the Pooh since I was a small child. Back then Piglet was my favourite, and I still like him, but I think my favourite now has to be Rabbit. He's fun, and again - he kinda reminds me of myself: how he wants to make everything perfect and how he's constantly done. Basically me at work.

7. Zelda, Nova

I enjoy reading Lina Neidestams comics about Zelda. It`s Swedish, but it`s also being published in different magazines and newspapers here in Norway. There are many fun characters in Zelda, but I think Nova (the person in the middle of this picture) is my favourite. She's tough, brave and strong but also vulnerable and insecure; she's the type of character you look up to in one minute and relate to in the next.

8. The Nightmare before Christmas, Jack Skellington

This movie is a tradition both on Halloween and during Christmas for Ranty and me; we love it, and we listened to the soundtrack on the evening when we first met in real life. There are so many great characters in this movie, but I can`t pick anyone else than the pumpkin king, can I? He`s charming, he's fun, he sings, he messes up, he learns from it, he grows... He's a great character from a great movie. Easy as that.

9. The Tinkerbell movies, Vidia

The Tinkerbell movies were all released while I was a grown up, and I originally had no plans of watching them. Still I did, and I'm so happy about it - seriously these movies are so nice?! I even introduced them to Ranty and he likes them too:) The amount of good characters in these movies came as a surprise on me - there are so many that I like. Still I think my favourite has to be Vidia, because she's quite relatable - she can seem harsh and unfriendly, and she sometimes is, but there is more to her than just that. I also like Fawn, and Tinkerbell of course.

10. Monsters Inc./Monsters University, Randall Boggs

Do I need to explain why? 

He's mean, he's hilarious, he has the coolest design... It would have been impossible to come up with a better villain for Monsters Inc.

Randall is a great character, and I would really love to see more of him and his personal life than what we've seen in the two movies. Being curious about that made me write an 80 000 word fanfic about him four years ago (has it really been that long???), which led to me joining tumblr, which led to me meeting Ranty whom I currently live with and am really, really happy with:) Thanks, Randall and thanks, Pixar!

Honorable mentions: 

I couldn't pick just one favourite character from the following fandoms: The Simpsons, Ice Age and Harry Potter.