#landlord and tenant board

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"The release of the Ontario Ombudsman’s new report on the province’s Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) warrants reflection on the primary role of the tribunal: evictions.

The Ombudsman wrote that tenants and landlords share a common interest in making the LTB run smoothly. In truth, a more efficient approach to processing cases at the LTB will only further speed up evictions and serve to facilitate the profit-making of landlords who can raise rents on vacant units once sitting tenants have been removed.

Despite the LTB’s many internal issues, the main reason the tribunal is overwhelmed is due to the sheer volume of eviction cases landlords file against tenants. Tribunals Ontario reported that in 2021-2022, 88 per cent of all applications received by the LTB were filed by landlords against tenants, and in 89 per cent of those applications (more than 48,500), landlords sought to evict tenants.

Landlords also added to the much-discussed backlog of cases at the LTB throughout the entirety of the pandemic, as the Ontario government allowed them to continue to file for eviction against tenants uninterrupted. In fact, the Ombudsman reported that during the first pandemic lockdown in March 2020, when eviction hearings were paused for a short time, the LTB still struggled to process the high number of applications it continued to receive.

The discussion surrounding the problems at the LTB often neglects to mention the political history of the tribunal. In 1997, the Mike Harris Conservative government enacted the Tenant Protection Act, which eliminated rent control on vacant units between tenants, instituting what is known as vacancy decontrol. At the same time, the law removed landlord-tenant cases from the provincial court system and created the precursor to the LTB to handle them, the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal.

During the legislative debate at the time, the minister of housing said that his government’s goal was to create favourable conditions for investment in housing. In reality, his government made it more potentially profitable for landlords to evict tenants, and failed to encourage the construction of any significant amount of new, purpose-built rental housing."

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A friend added this:

"According to this article and the Ombudsman's report, in 2021-22, 88 percent of applications to LTB were by landlords against tenants. Of that 88 percent, 89 percent were landlords seeking evictions. In other words, 78 percent of all LTB applications are for evictions!

I can hear the cries now: "If tenants have problems, they can also file with the LTB!" The vast majority of tenant problems are immediate problems, like shit that needs fixing and harassment and illegal behaviour by landlords. Most tenant problems are not solved by the LTB and often not even solved by landlords. Many tenants fix their own problems because waiting for the landlord is a hassle. The LTB is a virtual non-factor in the lives of tenants, but the landlord's means of getting rid of tenants they don't want or who stand in the way of a profitable new redevelopment.

The above numbers put into perspective the grievance of landlords that the LTB has too long a backlog. It is the volume of eviction applications that is the source of the backlog. And by pure coincidence we've been pelted with news story after story since the start of the pandemic of the worst possible tenants living rent-free for many months while the poor landlord's family is caught in the lurch while establishing their little neo-feudal exploitation scheme. You don't even need to read the press. The Terrorizing Tenant is a story you'll hear often enough.

Are the landlords calling for the LTB to be expanded to meet needs? No, their intimate collaborators in government are seeking efficiencies! You see, the the backlog is a problem to be solved by efficiency! Never mind the avalanche of eviction applications from landlords!

How many of these evictions are the disgusting and widely-abused practice of renovictions? Aren't renovictions an unnecessary burden to the LTB? And if the LTB is so burdened, why isn't it the LTB expanded to meet the demand? None of it makes sense because what's really at play here is setting up a public institution to fail because it insufficiently serves the interests of those parasitically profiting off other people's wages and basic need for shelter.

The pattern is pretty similar in healthcare and education and numerous other public institutions that are starved into failure, populated with wrecker-managers, and then reorganized (or contracted out) in the interests of profit-seeking sections of the business class.

Combined with a raft of new developer-demanded rules on housing (the end of municipal oversight in the development of new buildings of 12 or fewer units; the end of environmental protection and conservation), the renoviction blitzkrieg will only continue to throw thousands of people out of their homes while spoiling the environment - all for the profit and power of people who are driving this province to hell.

The landowning class won decisive battles in the 1990s and now we live in the aftermath of their class war victory. A new and restored publicly-financed co-operative and public housing program is decades overdue. The abolition of landlordism is centuries overdue."

[gunmeister]

HOAs being able to evict homeowners is NOT a universal thing, so you should check the general jurisdiction of the area you end up buying a home in if you live in an HOA-controlled neighborhood. a lot of them will probably threaten eviction but many don't have the actual authority to like. evict the person who owns the home. check your local HOA-related laws before buying

HOAs sound awful, how do people deal with strangers telling them what color to paint their house and shit I would start throwing rocks

[jamaicahomescom]

Comprehensive Guide to the Rent Restriction Act

The Rent Restriction Act is a crucial piece of legislation that governs the rental of residential properties in Jamaica. Its primary aim is to protect tenants from exorbitant rents and unfair evictions, while also ensuring that landlords receive a fair return on their properties. This guide is designed to provide a clear and easy-to-understand overview of the Act, with practical examples to…

[tonycries]

A Million Dollar Baby! - N.K.

Synopsis. Turns out, rent can be paid in much more than one way.

Pairing. Nanami Kento x Reader

Content. MDNI, fem! reader, landlord! Nanami (kinda), oraI (male + fem), cúmplay, reader’s a tease, unprotected, creampíe, down bad FERAL Nanami, spítting, bréeding, messing up his glasses, pantý-stealing, he’s sweet but fúcks so MEAN, mentions of Higuruma, pet names, swearing.

Word count. 5.8k (wild)

A/N. Decided it was high time I feed my Nanami girlies hehe.

“Just get the money and go.” Nanami deadpans, like a mantra. Giving a rapt knock on your apartment door, “I swear m’making him buy me lunch for this.”

Now, it wasn’t that Nanami was exactly upset about taking over Higuruma’s landlord duties for the day - no, in fact, he was the first one at his friend’s door with a bag of prescription medicine for the other man’s fever and the suggestion to take the day off.

But it was the thought of finally coming face-to-face with you - that mysterious new tenant that’d just moved into his building. The one that had Nanami wondering whether you were really as “sugary sweet n’ irresistible” as Higuruma raved you were. 

Though, he can’t imagine you’d be particularly happy about being woken up at 10am on a Sunday for overdue rent - he certainly wasn’t.

Seriously, he had no idea how Higuruma managed to do this every-

Click!

“Higu- you’re not Higuruma.”

Oh, and suddenly, Nanami gets it.

If he got to see this view, too, then he might just become the landlord himself.

It’s as if you knew you’d be playing with his sanity as soon as you opened that door, dressed in a fitted t-shirt that did absolutely everything to show off every bit of skin he shouldn’t be looking at. Your lips curving into a sinful little smirk when you notice his eyes dancing off that excuse of fabric you call “shorts”.

“Um…” you hum, after a few moments of silence. Leaning against your wooden door frame to give the tall man an appreciative one-over, “Nanami, right? You’re Higuruma’s friend?”

It’s as if the sound of his own name jolts Nanami right back into his senses, clearing his throat as he readjusts his glasses. “Y-yes. Nanami Kento.” And he winces, fuck he’s never stuttered like this. Never, even in the toughest of board meetings. Yet, here he was - making a fool out of himself. 

Knowing he’s completely fucked when your delicious grin only widens, he bows politely, “Apologies for barging in like this, ma’am. But Higuruma’s sick n’ m’here to collect the rent in his place.”

You wave off his formality, introducing yourself. “Ah, of course. I’ve seen you around, always been too nervous to come up and say hello, though.”

And, suddenly, Nanami’s glad you never came up to him to talk out of your own volition, he thinks he’s rather put off embarrassing himself for later. Coughing softly, “I apologize, s’my fault. It was rude of me to not introduce myself first.”

“Well, better late than never, right?” you continue in your smooth tone. Before your eyes catch down his broad shoulders, the bob of his Adam’s apple, the clipboard held between his long, long fingers. “Right- the overdue rent. I swear, Higuruma’s always such a sweetheart, he doesn’t bother to remind me.” Opening your door wider to give Nanami a good look inside your cozy apartment - something forbidden. “Come in come in, I seem to have lost my wallet somewhere in here though, maybe you can help me find it.”

Oh? 

And Nanami knows this is dangerous. He knows this is much more than his simple plan earlier of just “get the money and go”. He knows that little glint in your eye certainly does not bode well for him as soon as he steps through that door. 

Yet, he answers anyway, “Of course, lead the way.”

Every bit of small talk in your sultry voice has Nanami gulping, loosening his favorite yellow tie while he follows you inside. Averting his eyes from the curve of your shorts, he takes in the neat state of your apartment. 

That is, until-

“Here we are.” you lead him to a towering pile of clothes piled unceremoniously on your tv room couch. Gesturing airily at the mess, “I’m sure I left my wallet in one of my pants, so you can just sit here until I-”

“I’ll do it.” Nanami’s quick answer stuns the both of you momentarily. But before you can resist, he’s shrugging off his jacket, ignoring the heat of your gaze when he bunches up his sleeves to reveal strong, veined forearms. “It’s only fair, since m’bothering you so early.”

You chuckle, “Oh? What a gentleman, we can do it together then, handsome.”

So here he was - sat on your cramped couch, your thighs flush against his, tackling your laundry. This was definitely a far cry from getting the rent and leaving - but, alas, Nanami can’t find it in himself to complain when he neatly folds up your clothes. 

Whereas you were hastily throwing them god-knows-where, hissing, “Where- is it-” 

“Patience.” he’s humming, placing another t-shirt on your coffee table. “Higuruma’s in no hurry, he can barely get out of bed right now.”

You click your tongue in frustration, “But you, Nanami-”

“-are perfectly fine helping you out.” Nanami cuts in, flashing you a gentle smile. Your eyes widen at the sight of a soft dimple at the corner of it. Which makes him tear his gaze from that pretty pout on your lips to turn back to his dwindling half of the pile, “Besides, it would be a shame if such a nice apartment was messed up by- by-”

Fuck. 

Was that what he thought it was?

His fingers tremble, looking so fucking big wrapped around that those tiny strings of hot pink. Sinful. Obscene. Shit, if he tried he could just rip it to pieces with his bare hands right now - even if you’d been wearing it.

“Hm?” you’re gasping at the sight of the man before you, body stiff, ears a guilty red, gaze hardening at where he was holding onto one of your panties. Oh, shit. You pluck the offending piece of material from his hands, “Oh- whoops. Um- that can’t really be folded.” Throwing a wink at the flustered man - and the lingerie right back at him. “Evidently.”

It was all too much for Nanami, and he’s bringing a hand up to cover his blush - before ripping it off like it burned when he realized it was the same hand he held your panties with. 

Somehow, he manages to choke out, “Maybe- maybe we should try looking somewhere else.”

And it was true - the few messy clothes now leftover (and…Nanami couldn’t forget, your underwear) didn’t show any signs of hiding your wallet. 

“If you say so~” you muse, getting up from your seat - only to get down on your knees. Right in front of Nanami’s manspread legs. 

“Wh-what are you-”

“Under the couch.” you interrupt, enjoying this way too fucking much for the poor man’s sanity as you flash him a cheeky grin. And he smacks himself mentally for letting his imagination be toyed by your teasing whims. “I might’ve dropped it under the couch, so won’t you be a dear and help lift it while I look?”

He couldn’t get up fast enough, almost stumbling over his long legs to crouch down beside you - just anywhere away from this scandalous position. “Ready?” Nanami rasps, biceps bulging tight against his button-up when he easily tilts over your couch. 

“More than.” you take a second longer to admire him before going back to your mission.

Which - whatever’s left of the rational part of Nanami’s brain really thinks might just be to drive him insane instead finding that fucking- what was it- wallet? 

“Hmmm seems it’s not here either, right, Ken?” He doesn’t know what he’s reeling at more - the fact that you used his first fucking name or the way you were arched so teasingly like that. On your knees, spine curving into a delicious little bend that has the crotch of his pants growing just a bit tighter. And- shit he was wrong. So, so wrong. Because those weren’t a sinful pair of shorts like he’d initially thought after all, instead, they were more like underwear. Flimsy and thin, bunching up perfectly at the crease of your hips. 

You were captivating. 

At his heavy silence, you bat your lashes so deceivingly innocently, “Oh? Was it the name? Sorry, Nanami, you’ve just helped me so much that it ah- slipped out. I won’t do it again.”

“No.” he grits out, the both of you surprised by the ragged hitch in his answer. Already so disgustingly missing the sound of his first name rolling off your tongue. “I’d like it if you called me that- ‘Ken’ that is, if you want.”

“Well then, Ken.” you brush up unnecessarily against his sculpted body as you move to get up and dust yourself down. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but my wallet’s not down there.”

Shit, he thinks, looking down at the empty spot of carpeted floor for the first time. You little tease, you knew what you were doing. 

Grinning unabashedly as you tug on his arm, “Come on! There’s one more place to look.”

As you pulled him along to the kitchen, Nanami had held out the hope that maybe - just maybe - this would be an actual attempt at finally paying off your overdue rent. Maybe he could walk out of this unscathed and holding onto whatever’s left of his dignity (and lacking the raging boner that was threatening against his slacks right now).

But every feeble hope of that was thrown out the window the moment you instructed him to hold the rickety, certainly unsafe chair propped up in front of your counter steady. 

“I swear I must’ve left it somewhere up there.” you grumble. Not wasting a moment before climbing onto it and rifling on top of your high cabinets. “No harm in trying, right?”

He gulps, palms getting sweaty on the wooden back of the chair with the effort to keep it still. “Are you sure you left it on top of there?”

“Huh? Yes yes, of course.” you answer absentmindedly. Your shirt snagging on your arms as you raise them even higher, “Think you can see something from down there?”

If Nanami could see the top of your shelves, then he didn’t want to find out - not when one glance upwards blessed him with a forbidden glimpse right up your t-shirt. All it took was a flash of skin before he was hit with the realization that you weren’t wearing a bra. 

“Ken~”

“Fuck!” he breathes, when he looks up involuntarily at the sound of his name. Face burning when you raise a brow, “U-um, m’not sure.” 

Yeah, he sure could see something - hell, he wanted to see more. 

He urgently swipes at the sweat slowly beading at his forehead, immediately regretting his actions when the chair tips ever-so-slightly. “Shit, I apologize, n’ I also apologize for what I’m about to do-” He gasps over your soft yelp, before wrapping two warm hands around the small of your waist. Searing. Soft. Planting you softly on the firm floor like some lil’ ragdoll, “-but I can’t let you put yourself in danger this way.”

Before you know it, you’re back in the safety of the ground. Stood right in front of a determined Nanami as he cranes his head up in your stuffy kitchen, backed up against the counter as he takes over looking for your wallet. 

“Let me, instead.” he grunts. 

But oh even with how genius he thought it was to look instead - even with how he stopped himself from looking at that sinful little slice of heaven - Nanami Kento had another problem. 

A problem that presented itself in the way that your body was pressed flush against his muscled chest, two of your thighs straddling his thick ones. Caged perfectly against him, exactly in the way he shouldn’t have been imagining - but did, anyway. And shit if he angled his body just right he could feel the heat of your core - the way your eager front was drawing in closer. 

“Ah-” he grunts when your soft palm glides lightly across his pecs. Jaw clenching while he tries to blink his hazy eyes back into the glaringly empty top of your cabinets, “My apologies, seems uh- your wallet isn’t- here-” 

Each word is wrenching out of his pretty, worry-bitten lips, a ragged gasp with every accidental brush of the pads of your fingers at the hem of his tight pants. 

“It isn’t there, hm?” you purr, a low honeyed tone that has all the blood in Nanami’s body rushing to his fat cock. “Well what do you suppose we do about that, Ken? Since I can’t pay the rent?”

Nanami doesn’t know whether you’re talking about the rent or that massive tent in his pants he really couldn’t explain away. Instead, he spits, “You knew what you were hah- doing, didn’t you, you lil’ minx? You don’t have your fuckin’ wallet here.”

And the air is so thick, so heady that he can only bring himself to pull away mere millimeters from where he was hovering near your face. 

But even that was too much - and in a split-second, you have your deft fingers wrapped tightly around his speckled tie. “And if I did?” Pulling close enough to ghost your lips against his, “You’re smart, Ken. So m’asking once again, what do you suppose we do about that?”

As if to draw out the answer from him, you’re giving a long, hard drag of your hot cunt along the outline of his swollen cock. You could almost feel every throb and nudge of his veins along the side, and it made you salivate.

“I suppose…” he answers, guttural, like some dark, primal part of himself is peaking its head out with each hot breath fanning your face. A large hand coming up to squish your cheeks into a pretty pout, pursing your lips perfectly for him. “That you hit me if you don’t like this, darling.”

And fuck for all how much of a gentleman Nanami acted - he kissed the exact opposite. All but ruining your lips in such a messy clash of teeth and tongue and him. Devouring you. 

“Fuck- shoulda known.” he’s letting out a humorless laugh, swiping his tongue across your glossy lower lips. “Should’ve known when you invited me in. Such a tease.” Drinking in your breathless moans, sucking on your tongue, “Such a- ngh- horny lil’ thing. This what you wanted all along?”

You hum into the kiss so drunk, “Maybe.” Dancing your hands all across where his toned muscles were fighting against the restraints of his shirt, “But you really can’t blame me.”

And maybe it was true - maybe this was inevitable. Either way, Nanami didn’t know, nor did he really care - not when you were letting out such sweet gasps when he bites down on your bottom lip - just a little punishment. Kissing his way down your heated skin, giving a languid lick at where he suspected that secret sensitive spot on your neck would be. 

“Oh! Ken.” you moan. Bingo. 

He’s unbuttoned his shirt now - or maybe it was you. Fuck, either way you couldn’t tear your eyes off of his pretty washboard abs. Curving and dipping like he was sculpted meticulously. 

And that’s all it takes for your already-dripping cunt to grow impossibly wetter, and he could feel it leaking through those flimsy cotton shorts of yours. Forming a messy sheen right at that damp spot of precum on his pants.

“You’re so fuckin’ wet, my love.” Nanami murmurs, swiping a thumb down that sopping wet slit of yours through your shorts. Just marveling at the way that simple touch makes another wave of your sweet sweet juices bead through the fabric. “Hah, absolutely dripping. This all f’me?”

At your half-delirious nod, he flashes you a smile so handsome that it only makes you squirm more impatiently. “How sweet.” Giving your nose a chaste peck, “So good to me. So needy.”

“You’re the same, though.” you accuse, hotly.

And it’s true - Nanami couldn’t deny the aching need of his cock, the way he all but moans in response, “Then tell me- hngh tell me what you want. I’ll give you- anything-” Managing to get out through hot, sloppy kisses planted right on your wobbly lips, “-anything.”

But, ah, you always did manage to surprise him. And instead of an answer, you’re getting right down on your knees in front of him like you did not too long ago - though, this time, you’re reaching up to fumble with his belt. 

“Wan’ taste you.” you huff when his expensive notches prove too stubborn. “Wan’ feel you in my mouth so bad, Ken.” 

“Oh yeah?” he chuckles darkly, easily loosening his belt and his pants along with it. Rock-hard cock sensitive and just smearing a pool of precum where his fat head springs up to hit your lips. Such a pretty shade of gloss. Nanami laces his hand on your scalp to guide you forwards, slowly, “Then take it. Take it f’me, pretty.”

He was so pretty that you possibly couldn’t not - a delicate blushing red at his very tip, glistening and absolutely soaked in precum down the long path to his creamy base, his heavy balls. So girthy that it made your cunt clench in anticipation.

And then there’s no more talking. Hell, you barely get enough time to admire Nanami’s massive cock before he’s bullying it between your lips. Wetting his thick, angry tip with your saliva, just enough to eye down at the way your lips bulge so prettily around him. 

“Gonna hafta open w-wider if you wanna take me, pretty. Open hah- yeah jus’ like that.” He’s reeling your head back, all the way till you were just kissing at his thick, angry tip. “Now spit on it, my love.”

Despite being the one to say it, Nanami’s mouth drops into a fucked-out little oh! of disbelief when you’re readily decorating his swollen length with a steady stream of spit. Your soft palms smearing the saliva along his length. 

You’re slurring, “After all, I still haven’t found my wallet, right?”

And oh he doesn’t even have to ask for what comes next - doesn’t even have to make a noise. 

Immediately, you take him in inch by fucking inch. The deliciously salty twang taking over your senses, and he’s so hot and heavy over your tongue. Veins pulsing in a dizzyingly throb! throb! throb! against the roof of your mouth.

“Are you- are you sure you can-” You shut up his doubts by rubbing your hot tongue along every sensitive ridge you could reach. Bobbing your head at a quick, ruthless little pace to milk his pretty cock for all he’s worth. 

Nanami’s eyes roll to the back of his head. Was this what heaven felt like? 

“F-fuuuck, oh you-” his words are catching in his throat with each flick of the tip of your tongue against his sensitive slit. Just the way he liked it. “-ngh guess that sharp mouth of yours wasn’t just hah- good for teasing, huh?”

He’s running his mouth a mile a minute - the complete opposite of the reserved man that’d come knocking on your door. Hips grinding up into your warm tongue mindlessly, slow. Languid - like he didn’t even realize what he was doing. “Oh you feel so heavenly- so fuckin’ good it should be illegal.”

You can’t help but bat your teary eyes up at him in response, blinking away the lustful haze to drink in that utterly obscene sight above you. Nanami’s neat, blond hair uncharacteristically disheveled, stray strands sticking to his furrowed brow. Only deepening with each wrecked sigh that leaves his plump lips every time his abs flex with the movement of his fat head hitting the gummy back of your throat. 

He looks so pretty it makes you moan. 

Those electric vibrations going all the way down that wet divot on the tip of Nanami’s painfully hard cock to his heavy balls. 

“Oh shit- shit shit shit feels too good.” his words are slurring together, drunk off the way you gag around him. “Don’t do that don’t-” This only makes you drag your sloppy mouth down him deeper, syrupy moans sticking to

him all the while. 

“Fuck!” Nanami shudders. And he’s pulling you down - hard - barely letting you get a feverish little breath out until your nose is hitting the neat patch of blond at his base. Rubbing up against his toned pelvis. 

Still moving in deep, relentless thrusts inside your gummy cavern. “S’real fuckin’ hard to treat you as nice as I want when you act like that, my love.”

And, of course, the only response he gets are your pathetic, wet gurgles as you take him in faster. Cheeks hollowing to massaging his every sweet spot. Your jaw grinding against his twitching balls with each smack of his hypnotized hips against your mouth, fucking into you the way he wished he could do with your cunt. Frenzied. Sloppy. 

Yeah, this was heaven alright - but you were the fuckin’ devil. 

Of course, you wanted him to treat you like such a slut - so he does. 

Just dragging your stubborn mouth off of his twitching cock, Nanami only reaches down to place an accomplished peck on the pout of your mouth before hoisting you onto the counter. “What? You think I’d really ngh- cum before my darling girl?”

He’s groaning into your mouth, licking at the seam of your candied lips as two strong arms of his spread your legs so far apart it burned. “F-fuck, Ken-”

“Aw look. You’ve got another slutty pair, huh?” he gestures down at the drenched scrap of fabric you so proudly called “panties.” Sliding a thumb underneath to glide it underneath your puffy pussy lips. He’s echoing your sentiment from before, “Said you can’t find your hah- wallet, right?” Well, ya better start makin’ up for that now.”

In all of two seconds, Nanami’s hooking two fingers over your underwear - pulling - ripping. He was right -  Nanami takes a moment to admire your dripping cunt, glistening and needy for him - he could rip those panties right off of you. 

With just one hand pinning you to the cool marble of your counter, the other thumbing open your puffy folds, he’s giving all of your pussy a hot, open-mouthed kiss. 

“Mmm fuck-” he spits into your sloppy hole. Once. Twice. Letting it form a saturated little pool of your juices, before surging back nose-deep with a pained grunt. Again. And again. And again and again- “Jus’ as sweet- as sugary sweet ngh-”

Nanami didn’t think Higuruma knew about this little treasure trove when describing you - though, if he did, then he was well and fully intent on tongue-fucking every little thought out of him right now. 

“Hngh! Shit-” you’re keening when his greedy tongue laps up every bit of your syrupy sweet slick. Alternating - methodically, indecisively - between rolling over your throbbing clit and just dipping into your awaiting entrance. “It feels so- so good, Ken.”

“Yeah that’s right.” he gasps, wrapping those pretty pink lips of his to suck on your clit. Harsh. “Say my name- no, louder. Louder.” 

It’s all you can do to not just scream out his name without your neighbors filing a noise complaint. Dragging your sopping pussy all over his mouth - glistening and obscene right down the bottom half of his face all the way up to smear against his clear glasses. 

Such obscene squelches ring through your kitchen as Nanami keeps making out so messily with your sensitive nub. Ringing in your fucked-out brain, so obscene, so addictive that you barely even register the thick fingers dipping their way around your hole. 

You jolt when the cool metal of his glasses kiss your skin, “O-oh Ken what-” 

“Shhh shhh, darling.” he soothes. The tip of his manicured index circling around your elastic muscle. Hypnotic. “M’gonna take care of you. Gonna take such good-” With this, he’s bullying his fingers inside, “-care of you.”

Tears crinkle at the corners of your eyes at the sheer stimulation. Because for how sweet Nanami was talking you through this, he was absolutely ruthless on your cunt. Not half the man he was this morning - animalistic. Feral, even.

His sharp jaw grinding against your skin, fingers almost a blur with how depraved they were pumping in and out of you. Massaging every hidden corner of your plushy walls, yet you get the feeling that they were calculated. Nanami’s darkened eyes drinking in every whimper and twitch of your body over the glasses inching dangerously downwards. Searching, waiting for that one-

“Ngh!” You worry you’d have fallen off the counter if it wasn’t for Nanami holding you down. Body jolting at sudden electricity running through your veins, “Oh- fuck fuck fuck. Oh my god Ken, there. Right there–”

But before the sentence has even left your heavy lips, he’s hitting your g-spot once more. Easily finding the bullseye that has you bucking and arching into his mouth like such a slut. 

And this time - Nanami lets you use his mouth all you want. The fingers splayed out to pin you down moves to toy with your puffy clit. Rolling between his fingers while he hisses out syrupy sweet praises, “Shit, never liked m’name that much- ngh- but it sounds so pretty on your lips. So sweet. So- oh-” 

The sight of your cunt just beading with need has him kissing it once more. All over your sensitive nub, your ravaged hole, hell, even down to the mess of slick dripping down at your thighs. Faster. Sloppier. No rhythm or rhyme anymore. 

“M’so close.” you whine, weaving your fingers through his blond hair to help ride his face easier. Jolting with each purposeful flick of his tongue. “Gonna cum, Ken.”

“Cum then.” he answers, simply, grinning a guiltily glossy grin, “You’ve got a lot to make up for, right?”

And then you do - stars behind your eyes and that little nickname you’d made Nanami in your mouth. Over and over while he tonguefucks you through your high. 

“Fuck- fuck fuck fuck–” you whine, big fat tears rolling down your cheeks eat time he swiped at your sensitive spots, dragging it out longer. Until your soft whimpers were drowning out the squelches from below. Until you were blinking your spotty vision back. Until you were squirming your hips higher up the counter to pull away from Nanami’s unforgiving tactics. “M’too sensitive- Nana-”

He tuts, interrupting your orgasm-drunk babbles, “Tha’s not what you call me.” Pulling away just enough to hum, “All I did was eat this pretty cunt out, darling n’ you already forgot my name?”

You shiver - both at his mean little tone and the absolutely sinful sight between your shaky thighs. Nanami’s lips plump and irritated, eyes foggy - glasses even more so with all the sloppy dredges of spit and your slick.

Shit, you think he’s never looked prettier. 

“Is that so?”

It’s all you hear before you’re hit with his glasses being gently placed onto your nose bridge - followed shortly by the realization that oh, you said that out loud. But Nanami basks in your sudden shyness, giving your lips a chaste, lingering peck. “You dirtied my glasses, y’know. Now you have to make up for that on top of the rent.”

And by the feeling of his thick tip kissing at your pussy lips, you had a very good idea about how you’d be making up for it. Making a mess. Sliding the curve of his head up and down. Up and down up and down up and-

“B-but don’t forget.” you manage to grit out by the time he’s nudging his divot against your clit. “You have to make- hah- make up for-” 

In a fluid motion, you’re reaching your fingers to dig into the irresistible tan skin at his hips, all hard muscle and the thick fabric of where he’d pulled his pants down just enough. You press down on his bulging back pocket, smirk growing at the familiar flash of hot pink you could spy, “-my panties.”

The moment the obscene little accusation leaves your lips, you give a soft tug forwards. Nanami’s towering body being pulled easily to push his weeping tip past your puffy folds. 

“F-fuck.” he’s throwing his head back at the feeling. “You hngh- saw, huh?”

Oh, if he hadn’t been imagining this the moment he’d stepped inside your apartment then Nanami thinks he might’ve just passed out right then and there. 

Because you were so warm, so addictive wrapped around his cock - even when he’s barely even in. That he just has to keep going - after all, it’s for the rent, right?

It’s what he likes to think.

It’s what he whispers - over and over into your open mouth as he bullies his thick cock past your gummy entrance. Letting your plush walls suck the ever-loving soul out of him with each lazy, lingering grind just to fit himself inside. 

“O-oh! Shit-” your nails leave jagged red marks down Nanami’s broad shoulders when he stuffs you full. Desperate. “Y-you’re so big, Ken–” 

At this, you feel Nanami’s girth grow even wider, stretching your walls until it felt like he was molding your poor pussy to the shape. Just reaching into your lungs. You squeal, “Wait- you got bigger- what-”

“I know I know, You got it, my love.” he’s soothing your cries with sugary kisses at the corners of your mouth. Drawing slow, methodical circles on your clit in time with his experimental thrusts. “You got it. You can take it. Shhh shh-” He’s drinking in your cute mewls, cupping your pretty face with his free hand, “You’ll take it right? All of it, like my good girl? You’ve gotta make up for it, right?” At your delirious nod, “Words, pretty.”

“Yes, please.” You buck your hips in a sultry tandem matching his, the cool frame of his glasses still kissing at your skin. “M’gonna take it all like your good girl, Ken.”

Shit, he can feel himself growing even bigger just halfway into you, “Then-” Angling your teary face down to watch the mess down below. The way your greedy cunt was trying to milk each and every inch of him like it was delicious. “-look.”

You can’t tear your eyes away as he delves into you so filthy. 

Not waiting for your pathetic whines about him being “too big” - no, Nanami’s only pulling you back from escaping like some sextoy - his favorite one. Still toying sweetly with your clit while he pushes against that feeble ring of resistance. Once. Twice. Thrice. 

“Ken!” you’re yelping out when he finally bottoms out. Your swollen folds meeting his drenched hilt, blond tufts of hair brushing up against your pelvis. Sighing, ”Finally.”

“Finally?” he’s dragging out his words with an already-crooked, pussydrunk grin. Eyes wild - bewildered almost at how well you were taking him. “S-seriously? Did you say ngh- ‘finally’, my girl?” Each word has him tapping more strength behind those thrusts, faster. Harder. Spitting out so contendly, “Finally- hah. Such a slut f’me, hm?”

He’s plunging into you like such an animal right now, so harsh that it was almost difficult to pull back. To dare subject himself to not be buried inside your dripping cunt for even a split-second. 

In response, you lick a long stripe up the sensitive area of his neck, splaying out a hand to squeeze Nanami’s pec - and the rapid heartbeat you felt beneath it. “You’re not- ngh- any better.”

“I know.” Nanami leers, unabashedly kneading at your sore tits now. Fucking you harder and harder into the counter. Connecting his sweaty forehead with yours to look you right in the eyes as he gruffs, “I’ve been thinking about fucking this pretty cunt as soon as you opened that door, y’know.”

You feel his cock twitch wildly at the confession, dragging against your gummy walls with his tip. Hitting - oh-so-expertly - that one sensitive honeypot of nerves. Which makes Nanami’s mouth fall slack with what a treasure you were. 

“Y-you’re such a-” you’re moans are syrupy and slurring together now. Holding onto the larger man for dear life, “such a pervert, Ken.”

Shit, you were squeezing around him so hard that it was almost impossible to pull out. Abs straining to keep up the loud staccato of skin-against-skin, and Nanami’s long, jagged rams inside your wet heaven.

Nanami’s nosing down your pulse, letting his hot tongue loll out to catch the salty drops of your tears, “Mhm, only for hngh- you. Because you’re my girl now, aren’t ya?”

So easy for him to trawl out those addictive moans with each drag of the upwards curve of his fat cock. Thick tip hitting your g-spot, your cervix - as if he was branding his name into your pretty pussy from the inside. Sloppy. 

Leaving a bruising little Kento. With his erratic fingers pinching and rolling your clit at the same feverish tempo of his cock bullying inside your cunt - Kento. With his heavy balls smacking against your ass, sending jolts of white-hot pleasure all the way up to his sensitive slit, rubbing up against your succubus walls - Kento. With the way your heels were now digging into those dimples at the bottom of his spine, sure to leave marks with the way you were pulling him impossibly closer. So needy - Kento.

Only getting sloppier. The only thing in your mind right now - Kento Kento Kento-

So, really, it makes sense when that’s the only thing you’re capable of getting out once you cum. It sneaks up on you at first, and then all at once - and before you know it, you’re cumming so desperately all over Nanami’s relentless cock. 

Over and over.

Your thighs spasming, such a slutty ah! ah! ah! leaving your mouth with each wave of pleasure he’s forcing out of you by targeting your ravaged g-spot. Only a few more of those sloppy, mean thrusts left in the man himself before Nanami’s spilling into your greedy cunt. 

Painting your gummy walls white with each painful squeeze of his balls, he’s still thrusting - as if on instinct. Shoving his seed deeper and deeper down your cum-filled hole until he’s sure it’s overfilled. 

By god were you a vision, he’s thinking deliriously. Tears pooling at your eyes, drool dripping down the corner of your mouth, throat to shoot to do anything but whimper when he keeps going in and out in and out in and-

And if he angled his head just right, he could see the hot globs of cum that take to trickling out from your puffy folds, pooling at a mouthwateringly creamy base around his hilt.

“Ah,” Nanami wastes no time squeezing his index into your already-bulging entrance, pumping the cum slobbering out back in. “Better- hah- better not waste any-” He could barely speak right now, cumming harder than he has in his whole life - in fact, his overworked cock was still shooting out wispy spurts of his seed. Like he couldn’t stop. “-after all, y’haven’t made up for all the overdue rent yet, my love.”

A/N. Concept inspired by this NSFW audio by IchigekiVA that my friend sent me <3

Plagiarism of work not authorized.

[lighthousedann]

State of Affairs for the Residents of David Weiss' Life On Queen Apartments

(The following is a follow up to my previous podcast and blog.) How has this social disaster come to be? Can it be undone? My previous podcast regarding the deplorable conditions David Weiss’ “Life On Queen” tenants are living with, shows how tenant rights and accountability from the landlords are almost nonexistent. I can assure you that Westwood Holdings are not the only culprits. Ontario…

[timeisacephalopod]

Actually might pop up to the neighbor above me and tell him whatever he's smelling it's not me and then ask him when he told Brian about the bugs because I KNOW he did. I suspect one other tenant ALSO did but I won't bother him because he's not technically already involved. And if Neighbors story doesn't match Brian's then I guess I'll have a little ammo for the next chat I'm SURE I'll have to have with this shit stain. Cannot believe he tried to convince me NO ONE complained about bugs but someone complained SO MUCH about the SMELL of smoke that I get THREE messages about it in less than two weeks. No fucking WAY could that even be REMOTELY true, guy clearly thinks I was born yesterday and dropped on my head repeatedly if he thinks I'm likely to believe such a ridiculous story.

And if I find out my neighbor DIDNT complain about me OHHH BOY will Brian have MY wild hair up his ass.

[itendtothinkalot]

shh secret santa

summary: your building has an annual tradition of secret santa! lo and behold, the sweetest gift, paired with a personal letter, has arrived at your doorstep. but… who gave this to you? was it the sweet stranger soobin? or the overly friendly yeonjun? could it be the building's sweetheart huening kai? or maybe the ever-so-smart taehyun, who once helped you with your groceries? you and your best friend, beomgyu, set out to find your secret admirer! holding stakeouts, knocking on doors pretending to need baking powder…are you ever gonna find out just who it is?

genre: fluff

characters: beomgyu x f!reader

words: 7.8k

warnings: none

“Secret Santa again?” Beomgyu stood in front of the building’s bulletin board, his arms crossed and his head tilted like he was trying to decipher a piece of abstract art. “Doesn’t this just mean more cheap mugs and scented candles no one asked for?”

You shot him a look, adjusting your scarf as you joined him. “You say that every year, and yet every year, you still sign up.”

“Because I’m forced to,” he replied, dramatically gesturing toward you with a mock look of despair. “I can’t possibly let you suffer through this ridiculous tradition alone.”

You rolled your eyes, biting back a smile. “Ridiculous tradition? It’s fun! It’s festive! It’s—”

“A waste of time,” he finished, smirking. “But hey, you do look cute when you’re overly excited about it.”

You ignored the way your cheeks warmed at his words and focused on the poster instead. Bright red and green letters announced this year’s exchange, and little tabs with a sign-up link dangled at the bottom like a challenge.

“See? Look how many people have already signed up!” you pointed out, noticing how many tabs were already missing.

“Uh-huh. And I bet half of them are only doing it because the landlord guilt-tripped them at the last tenant meeting.”

“Or because they like spreading Christmas cheer,” you countered, tearing off a tab and waving it at him. “Come on, it’s the season of giving!”

Beomgyu snorted, plucking the tab from your hand. “Fine. But if I end up with another pair of cat-patterned socks from Mrs. Kim, I’m blaming you.”

“Mrs. Kim has great taste, thank you very much,” you said, stepping into the elevator with him.

He leaned casually against the wall, hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets. “Sure, if you’re into socks that meow when you walk.”

You burst out laughing, unable to help yourself. “Okay, that would be amazing.”

Beomgyu just shook his head, but you caught the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. The truth was, for all his sarcasm, he never actually missed a chance to join the building’s holiday traditions—not that he’d ever admit it. Especially if the tradition made you happy.

What you didn’t notice was the way his eyes softened as he watched you beam at the prospect of another Secret Santa season. And you certainly didn’t notice how he subtly nudged the elevator’s "close door" button just so you wouldn’t catch the faint blush creeping up his neck.

This year, he had plans. Big ones. Plans he wasn’t sure you’d even notice, but that was fine—he wasn’t doing it to be noticed. He just wanted you to be happy.

—

The day had finally arrived—the day you’d find out who you’d be shopping for in the Secret Santa exchange. You’d been eagerly anticipating the little envelope that would be slipped under your door, wondering who in the building you’d be tasked with surprising.

By the time you woke up and shuffled to your front door, you could already see it there, waiting—a cream-colored envelope with your name scrawled across the front in a looping script.

“Got yours already?” Beomgyu’s voice called from down the hallway. You turned to see him leaning against his doorframe, arms crossed, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He was still in sweats, his hair messily tousled, as if he’d just rolled out of bed.

“Yep.” You held it up triumphantly, grinning. “Let me guess, you haven’t even checked yet?”

“Why would I? It’s probably someone who doesn’t even like me.” He wandered over lazily, hands stuffed into the pockets of his hoodie.

“Maybe it’s me,” you teased, holding the envelope close to your chest.

He snorted. “If it’s you, I’ll just wrap up one of those meowing socks and call it a day.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t help laughing as you opened the envelope. Inside was a simple card with a single name written in the same handwriting: Mr. Huang from 3C.

“Huh. Mr. Huang,” you muttered, glancing at Beomgyu.

“The old guy with the massive plant collection?” Beomgyu asked, raising an eyebrow. “Better get him a watering can or something. Real original.”

“Hey, don’t knock it! I could get creative,” you shot back, slipping the card into your pocket. “What about you? Aren’t you even a little curious who you got?”

He shrugged but pulled a matching envelope from his hoodie pocket. With a dramatic flourish, he opened it and peeked inside. “Oh, great. It’s Soobin.”

You laughed, already picturing Beomgyu’s attempts at picking out something for the reserved and slightly mysterious guy from the fourth floor. “You’re going to have to actually put some thought into this one, you know.”

“Why? I’ll just get him... I don’t know, books or something. He looks like a book guy,” Beomgyu said, waving the card dismissively.

Before you could reply, he leaned in closer, dropping his voice. “But the real question is, what are you hoping for? From your Secret Santa, I mean.”

You blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. His expression was casual, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of curiosity, or maybe something more.

“I don’t know,” you admitted after a moment, looking away. “Something thoughtful, I guess. Something that shows they put effort into it.”

“Thoughtful,” he repeated, almost to himself, before stepping back with a grin. “Well, don’t get your hopes up too high. People around here aren’t exactly known for their effort.”

“Except me,” you retorted with a playful smirk.

“Yeah, yeah, except you.” He reached out to ruffle your hair before sauntering back to his apartment. 

“Hey!” You scowled, combing through your hair with your fingers.

—

Beomgyu had been sprawled on your couch, tossing a stress ball into the air and catching it lazily while you tried to explain why your favorite holiday movie, Elf, was “a masterpiece of comedy.” He wasn’t convinced—something about “how much sugar can one man consume before it becomes a horror movie”—and you were just about to launch into a rebuttal when the knock interrupted you.

“Expecting someone?” Beomgyu asked, glancing toward the door but making no effort to move.

“Nope.” You stood up, brushing crumbs from your sweatpants, and opened the door.

There was no one there, but sitting neatly on the floor was a small, wrapped box with a folded piece of paper perched on top. You blinked, picking it up and shutting the door behind you.

“What’s that?” Beomgyu asked, sitting up slightly as you returned to the couch.

“I... don’t know.” You set the package on the coffee table, unfolding the note.

The handwriting was the first thing that struck you—neat but slightly slanted, as if the writer had been nervous while writing it.

To my Secret Santa recipient,

Here’s a little something to start the season. I hope it brightens your day, even just a little. Sometimes the smallest joys make the biggest difference.

P.S. There’s more where this came from.

Your lips curved into a small smile as you reread the note. It was simple, but undeniably thoughtful.

“What’s it say?” Beomgyu leaned closer, trying to peek over your shoulder.

You held it up for him, and his eyes flicked across the words. “I didn’t realise we were filming a cheesy Netflix Christmas special.”

“Aw, c’mon! You have to admit, this is a little sweet.” you protested, grinning as you set the note aside and reached for the box.

“Sweet? Sure. A little vague? Absolutely,” he said, sitting back and crossing his arms. “What if it’s just a trap to guilt-trip you into being impressed?”

“Oh my God, Beomgyu, do you ever turn off the sarcasm?”

“Not around you, no.” 

Ignoring him, you carefully unwrapped the box. Inside was a tiny snow globe with a miniature Christmas tree inside, glittery snow swirling around when you tilted it. It was clearly handmade.

“Okay, this is so cute, I can’t believe they made this!” you said, holding it up to admire the craftsmanship.

Beomgyu leaned closer again, squinting at the snow globe. “Hmm. Could’ve gotten it from one of those pop-up stalls at the mall.”

“Would you stop being so cynical?” You set the snow globe on your shelf, smiling as you looked back at the note. “I wonder who it could be. It’s supposed to be anonymous, but... this feels so personal.”

Beomgyu shrugged, grabbing his stress ball again. “Good luck figuring it out. Maybe it’s that guy in 4B who always leaves his bike in the hallway. Romantic and annoying.”

“Or maybe it’s Soobin,” you said thoughtfully, half-teasing. “He’s quiet, but he’s sweet. This seems like something he’d do.”

You flopped back onto the couch with a sigh, excitement bubbling inside you. “I need to know who this is.”

Beomgyu smirked, tossing the stress ball in the air. “Then I guess you’ve got yourself a Christmas mystery to solve.”

“Exactly. And you,” you said, pointing a finger at him, “are going to help me.”

He shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Sure. Why not? Someone’s gotta keep you from embarrassing yourself.”

—

“Suspects? You’re making them sound like serial killers,” Beomgyu said, barely concealing a smirk as he leaned over to grab the list you’d scribbled on a notepad.

“Okay, fine—here’s the list of single males around our age in this building. There are only four of them, so it shouldn’t be that difficult to figure out.”

Beomgyu held the list up and read it aloud with mock seriousness. “Soobin, Taehyun, Yeonjun, and Huening Kai.” He shot you a grin. “Looks like you’re going to need a stakeout partner.”

“And that’s why you’re my best friend,” you said with a laugh, grabbing his arm and pulling him out of your apartment.

By the time you reached the lobby, you were fully in spy mode. Wearing a black hoodie pulled low over your face and armed with a thermos of hot chocolate, you and Beomgyu settled onto the slightly worn sofa by the elevators. From here, you had a clear view of anyone coming or going.

“Alright, Operation Christmas Sleuth begins,” Beomgyu said, sipping from his own thermos. “Who’s first on the list?”

“Yeonjun,” you whispered, like you were sharing classified information. “He’s charming, thoughtful, and always looking for ways to make people smile. This whole Secret Santa thing screams ‘Yeonjun energy.’”

Beomgyu snorted. “Sounds like you’ve already decided it’s him.”

“Shh! He’s coming!”

Sure enough, Yeonjun emerged from the elevator, dressed casually in a sweater and jeans, with his signature confident gait. He was carrying a gift bag in one hand and a phone in the other, talking animatedly as he walked toward the exit.

Your eyes narrowed. “Gift bag. Definitely suspicious.”

“Or he’s just going to see a friend,” Beomgyu said, clearly unimpressed. “Not everything is a clue, Sherlock.”

Ignoring him, you leaned forward slightly, trying to catch snippets of Yeonjun’s conversation as he passed by.

“...Yeah, no, it’s for the office party. Secret Santa at work—totally forgot about it until this morning. I hope whoever gets this likes chocolate.” Yeonjun laughed, his voice fading as he walked out the door. “I’m so busy this year, I didn’t even sign up for my building’s Secret Santa this year.”

You sat back with a groan. “Well, that rules him out.”

Beomgyu smirked, leaning back and crossing his arms. “One down, three to go. And here I thought this was going to be easy for a master detective like you.”

You shot him a glare. “Shut up. This is a process.”

“Sure it is,” he said, fighting a grin. “So, who’s next?”

You looked down at your list, tapping your pen against the paper. “Taehyun. He’s quiet, but he’s creative and sweet. This seems like the kind of thing he’d enjoy doing.”

“Well, let’s hope he doesn’t spend all his time in his apartment,” Beomgyu said, settling in for what promised to be a long night of amateur sleuthing.

As you watched the lobby, sipping hot chocolate and waiting for the next suspect to appear, you couldn’t help but feel a little thrill of excitement. You’d solve this mystery—eventually. But for now, you were enjoying the chase.

—

It had been two hours, and none of the remaining suspects had come down. The hot chocolate was gone, the couch was starting to feel lumpy, and Beomgyu had gone from mildly amused to annoyingly restless.

That’s when he came up with the dumbest idea yet.

“We should visit him!” he announced, his eyes lighting up like he’d just solved world hunger.

You blinked at him, incredulous. “Are you crazy? I don’t even know him like that. We’ve had, like, two conversations. And both of them were about the weather!”

Beomgyu shrugged, completely unbothered by your protests. “Exactly. This is the perfect chance to get to know him better. We’ll just say you need to borrow sugar or something.”

“I have sugar!” you hissed.

“Then lie.” He grabbed your arm, tugging you toward the elevator.

“Beomgyu, no!” you whispered furiously, but he was already pressing the button for Taehyun’s floor, looking far too pleased with himself.

The elevator ride was filled with your whispered threats and Beomgyu’s annoying grin. “Relax,” he said as the doors opened. “This is foolproof.”

By the time you reached Taehyun’s door, your nerves were in overdrive. Beomgyu knocked before you could chicken out, flashing you a mischievous grin as you glared daggers at him.

The door opened a moment later, and there stood Taehyun—polite and unassuming, as always. He tilted his head slightly, clearly surprised to see you. “Oh, hi. Can I help you?”

You opened your mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Thankfully, Beomgyu jumped in, all too eager to take the lead. “Hey, man! We were just wondering if you had any—uh—baking powder?”

“Baking powder?” you whispered under your breath, shooting him a look of pure disbelief.

Taehyun raised an eyebrow but didn’t question it. “Um, yeah, I think I might have some. Hold on.”

As he disappeared into his apartment, you turned to Beomgyu, whispering furiously. “Baking powder? Seriously?”

“What? It’s plausible!” he whispered back, clearly enjoying himself.

Taehyun returned a moment later, holding a small container. “Here you go.”

You managed a weak smile. “Thanks. Sorry to bother you.”

“No problem,” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Are you two doing some holiday baking?”

Beomgyu opened his mouth to reply, probably with some ridiculous story, but he stopped short when a soft voice called from inside the apartment.

“Taehyun? Who’s at the door?”

You froze. Beomgyu froze. And then a young woman appeared behind Taehyun, resting a hand on his shoulder as she peered curiously at the two of you. She was pretty, with warm eyes and a cozy sweater that practically screamed "holiday girlfriend."

“Oh, just the neighbors,” Taehyun explained with an easy smile. He turned back to you. “This is Yejin, my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend.

“Well, that clears things up,” Beomgyu said brightly, clapping his hands together. “Thanks for the baking powder, man. Have a good night!”

Before you could say anything, Beomgyu grabbed your arm and steered you back toward the elevator, practically dragging you inside.

As soon as the doors closed, you turned to him, your face burning with embarrassment. “Baking powder? Girlfriend?! Beomgyu, I hate you.”

He burst out laughing, leaning against the wall of the elevator. “Hey, at least we know it’s not him now. Process of elimination!”

You groaned, covering your face with your hands. “This is a disaster.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” he said, nudging you playfully. “Two down, two to go. We’re getting closer, Sherlock.”

You sighed, pulling out your list and crossing off Taehyun’s name. “Fine. Who’s next?”

Beomgyu grinned. “Huening Kai. Let’s hope this one doesn’t have a secret family or something.”

You glared at him, but you couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at your lips. Despite everything, you had to admit—this was kind of fun.

—

The elevator ride was shorter this time, and you were both in surprisingly good spirits, despite the ridiculousness of the whole situation.

“Alright, so Huening Kai,” Beomgyu said, his voice dropping to a whisper as if they could somehow hear them through the walls. “He’s a bit mysterious, but he seems like the type to go all in for something like this. Plus, he’s always been friendly to you, right?”

You nodded, feeling a flutter of uncertainty. “Yeah, he’s nice. He’s always hanging around the building, helping everyone out, like when he fixed that leak in the hallway. And the way he always smiles at me when we pass each other—could totally be the type to send letters, right?”

Beomgyu smirked. “Seems like a pretty solid candidate to me. Let's scope him out.”

When you arrived at his floor, you tried to act casual, but the tension in the air was thick. You weren’t sure why, but you had a feeling Huening Kai might be the one. Maybe it was the way his presence felt just a little more noticeable now, or maybe it was because you hadn’t been able to stop thinking about his kind, easy-going nature lately.

Beomgyu knocked before you could talk yourself out of it.

Huening Kai opened the door quickly, his trademark bright smile greeting you both. “Hey, guys! What’s up?”

You forced a smile back, feeling your nerves tingle. “Hey! We were just—uh, wondering if you had any extra eggnog? We’re trying to get into the holiday spirit but this one here only has matcha at home.”

You nudged Beomgyu, annoyed.

“Eggnog, huh?” Huening Kai raised an eyebrow but grinned. “I think I have a little left. Hold on a sec.”

You watched him disappear into his apartment, looking around the hallway nervously. The thought that maybe, just maybe, Huening Kai could be the Secret Santa who had been leaving you those letters—and the one who’d just given you the nicest gift yet—didn’t seem as far-fetched anymore.

Beomgyu nudged you with his elbow. “So, do you think it’s him? I mean, he seems like the perfect guy for it. Super kind, thoughtful, and just, well… charming.”

You couldn’t stop the hopeful smile that tugged at your lips. “Yeah, maybe. I could see it being him.”

A moment later, Huening Kai returned, carrying a small bottle of eggnog with a flourish. “Here you go,” he said, handing it over. “It’s not much, but it’s festive!”

“Thanks, man!” Beomgyu said quickly, not wasting time with pleasantries. “You’re the best. Anyway, we’re gonna head back now.”

“Hold up.” Huening Kai’s voice stopped you just as you were about to leave. “You know, with everything going on, I was thinking about inviting you both to the party I’m hosting tomorrow night. Nothing fancy—just a few of us hanging out, you know?”

You blinked, surprised by the sudden offer. “Oh, that sounds really nice,” you said, not sure how you felt about a party.

He smiled, his eyes soft. “Yeah, it’ll be fun. I know the holidays can get a little overwhelming, so I wanted to invite you both. Anyway, I’ll see you around!”

Before you could reply, he closed the door with a wave, leaving you standing there, a bit stunned.

“Okay, so I’m leaning toward ‘yes’ on this one,” Beomgyu said, looking at you with a raised brow. “You’ve got eggnog, an invitation to a party, and the vibes are definitely right.”

You didn’t say anything for a moment, still processing the strange warmth that had spread in your chest. But something didn’t feel quite right.

Suddenly, the door opened again, and Huening Kai stepped back out, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

“Hey, sorry. I forgot to mention,” he said, his voice a little quieter now. “I don’t know what kind of vibe I’m giving of but…I’m kind of seeing someone and I’m not really the type to engage in threes–”

You blinked, trying to process what he was saying. Your stomach did a strange twist. “No! No! What? We just wanted some eggnog. We weren’t really–”

Huening Kai laughed nervously. “Oh. Shit. It was just Taehyun was telling me that you guys were being shifty outside his apartment today and we just assumed–”

“Well…we were just wondering if you had eggnog. That’s all.” You corrected him.

“Oh, I just made this awkward, didn’t I?”

You nodded, “Yeah. Kind of.”

—

Back at your apartment, you and Beomgyu collapsed onto the sofa, still reeling from the strange encounter with Huening Kai. The events of the night had left you with a mixture of confusion and relief, but one thing was certain—this whole Secret Santa mystery was driving you crazy.

Beomgyu, ever the mischievous one, grinned at you, his expression a little too smug. “So, looks like it’s not him, huh?”

You let out a tired sigh, half laughing at the absurdity of it all. “Nope, definitely not.”

Beomgyu playfully threw an arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer. “Well, that leaves Soobin. I guess we better hope he’s the one, huh?”

You nodded, your mind still racing. The more you thought about it, the more something felt off. But what if the answer had been staring you in the face all along? What if it was someone closer to you than you’d realized?

As the two of you made your way back to your apartment, the eggnog still warm in your hands, a thought lingered in your head: one of the letters had felt especially personal—almost as if it had been written by someone who truly understood you. Someone close.

You brushed the thought away, but deep down, you couldn’t shake the feeling. Could it be him? Beomgyu? Was it just wishful thinking on your part?

—

Dinner that night was a quiet affair, just the two of you in your cozy apartment. Beomgyu was animatedly talking about your next move, investigating Soobin’s apartment. He was so eager, almost too eager, that you found yourself distracted by the little things he did—the way he set the table with his usual care, even though he’d never admit it; the way he cracked jokes, making you laugh more than you’d expected. You realized just how much he did for you, all the little gestures that often went unnoticed.

He was pouring you a glass of water when you caught a glimpse of him—a quiet smile, his eyes softening as they met yours. He had been taking care of you all evening, just like he always did.

“Okay, so here’s the plan,” Beomgyu continued, completely oblivious to the shift in your thoughts. “Tomorrow, we’ll go visit Soobin. See if he’s got anything to hide.”

You nodded absentmindedly, lost in thought. “Mm-hmm… right. Sounds good.”

Beomgyu’s eyes narrowed, suddenly catching the change in your demeanor. “What’s up with you? You seem distracted.”

You shook your head, forcing a smile. “Nothing, just… thinking about the letters.”

He smirked, clearly not convinced. “Uh-huh, sure. The letters, right. You’re not still hung up on the guys from earlier, are you?”

“No, no,” you laughed, trying to brush it off, but deep down, you were starting to doubt yourself. Maybe you were just hoping it would be someone, anyone, except Beomgyu.

As Beomgyu launched back into his detective mode, you found your mind drifting. You thought about all the times he’d been there for you—the way he’d always made sure you weren’t alone, the way he’d gone out of his way to make sure you were comfortable.

He was always the first one to call when something went wrong. He’d even fixed your broken sink without complaining, though he’d acted like it was no big deal.

It was in these little moments that you realized how much Beomgyu cared for you—how much he always had. But did he feel the same way you did?

Your heart started to race a little faster. Could it really be him? The thought seemed too impossible to grasp. After all, Beomgyu was always so casual, so carefree, almost like he didn’t care about anyone more than the next joke.

But then again, he had never been the type to hide his feelings, not really. You’d seen the softer side of him, even if it was buried underneath his sarcasm and humor.

“I’m telling you, Soobin’s definitely the next suspect,” Beomgyu continued, oblivious to the whirlwind in your head. “We’ve got to find out what he’s up to.”

You blinked, snapping back to reality. “Right, Soobin. Got it.”

But even as you nodded along, a part of you was silently hoping—hoping that it was Beomgyu who’d been leaving those letters, that he was the one who truly understood you. That the soft smiles, the small acts of kindness, were more than just friendship.

But as Beomgyu continued talking, the enthusiasm in his voice filling the room, you couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that maybe you were just imagining things. Maybe it wasn’t Beomgyu after all. Maybe it was just wishful thinking.

And yet, as he casually refilled your water glass and made sure you were comfortable, your heart told you otherwise.

—

You were finishing up your evening routine, brushing your teeth and getting ready for bed when the doorbell suddenly rang. Startled, you wiped your mouth on your sleeve and hurried to the door, wondering who it could be at this hour.

When you opened it, you were greeted by a small, neatly wrapped gift placed carefully on the mat. No one was in sight, and the hallway was empty. You stepped forward, your heart fluttering. Another Secret Santa gift? At this hour?

The package was small and rectangular, wrapped in delicate silver paper with a red ribbon, shimmering slightly in the hallway light. Attached was another handwritten note, elegant and familiar—though still unsigned.

You carefully untied the ribbon, feeling the slight thrill of the mystery building inside you. As you unfolded the note, your eyes scanned the words:

To my Secret Santa recipient,

The magic of Christmas is in all the little things—and somehow, you’re the sweetest gift of all. I hope this little present brings a smile to your face, just like you bring a smile to mine every single day.

P.S. I hope you’re not still wondering who I am. You’ve got this.

Your breath caught in your throat. You felt that familiar warmth stir in your chest, and for the first time, you realized how much these words resonated with you. It wasn’t just a random note anymore. It felt personal. It felt like someone who knew you—knew the little things you never noticed about yourself.

You looked down at the gift in your hands, carefully unwrapping it to reveal a delicate silver keychain in the shape of a star. It was simple but beautiful, and there was something incredibly sweet about it.

A soft sigh left your lips as you closed the door behind you, staring down at the keychain. "The little things," the note had said. And suddenly, it hit you—all the little things Beomgyu did for you, the subtle kindness he always showed in small, unnoticed ways. The warmth he brought into your life every single day.

You slid down against the door, sitting on the floor as you clutched the gift close to your chest, a mixture of emotions swirling inside you. It couldn’t be Beomgyu, could it? All the signs were there—every letter felt more personal, more meaningful. The things he said. The way he looked at you.

But how could it be him? Beomgyu, your best friend, who would never make a big show of his feelings. He was sarcastic, snarky, always acting like he didn’t care about anything, anyone—least of all you. Or at least, that’s what you’d convinced yourself of.

Still, you couldn’t ignore the way your heart was pounding, the way your mind was racing. Maybe, just maybe, you were missing something. You tucked the keychain into your palm, holding it as if it was the most precious thing you’d ever received.

And just as you were about to get up, you heard a soft knock at your door.

Your breath caught. Beomgyu?

But when you opened the door, there was no one in sight. Only a small, almost invisible note fluttering to the ground in front of you, like a fallen leaf. You picked it up, heart pounding in your chest, and read the words:

I hope you're starting to figure it out.

—

“You’re sure he’s here?” you asked, shivering slightly as you tugged your scarf tighter around your neck, looking around at the empty street. The cold winter air bit at your skin, and you regretted not bringing a thicker coat. Beomgyu had insisted that Soobin spent a lot of time in this area, but you were starting to have second thoughts.

“I saw him the other day, and once another day!” Beomgyu replied, a little too confidently. “So, yeah, he’s probably nearby. We’ll find him.”

You gave him a skeptical look, but didn’t argue. As much as you trusted Beomgyu’s judgment, this whole thing was starting to feel like a wild goose chase. You were also growing more and more aware of how the cold was making you feel a little too uncomfortable for comfort. You rubbed your arms, hoping the warmth would help.

Beomgyu, always the observant one, seemed to notice. Without a word, he unzipped his coat and draped it over your shoulders. You blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. His coat was warm, and as it settled around you, it felt like a hug. You couldn’t help but notice the softness of it—the familiar scent of him lingering in the fabric.

“Stop standing there like a loser,” he muttered, his usual sarcastic tone masking the quiet kindness in his actions. “You look like you’re freezing. It’s not that cold, but I guess you’re just not used to the winter.” He shot you a quick, teasing grin, though it didn’t fully reach his eyes.

You smiled shyly, still trying to process the gesture. “Thanks.”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get all mushy on me. It’s grossing me out.” He waved it off, his hands shoved deep in his pockets as he glanced around. “Now, back to finding Soobin.”

You nodded, following him down the street as he led the way. As you walked, you noticed that despite his usual snarky banter, Beomgyu was still somehow staying close—closer than usual. Every time you shivered, he subtly moved just a little nearer, almost like he was trying to block the cold for you without saying anything. It was... so Beomgyu, yet not.

At one point, you felt his hand brush against yours, then linger. You blinked, your heart skipping a beat, but didn’t pull away. Instead, Beomgyu, seemingly oblivious to the effect he was having on you, gently intertwined his fingers with yours, holding your hand to keep it warm. You felt your cheeks flush, but you didn’t say anything. Was he doing this on purpose? Or was it just the cold?

“So,” Beomgyu began, his voice casual, “If I were Soobin, I’d probably be hiding in the café up ahead. It’s warm there. And you’re not really in a condition to go poking around dark alleyways, are you?” He gave you a teasing smirk as he tugged you toward the bright lights of the café.

You let out a soft laugh, trying to focus on anything but the warmth spreading in your chest. “I’ll be fine,” you muttered, still not fully convinced that you weren’t imagining things.

But Beomgyu wasn’t done yet. As you reached the entrance of the café, he slipped his hand from yours, only to return with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. He handed it to you without a word, the way he always did when he was being uncharacteristically sweet but didn’t want to admit it.

You took the cup with a quiet “thanks,” still unsure of how to respond to him. Was this just Beomgyu being… well, Beomgyu? Or was there something more to it? The little things he did—offering you his coat, holding your hand, getting you a hot chocolate without asking—kept adding up, but you couldn’t quite put it all together.

“You’re gonna drink it before it gets cold, right?” Beomgyu said, as though he was still distracted by something else, but you could hear the hint of care in his voice. “And no, I’m not staying here to watch you. Go, enjoy your drink.”

You looked up at him, feeling your heart race. You gave him a small smile, suddenly very aware of how much you appreciated his little gestures. But you still couldn’t bring yourself to voice what was in your heart. So, instead, you simply nodded, taking a sip of the hot chocolate.

“I guess Soobin’s not here either,” you said softly after a moment, hoping it would change the subject.

Beomgyu didn’t miss a beat. “Of course, he’s not,” he replied with a smirk, “That’s what we get for following his mysterious trail around. Come on, let’s get back to your place before you freeze to death.”

You followed him back, your thoughts a jumbled mess of confusion and warmth, but one thing was clear now—Beomgyu was doing all these things because he cared, whether he realized it or not. And maybe, just maybe, you were starting to realize that the Secret Santa you were chasing might’ve been right under your nose the whole time.

—

When you arrived back at your apartment, still lost in your thoughts about Beomgyu's small, unspoken gestures, you stopped short at the sight of something new on your front door. A small, neatly wrapped package, tied with a red ribbon, was perched on the doormat.

"Another one?" Beomgyu said, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at the gift. His hands were still shoved into the pockets of his coat, the warmth from earlier still lingering in the gesture as you both approached the door.

You nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and confusion. "Yeah… it’s from my Secret Santa. I wasn’t expecting this after everything that happened today."

Beomgyu took a step closer, eyeing the package with mock suspicion. "You really think it's from Soobin? He seems like the type to forget about a gift halfway through."

You gave him a pointed look but couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped you. "I honestly don’t know. It could be anyone."

Beomgyu shrugged, his teasing grin back in place. "Well, don’t keep us both in suspense. Open it already."

You bent down to pick up the gift, your heart racing a little as you untied the ribbon. Inside, there was a small card, along with something wrapped in soft tissue paper. You unfolded the tissue carefully, revealing a delicate charm bracelet. There were small charms shaped like stars, a tiny mitten, and a candy cane—each one representing a piece of your Christmas wish.

Your fingers brushed over the charms, admiring how thoughtful the gift was. You didn’t even need to read the card to know it was the same person who’d sent you the letters.

But as you read the message aloud, your voice trembled slightly:

To my Secret Santa recipient,

Every day with you feels like Christmas morning. You bring warmth to even the coldest days, and with each small thing you do, you make everything better. I hope this little gift reminds you of that warmth, even when I’m not around.

You paused at the last line, your gaze drifting to Beomgyu, who was now watching you with an unreadable expression.

P.S. You’re not still wondering who I am, are you? It’s pretty obvious by now.

Your breath hitched. That last sentence. You looked up at Beomgyu, your heart skipping a beat. Could it really be him? You wanted to ask, to say something, but the words stuck in your throat. You noticed the subtle way he was glancing at you, the way his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"So," Beomgyu said, breaking the silence with his usual sarcastic tone, "Looks like you’re not completely clueless after all. You figured it out."

You met his gaze, the warmth from the bracelet suddenly feeling like it was radiating straight from him. It was him, wasn't it? He’d been there the whole time, showing you kindness in ways you didn’t even fully realize until now.

But still, you hesitated. "Beomgyu... are you—"

He cut you off, his usual snark returning in full force. "What? You thought I’d leave you hanging all Christmas? Yeah, well, you’re welcome. But don’t get too excited. It’s not like I’m gonna start handing out love letters or anything."

You couldn’t help but smile, feeling a flutter in your chest. "I—I don’t know what to say. I didn’t even realize—"

Beomgyu stepped forward, his hand brushing against yours as he placed his coat over your shoulders again. This time, it wasn’t for warmth; it was different, almost like an unspoken promise. “You don’t have to say anything,” he muttered, looking down at the floor before meeting your gaze once more. “I just… wanted you to know you’re special to me. Even if I’m a little too sarcastic to admit it."

Your heart was racing now, and for a moment, neither of you spoke. The quiet between you felt comfortable, like you were finally seeing something that had been right in front of you all along.

“I’m glad it’s you,” you whispered softly, not fully realizing the words until they left your lips.

Beomgyu’s smirk softened into something tender, though it was still tinged with his usual teasing. "Yeah, well… don’t get all mushy on me now. I’ll just throw up."

And just like that, you knew that Christmas wasn’t about finding who your Secret Santa was—it was about realizing who had been there for you all along and somehow it being Beomgyu doesn’t scare you.

Beomgyu's pride seemed to swell as he watched you, his arms folded across his chest. "You know," he said, his voice dripping with his usual snark, "I’m pretty amazing. Not everyone gets a gift like this, you know. Not everyone has a Secret Santa who’s so considerate."

You rolled your eyes, unable to keep the smile from forming on your lips despite how ridiculously smug he was acting. "Oh, wow, Beomgyu. You really know how to make someone feel special," you said, sarcastically mimicking his tone. "I’m sure your ego could fill up this whole apartment."

He let out a laugh, clearly pleased with himself. "Well, I am doing all this for you, aren’t I? Doesn’t that make me kind of a big deal?"

You took a deep breath, resisting the urge to roll your eyes again. He was insufferable. You loved him for it, of course, but it was getting harder to hold back your laughter—or the strange warmth spreading through you.

Without giving him a chance to continue his proud tirade, you leaned in, closing the space between you and him. His eyes widened, clearly startled as you got closer, and for a split second, you caught the way his snarky demeanor faltered just a little.

Before he could open his mouth, you placed a soft kiss on his cheek, the action more confident than you felt in that moment. The warmth of his skin against your lips felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Beomgyu’s usual sarcastic smirk faltered as he froze, his eyes wide, and the words he'd been about to say got stuck in his throat. "W-What was that for?" he stammered, his voice suddenly uncharacteristically shy.

You leaned back, smiling knowingly as you studied his flustered expression. "Just thought you needed to shut up," you teased, your voice low and playful. "You’re getting a bit too full of yourself there."

His face flushed, and for once, his usual cocky grin was nowhere to be found. Instead, he stood there, utterly stunned, clearly thrown off guard. "You—you can’t just do that!" he sputtered, his voice laced with nervous laughter, but his eyes were bright with something softer, something warmer.

"You’re right," you said with a smirk. "I should’ve done it sooner."

Beomgyu's pride was still very much intact, but now there was a little hint of bashfulness peeking through. "Well, if you’re gonna keep doing that," he said, avoiding your gaze for a moment and fidgeting slightly, "I might start expecting you to be a lot more… appreciative, you know?"

You raised an eyebrow, laughing softly. "Oh, don’t worry, I’m very appreciative," you said, your voice dropping to something more teasing. "Just… don’t get too used to it."

His face broke into that signature, playful grin once again, though it was softer, more genuine this time. 

You could feel your heart flutter in your chest, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. Despite all the teasing, the sarcasm, the snark, there was a deep understanding between the two of you—one that had been building for a long time. And now, as the Christmas lights flickered softly in the background, you knew that this was just the beginning.

—

The small twinkle of fairy lights filled the room, casting a warm glow over the tiny Christmas dinner you had carefully set up in your apartment. The scent of roast chicken and baked potatoes wafted through the air, mixing with the faint smell of pine from the Christmas tree you had decorated together. Beomgyu was sitting across from you, poking at his mashed potatoes with a look of quiet contentment, though his lips were curled into a little smirk—his usual demeanor.

"So," he started, leaning back slightly in his chair, "what’s this? A fancy Christmas dinner? I’m impressed. You even got the potatoes just right." He took a bite, giving you a nod of approval but then narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "But what’s the catch? This can’t just be for my impeccable company, right?"

You rolled your eyes, playfully scolding him. "For once, can you just eat without turning everything into a challenge?" You pushed his plate of food closer to him, making sure he couldn't escape his portion. "It’s Christmas, Beomgyu. No need to overthink everything."

He smirked, then took another bite, his eyes never leaving you as if he was trying to read your thoughts. "Yeah, yeah. You know, I never thought you’d get so domestic on me."

You smiled softly, trying not to let your nervous excitement show. "Well, it is Christmas. I figured I’d try something special for you especially after all you’ve done for me." You reached behind the couch and pulled out a small, carefully wrapped box. It was simple, with red paper and a gold ribbon, but the thought behind it was what made it special. "Here. I got you something."

Beomgyu’s eyes widened slightly, though he tried to mask it with his usual snark. "Oh? For me?" He raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting anything. "I’m shocked. Are you sure you didn’t mix this up with someone else’s gift?"

You smirked at him, unamused. "Just open it, Beomgyu."

He slowly peeled the wrapping paper off, revealing a sleek, black guitar pick holder—something he'd mentioned wanting months ago when you’d been casually chatting in the hallway. You’d remembered his offhand comment about how he always lost his picks and how he was looking for something cool to keep them in. It wasn’t much, but it felt like the perfect gift.

Beomgyu stared at the small holder, his fingers lightly tracing the design. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just staring at it as if in disbelief. Then, his lips curled into a smug grin again. "Oh, great. Now I can lose my picks in style. Very thoughtful of you." His voice was teasing, but there was something softer in his eyes.

You raised an eyebrow, catching his attempt to mask his emotions. "You don't have to pretend. I know you like it," you said with a small, knowing smile.

His eyes flicked up to meet yours, his usual snarkiness not quite hitting the mark. "Yeah, well, it's... it’s fine," he muttered, a little more sheepishly than he intended. "You actually listen to me, don’t you? Not many people do." He ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to deflect his own vulnerability. "But, you know, I could've just bought it myself."

You leaned in a little closer, your heart racing from the way he seemed so uncomfortable with how much he appreciated the gift. "I listen to you because I care," you said softly. "I remember the little things, Beomgyu. Just like you."

He froze for a moment, the teasing mask slipping slightly, and for a split second, he seemed almost... shy. "Huh," he muttered, looking away from you, his face growing redder than usual. "Well... whatever. It’s not a big deal. Besides, you probably got this off of–"

But the small smile playing at the corner of his lips said everything. And then, before he could recover, you reached forward, surprising him. You placed a quick, soft kiss on his lips, shutting him up completely.

Beomgyu’s eyes widened in absolute shock. His face immediately turned a deep shade of red as he pulled back, stammering like a mess. "Wh-What was that for?" His voice came out a bit strangled, and his usual snarky demeanor was nowhere to be found. He fumbled for words, looking anywhere but at you. "I—uh—I didn’t expect that, okay? What the hell.” 

You couldn’t help but giggle at his reaction, your heart fluttering. "You just looked too cute being all flustered," you teased. "I figured I’d make you shut up for a second."

Beomgyu was still in shock, his usual witty remarks lost somewhere in the sea of his own embarrassment. "I—uh... I don’t even... You’re... impossible." He covered his face with his hands for a moment, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I swear, you do this to me on purpose."

You leaned back, watching him try to gather his composure, your heart racing in the best way. "I didn’t hear you complaining."

Beomgyu shot you a look, finally meeting your eyes, his expression a mix of embarrassment and something else—something softer. "You’re lucky I like you," he muttered under his breath, though his voice was anything but annoyed.

You smiled at him, feeling your heart swell. "Good. Because I like you, too."

The warmth of the moment wrapped around both of you like a blanket, the Christmas lights twinkling softly in the background as Beomgyu silently took the gift in his hands again, this time with a little more appreciation than he’d been willing to show before.

"Thanks," he said quietly, almost too quietly for you to hear, but the sincerity in his tone was impossible to ignore.

You nodded, feeling content. "Merry Christmas, Beomgyu."

"Merry Christmas," he whispered back, his usual confidence replaced with a soft tenderness that made your heart flutter once more.

[quicktimeeventfull]

hjnlhlfgg THEY FIXED NOT JUST MY LIGHT BUT ALSO MY NEIGHBOURS’

ghjlgjflghfjlhgf liveblogging my dryer struggles. after two weeks i sent them an extremely long timestamped emailed with all the information needed to file a claim against them incl. screenshots of all our correspondences & they wrote me back IMMEDIATELY. i didn’t actually threaten them bc ideally i want to avoid actually taking legal action but i feel like they probably sensed where this was going

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Landlord Fined $50 In Sudbury Court," Ottawa Journal. July 25, 1942. Page 5. ---- SUDBURY, Ont., July 24.-(CP) - Bernard Minden of Sudbury was fined $50 and costs by Magistrate J. S. McKessock in police court today following his conviction on a charge of increasing rentals contrary to provisions of the price ceiling order of the Wartime Prices and Trade Board. Defendants' counsel, E. C. Facer, argued that rental for the building had never been set definitely and exchange of space between Minden and his tenant, Inkster's Bakery, should be considered. The magistrate said the exchange of space did not offset the admitted $25 increase in rent.

[memoirsofasim]

Ep 1 - Meet your new tenants

When Ozzy decided to invest in rental properties he did zero research and had no idea what he was getting into. How hard could it be managing three rentals?

He heard the sound of someone playing a guitar behind him and guessed it was Clyde, mainly because on his rental form he put down he was a musician, Ozzy climbed out of the pool to go watch.

Ozzy cheered as he listened to Clyde play. This guy could actually play a tune. Rosalie who was kneeling down beside him roasting a marshmallow cheered Clyde on as well.

After Lily came and joined them Ozzy knew this was the right time to ask everyone.

'Right, since you are all here I'll be having a party later tonight and you're all invited!'

Seeing Rosalie's expression made Ozzy rethink his idea. Clyde seemed interested and Lily didn't show much enthusiasm.

'I'll be there!' Lily said jumping up from the her seat and already trotting off. 'Thanks Ozzy!'

Both Rosalie and Clyde confirmed they would attend too. Phew, thought Ozzy. Even if they didn't attend he was going to have a party anyway. But he was glad they were all coming.

So, there's going to be a party later, thought Rosalie as she relaxed on the floater. There were many things to prep for, her outfit, her makeup. She wondered if the landlord knew about this so called party.

Rosalie slipped off the floater into the water and swam elegantly over to Ozzy. 'I appreciate the party invite', she said batting her eyelashes.

'Hey, it's cool. I thought it would be a chill way for everyone to get to know one another', Ozzy replied.

'So, you must work out? I admire your physique.' She gushed at him.

Lily liked the idea of a party, maybe she could tell a few jokes to everyone, test her material out before her first comedy gig. As she mopped up the pool water she thought she saw a flash out of the corner of her eye.

When she glanced over she could see Clyde playing around with the fire. She hoped he wasn't some sort of pyromaniac.

Clyde had no idea what happened. All he did was try to light the fire and now his arm was ablaze. How was he going to get out of this situation?

By jumping in the pool, of course! He ran past Lily, who lost her balance, and quickly climbed the steps to the diving board.

While Lily was trying to regain her balance she glimpsed at Clyde's butt. It was literally right in her face anyway, she couldn't look anywhere else. It was an okay butt, nothing to rave about. She did think he was kind of cute too. In a scruffy rock star kind of way.

Time was ticking for Rosalie, she had to organise her outfit and makeup for the party. 'I'll see you later then, Ozzy' she said giving him a flirty wave.

'Yeah, catch ya later.' Ozzy slipped his cap off and dipped underwater. When he resurfaced he saw Rosalie already walking to her apartment. This sim was damn fine, but was he her type and should he get involved with one of his tenants?

None of them yet knew he was the landlord and he was still undecided about announcing it. Maybe he would see how the party went first, if it was a success then he would tell them, but if it wasn't maybe he would keep it to himself.

[clonerightsagenda]

Getting Involved Locally

Every time I see a post implying the only two politically relevant actions you can take in America are voting or not voting in federal elections, I tell myself I will make this post, so now I am finally doing it.

As an American, it can be frustrating and dispiriting to feel like we're being held hostage by our politicians while the United States continues to be one of the biggest forces for suffering on a global scale. This post is not about what we can do on that scale but instead suggests that, if you're feeling powerless and depressed about your national/international impact, you can take action on the local level. I got involved with a local activist group a few years ago, and we've been able to tangibly help people in our community, get genuine policy passed, and net some legislative wins. It's much easier to influence a smaller system, and a lot more rewarding than doomscrolling on social media.

Disclaimer: I am an American who lives on the outskirts of a fairly large city. This post reflects my experience and not everything in it may be applicable to yours. Take what is useful and leave the rest.

What's out there?

There are a variety of ways to get involved locally depending on your preferences. I'm going to lump them into a few categories:

Local government. City council, school boards, library boards, etc. Many of these orgs have open meetings and allow public comment. They're often sparsely attended and members are frequently elected by small margins, so they're far more likely to listen to what you have to say than federal legislators. Check out your home's website to see if you can find minutes and agendas to learn what they're discussing and how you can weigh in. Great choice if you want to develop a first name basis nemesishood with a local politician.

Volunteering. If you have low bandwidth and just want someone to tell you what to do, but would like to know your actions immediately benefit real people, volunteering gigs might be for you. Lots of organizations need help! Community kitchens, greenspace cleanups, giving immigrants rides to appointments, phonebanking, tutoring, supporting cultural centers, etc. Find orgs connected to something you're interested in and see what they need.

Organizing. Organizing involves long term work to build groups of people who can push for change. Outside of labor unions, there are tenant unions (renters pushing their landlords for better conditions) and groups organizing around a specific issue. (Off the top of my head, in my area I'm aware of multiple groups organizing around abolition/decarceration, minimum wage, environmental justice, transit, and reproductive justice.) These groups require more commitment, but that also means you'll have more input than showing up to volunteer for a nonprofit a few times a month.

(The group I'm currently involved with is organizing-focused, so if you're curious I'm happy to share more details of what that's like, I just don't want this post to be even longer.)

How can I learn about opportunities?

Word of mouth

Local government websites

Library, college, and community center bulletin boards

Local events (I tabled at a music festival last summer)

Protests and rallies

Local news outlets (might be covering actions, etc.)

Social media

Google (try 'mutual aid' and your location)

Start getting involved. I cannot express how much I've learned about the activist landscape in my city just from joining one org. Between partnerships, solidarity requests, etc., so many groups are now on my radar that weren't before. As I said before, I'm in/near a fairly big city, but you might be surprised by how much is going on where you are!

A note on self-interest

Something we talk about in organizing is self-interest. Why are you passionate about this cause? Why are you in this fight? Identifying your self-interest is important for a few reasons. First, it helps you convince other people to care. Second, it keeps you engaged. If you start volunteering out of a vague sense that you're 'helping', it's much easier to lose interest. If you recognize how winning this fight makes your life better, you're more likely to stick with it. I'm not saying you should only get involved in causes that immediately materially benefit you, but it's worth thinking about your personal stake so that you can return to that when you think 'ugh I don't want to get out of bed for this meeting'. You may have seen the quote credited to Lilla Watson and a group of other Aboriginal Rights activists: "If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

In conclusion

This is work. I've spent weekends in campaign retreats and driven 45 minutes across the city to make care packages. I am doing group projects and not even getting paid for it. But when you're frustrated with the state of the world, it's nice to be able to roll up your sleeves and make a visible impact on something you can control. It's also a great way to meet people irl who care about the same things as you and learn ways we can support each other when larger structures let us down.

As yet another American election season draws near with its avalanche of posts about voting, whether you intend to vote or post on tumblr about how much voting sucks or are a long-suffering non-American cursed to always see this shit, I challenge you to take a step* into your community and tackle a problem there. Who knows? You might even help solve it.

*Virtually if necessary. Many orgs try to be accessible. I attend many of my org's meetings on zoom!

[feminist-space]

"Two landlord lobbying groups are petitioning the Supreme Court to overturn New York City’s rent stabilization law, which would allow further countrywide challenges to rent control. Real estate billionaires friendly with court justices are backing the move.

...

Samuel Stein, a housing policy analyst at the Community Service Society, an anti-poverty organization in New York, said that if the Supreme Court were to overturn the rent stabilization law, “It’s the end of New York City.”

“Rents would go up significantly around the city,” he continued. “There will be a tremendous amount of displacement. You will have a lot of people leaving New York City, you will have a lot of homelessness, you’ll have a lot of overcrowding.”

A high court ruling wouldn’t just reshape New York, but would also pave the way for legal challenges to the dozens of rent control laws that exist around the country, and many more currently being considered. For example, in 2024, Californians will vote on a ballot measure to repeal the state’s ban on rent control.

At least one group petitioning the court to take the case has substantial ties to both Harlan Crow, the GOP megadonor and Justice Clarence Thomas benefactor, and Paul Singer, the hedge fund billionaire who provided an undisclosed private jet flight to Justice Samuel Alito.

...

The challenge to New York’s rent stabilization law was brought by two major New York landlord lobbying groups: the Rent Stabilization Association (RSA) and the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP).

The two organizations spent a combined $4.7 million lobbying as they pushed to block the passage of a sweeping tenant protection law in 2019. The law, which expanded rent stabilization from just New York City to any locality in the state that chooses to opt in, made it more difficult for landlords to remove units from rent stabilization and added new protections to rent-stabilized units.

Just after the law passed, the groups sued the city and state, arguing that the new law and New York City’s existing 1969 rent stabilization law are unconstitutional.

The lawsuit from RSA and CHIP was dismissed by lower courts, most recently the federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals. But the groups claimed that their intention was always to reach the Supreme Court.

...

O Over the summer, a flurry of corporate lobbying groups and conservative think tanks submitted amicus briefs urging the Supreme Court to take the case. One of these think tanks has close financial ties to the Supreme Court’s billionaire benefactors.

The ties to Crow, a Texas real estate mogul, are salient as Congress urges the Justice Department to investigate Thomas’s alleged repeated violations of federal ethics laws, in part by accepting a series of undisclosed luxury gifts from Crow over two decades.

...

CHIP and RSA themselves represent major corporate landlords in New York, even as they have often claimed to be the voice of mom-and-pop landlords. (The two groups are reportedly considering merging.)

Major real estate and corporate lobbying groups are urging the high court to hear the case, including the California Business Roundtable, the Real Estate Board of New York, the US Chamber of Commerce, the National Apartment Association.

The Supreme Court will decide on the petition on September 26. If they accept it, justices will decide the case during their 2023–2024 term."

[allthecanadianpolitics]

When Mohamad Khalil Aldroubi heard that his landlord would be increasing the rent by up to 5.5 per cent starting last May, he started knocking on his neighbours’ doors. 

Aldroubi’s family has lived at an apartment complex at 71 Thorncliffe Park Dr., Toronto, since 2015. He has five kids. Like him, other tenants at other apartment complexes at 71, 75, and 79 Thorncliffe Park were already struggling to manage previous rate hikes. 

Ontario’s rent control guidelines set by the Landlord Tenant Board (LTB) cap yearly rent rate increases in line with inflation, which is 2.5 per cent year-over-year for 2023 and 2024 respectively. But landlords can apply to the LTB for Above Guideline Increases (AGIs) for reasons such as construction and maintenance expenses.

Aldroubi and his neighbours say this AGI is unjustifiable. 

“We met in the lobby multiple times. We started very little, a shy group. Then we built trust between each other,” Aldroubi said. [...]

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada, @vague-humanoid

[beardedmrbean]

DOLTON, Ill. (WGN) — Self-proclaimed “Super Mayor” Tiffany Henyard is taking her threats against opponents to a new level:  Threatening them with arrest.

“I will be seeking arrests for individuals involved,” Henyard said during an hour-and-a-half long Facebook Live broadcast.  “I will be pressing charges.  It’s a lot.  And that’s just me telling you a little bit.”

However, Henyard didn’t specify what crimes she believes were committed.  The social media stream of consciousness occurred Tuesday evening following a Thornton Township trustees meeting that was cancelled officially due to lack of quorum.

Up or down? Thornton Township meeting cancelled again after location dispute, safety concerns

“All this pointing the finger at Tiffany — or lying on me —  I’m over it.  Now it’s time for me to speak,” Henyard said on Facebook.  She accused her opponents of a “power and money grab” while promising to reveal evidence at an unspecified later date.

WGN Investigates reached out to Henyards attorneys, who she claimed afterward, asked her stay silent. Neither provided examples of the alleged corruption or explained why Henyard might believe her opponents can be arrested and charged.

This isn’t the first time Henyard has promised – and failed – to deliver proof of her opponents’ corruption or her own vindication.  She has previously promised to “spill the tea” on a short-lived podcast.  She also went on a brief national media tour that backfired and cost taxpayers.

Faced with fury over spending, Henyard went on media tour — and billed taxpayers

Meanwhile, Henyard and her boyfriend are the subjects of an eviction lawsuit by the owner of the home they share in Dolton.

“I think in her mind she feels she’s untouchable, which is a problem,” landlord Genetta Hull told WGN Investigates.

Hull said she’s known the Henyard family for twenty years and assumed the mayor and township supervisor would be reliable tenants.  Now, Hull said she fears losing the home to foreclosure.

Henyard and her boyfriend Kamal Woods — who makes $100,000 a year running violence prevention programs for Thornton Township — have failed to pay several months of rent after objecting to an increase caused by property taxes, according to Hull.

“I have other bills. I have a child to take care of. I can’t afford to pay for where you live! You’re making $375,000!” Hull said.

Henyard’s attorney, Max Solomon, declined to comment beyond saying he would represent the couple in the eviction case.

WGN Investigates has documented lavish spending, first class travel and questionable expenditures under Henyard’s reign in Dolton and Thornton Township. The FBI has served subpoenas and continues to investigate.

One of Henyard’s top allies on the township board recently resigned and another, her former assistant Carmen Carlisle, has turned against her, resulting in Henyard losing control of the township board she once dominated.

Henyard is facing a similar erosion of trust in the Village of Dolton where she’s the mayor. Dolton trustees have taken control of meetings and moved them to a park district building.

Henyard was recently boo’d as she left one of those meetings after arriving late. She unsuccessfully asked a Cook County judge to invalidate meetings that don’t occur at village hall.