#like technically this could be cute but i just want to hide behind my sofa pillows

[metalcorebarbie]

i’m watching the idea of you and it’s making me feel severe second hand embarrassment i don’t know how i’ll make it to the end send help

[szallejhscorner]

Thank you for considering my request! <3 I prefer it to happen in the real world (like after their borderlands encounter well technically in the manga they'll forget about the borderlands but still hahaha). So yeah, I prefer it to happen in the real world.

Alright, here we go! Chishiya handling the reader’s pregnancy was such a cute idea that I could not NOT write it x3

This One is Different

You’ll never forget the day you told Chishiya that you were pregnant, mostly because it didn’t turn out the way you had expected at all.

Being together for a couple of years now and even living together, this was the next step with no doubt, right? You barely talked about things like marriage and having children, mostly because Chishiya wouldn’t be the person to propose to you in a romantic way. He didn’t see any sense in marriage other than advantages in tax category, but you didn’t have any financial problems, so why would he care?

But all your friends were getting parents one after another, some already having their third kid. And everyone around you made hints at when it would be your turn, which were bluntly ignored by Chishiya – though not by you.

You wanted to have kids, and you didn’t want to wait an eternity to have your own family. And Chishiya was the one you wanted to be the father ever since you’d met him after the catastrophe descending upon Tokyo. From the very beginning, you had felt a connection to him that couldn’t be explained, and after all those years, it was still there. Still strong, although it was wavering now with the things unsaid.

Things you wanted to be said so badly.

Chishiya definitely was suspicious when you stopped taking the birth control pill, but as someone who studied medicine for years, he seemed to understand when you told him you didn’t want to destroy your body with those hormones any longer.

And then, the inevitable happened.

The first signs of morning sickness went unnoticed by Chishiya since he mostly had to work early shift, and the excitement you felt was muffled by the worries how he’d react. But Chishiya was clever, way too clever for his own good, and you couldn’t hide it forever.

That’s why you waited for him to come home from his shift, positive pregnancy test hidden behind your back. You could already see that it had been an exhausting day when you kissed him hello, and you almost felt sorry for probably stressing him even more.

Yet he had to know.

Chishiya already sensed that something was going on, and you barely managed to hide the smile on your face when you showed him the test without further explanation. Feeling antsy inside, you already wanted to talk about everything. How you’d decorate the room, if there were any ideas for names, how to tell your parents.

The smile vanished quickly when there was no reaction at all. Chishiya just stared at the test, then at you, no readable expression on his face. He then closed the door behind him, threw the keys inside the box and sat down on the sofa.

That was it.

Blinking away the confusion, you realized you were still standing in the hallway alone and with the test still held out in your hands. You carefully put it down on the shelf, followed him into the living room and sat down next to him.

Chishiya wouldn’t even look at you, his eyes were fixated on something only he seemed able to see. You swallowed down the heavy feeling and gently touched his hand, only now realizing how tense it was.

“Chishiya…?”

He flinched, finally eyeing you with a frown. His mouth opened slightly, then closed, only to open again.

“This is not a good idea.”

You had expected many things, but definitely not this. “I… I’m sorry?”

Suddenly you didn’t feel excited anymore, but scared. What if he told you to get an abortion? Or if he left you?

The tips of your fingers grew cold and you intensified the grip around his hand. “Chishiya, what do you…”

“I can’t do this.” He shook his head, and your other hand moved to your belly, covering it as if to keep the bean inside safe. It was not visible yet, but you knew it was there. And you couldn’t tell if you were ready to give up one of them – the life growing inside of you or the man you always thought was destined for you.

You didn’t even realize that you started to cry until Chishiya’s eyes widened almost noticeably and he wiped away a single tear from your cheek.

His voice was low when he spoke again. “I can’t become a father.”

Now it was your turn to shake your head. There was nothing to fear – even with only Chishiya earning money, you wouldn’t have financial problems. His job as a surgeon was paid well enough, and he wouldn’t have to give it up for you. There were plenty of opportunities for you to work at home even with a baby as well, and you were ready for it! You had the money, you had enough space, so what was the matter?

“Why?” You stared at him with pleading eyes, waiting for an explanation so you could finally understand what was going on inside of him. He never had been too easy to handle, but there were always ways for you to break through to him. Why couldn’t you do that now?

Chishiya shook his head once more, and finally you could see an emotion in his eyes.

“I don’t know how to do it.”

That’s when you remembered the few things he had told you about his childhood. The rare occasions where he’d admit that his family had been nothing but an illusion, to make it look like a perfect household to the outside. The wealthy surgeon, his loving wife and the long-deserved child boy.

Nothing but a lie. Chishiya’s mother had left the family when he was too young to walk straight, and his father never cared. The house maid hated him, and the hatred was mutual.

Chishiya didn’t know how to be a father because he never really had a father himself.

Another tear escaped your eye, but this time it wasn’t out of worry. As you took both his hands into yours and placed them on your belly, you smiled at him with all the warmth inside of you.

“We’ll learn it together.”

 Ever since that day, Chishiya seemed to grow more and more familiar with the fact that there would soon be a third person inside the house. You could see hints of regret the moment your mother covered his forehead in kisses as soon as you told her, but the first image from the ultrasonic was enough to leave even someone like him speechless.

And now, a couple of months later, most of his doubts had vanished. You could barely see your feet anymore and the summer heat didn’t make it easier for you, but Chishiya was there to take care of you. He’d swap shifts so he could attend the important doctor’s appointments with you, and he even accompanied you to a baby-shopping tour once. Even though he made sure it was the first and definitely the last time, you appreciated it more than anything.

Chishiya even made sure to read as many things about pregnancy as possible so he could prepare for anything about to happen. It was cute, but also unnerving sometimes when he forced you to keep on the sofa while he’d carry the groceries into the house, how he’d pull you down on a bench while taking a walk despite you not being tired at all.

He wouldn’t show those feelings openly to anyone else, but when you were alone, he’d lay his head onto your stomach gently so he could hear and feel the miracle inside, something he does tonight as well.

“The bean just woke up,” you yawn while Chishiya taps the place where the baby’s foot has just been kicking out, and you know he’s trying to tickle it – with success.

“It’s not a bean anymore. Right now, it should rather have the size of… a zucchini.”

This comment makes you laugh, and the bean – or zucchini – inside of you kicks out once more. “What will it be next month; a pumpkin?”

Chishiya lets out a hum, and the vibration on your belly makes you giggle. “I don’t like pumpkins.”

You let your fingers run through his hair, something you know he enjoys pretty much but would never admit it. “You don’t like zucchinis either.”

Kissing the spot where the tiny foot has just moved under your skin, he gives you a soft grin.

“This one is different.”

[wizkiddx]

ruining the plan isn't always so bad

you can tell whenever I have really important things to be doing in my life - bcos instead I will spend hours writing for no apparent reason ah kmn ;///

tomhollandxreader - pure fluffffff

Summary: tried to base off when Dom and Sam surprised Tom shooting a couple of years back- but this time they got Y/n with them too

(I don't own the pic nor claim to ...idk how to do this crediting bit sorry :/)

The plan was in place. Tom was really struggling with homesickness on set of his newest film. No real reason why; just long hours, living out of a hotel room, half the world away from ‘home’. Harry was always flying out to join Tom as his ‘assistant’ however after a pretty heart-wrenching phone call Tom had made to Y/n, while she was hanging around with Haz and Harry at the Holland’s house... the plans had changed somewhat. He just seemed so distant and run down, when Nikki got her turn on the  phone she instantly knew that they had to do something. Naturally then, putting her superior organising skills to good use she arranged for Dom, Sam and Y/n to accompany Harry to Atlanta; and surprise Tom there. 

The way the last minute booking happened meant that Harry, Sam and Dom were all flying out on the same flight (though Harry was in first class, while the surprise guests were in economy). Y/n, because of her university timetable, couldn’t leave till a bit later, so was on a plane 2 hours after the Hollands - it wouldn’t make that much difference and if anything would prolong the joy of the excitement for Tom. They, meaning Harry who was oddly invested in the intracacies and details, had been brainstorming different ways to do the reveal- not sure whether to just do it in the hotel when Harry would be meeting Tom anyway, or waiting and surprising him when they were out for dinner or in a bar. Eventually they’d decided it would just be easier to have Harry, Dom and Sam just meet him at the hotel- then take him out to dinner, allowing time for Y/n’s later expected time of arrival, where she would then appear at the restaurant. 

Ever since Harry had let Tom know that he’d landed (if half an hour late), Tom had been excitedly texting him back constantly. The pair had agreed that Tom would simply meet him in Harrys hotel room when he got back from set. Yet when the time came, Sam and Dom were hiding just further down the corridor- waiting in the corridor. From their hideaway a couple of metres down the way from Tom and Harry, the obvious exctiement they could hear when Tom arrived and the two reunited warmed Dom’s heart. He just loved his sons all being so close- it was perhaps what  he was most proud of as a parent. Especially after witnessing both Harrison and Y/n loose a parent, he knew if god forbid anything happened to him and Nikki - they had each others backs completely. Sam was excitedly shifting from foot to foot hearing his brothers - Dom just subtly shook his head at the endearing nervous energy, clearly Sam was impatient for his turn. The idea was Sam would knock first then Dom, so after allowing a short time of just Tom and Harry reuniting, Sam pranced down the hallway and knocked. Yet it wasn’t Tom who flung the door open to Sam as per the scheme, instead his fuzzy haired twin.

“Harry what the fuck” Sam mouthed, daring to glance over his shoulder to attempt to spot Tom - annoyed at his brother for getting in the way.

“He’s on the shitter, change of plan bring Dad in.” Harry whisper-explained, making Sam roll his eyes at Tom unintentionally ruining his own surprise, before retreating to the hallway and beckoning his dad in. Dom pulled an equally bemused face until Harry filled him and he chuckled - earning him a harsh shush from both boys as they sat on the bed, facing the toilet door.

“So why did it take you so long to get here?” Tom asked through the thin loo wall, while Harry pushed his dad to sit further over on the bed.

“Oh ermm….they had some mix up with the luggage so we” Immediately getting slapped on the leg by his twin with a piercing glare,  Harry corrected himself “I mean -I had to wait for like an hour and a half to get my suitcase. Then I think I had the worst taxi driver in the world like down country roads and all.”

“Yeh like that drive should take like 40 minutes I thought? But when you texted me saying just left” He paused as the sound of the toilet flushing and the sink turning on flooded through the room ”that must’ve been at least an hour ago”

“I guess” Harry replied, hearing the tap turn off while Sam ran his fingers through his hair yet again - an excited or nervous tick.

“So how is everyone? I tried to call Dad and Y/n today but-“ The door opened, the stream of light flooding into the main room. Tom stopped dead in his tracks, voice cutting off but mouth hanging agape, still clutching onto the doorhandle. 

“Hello son” 

Dom spoke softly as he stood up from his choreographed position on the bed. Only at his words did Tom believe this was actually reality and literally sunk to his knees at the boundary between the ensuite and bedroom. He was awash with pure emotion, mainly relief - this was the exact thing he really needed right now. His dad soon pulled him up and hugged him, Sam following close behind. Tom’s reaction was priceless, the few tears being more than enough of a tell to his family how much he had needed this. 

It was an emotional reunion, there was a hell of a lot of hugs and suddenly the 14 hour journey was so worth it to Dom and Sam. Afterwards, they just all sat together on the bed and caught up on each others lives, Tom not really wanting to speak about himself - much preferring to hear all their stories from home about his mum and grandparents and the family that live down the road. He loved the normalcy of it. 

That was until a voice grabbed the attention of the whole room and Harry inwardly and silently cursed himself - in all the excitement he’d left his phone on silent in his jacket pocket, which was hanging on the coat rack so he hadn’t even heard it vibrate.

“Harry pick up your phone!” An exasperated voice exclaiming from the hallway half caught the Hollands’ attention, their heads all spinning in unison to the wooden hotel room door. It started to jerk open as Y/n wrestled with her suitcase ”You’ve left your hotel room open you div.Anyway I’m just dropping my case in your room so please text me where to go because - ugh- because right now you could all be anywhere in Atlanta and I-” 

The conversation within the room had died- all of them watching the petite brunette fight her way past the door with a silver suitcase that seemed ridiculously large and heavy for a weeks holiday. She had pressed her phone to her ear using her right shoulder and was wearing beige tracksuits a white crop top and a black leather jacket - as she grunted in frustration at the case, yanking it unceremoniously over the threshold. Subtly, Sam looked up at Tom, seeing his brothers eyes widen in shock, whole body turned completely rigid and Sam had to smile smugly - it was actually quite cute, even if he would never admit it to their faces. Y/n only stopped speaking into the receiver when her eyes finally darted into the room - noticing she had an audience. 

“Oh.” 

She stopped herself, pressing the end call button and pocketing her phone, whilst moving into the centre of  the room. She shot an apologetic smile to Harry, knowing she’d technically ‘ruined’ his plan - though to be fair it wasn’t her fault he didn’t answer the phone; or that his flight had been delayed meaning he didn’t get Tom to the resturaunt at the agreed time. Actually she could blame it all on Harry. He just rolled his eyes back at her whilst she looked past him and onto the shellshocked face of her boyfriend. 

Not being able to hide her grin, she halted at the foot of the bed, meanwhile Tom leant forward from the headboard - his eyes not leaving her. “You gonna say hi or am I just gonna stand here?” Y/n smirked, Tom still not moving from his shellshocked stance. Slowly her smirk morphed to a concerned look, eyebrows drawn inwards, as her look darted between Dom and Tom. 

“Tom are you okay?” she tried speaking gently, but before she could push anymore he launched himself off the sofa and into her arms, Y/n barely staying upright. Then Tom started spinning her round and round all the while squeezing her as tightly as possible. Y/n squealed an ‘I love you’  into his ear , already knowing Tom wasn’t ready to talk yet- instead just pressing his face closer into her neck. After a short while Tom lowered her to the ground and pulled away enough for Y/n to see the smudged tears around his eyes. She cupped his cheeks in her hands and looked deep into his mahogany brown eyes.

“Are you okay?”

“I am now” he nodded jerkily, all the while inching his lips closer to hers. Both consciously aware of half the Hollands just viewing them, their kiss was fleeting and light - but made Tom’s heart want to burst. 

“God I’ve missed your stupid face” She laughed, now her eyes filled with tears too. He let out a breathy chuckle in reply and used his thumb to wipe away a single droplet that escaped her eye.

“Missed yours more” her smile lit up the entirety of her face, such a natural glow across her face Tom shook his head slightly marvelling at her. 

“Ohhkkkayyy well I don’t really want to witness the making of nieces and nephews”

“Harry” Dom warned in a disapproving tone, even if he did have to fight back the laughter. To be quite honest he’d really enjoyed seeing his son and almost adopted daughter reunite. Both him and Nikki absolutely loved their relationship, they just went together oh so well, whilst slightly reminding them both of their younger carefree days. Harry rolled his eyes at his dad before continuing. 

“But shall we get dinner and then you can be alone all night” His eyebrows wiggled in such a manner Y/n swore she felt a little nauseous witnessing it. 

“Harry stop!” Sam interjected, elbowing Harry harshly in the side, earning him a  playful slap in return.

“Someone remind me why I’m paying the wrong twin to be my assistant?” Tom still hadn’t looked away from Y/n as he quipped a response at Harry, while Y/n was gently stroking up and down his cheeks with such a soft look in her eyes. 

“Because I rejected it” Sam smirked, making Harry yell out in anguish-

“I was second choice?!?!”

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

“Honestly just go play golf with your them! I have to do uni work anyway and-“

“But I don’t want to leave you! You’ve flown here too and I missed you.” Tom moaned, pressing a kiss into her hair from her position lying on his shoulder. Having slept uninterrupted for the first time in ages, Tom wasn’t even sure he wanted to venture away from Y/n and the bed at any point that day- even if it was for golf. 

“Your dad and Sam are only staying for the weekend so make the most of it! Me and my uni work are happy here-“ Tom’s eyes once again bugged out his face, as he caught on to her slip up.

“How long are you staying?” Shit. That was another thing she’d spoiled - getting a reputation to be as bad as Tom. Harry was for sure going to kill her.

“Oh fuck sake… that was my second surprise ruined… I’ve booked a week and a half off from uni so I can look after my little baby boy”

“Y/n don’t joke with me please.” Tom sat up, forcing Y/n to too which she huffed a little at, disrupting her comfort. It had her sitting up straight so she could look him in the eye and resting her hand on his exposed abdomen, asserting her authority on him. 

“I promise! My flights home next tuesday, but I’m missing uni so I have to be boring and keep up so it’s not a real holiday but-“ 

“I love you” 

Tom smiled for Y/n could never not surprise him. University was so important to her - she was really dedicating her life to it, especially financially. So her managing to put it on hold to look after him in a time of need was testament to just how kind and caring she truly was. 

“But you need to promise to look after yourself Tom. I haven’t seen bags under your eyes quite as impressive as this before. Think of your poor make up artists!” And she was back to being her usual sarky self. 

“I feel like I should be offended?”

“Or you can learn. Now go get showered before they leave without you.” Finally ralling off his side, then pushing him forcefully so he half rolled off the side of the bed. 

“Only if you shower with me.” The biggest smirk on his face, eyes wide and gleaming with mischief - which Y/n wanted to punch off so badly. On the other hand though, his idea didn’t sound half bad- letting him drag her up too. 

5 or so hours later, Y/n had written her assignment due in for next week and had submitted it online- making her feel pretty darn put together. She knew the boys had got back from the golf, and from the WhatsApp group Tom wasn’t very happy about his performance, so he was going to be moody. After closing her laptop triumphantly she chucked it in her bag and grabbed the spare key card and roamed the corridors of the hotel to find Sam and Dom’s room - where they all where. Tom had messaged her to let her know they were filming Dom’s podcast, so she had to be stealthy in her entrance - since to the public they were still just good friends. The secret still wasn’t ‘out’ so to speak. 

They’d left the door on the latch, allowing Y/n carefully pushing it open without making any noise. Immediately the golf-related bickering met her ears, while she peeked her head round the corner of the door. The four had set up armchairs by the window, with the camera balanced on top of a table and a stack of suitcases - in order for Harry to get the ‘perfect’ shot. Silently chuckling at the precarious arrangement, Y/n slid in through the door, turning round to gently close it shut again without noise. 

As soon as Tom had seen the door opening he had jumped out of his chair, walking up to Y/n and wrapping his arms round her- pulling her back into his chest off camera. Whispering a silently ‘I love you’ he grinned at the girl who was now arching to look into his eyes. She mirrored his sentiments, placing a bottle of water in his hand while pushing him back into frame. 

In reality, the whole of this podcast Tom had been attempting to summon energy in his body that was just not present. Don’t be mistaken, he had thoroughly enjoyed the time with his dad and brothers- but simply he only had today and tomorrow off filming for another 2 weeks, and the plan had been to stay as close to his bed as possible before the surprise happened. In all honestly, he caught his eyes drooping numerous times while they were filming the podcast- feeling safe in the surrounding of his family, the exhaustion was finally catching up to him. 

Y/n spent the rest of their podcast hidden behind the camera, doing some extra research on Sam’s double bed - yet sometimes having to stifle a chuckle at the boys filming. It was perhaps another 25/ 30 minutes before they finished, during which there was a hell of a lot of spoilers that they only realised too late could not be included. She really really did try to focus on her work, yet instead she found her eyes being drawn to her boyfriend. He still looked shattered. All she really wanted to do was wrap him in a thick duvet and cuddle into his side. She even promised herself to only find his occasional snores endearing tonight, which was something she often struggled with normally.

So when the camera was clicked off, Y/n spent a short amount of time chatting with all the Hollands, before suggesting they went to their own respective rooms before dinner. Unconsciously, when Y/n had suggested it, out of pure relief, Tom leaned almost all his weight against her side - anchored by the strong clasp on her hand. Of course, Y/n noticed and practically pulled Tom down the hallway without saying a word. Only when she let go of the door of their room, allowing it to close with a small slam, did she speak her mind.

“You shower, I’m getting room service then movies in bed… no arguments Holland.” He stared at her ,mouth agape, a little taken aback by her assertiveness, typically the opposite of Y/n. 

“I feel like you’ve just been inside all day, let me-“

“Nope. Nope. My holiday this is what I want… now shoo” She smirked, pushing him toward the ensuite door. Tom knew he did not have a choice in the matter, and even if he could possibly have some sort of influence- he was way too tired to argue.

Barely 15 minutes later, the two were wrapped cosily in the crisp white bedsheets, Tom with a small glass of a negroni cocktail and Y/n with her lime soda. Both were semi-reclined in a mound of pillows, yet Tom felt the need to also lean on her chest slightly. The familiarity of Y/n’s favourite movie ‘sunshine on leith’ playing on the screen, meant that within the first 10 minutes Tom was no longer alert. The smell of her perfume and the warmth of the duvet lulled him into a much needed slumber, making Y/n have to save the half-drunk negroni from spilling across the bedsheets as his grip relaxed. She just nestled in to the pillows further, a satisfied small grin dancing on her lips as she looked ahead at the TV, reducing the volume a little.

“Tom?…..Y/n?… Is anyone home?” A familiar voice sucked Y/n out from the next film ‘the greatest showman’, making her jump a little. Recognising it to be Dom instantly, Y/n had a mini argument in her head - whether to risk disturbing Tom by wriggling out from under him; or to call out instead, granting Dom independent entrance to the hotel room. It was possibly a bit of a weird position for her unofficial father-in-law to see his son and his girlfriend in, but she cared more right now about Tom resting than Dom’s opinions. 

“Dom…. come in… it’s open I think.” Desperately trying to get the volume right - enough so Dom could hear, but not so much as to wake Tom she called out, craning her neck toward the door. Luckily almost immediately Dom let himself in, and quizzically walked in seeing Y/n in bed.

“Sorry… it’s just I didn’t want to disturb him” Nodding in understanding, Dom inspected the state of his grown up, yet childlike son, asleep on her shoulder. 

“No no… he needs it. He always works himself raw for jobs but this…”

“It’s impressive even for him.” Y/n agreed, Dom noticing her unconscious stroking of his sons arm, soothing Tom as he slept. 

“Well me and the boys were trying to phone you both because we are going for dinner-“

“Ah sorry my phones in my bag”

“No no it’s fine… just it looks like Tom could do with an extra hour or so.” Dom motioned again to the slumbering figure with his trademark small grin, finding the whole situation entirely heartwarming.

“I was planning on waking him up so we could all go to the pub this evening… but yeh skipping the dinner might be a plan. I know it’s your last night and all but-“

“-Don’t apologise Y/n. I’m glad you’re looking after the kid.”  Y/n just smiled slightly, a small blush glowing from her cheeks. “I’ll um….leave you in peace… so maybe 9 o’clock? That gives you both 3 and a bit hours.”

“Sounds good!”Still speaking softly, Y/n freed one of her hands from the duvet and gave Dom a little wave as he exited the room giving a nod to her as the door closed. 

It was a sign of the times. Dom used to be Tom’s go to whenever he was tires, frazzled or fed up. But now he had been superseded by a far superior option. A kind, beautiful, intellectual choice - that Dom would graciously accept defeat to. 

He was awfully glad Tom had Y/n in his corner. And he was awfully glad he had found a surrogate  daughter in Y/n too. 

[mgg-theprettiestboy]

a spook-tacular day

matthew gray gubler x fem!reader

request: having a lazy day with Matthew, like y’all wake up at noon and lay in bed together. just giggling and talking about anything and everything. Matthew keeps sneaking little kisses. once y’all decide to get out of bed you make breakfast together and it ends in a messy food fight and burnt food so y’all just order some breakfast from a diner and cuddle on the couch all day!!

FLUFF!!!

in which halloween in quarantine isn’t all bad, being stuck with the world’s goofiest boyfriend

warnings: cursing, mentions of sex, a small injury

The feeling of warmth that surrounded you when you woke up was just phenomenal. You usually did wake up pretty warm, but with your boyfriend pressed against your back, and his arms wrapped around you tightly, you were cozier than usual.

You were semi-dressed from the night before, so, carefully unraveling yourself from Matthew’s arms, you made your way out of the bed and to the bathroom to relieve yourself, before putting on some comfy pyjama bottoms. It was when you tried to sneak back into bed, did his eyes slowly begin to open.

“Morning, mop head,” you giggled as you referred to the fluffy mess of hair on his head. He just grumbled incoherently, his arms reaching out to you like a child wanting to be lifted. When you were close enough, he pulled you into his chest and wrapped his arms around you, before rolling over to he could lay on you, with his head buried in your neck and pressing small butterfly kisses. His clingy-ness and childlike behaviour only made you laugh, “come on now, you have to get up eventually.”

“Don’t wanna,” he pouted, tightening his arms around you, “I just want to stay in bed forever with my goddess of a girlfriend. Why is that so difficult?”

You laughed, wiggling in his hold to mess with him, “because said girlfriend wants food.”

“Don’t you have a stash of emergency oreos in your nightstand? Just eat them,” he whined, nuzzling his face further into your neck. You only laughed more as his scruffy stubble rubbed against your skin, and you could feel his lips against your neck curve into a grin.

“Can’t have oreos for breakfast, Gube, that is a new quarantine low that I refuse to hit,” you smiled, moving to run your hand through his hair and play with it. He whined again, “but I wanna stay in bed. Cuddling, playing with my hair, tickling, teasing...”

“Matthew!” You squealed as his hands moved to tickle your sides, and he grinned mischievously, now straddling you as he tickled you mercilessly and laughed as you squealed and squirmed and begged, “stop, pl-please! Ah, oh my god! You are so on the sofa tonight!”

That quickly grabbed his attention his hands stilling as he stole a kiss, before he raised his brows, “is that so?”

You gulped as you smiled cutely up at him, feeling his hands lightly press against your sides, the threat of him tickling you again still looming, “uh. No, not really. I love you too much to kick you out of bed.”

He narrowed his eyes at you playfully, but his smile began to grow as he hummed, leaning down to steal another kiss, “right answer, pretty girl.”

You leaned up and pecked his lips, before quickly shoving Matthew off of you and sprinting to the door while giggling. You heard him grunt, before laughing, “oh that's it. It’s on! It is on like Donkey Kong!”

You had to hold back your laughter as you ran around the house to evade him, before settling on a good hiding place. You could hear his footsteps running around, but since you had the head start, you had lost him already. Making your way to his office, you gently shut the door behind you before ducking to hide under his desk. You held your breath in anticipation when you heard his footsteps get closer.

“Since when did tag become hide and seek?” He called out, grinning like a fool in love. Matthew opened the door to his office, and he had to bite back a laugh when he saw toes peeking out from under his desk.

“Baby? Where are you hiding? You should know I'm gonna find you. I’m the master at hide and seek,” he said, before moving into the office and closing the door, “I know you’re in here.”

You could feel your adrenaline racing as you bit your lip, trying to breath as quietly as you could. You wondered what your boyfriend you do when he found you, and your mind began to wander...

“Boo!” Matthew’s face popped up from above the desk, making you scream and jump, which resulted in you bashing your head against the desk.

“Oh shit!” He quickly climbed off of the desk and sank onto his knees to pull you out from under the desk, concern lacing his features. You clutched where you hit your head, but he pulled your hands away and parted your hair as he frowned, “show me where you hit. How badly does it hurt?”

You winced slightly as he tenderly touched your head, before snorting a laugh. He mistook this for tears, and almost started crying himself, “shit, Y/N I'm so sorry, I didn't think you’d hurt yourself.”

You covered your mouth as you began to laugh, and he pulled away from you quickly to confirm that you were indeed, laughing your ass off. “I can’t believe I bonked my head against the desk like that,” you laughed, and Matthew huffed and shook his head, before his own smile began to grow, “you are a klutz alright.”

You gasped and whacked his arm, “hey, you're the one who scared me.”

He pouted and rubbed his arm, “well you’re the one who shoved me and ran away.”

“Well you're the one who started tickling me.”

“..... Okay you got me there.”

You giggled as he grinned, before he wrapped his arms around you to lift you up. You wrapped your legs around his waist and your arms around his neck as he carried you downstairs. He had changed, from wearing just his boxers, to an old worn Charlie Brown T-shirt and maroon shorts.

“Hey look, we’re matching,” you smiled, pointing at your Snoopy t-shirt. Well. It was Matthew’s t-shirt, technically. He grinned, kissing your nose as he walked into the kitchen, “awesome. And we did it unintentionally, too.”

You hummed and nodded, with a stupid smile on your face, as he sat you down on the kitchen counter. He tried to move to the fridge, but you had your ankles locked together so he couldn’t get far. He chuckled as you pulled him back closer to you, wrapping his arms around you, “I thought you were hungry?”

“I want a hug. Hug first, then food,” you mumbled as you shut your eyes and rested your head against his shoulder. You couldn't help yourself, he was just so huggable. He was your home, and you took so much comfort in his touch.

“How does French toast sound?” He whispered as he rubbed your back, making you sigh happily, “how does French kissing sound?”

 He snorted a laugh, looking down at you with a goofy grin, “sounds like you wanna eat me for breakfast.”

“Oh, absolutely Mr. Gubler,” you retorted, making him laugh as he finally moved over to the fridge, taking out the different things to make breakfast. You watched him move the the cupboards next, and you hopped off of the counter to start making coffee. You felt something pat your head, so you frowned and turned around, thinking Matthew was patting your head. When you looked to him, he was stood behind you, with a mischievous grin and a bag of flour in his hand.

“I didn’t think we needed flour for French toast?” You asked, and he giggled, “probably not.”

And then it dawned on you. You touched your head, gasping when you saw your hand was white, “Matthew! You little gremlin.”

“If anything, you're the little gremlin. I’m a big gremlin,” he grinned, making you scoff, “oh yeah? Could little gremlins do this?”

You grabbed an egg, and granted, you had to jump a little, but you cracked it over his head. His jaw dropped, and there was a moment of silence as you both just stared at each other. Then you both moved. He started throwing the flour at you, while you broke as many eggs over him as you could. After squeals and giggles, from the both of you, he had tackled you to the ground, where you both lay in a floury eggy mess, laughing your asses off.

“I can't wait to do this with kids someday,” he hummed, smiling happily at the thought. You scoffed, “yeah right. There’s no way we can have a food fight with our future babies, cause then they’ll think it’s okay to throw food, and we’ll be living in a food-coated nightmare.”

“This is why you’ll be the responsible parent, and I will not,” he kissed your forehead, before grimacing as you laughed at seeing his lips coated with flour. He wiped his mouth, before standing up and pulling you up to stand, “why don’t you go shower? I’ll tidy this up and order us some food.”

“Hmm, I would stay and help, but since you’re the little shit who started this whole food fight, I’ll leave you at it,” you pecked his lips, before moving around the mess and upstairs to the shower. He joined you after ten minutes, and soon enough, you were both cuddled up on the sofa, eating French toast at 2pm, and watching halloween movies in the ugliest matching Halloween sweaters Matthew could find.

“I love you so much, you colossal dork,” you mumbled, smiling as you watched your boyfriend massage your feet. He sighed over dramatically, “the things I do for you, and what do I get in return? Insulted!”

You laughed, “dork is an endearing term. You’re my dork.”

He grinned widely, crawling up to kiss you lightly, “and you’re mine.”

[whatifyoulivelikethat]

selfie, m | jjk | 4

pairing(s): jungkook x reader

summary: Is this a rom-com, slice-of-life drama with unsolicited social commentary about gender stereotypes, idol music, and the meaningless meaning of the word, “adult”? Yes. But also, Jeon Jungkook shouldn’t be in love with his hyung’s little sister and he is. Shit.

warnings: rated M (18+) for language; mentions of depression, loneliness; so much fluff; loons-to-lovers;  smut (dry humping, m-receiving oral, fingering);  non-idol!AU - oppa’s bestfriend!Jungkook x SHINee fangirl!reader; Jungkook liked being called ‘oppa’ even though technically he’s not???

–

previous episode.

3. in which jeon jungkook is probably going to die because he touched his hyung’s little sister, even though she touched him first – older brothers don’t care about that.

Silence. 

"You're not letting go," Jungkook whispered softly. 

You made eye contact with him. 

"No."

You leaned in. 

"I'm not."

You kissed him. 

Jungkook's eyes went even wider. He had soft lips, slightly over-bitten. He tasted a little like banana milk and chocolate. He smelled of fabric softener. Sweet, gentle, just like him. It was a long, but simple kiss. 

You backed up, smiling. 

Jungkook blinked rapidly, trying to digest what just happened. He looked from you, to the coffee table, to your phone, to the picture of him, then back to you. 

"What about Lee Taemin?" he croaked, still in shock. 

You burst into a fit of giggles, clapping a hand over your mouth, squinting hard with your shoulders shaking. Jungkook watched with wide eyes as you leaned against the sofa, shaking your head, your laughing fit dying down. 

"Let's be honest, Jungkook, I'm never going to date Lee Taemin and he's probably already dating and hiding it from SM Entertainment," you chortled.

"But... what if it happens?"

You placed an elbow in the sofa and rested your head on your hand. "If that happens, I guess I'll just have to go chase my dreams."

Jungkook glared at you. "As if I would ever let you. You can't outrun me."

"I'll use wit. You only have two brain cells anyway."

Jungkook rolled his eyes. A familiar gesture.

"Ah, is that why you want me around?" You scooted up to him and nudged his arm, leaning against his shoulder. "So your two brain cells and my five billion brain cells can work together?"

Jungkook gave you a disapproving look. "Yes, of course, that's the only reason and definitely not because you're hot as hell."

You raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't describe myself as hot. Maybe cute."

He raised an eyebrow back and looked further down. At your skirt and legs. You smacked his head and he didn't move. 

"Hello, I have a face."

"Yeah, but your face doesn't make my dick hard."

You snorted and shoved him. His hand shot out and grabbed your aqua sweatshirt, making you squeak and tumble, falling into his lap. Your knee brushed past his crotch, and Jungkook released your sweatshirt immediately, planting a hand on the hardwood floor behind him so he didn't fall over, one shoulder leaning against the couch.

Alarm bells rang immediately. Your face heated and your head sprang up, glaring at him. 

"You touched me!" you accused. 

"Actually, no, I only grabbed your sweatshirt for leverage. I didn't touch you directly," Jungkook pointed out. 

"I-I'm in your lap!"

"You shoved me and lost balance. That's all you."

A vein popped in your forehead. 

"Also," Jungkook continued, pointing down. "Were you aiming so I wouldn't be able to have children anymore or what?"

"Maybe," you snapped, hiking your knee up threateningly. 

Both of you froze. 

Jungkook's eyes were huge. You could see the reflection of your own face in his clear brown orbs. Your eyes were also enormous. It suddenly occurred to both of you that you were pressing your bare thigh into Jungkook's jean-covered cock and balls.

And he definitely wasn't limp.

You suddenly felt your panties soak at your close proximity to Jeon Jungkook. 

"... Um."

Both of you uttered it at the same time and both of you shut your mouths.

Was this the plan? What was the plan? Was there a plan? How did this happen? Was this real life? Why are you putting your hands on Jungkook's shoulders and why are your elbows bending and why was his face getting closer? Hello? Brain? Some help?

You pressed your lips to his, kissing him deeply, shivering into his body. Hands trailing down his shoulders, rubbing his upper arms, working his lips with yours, taking his hands, placing them on your waist. He gasped softly, eyes darkening and glazing over. 

"Hyung's gonna murder me..." he mumbled.

"Guess you better get at least one fuck in before you die," you breathed back, kissing him again, tongue tracing his lips. 

"You're not gonna protect me?" Jungkook chuckled, tone implying that you couldn't anyway, his hands kneading your waist. 

"You and I both know oppa is a shrewd man."

You heard Jungkook's breathing sharpen under you as your exhale drifted over his skin. You tilted your head, pressing your thigh into his erection. You could feel it throb even through his black jeans. 

"That's a nice way of saying he's wrathful," Jungkook muttered shakily. He was trying to divert your attention from something. You could tell by the shift in his eyes. You stared into them, puzzling your words together in your head to find the one that affected him. Something clicked.

"Oppa."

Jungkook sucked in a tight breath and stared back at you, cock jerking in his jeans, fingers tightening around your waist. You pressed your chest against his, too much fabric between you and him. The world was hot, too hot, but for some reason you wanted to stay in this heat, stroking the flame between you and him. You lowered your eyelashes, not breaking eye contact.

"You're not older than me, Jungkook."

His pupils were so dilated that his eyes seemed black. 

"I know that."

A little guilt and a whole lot of desire. 

"That's why I like it."

Your lips brushed against his, a soft moan.

"Oppa."

His fingers slid down, underneath the hem of your sweatshirt. “Say it again,” he groaned. “Please say it again.”

You sat down on his thigh and he gasped, your tongue licking his lips lightly. Ground your hips on it, moaning as your soaking clothed core rubbed against the stiff fabric, heating the hard muscle underneath. In between kisses, fingers gripping his blue sweater tightly, his own drumming against your waist, skimming your skin.

“Jungkook-oppa…”

“Fuck…” He grabbed your waist and pulled you, sliding you down his leg to his crotch, his clothed cock against your bare thigh, your panties at the base of his jean-covered one. “It’s so sexy, you know that? So fucking sexy when you say it to me,” he murmured.

You lifted your skirt so it wasn’t in the way as you stimulated yourself against his thigh, rubbing yours against his crotch. “That’s because I’m not supposed to,” you chuckled.

“Just be born after me so it can be valid.”

You tutted. “Mmm-hmm, yes, that’s totally possible.”

Jungkook narrowed his eyes and pulled his hands out of your sweatshirt. You frowned, but then suddenly felt them going up your skirt, squeezing your ass hard. You yelped, trying to move away but Jungkook held you in place, hips rising to meet yours. You bit your lip, eyes wide.

“Stop being a brat,” Jungkook hissed.

“You’re worse than me, you know.”

Jungkook tried to push you down again, but you were faster, yanking his sweater up.

“Ack!”

The sudden action made him lose grip and you slid back on his jeans, leaving a stripe of wetness down his thigh, shoving his blue sweater up, revealing his abs. He had worked out to define them and they certainly were defined. You lowered your head and his breathing hitched in anticipation. You paused right above his bellybutton, eyes flickering up to his.

“… W-What?” Jungkook stuttered.

You wicked you head. “Were you expecting something…” Piercing eye contact. You dropped the severity in your voice, adding a hint of neediness. Just to tease him.  “Jungkook-oppa?”

Jungkook’s eyes turned into saucers.

Your warm, wet tongue extended, licking all the way up his abs.

“O-oh, fuck!”

You gripped the hem of his sweater, licking higher, kissing his chest all over, tugging it up and off his head. His black hair was a fluffy mess, and your ran your hands through it, kissing his collarbones and pecs. He still smelled like fabric softener, his skin taut and trembling.

“Oh, fuck… fuck, stop, stop, or this is gonna turn into s-sex, ahh…” Jungkook moaned, trailing off as his eyelids fluttered, pressing his chest into your lips.

“What’s wrong with it turning into sex?” you mused, circling your tongue around his nipple and sucking softly. Jungkook cried out, hands clenching into fists on the hardwood floor. You reached around his sides, holding onto his back as you switched nipples, pushing the hardened nub with the tip of your tongue. His head tipped back onto the sofa, his breath in quick pants, words all a ramble, don’t stop, oh, fuck, gasping as your nails dug into his back, that’s so nice, ugh, you’re so good, kissing him all over before going back to sucking gently, I can’t, fuck, tell me to touch you, I need to fucking touch you, please tell me to touch you, your lips murmuring his name against his skin.

You backed up, Jungkook puffing for breath, eyes slowly opening as you lifted your sweatshirt up and over your head, revealing your pink polka-dotted bra. Jungkook’s eyes went round, the muscles on his chest tensing as he swallowed hard.

“You’re going to be the death of me.”

You lifted yourself close to him, chest right in front of his face. He stared at you, mildly terrified.

“If hyung finds out, I’m actually going to die, for real.”

You shrugged. “Probably.”

One hand behind you, the other reaching around Jungkook’s head. You saw Jungkook’s brain trying to calculate what was going to happen, but then it happened way too fast, you unhooking your bra while at the same time shoving his face into your tits, dropping your hand behind his head to flick the straps off your shoulders, letting the bra fall into his lap and bounce away. Jungkook moaned, hands instantly coming up to knead your breasts, pressing them together to rub your nipples into his cheeks, eyelids fluttering at the sensation.

You bit your lip, nudging his face with your breasts, gasping softly. “Come on… Jungkook-oppa…”

Jungkook was done for, eyes opening hazily, pink tongue sliding out and licking your nipples feverishly. Your hands found his shoulders and you whined as the pleasure soared through you, Jungkook’s soft lips wrapping around your nipples and licking daintily.

“Mmm, Jungkook…”

He detached his lips from you, saliva dripping down.

“Tell what to do for you. I’ll do anything,” he whispered, kissing your breasts in between his words, squeezing them. “Anything you want, I’ll give it to you.”

His lips enclosed around your other nipple, sucking delicately. You chuckled, looking down at him.

“A million won?”

Jungkook grinned around your nipple, nicking you with his teeth. You bit your lower lip, grinning back. Fuck, he looked so sexy smiling like that, black strands curling around his dark eyes.

“Once I make a million won, I’ll give it to you,” he laughed.

“Nice. How long do I have to wait?”

He pressed your breasts together again and slurped from one nipple to the other, making you giggle and shudder at the strange sensation. “A long time, because the electronics store pays shit,” Jungkook muttered. “I deserve a raise, honestly.”

“Sure, you do.”

Jungkook narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Why does it seem like you don’t believe me?”

You smiled foxily. “Let’s get on the sofa.”

“Hmm…”

But he helped you up and pulled you on top of him, half-laying on the sofa. You pushed off him lightly, kissing down once again, hands finding his pants and undoing them, Jungkook gasping above you.

“W-Wait, I was supposed to do something for you…”

“Yeah, help me get this dick in my mouth, that’s what,” you grumbled, struggling with the zipper.

Jungkook batted at your hands, shooing you away. “You’re going to zip my dick off,” he muttered, lowering it himself and lifting his hips up to push his pants down.

“What, you’re that hard or something?” you pestered, watching him scuffle with his own jeans.

Jungkook grunted. “Kind of, your tits are just hanging out, you know?”

Before you could give him your smart remark, Jungkook forced his pants down and his hard cock sprang out, sticking straight up, thick veins standing out, head dark red and leaking pre-cum. In fact, there was a string of liquid that broke as he lowered his underwear, making Jungkook hiss as it snapped back against his hot length.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh.”

You pointed to it. “Can I put my mouth on it now?”

Jungkook looked exasperated. “Yes, please, go right ahea–oh, fuck!”

You closed your lips around the head, swirling your tongue around and around. It’d been a while since you had blown someone, but you still remembered those moments at drunk high school parties where you acted on your hormones and sober you was much better at head than drunk you. Not that it mattered, because Jungkook was so horny that even only stimulating the head with your lips and tongue had him moaning your name, throwing his head back against the armrest as you lowered your mouth, putting him deeper in your throat. You hadn’t had too much practice though, so you didn’t want to attempt all of it and choke horribly. Instead, you focused on what you had, hollowing out your cheeks and bobbing your head up and down, building a steady speed as you held onto his hips.

“Oh, shit, ahhh…” Jungkook whimpered, gripping the cushions so hard his knuckles were white. “That’s it, yes, please, fuck, your lips feel so fucking good…”

His cock throbbed, rubbing against the roof of your mouth and you furrowed your brow, wiggling your tongue along the length and Jungkook groaned, hips shaking in your hands. A little faster, a little harder, a small whine in your throat due to your efforts to push him to the edge.

“I’m gonna cum, gonna cum in your pretty mouth, fuck!”

Your eyes widened as he shot into your throat, spilling out and pooling onto your tongue, saltiness invading your taste buds. You hurriedly sucked hard, swallowing tightly, and Jungkook’s moan turned into a squeal, cock jolting and spilling out more. You gulped loud, the head squeezed by your throat as you drank it all, trying to not lose any of it. Jungkook shivered and grimaced.

“P-Please… it’s sensitive, be g-gentle…”

You lessened your hold on him and he sighed in relief, moaning again as you softly licked the head, cleaning him up. Lights small licks, finally able to enjoy the residual drips of his orgasm. A few moments later and you released him from your mouth, panting heavily, his taste still on your lips.

“Sorry,” you apologized. “Been a while. Also, that was a lot.”

Jungkook reached up and pushed his sweaty black hair back, exhaling hard. “Y-Yeah, well, you kind of choked it out of him in the middle there.”

You crawled up his chest, laying down on him. He smiled, kissing your forehead.

“So, do you want me to–”

You interrupted him by taking his hand and pulling it to you, down, underneath your skirt. Jungkook looked at you curiously as you shoved down your panties to your knees.

“I could eat you out, you know,” Jungkook finished. “I’m not opposed to doing it.”

“No, I want this hand,” you breathed. Your fingers traced his knuckles. “These fingers. In me.”

Jungkook’s fingers danced on the inside of your thigh. “Oh, in that case, how can I refuse you?” he purred, stroking your pussy with his middle finger, moaning softly. “So wet…”

You tilted your head closer to his lips. “Want you to kiss me while doing it.”

Jungkook smiled. “As you wish.”

And then his lips were on yours, hot and sensual, finger sliding into you easily, oh, fuck, you feel so nice, so tight and wet, tongue dancing with yours, one more, Jungkook, please, him obliging, lips gliding against each other, soft and hard at the same time, Jungkook’s fingers sliding in and out of you, slowly but firmly. You moaned into his mouth and he moaned back, longing and hunger in his tone, increasing the speed as you asked, always kissing you, his other arm curved around your back and holding you close as his fingers thrust into your sopping wet pussy, all the way to his knuckles, so good you were panting his name into his mouth, Jungkook-oppa, you’re making me feel so good, ah, yes, I love you, don’t you know, and he smiled against your lips, kissing you softly, taking your breath away as your name left his lips in a breathless groan.

“I love you too. So much. So very much. Too much, I think…”

Your lashes fluttered, smiling against his smile, kissing him in between his words. “So much you’re willing to risk death.”

Jungkook chuckled. “Yeah, of course.” He nudged you with his nose, changing the angle, making you gasp. “You gonna cum for me? Gonna cum for Jungkook-oppa?” he drawled into your ear. Your pussy clenched around his fingers at his deep voice, whimpering as he pushed you to the edge, closer and closer.

“A-ah, Jungkook… fuck, I’m gonna cum…”

His hand slid up and pushed your head back to his face. Eyes so dark and full of adoration.

“Kiss me.”

And you did, you kissed him and everything felt so good, like slipping into a summer’s night, blanketed by warm breeze and dark stars and pleasure flooding into you as Jungkook scissored his fingers and rubbed your clit with his thumb knuckle, his name a muffled wail from your lips that fell into his own throat as you came all over his hand, your juices gushing down and soaking his palm and wrist, smearing onto his stomach and part of your aqua skirt. You panted into his mouth, grinding onto his hand to extend the pleasure, pecking his lips as you came down, afterglow draping all over you.

You fell back against his shoulder, kissing his jaw, gasping as Jungkook pulled his fingers out. He licked them off slowly, moaning as he did so, savoring your taste.

“Jungkook…?”

“Hm?”

“I think you missed the last bus.”

“… Hah. Probably.”

You nuzzled his neck. “Do you want to sleep in oppa’s room or in my room?”

Jungkook wrapped his arms around you and poked your head with his nose playfully.

“Is that even a question?”

-

“JEON JUNGKOOK, I’M GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU!”

That was your older brother, early next morning.

Well, shit.

-

fin.

--

maspterpost

[dreamescapeswriting]

The Cable Car ~ Han Jisung [Request]

↬↬↬Word Count: 2.4K

↬↬↬Genre: Fluffy!!!

↬↬↬Pairing: Han Jisung x GenderNeutral!Reader

↬↬↬A/N: I hope this is alright for you my love!! I know it says cable cart in this but that’s just what me and my friends call them 😭😂

This was going to be your first date with Jisung and you were nervous about it, it was the first time you were finally going to get to go out. He'd asked you to go out on a date with him right before comeback season started and now everything was calming down it was finally time.

"I have rules," Hyunjin said as he paced around in front of you and Hyunjin, he had his hands behind his back while he looked at you both. The joys of having Hyunjin as a brother was how over-protective of you he was. Jisung had gone to him first before he even thought of asking you out, he never wanted to do anything to upset Hyunjin and you never would have agreed if Hyunjin hadn't said it would be fine. All of the boys knew about the crushes you had on one another, it had been obvious from the moment you and Jisung first met. You were both incredibly nervous around one another, would barely mutter a word in the other one's direction until Felix finally sat you down and made you talk about something you could bond over. From there it grew into a strong friendship until neither of you could hold back the feelings you had for one another.

"I want you home no later than 10:30 pm, there is to be no funny business, no kissing, no holding hands, no making out-" He turned to look at you while he continued listing off everything Jisung and you were and weren't allowed to do making you giggle.

"Hyunjin he'll have me home in time-" He stared at you wondering what you were talking about,

"No. I mean you. You will have him home by 10:30." Your mouth began to open and close like a fish and he smirked, hugging Jisung and dramatically acting as though it would ever be the last time he was ever going to see him.

"Remember when you used to hate one another? Simpler times." You said jokingly standing up from the dorm living room sofa and grabbing your bag. It was pitch black outside thanks to the Autumnal time of year but it was perfect, Jisung was wearing a black hoodie, baseball cap and a mask to hide himself while you wore one of Hyunjin's hoodies, jeans and a mask.

"Can we go, I want to get on some of the rides before they realise that Jisung is too short." You whined out jokingly taking Jisung by the hand, his cheeks turned a bright red colour and you began pulling him towards the front door of the dorms. Wanting to get away from your brother as fast as humanly possible right now,

"Come on Sungie." You giggled, the nickname was something you'd given him back when you tried to be friends but it just stuck with you.

"Are we still going to follow them?" Jeongin asked once you and Jisung were both out of the dorms, the fake smile that Hyunjin had plastered across his face faded and he nodded looking around for his coat to change into.

"Of course," You were still his sibling at the end of the day, sure he was going to tease you and Jisung for dating but he was still going to be the over-protective brother he was meant to be, just because you were dating someone he liked didn't mean he dropped all of that. If anything it doubled because he had to make sure nothing was ruined between his friendship and your love life.

The night had been going amazing, so far he'd won you a giant teddy which was now sitting in the car that had brought you to the amusement park that Jisung had brought you along to.

"Oh what about I win you something," You suggested as you reached another game where there were some cute squirrel plushies up for the win. Jisung unlinked your hands together,

"Sure but do you think you can manage that thing looks-" He was going to say quite heavy but you lifted the huge mallet with ease, he shut his mouth and watched in 'awe' as you rang the bell within your first attempt of whacking it hard enough to win.

"And the pretty couple win!" You whispered into the teller's ear which stuffed animal you wanted and turned back to Jisung with a smile on your face, he could tell how big the smile was even through the mask you were wearing. It spread a warm feeling through his h=whole body just watching you be this happy with him, he never thought within a million years that this would happen with you,

"Jisung meet Jisung." You whispered holding up the squirrel to Jisung's nose and smiling as he took him into his hands,

"I shall cherish him forever." He placed him into the small bag he had on his side and you began walking once again.

His hand natural linked with yours in the cold weather and you tried not to act as though the small interaction hadn't just made your heartbeat 10 times its normal speed and send static waves throughout your entire body,

"What if we rode up to the top of the mountains, I heard a couple say there was a restaurant up there." Jisung felt his whole world come to a standstill, he'd done well so fair to deter you from getting on any majorly huge rides sticking to simpler things like the sings, merry-go-round and a bumper car ride but to get up to the mountains there was a huge cable car ride you had to go on to get up and come back down on. He could feel his heart racing and thumping against his chest at the thought of getting into the cart with you but one small squeeze of your hand and it felt like it gave him the confidence to do anything. He didn't want to be afraid in front of you so he smiled nodding his head and acting as though the mere thought of getting into the cable cart wasn't making his legs shake and feel like jelly.

"We should get going, we might be able to get our own cart if we're quick enough." He smiled as you suggested that pulling him in the direction of the carts that were all going up one by one. Occasionally being filled by four or more people while some filled with only two, two young and in love couples.

"Where are they taking Jisung?" Jeongin asked as he tried to swallow the food he was eating, he was supposed to be the one in charge of making sure Jisung was keeping his hands to himself but so far he hadn't done a good job so Hyunjin took over that job as well as making sure you weren't being spotted by fans.

"Oh god," Hyunjin started laughing while rushing over with Jeongin towards you and Jisung, watching as you stepped into one of the cable carts.

"He's terrified of heights why would he just willingly get on that?" Jeongin was out of the loop but Hyunjin knew why and it only made everything all the more funnier to him, he hadn't expected Jisung to go this far with it. He'd expected him to give up and admit how scared of heights he was right before you both got on the ride but it was too late, the cart was on the move and Hyunjin and Jeongin got into the next cart directly behind yours to watch everything unfold before them.

The view from the cart was impeccable but Jisung had his eyes on your hands the whole time, he couldn't afford to look out of the glass windows and gaze around because he was terrified, he'd done well to keep everything inside so far. But on the inside he was screaming at himself for even allowing himself to get on the ride, you, on the other hand, looked calm and collected as you gazed around at the city lights. You could see almost everything from up here, the amusement park looked so small from up here, except for the rollercoasters that were all taller than the cart ride anyway,

"Don't you think its-" You stopped midsentence when the cart shook, your grip on Jisung's hand tightened and he thanked God that it did since his tightened on you. At least he could play it off that he was comforting you in a way and not that he was scared,

"W-What happened?" Your voice came out shakey as the cart you were sitting in stopped in the air, not moving along the cables, you glanced at the other carts to see all of them had frozen in place as well.

"I think it's stuck," His voice came out shakey as well but he tried to keep his cool, he could already tell you were scared and if he let on for even a second he was worried it could have freaked you out as well.

"Excuse us, everyone, we're experiencing a technical glitch in our cable systems. We promise to have you moving in a couple of moments, please sit back and look at the view." A robotic voice sounded through the sound system and you moved closer to Jisung who in return wrapped his arm around your shoulders as if it would help you if the cable cart was to fall suddenly.

"I...I should have suggested this," You whimpered suddenly feeling afraid of how small everything looked below you, Jisung tipped your chin up to look at him.

"Look at me, not down there okay. That's the last thing you want to do." You nodded in agreement with him before a frown formed on your face,

"How do you know-"

"petrified of heights," He swallowed the lump in his throat, there was no use hiding how scared he was from you if you were going to be stuck up there together for a while.

"But-"

"I just thought that if you wanted to ride them, it would be over as quickly as I got on and I wouldn't have to deal with it...I didn't think I would get stuck on the cart." He mumbled looking at you and nowhere else, he didn't want to risk looking away from you. You were the only thing that was stopping him from screaming out in fear, you seemed to anchor him down and make him feel slightly calm about being stuck up there.

"No-," You stopped yourself thinking about what he'd just said, he'd risked his fear for you. Facing his fear just so he could make you happy, it made you feel warm inside and sent your head into a frenzy thinking about him doing something like that for you. Something that would seem so small to everyone else but to you it put everything into perspective.  

"Jisung that's one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me." You breathed looking at him as he frowned, he tilted his head to the side wondering why that had been the sweetest. You were one of the most amazing people he'd ever met, surely you'd had loads of people doing nice things for you all of the time. His mind went into hyperdrive when you leant forward flickering your eyes closed, he closed his and moved closer until your lips finally touched. His lips were soft and smooth on top of yours as you kissed sweetly, it was slow and neither of you knew what you were doing. His hand moved up to cup your cheek slowly building up courage with you and moving closer to you, his tongue slipped across your bottom lip asking for entrance which you gladly gave him. The kiss made you feel like you were floating - that also could have been the cable cart that was shifting in the sudden breeze but for a moment that had been forgotten. The only thing that mattered was the way Jisung was holding you, running his thumb along your smooth skin.

You pulled apart and shyly smiled at one another for a second, the kiss tasted like the candy floss you'd both been eating earlier but it made your head spin so fast you thought you were going to faint.

"Whoa," You whispered your voice coming out a little hoarse from the kiss you had shared, he nervously chuckled taking your hand in his as you sat there in silence for a couple of seconds. Just taking everything in that had just happened, realising that you'd both experienced the same feeling together, that everything seemed better now you'd kissed. You felt loved even if it was too soon to use that word, everything just felt brighter and better with him right there.

"This was Hyunjin's idea by the way," You whispered two minutes later when you still hadn't moved in the cart. Your head was resting on his shoulder while he played with your fingers, just wiggling them around, bending them and running his fingers through them.

"What was?" He hummed looking at you while he placed a small kiss on the top of your head,

"The amusement park, he said to suggest it to you because you loved this sort of thing." Jisung boiled up with anger for your brother, not the anger that used to boil up when he saw him but the kind that made him want to lash out a kill him in a brotherly-love way.

"Two minutes," Jisung said reaching into his hoodie to pull out his phone, he dialled your brother's number and was surprised when he picked up almost instantly,

"You're dead when I get in-"

"This is I.N," Jeongin spoke into the phone,

"We're behind you on the cable cart and Hyunjin is in the process of freaking out about the heights and kiss you just had." Yelling could be heard from down the other end of the phone and you smirked turning around in your seat to see Hyunjin clutching onto Jeongin who was calmly biting into a hot dog while holding the phone up to his ear.

"This is karma you know Hyunjin," You spoke down the phone to your brother laughing as you watched him shaking his head before the cable cart shook into action.

"Dead meat," Jisung warned locking his phone and wrapping his arm around your shoulders again, feeling calmer now that you were on the move and finally going to get back onto flat ground.

Tagline: 

@writingdreamsnottragedies @snowy-meowl @jooniesdarlingdimples @kneel-begyourpardon @yunhoesss​

[noocturnalchild]

A Ruined Movie Night

pairing : Modern!Ben Solo X Modern!Rey

Rated : Teens and up

Word count : 1K

No warnings. Just small silly writing...

This is the first piece I write for this fandom...

Hi I'm back... dunno XD

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

“Can I sit by your side, Ben?”

Rey tried to make it sound as casual as she could manage, and she regretted even asking. She could just take her seat casually by his side, like friends do, after all, didn’t she?

“I charge by the hour”

He seemed unbothered, face focused on the action scene that broke out suddenly and she took advantage of his moment of inattention to move carefully on his side of the sofa.

“Prick, move your ass.”

Ben swallowed as she sat beside him. She was wearing that sweater he liked so much. With the three buttons on the back, starting from the collar down her neck. They were so tempting, these little three buttons, like round little candies wrapped in mauve, begging to be popped.

Ben aggressively dumped a handful of kettle corn in his mouth.

“Easy, angry bear! We haven’t even made It to the first half of the movie. Think about your smaller forest raccoon friend.” She leaned to grab some popcorn from the box on his lap and he ducked, swiftly lifting the box out of her reach, hiding it behind the sofa arm.

“Raccoons are cocky thieves, they say.”

“Bullshit !” She shouted, “They are the most ado-“

“Hey! Look, you made me miss how they blow up that ship!” Ben’s scream was tainted with laugher. “Can’t you keep still for a moment? Jesus!”

“And they are cute! AND you are definitely the one ALWAYS fidgeting in your seat! If my sofa could talk, I’m sure it would fill salty complaints against your flat ass!”

“My flat what?!” Ben mumbled curses under his breath.

“I can HEAR you.”

“I know.” he smiled.

They fell into a comfortable silence again, before Ben put the popcorn box in her lap, casually not moving his hand off.

“Just a precaution, forest thief.”

She gave him a faux dirty side look, followed by a lopsided smile as they refocused on the space opera playing on the screen.

Warmth flooded Rey’s space and she relaxed, limbs limp and head empty, lids heavy with sleepy comfort. His hand and technically, half of his arm were still on her lap. Damn, the man was warmer than her central heating. She wondered if he was conscious, or if people noticed. If his other friends teased him about it, if his exes…she chastised the latter thought, and corrected her stance. She was leaning a bit too much into his shoulder, she noticed as a dull pain started to numb the nape of her neck.

Rey tried to crack her neck a number of times, wincing at the pain that didn’t seem to lessen, but to increase. She sighed in discomfort, touching the painful place to find it ice cold. Fuck her premature cervical arthrosis.

“You alright?” Ben seemed to watch her for a while now.

“Yeah, just a light neck pain, 8 hours at Plutt’s do that to you.”

“Doesn’t seem to be light, to me.”

“I told you it’s ok.”

“No, it’s not, look at your face, your wince looks like a that of middle age martyr on a burning stick!”

“History nerd. I don’t look like that.”

“A constipated raccoon then.”

“Ok, I have arthrosis.”

“What?”

“As I told you, dumbass.”

“Are you 80 or something?”

“You idiot, it has nothing to do-“

“I know, I know that wasn’t funny. Where does it hurt?” Ben paused the movie.

“The nape of my neck, mostly…”

“It worsens when it’s cold huh?”

“Yes, exactly, and today was just…”

“Yeah, let me check if we forgot one of the windows open or something.”

“Yeah fine.” She winced again at the loss of heat when he moved to check the windows.

When Ben came back, he found her literally crumpled on herself, arms wrapping around her and shivering.

“What? I leave you one second and you transform into a snail?”

“Fuck you Solo.”

“Closed the kitchen window. You’re welcome.” Ben flopped down back into the sofa beside her, making her bounce in her place.

“Slow, I’m sick.”

“It’s your neck that’s hurtin’ not your ass- You fucking finished the popcorn!” He exclaimed at the empty box lying neglectfully now at her feet and she shrugged, not sorry the slightest.

“I’d crack you neck good if it wasn’t already fucked.”

“You’re rude!”

“Let me finish the movie, you should too.”

A few minutes later …

“Feelin’ any better?” Ben paused the movie again.

What a ruined movie night, Rey thought as she shook her head, eyeing the empty second popcorn box. In the end, none of them was really focused on the events anymore.

“Nah, to be honest. I’m so done.” She sighed.

“You should try heat patches.” Ben talked seriously now, concern visible in his chocolate eyes.

“Too tired to go and try this now, just wanna zone out on that couch when the movie is over, eugh.”

She slumped further onto the cushions. her cheeks were so red, and her hair all tousled and messy and he found himself staring and starring, a bubble of tenderness swelling in his chest at the sight before him.

“Ok, we can try something else…” words fled his mouth before he could catch them.

“Liiiike?” She pinched her brows, confused.

Ben showed her his hand.

“I… don’t… understand” she said slowly. Ben sighed, a pretty blush raised to his cheeks. In the faint light coming from the Tv, he hoped it wasn’t that obvious.

“Can …can I put my hand on the nape of your neck?”

Rey was dumbstruck for a second or two, looking at him with round eyes and Ben felt so stupid, the stupidest he felt for a while, to say the truth.

“Please?”

No, now he felt like the dumbest creature in the galaxy.

What kind of earthly idiot would ask their roommate to use their hand as a heat patch? Ben wished they’ve already created that damn time machine so he could hide his shameless face in the past and disappear from history, once and for all.

But here she was, surprise flipping to impish amusement. In her eyes was a flame twinkling in the feeble light of their small living space.

“Ok” her response came against all odds, and he had to metaphorically reboot to register it.

“Ok” Rey said again, no hesitation in her voice whatsoever, eyes wide open. Was he mistaken somehow, or was that a smirk she was giving him now?

No, she must be as stupid as him, that’s the only explanation.

“Hey, Venus to Mars? Ben?”

“Oh, hello”

Idiot.

“You offered. I’m waiting” she said firmly, an exaggerated grimace as she turned slightly, offering the base of her neck to him, pointing at it impatiently.

“Of-of course”

Hesitantly, Ben reached out, but before he could take his time playing his stupid self, Rey took his hand and pressed his palm resolutely on her soring spot, instantly groaning in relief.

“Fuck Ben, that’s definitely one of your rarest good ideas” She flexed her neck again, hand always grasping his, keeping it firm against her skin, like to absorb the maximum heat.

He should have thanked heavens she kept her eyes closed; his face resembled more that of a clown now, he knew. He had to return to cool Ben, have a grip on his running thoughts. He coughed a little.

“Oh, It’s uncomfortable?” Rey opened her eyes finally, seeming to realize he was struggling with their current position. She released his hand.

“No, just…just turn around... we could just sit like we were and you can use my hand as a neck pillow as much as you want”

“ So generous when you feel like it” Rey teased and the sparkle in her eyes returned. Ben really struggled to pull himself off the searing feeling he was lost in all of a sudden as his chest expanded with unfamiliar bubbles.

“Huh, guess so” he replied vaguely, still pretty much distracted by the placement of his hand on her skin. Damn, he had to find conversation, and soon. Silence wasn’t an option now.

Fuck. Make it awkward Ben, that’s it.

Ah right, the movie. Ben reached for the remote and pressed resume.

The sound of spaceships explosions echoed in the tiny living room walls. Rey and Ben both jolted in their place. They didn’t even remember putting the movie on pause in the midst of that action, mind on other matters. They both burst into laughter when the first shock subsided and Rey leaned a little bit onto him. She was visibly feeling better now. Her muscles seemed relaxed and warm and she looked…genuinely happy. Ben wished the smile he saw then on her face to never fade away. He promised himself that it wouldn’t, as long as they were together.

“So…Ben…” Rey sweetly sang-song after some moments of silence. “Since today is the day I apparently entered in your good graces … remember that little favor I asked you about …the history exam?”

Fucks sake. Not that. Now. That was too good to be true.

“No, Rey. Happens that I don’t remember that.” Ben refrained from rolling his eyes. He actually remembered well her very specific request to get help from him, and no, not to study...but to cheat.

Rey sighed, dramatic.

“At least I tried.”

“You should rather try and study, for a change.” Ben said firmly, trying and successfully hiding his amusement behind a frown, one of his stern ones.

It was almost comical now; the number of times she tried to get him to help her cheat on an exam, begging, bribing, without results, but never backing down. Typically Rey, he thought with fondness.

“So how long are we staying like this, anyway?”

“Just a lil bit mooore. next time think twice before you offer” Rey whined.

“You little scrounger” Ben mumbled between his teeth.

“I heard you!”

“I know” and he smiled.

[miumoou]

Not Alone Tonight ~ Chapter 8

Dazai X Reader 💞

After a long slow paced thirty minute walk we finally reached the place I called my second home which I shared with a couple of friends.

There was a total number of six of us with each having their own exclusive bedroom. We also had two shared bathrooms, one single toilet with a tiny sink and one large spacious kitchen with two well used coal black sofas and a TV monitor screen which was bought in by one of my friends from their own home.

As I reached out for my keys a wave of realisation hit me. I left the keys in my bedroom when I was rushing out to find Dazai.

"Oh!"

Dazai didn't say a word.

"I forgot the keys in my bedroom!" I exclaimed.

Dazai continued to stay silent.

"Ohhh what should we do! Maybe I'll message them but what if they are all asleep now? It is quite late....aghhh why did I leave them!"

Suddenly Dazai spoke up after being silent for awhile.

"[Y/N] over there"

Dazai's slender finger pointed at the blurry figure of a human through the door window which seemed to approach us closer and closer.

Then the door gently opened and I saw a familiar face. He was just a bare shadow a moment ago but now he had clear features. It was Luke.

His diamond blue eyes met mine. They were full of worry, fear and a slight hint of anger which was almost entirely hidden. His eyes were a little puffy which meant that he once again stayed up late last night probably drinking like he always does.

"[Y/N]? Did you forget your key? Why are you back so late? Everyone was worried!" He asked.

"Haha yeah I did...you know me Luke! I always forget things haha thanks for opening the door!"

"Yeah of course" his cheeks flushed similarly to the sunset I saw earlier. He always gets a little shy around me when I thank him which I find to be his sweetest trait.

"Your a real big help Luke! Like for real!" I gave him a wide happy smile as I lifted myself off the pathway into the house. I chucked my shoes to the side forgetting that Dazai was behind me. Once I realised that I did that in front of him I felt a surge of embrassment flood me.

"Wait" Luke stopped Dazai from entering.

"And who might you be?" He asked Dazai with an intense gaze.

"Oh well I'm-" I quickly cut halfway through Dazai's words like I cut through statements in Danganronpa games.

"Oh he is my friend! One of my old friends from school! He is just visiting [Insert where you live here]"

You see Luke can act quite overprotective and I'm not sure why. He woun't let me have a stranger over at my room but he'll let others do so which doesn't make sense?

So I had to make sure that he believed that Dazai was my good old friend. He can't know that Dazai is technically a stranger or should I say a fictional character which makes him sound even more suspicious!

"Oh your her friend yeah?"

Dazai gave Luke a slight nodd.

"Fine you can come in I suppose" his eyes wondered around the corridor until he met Dazai's chocolate brown eyes again. "Would you like to drink with me?"

"Drinking?? Why ask? Of course I would like to drink. Drinking is my hobby ~" he excitedly replied. Then he looked over at you and noticed your smile fade away.

"[Y/N] will you join us?"

"Oh well... I don't drink Dazai" I hesitantly responded..."I know that you love to drink so I woun't stop you but I woun't"

Dazai's eyes widened with shock.

"...you don't drink? But don't everyone?"

"Everyone but not me Dazai. I don't want to be like everyone. I'm not a big fan of drinking or the aftermath effects...and well you see I'm happy being sober" I smiled awkwardly back knowing that I'll probably be alone tonight in my room as Dazai will leave me to join Luke on a drinking game.

Dazai was silent for a moment. He looked like he was analysing the situation.

Then he turned back to face Luke.

"If [Y/N] woun't drink then neither will I...I don't want to make her feel left out after all that she has done for me. Sorry."

Luke's eyebrows rised. And his mouth line became straight like a ruler. His drinking proposal had never been declined like this. Everyone loves him and his drinking games. But now here he stood.

"Are you sure?? You see [Y/N] woun't mind..." Luke gave me a look which told me that I should say something.

"Dazai you don't have to...its ok you can enjoy yourself tonight you've had a long day!" I quickly faked a smile.

"No I woun't drink today as much as I would love to I can't make you feel uneasy." He firmly responded.

My [E/C] eyes glowed. I've been waiting for so long to hear someone say that they woun't drink. I know I shouldn't say this but seeing Luke like that makes me chuckle inside. Haha finally his drinking proposal got rejected! And I woun't be alone!

"Well then what shall we do [Y/N] chan? ~" he happily whistled.

"Oh yeah of course! What about you come to my room! You can leave your coat in my room and well you know..." I looked over at the pocket where the cotton white bandages were located.

"Sounds like a plan lead the way ~"

We walked passed Luke leaving him in his confused state and headed up the stairs to the second floor. We stopped at plain white door. A sign hanging with my name on it was almost sliding off the door handle.

"Here's my room"

I opened the door and let Dazai walk in first.

I closed and locked the door behind me to make sure that Luke woun't be able to enter or peek into my room. I also hurried to the window and closed it as well. My friends sometimes hang around in our small garden and I woudn't want them hearing our conversation. Then a thought just hit my head. I need to hide the bungo stray dogs manga and light novels! I quickly grabbed each book before Dazai could even have a chance to have a look and put them in a plastic bag which I found near the closet. I just need to keep an eye on this bag. I placed the bag inside my closet as he probably woun't look in there considering how private a girls closet can be.

Looking back at Dazai he was heavily examining my room. I could see his eyes linger from corner to corner as he walked around the small space.

Finally he came to a hult and spoke out.

"Your room is so lively. I like the use of blue in your room. Those posters with the hot air balloon with a bright blue sky, the blue double bed duvet with hummingbirds painted on it and the blue dinosaur plushie. It's very cute [Y/N]"

"Aha thank you! I tried to give my room a theme and in this case it's a light blue theme! The posters are of my favourite band BTS!"

"BTS?" he looked at me with a puzzled look.

"Oh haha of course you don't know them" I waved my right hand left to right.

Dazai sat on my soft bed trying to be extra careful to not mess anything up. He took off his coat, took the bandages out and placed the coat on a nearby chair.

"Hey Dazai let me help you!"

"Hmm?"

"Let me help you put on those bandages I know it must be tough doing it all by yourself all of the time and it's the least I could do for what you told me earlier!"

"Hmm sure [Y/N] why not"

I sat beside him and gently moved his left arm towards my lap. I took out the bandages and began cutting with the scissors which I grabbed before sitting down. Then I wrapped his left arm like a present. I did the same with the right arm.

"And I'm done!"

Dazai looked over at his arms "Haha thank you. You don't seem to be much of an expert tho! I've never seen anyone wrap bandages like this pfff" he laughed.

"Hey hey I know I'm not an expert but I tried!"

"I know but it's just" he coudn't stop laughing and smiling.

My eyes looked to the side I was so embarrassed. "Hey stop laughing!"

Then I grabbed my pillow and chucked it at his face.

"Oh your also feisty [Y/N]! ~" his arms waved around then he smirked I could almost imagine anime sparkles surrounding that face.

"You really are something Dazai!" I crossed my arms and huffed.

"Okay okay I'm sorry for laughing for real though thanks [Y/N] I haven't laughed that much in awhile~" he spoke out in a joyful tone.

"Fine fine I forgive you"

"You do??" Dazai got incredibly close to my face. His puppy eyes charmed me and I coudn't help but forgive him. I shyly nodded.

[lockefanfic]

Business Trip: Pt 21 - Recovery

Yoo Jeongyeon wasn’t wearing pants.

That was the first thought that crossed your mind, and it was followed up very quickly by the realization that she probably had the most beautiful pair of legs you had ever seen.

Her entire lower body was perfectly sculpted, flaring nicely at hips that led to healthy, delicious looking thighs before leading to thin, slim knees and lower legs. She seemed to go on forever. That old cliche of having ‘legs for days’ came to mind, and as much as it disappointed you to have to use such a tired cliche, you could think of no other way to describe her. But instead of going on for days, Jeongyeon’s legs stretched out into weeks and months.

This was not to say that the rest of her, covered by the extremely short hem of her chauffeur’s jacket, was in any way unappealing. The jacket clung to her like a second skin, and did little to hide the modest but still healthy curves of her chest. The black driver’s cap topped a small face with features that could be beautifully demure one moment, and cute and sardonic the next.

Her features were currently covered in an adorable pink blush of embarrassment as she slowly appears from the bedroom hallway, taking small steps towards you as she nervously plays with her hands, her eyes glued to her fingers as though she had never seen them before. You rise from the sofa, trying in vain to pick up your jaw from the floor as you do so.

“The outfit didn’t have matching pants that fit me,” Jeongyeon says, as if to explain away the fact that, well, she wasn’t wearing pants at all.

Through the one way glass between the observation room and the interrogation room, you watch as, for the third time, Park Jihyo rises from her chair, a look of frustration clear on her face. Saying one last thing in Korean to Yoon Bora, she leaves the room, swinging open the door and slamming it behind her.

 “She won’t say a goddamn word,” Jihyo says seconds later when she enters the observation room. You watch as Bora continues to wear the expressionless mask she has for the past two days, wondering just how someone so outwardly beautiful could be so inwardly ugly. She was so pleasant when you first met, so seemingly innocent and passionate about her dance studio that it was difficult to believe that girl and the one you were looking at were the same person.

 “You’ve confirmed that she and Hyorin have connections to Irene?”

 “Yes,” Jihyo answers, “we were able to confiscate their cell phones when we arrested them, and we raided their apartments and have their computers and other personal devices.”

 “And? Anything that could lead us to Irene?”

 “No,” Jihyo replies with a sigh, “there’s enough evidence and records to tie them to Irene but all their communications to her are on cloud-based servers. As you can see, Bora here isn’t exactly being forthcoming with her login information. Hacking their accounts would take some time and require a court warrant, and even if we do receive it Irene has likely deleted anything useful by now.”

 You let a soft sigh escape your lips, the frustration of knowing that Irene has once again escaped your grasp quickly beginning to overwhelm you.

 “So she gets away again?”

 Jihyo frowns as she turns her attention to Bora, who has not moved an inch.

 “We’ll break Bora. She’ll talk eventually, or maybe Hyorin will. We’ll get Irene soon.”

 You turn your attention back to Bora and watch as she brushes away stray hairs back behind an ear. It’s the most she has done in the past hour, her eyes staring blankly ahead and her arms folded in front of her chest. She seemed like an almost completely different person.

 “That sorry about her dance studio, that was all bullshit?”

 Jihyo takes a moment to answer, and when she does her tone is slightly more empathetic towards the woman in the interrogation room.

 “Yes and no. From what we’ve gathered from the data on her computer and cell phone, she really did have a dance studio on property that SM bought. I’ve done some digging and it seems she was really active in Seoul’s dance community. Some of my contacts have told me she and Jay were really passionate about teaching neighborhood kids to dance, and that she did it because she didn’t want them to fall in with the gangs operating in that area.”

 “So what happened?”

 “SM happened. They bought out her dance studio, and although their two partners wanted to keep the studio going, Bora and Hyorin bullied them into selling the studio to SM. Maybe they were temporarily blinded by greed; SM probably threw a lot of money at them. Irene probably recruited them then.”

 “Hmm. She told me her partners were the ones that sold the studio. But wait, so that dance studio she took us too - that was all a front? Those students weren’t real?”

 “No, they were. That was a real dance studio. To be honest, we didn’t know it existed. Maybe there’s still a part of her that is passionate about teaching dance. Maybe she used the money she received from selling their original dance studio to open her new one - maybe out of guilt.”

 In the interrogation room, Bora glances towards the one way mirror, and though she cannot see you or Jihyo, she surely knew there was someone there watching her. The same blank look on her features, she turns away again - although this time her gaze falls downward, as though she is deep in thought.

 “What about Jay?”

 Jihyo’s mood turns dark, and you didn’t blame her. Jay had been Irene and SM’s mole in Seoul’s Police Department, and no one knew just how many cases he had impacted.

 “He’ll survive, but he’s damn lucky our pointman didn’t give him two in the chest and one in the head. Like I said, he and Bora appeared to be genuinely interested in teaching kids to dance, but I think maybe he fell a little further than Bora did.”

 You frown as you finally turn away from the one way glass, giving Bora one last look as you prepare to leave the room. The young dance instructor was gorgeous, almost breathtakingly so, and you found yourself wondering just what was going on beneath that expressionless mask she had on.

 But then you remember the role she played in kidnapping two of your staff, and suddenly you are happy to let her rot in that interrogation room.

 ---

The next thing on your agenda after leaving the Seoul police department was to meet with Choa and Jeongyeon to ensure they were okay following their ordeal. Momo and Seolhyun insisted on accompanying you, and decided to stay with Choa and have lunch with her. Choa appeared to be her ever-cheerful self, and satisfied that your strong, confident executive assistant was okay, you went on to meet with Jeongyeon alone.

Tracking her down was more difficult than you thought it would be, given that she didn’t answer her phone or your text messages after she sent you the address of your meeting place. Said meeting place provided an explanation as to why she wasn’t answering her phone, as it turned out to be a PC café in downtown Seoul. It being the middle of the day on weekday, the café was mostly empty.

After some searching amongst row after row of gaming desktops, you finally found her in a corner of the café, fully engrossed in whatever game she was playing. The large gaming headset she had on provided an explanation for all the calls and messages she was missing. It came a somewhat of a surprise to you that she was currently playing Starcraft – then again, it wasn’t really a surprise, given your location and her nationality.

“Oh, damn, sorry boss – I’ll be just a second,” she says as she realizes you had arrived. She doesn’t turn her attention away from the game, however, her hands working furiously on the keyboard and mouse as the Protoss Zealots and Immortals on her screen do battle with Terran marines and siege tanks. A few moments later those two magical letters – gg – flash in the game chat, and the official game announcement of her victory comes soon after.

Jeongyeon is dressed simply, in a simple light brown cardigan and skinny jeans. She removes her headset and the large round pair of glasses she is wearing (that apparently are just for show) and finally turns to face you, taking a moment to release her brown hair from her ponytail.

You didn’t have much of a relationship with Yoo Jeongyeon aside from seeing her occasionally in the hallways at work and the occasional mention from Choa, whom she was friends with. You knew she was a rising star in the IT department at JYP, but aside from that, you rarely, if ever, had any actual contact with her aside from the odd glance and awkward smile whenever you passed in the hallways.

That all changed when the conflict with Red Velvet and Irene came up, and the need for an experienced IT specialist came with it. Choa was quick to suggest Jeongyeon, and you were able to requisition her services from her manager. In planning meetings for the trip to Seoul you were quick to notice not only her immense technical expertise, but also her cute features and the allure of her tomboy, guy’s girl aura. The bright blue hair she sported at the time helped with that latter appeal, of course.

But lately she had let a little more of her feminine side show, growing her hair out, dyeing it in more natural colors and wearing more subdued clothing – not that you minded the punk rock esthetic she was so fond of previously. Her clothing changes and haircut revealed a new side of her, and it was a side that was made all the more attractive by the knowledge that it had always been there, hidden by her tough girl aura and dry, sarcastic wit.

And so you found yourself momentarily stricken with awe as her brown hair comes loose from her ponytail to fall in a chocolate waterfall down to her shoulders. She smiles at you – a shy, awkward smile, but one that still highlights her large, deep eyes and small, cute features.

“Sorry, boss, just had to kick some ass there for a second,” she says – it seems that geeky wit of hers didn’t change, even if her hair and clothing choices did.

“No worries, Jeongyeon. Gotta keep those Terran noobs in their place,” you agree as you take a seat in the booth next to hers.

“How can I help ya?”

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” you begin, “after what happened the other day. I know the doctors cleared you and Choa physically, but I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright. Y’know, mentally.”

“I’m fine, boss,” Jeongyeon answers, “truth be told it was kind of terrifying. But all is well that ends well, I guess. If anything, I’m just a little pissed off about the whole thing.”

“How so?”

“Irene literally hired people to kidnap Choa and I,” she answers, a little more passion in her voice, “and we were lucky that things turned out the way they did. Anything could have happened. They could have shot us, or something could have gone wrong when Jihyo’s SWAT team raided the place…”

“But nothing went wrong,” you quickly interrupt, eager to ensure that she didn’t start to walk down the dangerous path of asking what might have been, “you said it yourself – all’s well that ends well. The fact is, Jihyo’s team saved you guys and we have the people who did it. They’ll be in jail for a long time.”

“But we didn’t get all of them. Irene is still out there.”

“Yes, and we’ll find her. Soon. I promise.”

Jeongyeon seems only half satisfied by your declaration. There is a determination in her eyes that is bordering on anger – she really seemed fired up by what Irene did to her.

“I’ve been continuing my review of the data we retrieved from their servers,” she begins, turning back to her computer, “and I’ll let you know if I find anything. I want to make her pay for what she did to Choa and I.”

“Good. Because I’m going to request that you’re transferred to my team permanently.”

Jeongyeon turns back to you with a surprised look on her face.

“…Really?”

“Yes. It’s clear that we need someone with your skills on the team. Who better than you?”

The young IT specialist takes a moment to absorb your offer, and the small smile that appears on her lips tells you that was happy to receive it.

“Well, I would accept your offer, boss, but I feel like I’d be a little out of place in that little group of supermodels you’ve gathered around yourself.”

“…What?”

“Oh come on,” she starts exaggeratedly, “Tzuyu and Mina are walking pieces of art. Sana is cuter than any girl has any right to be. Seolhyun has more curves in her pinky finger than I do in my entire body. And Momo is pretty and beautiful and hot at the same time – it makes me angry just looking at her. They’re the Plastics from Mean Girls, except on top of being gorgeous they’re all also super smart and successful.”

The thought of Momo being compared to Rachel McAdams makes you smile a little bit.

“And what makes you think you don’t belong right up there with them?” you say, allowing a sly smile to appear on your lips.

Jeongyeon takes your flattery in stride, although the slight hint of blush and small smile that appear on her cheeks and lips as she returns her attention to her computer tells you that it didn’t go fully unaccepted. She lets out a snort of dismissal, but if her intention was to convince you she didn’t care, it failed at it.

“Besides,” you continue, “you’re attractive in a way none of those other girls is.”

“And what’s that?”

“You’re a giant fucking geek.”

Jeongyeon lets a genuine giggle escape her, and you are heartened by the way her face lights up when she laughs, her mouth opening up into a large smile and her eyes following suit.

“Flattery will get you nowhere. Only by defeating me on the field of battle will I join your team,” she says, motioning towards the open booth next to hers.

“Bring it. Name the game.”

“We’re in Korea at a PC café. What else would we play?”

-

On the screen in front of you, your last few Terran marines fight desperately in a last stand against the Zerg hordes, but their cause is lost, and you are forced to type those to magical letters – gg – into the game chat.

“Geez, boss,” Jeongyeon quips, “that took five minutes. I even told you what I was going to do. And I still won.”

It was true – she did say she was going to six-pool you before the game even started. Not that it mattered.

“Clearly I can’t beat you in the national sport of your country. Is there any other way to get you to join my team?”

Jeongyeon childishly swirls around in her chair, an adorable thinking face on her features as she taps her chin with one finger.

“I guess you can get additional chances to beat me at something,” she says, a brightness appearing on her features that wasn’t there when you had arrived. Gathering her things and putting her faux glasses back on, she grabs you by the wrist and leads you out of the café.

-

The “additional chances” turned out to be a variety of games at the nearby amusement centre in one of Seoul’s large malls. The chances were many – various arcade games, the batting cage, even a few games of chance in the amusement park section – but Jeongyeon won them all; or at least, did so after you let her.

“C’mon, you let me win in the batting cages,” she quips after the two of you leave the amusement centre after a long afternoon of gaming and begin to idly wander through the attached shopping mall. There is a happiness to her that wasn’t present at the start of the day, and you had to admit the spending time with her made you feel happy as well. It turned out that behind the dry, laconic wit and heavy layers of sarcasm was a sweet, gentle girl that was happy to have some fun after what could have been a traumatic life event. The brightness her smile brought to the room was hard to ignore, and her casual nature and occasional tomboyishness made her easy to get along with.

“Maybe, but only because you gave me a head start for the drum game,” you answer, referring to the arcade game that involved you drumming a large taiko drum to the beat of the music, “not that it kept you from beating me by the end of it anyway.”

“I was feeling merciful. Clearly you are rhythmically-challenged. Either way, I do believe that you have yet to beat me at anything, and thus I still won’t be joining your-“

Jeongyeon stops mid-sentence, her attention suddenly captured by something in one of the stores you are passing. It takes you a moment to realize she is staring into the window of what appeared to be a costume store. In the window is the object of her attention – a green chauffeur outfit, comprising of a green suit jacket and matching pants, with a black driver’s cap.

“That’s gorgeous,” she says out loud, although her tone and volume imply to you that perhaps she didn’t mean to say it out loud.

“A chauffeur’s costume?” you ask, not quite knowing why or how someone like Jeongyeon could be interested in such a niche costume. Halloween was months away, at least…

Jeongyeon is surprised by your comment – she looked like she had momentarily forgotten you were even there - and a look of embarrassment appears on her face.

“Um, yeah… nevermind, boss. Let’s keep going.”

“Wait, wait,” you say, catching her by the upper arm as she attempts to keep walking away, “what do you want a chauffeur’s costume for?”

“Nothing, let’s just-“

“Jeongyeon, we’re not moving until you tell me. Don’t make me tell everyone at work how you put your batting helmet on backwards because you didn’t know which way it went on your head.”

Jeongyeon smirks at your mention of her faux-pas in the batting cages. A sheepish, shy look appears on her face as she turns back to the costume in the window. She plays nervously with her hands as she continues to admire it.

“I um.. I wouldn’t wear it out in public.”

“So when would you wear it? Halloween?”

The girl stares at her feet as though she’d never seen them before. She crosses her legs and plays with her toes, scratching at an imaginary stain on the floor with the tip of her shoe. She continues to play with her fingers, pinching her nails and running her digits over each other.

“I…. I’m kind of… well, I’m kind of into roleplaying.”

Jeongyeon was a shameless geek and the idea of her being into roleplaying games or something like cosplay or even LARPing didn’t come as much of a surprise.

“You mean, like Dungeons and Dragons? I was totally into that too. In high school, at least. I remember-“

“No, not that kind of roleplay,” Jeongyeon interrupts, a bright red blush appearing on her cheeks now as she stares down at the floor and awkwardly fidgets with her hands.

“Oh?”

“The kind of roleplay… that you do… in the bedroom.”

It takes you a second to fully digest what Jeongyeon says, and it doesn’t help that she turns away from you, nervously fidgeting with the zipper of her black puffy jacket. You take one look at her, one look at the chauffeur costume and suddenly feel an intense jealousy towards her boyfriend.

“I… wow. I’m jealous of your boyfriend.”

Jeongyeon lets out a snort of disbelief, followed by a nervous giggle.

“Oh, there’s no boyfriend,” she begins, “in fact there hasn’t been one for awhile.”

“I find that ridiculously hard to believe. I don’t know if you’re aware, Jeongyeon, but you’re kind of the shiny Charizard of girls. Pretty and a giant nerd? C’mon.”

Jeongyeon keeps her eyes on the chauffeur costume, afraid or unable to make eye contact with you. But the small blush that was on her cheeks is evident now, along with a smile creeping into the corners of her soft lips.

“Whatever, let’s go,” she says, eager to move on, if anything because it would allow her to get over the intense nervousness overtaking her entire being, “I won’t be wearing that thing anytime soon, anyway.”

Jeongyeon turns and takes a few steps away from the window. In that time you thank whatever gods may be for the ridiculous run of luck you’ve been having with women. Satisfied that your thankful prayers are safely on their way to the deities they were sent to, you open your mouth and say something before she is too far away to hear.

“You could wear it for me. Like, soon.”

Jeongyeon turns around mid-step, her eyes initially locked on the floor between you. When she finally gathers her wits enough to raise her gaze to match yours, you are momentarily stunned by what you see - gone is the awkward, nerdy, sarcastic IT specialist; in her place was a sly, sultry young woman.

“Wait here,” she says in a tone so dripping with allure that you would have refused to believe it was Yoo Jeongyeon speaking those words had you heard them yesterday. Jeongyeon bites her lip, a thin smile on her lips as she heads into the costume store. You follow her orders, standing  and waiting there in stunned silence.

---

The trip back to your hotel took longer than you thought it would, every second in the taxi ride filled with anticipation for what was about to come. Few words passed between you, but it wasn’t awkward; rather, it was a silence filled with intense anticipation, the both of you stealing loaded glances at each other, or smiling nervously when your hands grazed each other accidentally.

 When you finally reach her hotel room, Jeongyeon steps into the living room before turning and facing you.

 “Sit down,” she says, a sly smile on her lips as she watches you follow her orders before turning and sauntering towards the bedroom.

 It felt a little like an eternity sitting there, waiting for her to emerge from the bedroom, but when she does come out, you realize it was worth every second.

 Yoo Jeongyeon wasn’t wearing pants.

 That was the first thought that crossed your mind, and it was followed up very quickly by the realization that she probably had the most beautiful pair of legs you had ever seen.

 Her entire lower body was perfectly sculpted, flaring nicely at hips that led to healthy, delicious looking thighs before leading to thin, slim knees and lower legs. She seemed to go on forever. That old cliche of having ‘legs for days’ came to mind, and as much as it disappointed you to have to use such a tired cliche, you could think of no other way to describe her. But instead of going on for days, Jeongyeon’s legs stretched out into weeks and months.

 This was not to say that the rest of her, covered by the extremely short hem of her chauffeur’s jacket, was in any way unappealing. The jacket clung to her like a second skin, and did little to hide the modest but still healthy curves of her chest. The black driver’s cap topped a small face with features that could be beautifully demure one moment, and cute and sardonic the next.

 Her features were currently covered in an adorable pink blush of embarrassment as she slowly appears from the bedroom hallway, taking small steps towards you as she nervously plays with her hands, her eyes glued to her fingers as though she had never seen them before. You rise from the sofa, trying in vain to pick up your jaw from the floor as you do so.

 “The outfit didn’t have matching pants that fit me,” Jeongyeon says, as if to explain away the fact that, well, she wasn’t wearing pants at all.

 “I’m not complaining,” you say, matter-of-factly.

 “Good,” she replies, because your ride is ready, boss.”

 The use that title took on new meaning now - earlier in the morning it was merely an informal nickname, but now it meant something a little more.

 “Really? And where are we going, Jeongyeon?”

 “Wherever you want, boss,” she replies, crossing her legs while standing in place, her long, naked limbs intensely attractive in the low light of the hotel room, “you should know, though, that there is a fee attached to my transportation services. I insist that you pay a deposit immediately, followed by the rest of the fee once we arrive at our destination.”

 “And what might that deposit be?”

 The girl is quiet for a moment, and you lose contact with her eyes for a moment beneath the brim of her hat as she lowers her head as though she were deep in thought. She is still playing nervously with her fingers, and she is fidgeting with her long, naked legs, rubbing her thighs together in a way that is sublimely arousing.

 “You have to make me cum. Now. And when we arrive at the destination, you can pay the balance for the services rendered.”

 There is a split second, only a split second, of silence - the moments before the storm of passion breaks - while you stare into her eyes and find only lust and desire there.

 Your hand reaches up of its own free will and cups Jeongyeon’s cheek before you step forward and kiss her, softly at first but quickly becoming more passionate within moments. Your brain is alight with excitement at that first moment of intimacy with a new woman, and from the way Jeongyeon returns your kiss and wraps her arms around your neck and head you knew she felt similarly.

 Your hands are not idle, and while most of your attention is focused on her lips you find the wherewithal to snake your own arms around her small torso, delighting in the feel of her slim body pressed against yours. Your kiss deepens further, and you press your tongue softly against her lips before Jeongyeon accepts it into her mouth, pressing her own against it as you explore each others’ mouths for the first time.

 For a solid minute you are content to stand there and make out with the young woman, but soon you remember you had a price to pay for your travel.

 Breaking the kiss, you slowly trace a path down her jaw, placing soft, light kisses on her perfect, soft skin until you bury your mouth in the crook of her neck, satisfied to hear a light gasp of surprise emit from Jeongyeon’s lips; the first sound of yearning you had ever heard from her. As you kiss and explore her neck you can feel her breathing quicken as she fully submits to the desires and passion quickly overtaking her senses.

 You decide to take the next step, reaching your hands down her torso, pressing tightly against her tight, slim body until they reach and then eventually overtake the end of the short garment. You slide your hands up under her jacket until you are cupping both of her ass cheeks, relishing in the feel of her warm, full mounds of flesh beneath your palms.

 Jeongyeon lets a loud gasp escape her lips, one that convinces you that what she said earlier about not having a boyfriend was probably true - the way she was reacting to your advances made you think that perhaps it had been awhile since she was last intimate with someone.

 You caress her butt softly beneath the hem of her jacket, which was now hiked up around her waist. Your palms wander carefully around her ass, brushing up against what felt like a thin thong. You smile to yourself as you slowly slide your hands lower until they are mid thigh, before slowly and carefully picking her up.

 Jeongyeon gasps in surprise as you lift her easily - she certainly wasn’t heavy, and so you lift and deposit her on the extended portion of the sofa with ease. You step between her legs, and you are satisfied to find that she opens them easily for you as you drop to your knees. You take another look into her lust-laden eyes before you kiss her again, your lips crashing against each other with a little more passion than before.

 “I hope you don’t mind if I take off my uniform, boss?” she says, her voice low and full of lust,  “It’s getting a little hot in here.”

 With delicate fingers she undoes the buttons of her jacket, quickly sliding the green garment off her body once she has done so, leaving her in the white dress shirt and tie she wore beneath. There were few things sexier than a woman in a white dress shirt, but one of them was a woman in a white dress shirt that was undressing for you.

 Jeongyeon begins by undoing the small green tie around her neck, tossing it away once it is undone. Then, painfully slowly, she undoes each button of the white dress shirt, her eyes locked on yours the whole while. She is biting her lip again, the small action so extremely sexy.

 Her small hands reach for the top part of her shirt, playing with the thin fabric, her large, expressive eyes still holding your gaze. Satisfied that she held every ounce of your attention, she slowly pulls the garment open down her shoulders, the white fabric giving way to perfect, creamy vanilla skin as she reveals her chest to you. She doesn’t take the shirt completely off, allowing it instead just to fall down her back, her forearms still in its sleeves.

 You could now add a bra to the list of things she wasn’t wearing.

 Her breasts are small and humble, but perfectly shaped and in perfect scale with the rest of her slim, tight body. Her nipples are so enticing, so delicious, already erect with the promise of the pleasure that is to come. Her stomach is flat and slightly toned, but you found yourself unable to resist her breasts for much longer, and you find yourself staring lewdly at her naked chest, unable to move any further until she herself shakes you from your stupor. Jeongyeon leans back on the sofa until she is on her elbows, her long, slim torso laid out for you.

 “I’m ready to accept your payment, boss.”

 It’s your turn now to bite your lip, every word that leaves her mouth made so intensely erotic by the fact that you had no idea such a sexual, kinky creature was beneath the geeky, tomboyish exterior she displayed to the rest of the world. And here you were, standing between her spread legs as she sits on the desk in front of you with an open shirt, asking - pleading - to be devoured.

 With a hungry, devilish smile on your face, you bend to give her a quick kiss on the lips before quickly moving to her upper chest, planting soft kisses on her newly exposed skin, your hunger and desire for the young woman quickly becoming intolerable, unbearable. You had to have her - there was something about the way she had kept all her intense sexuality hidden all this time that only heightened your desire to have her, taste her, make her cum - and eventually, be inside her.

 Soon you reach her small, perfect breasts, and you waste no time in devouring her small, pink nipples, forgetting for a moment your earlier resolution to take your time given her likely inexperience. But you found yourself unable to resist the small mounds of flesh, savoring the taste of her hardened peaks in your mouth and the sharp, increasingly loud gasps and moans each lick and suck elicited from their owner.

 Her hands are entwined in your hair now, pressing your head against her chest as though imploring you to take more of her. You are happy to oblige, switching breasts, latching onto her left breast now as your left hand ensures her right breast is not unattended, gently squeezing and cupping her soft flesh and saliva-lathered nipple.

 It takes an extreme amount of discipline to tear yourself away from her chest, but you remind yourself of the task you had in front of you, and the “payment” you had yet to make. Regretfully - for both of you, if the moan of disappointment Jeongyeon lets out as you leave her breasts is any indication - you slowly begin to make your way downward, your lips leaving a trail of kisses on her flat stomach before you find yourself on your knees between her spread legs, the almost completely soaked thin cotton thong the only barrier between you and the delicious treat of her pussy.

 You reach up with both hands, grasping the thin string of her thong at her hips before you pull the garment off her, Jeongyeon lifting her butt off the desk and bringing her legs together momentarily to allow you to remove the garment completely. Her pussy is perfect, her lower lips soft and inviting and glistening with her wetness.

 Remembering for a moment your resolution to take things slowly, you turn and plant soft kisses on her spread thighs, the soft skin warm against your lips. In response Jeongyeon has closed her thighs around your head, her feet hanging over your shoulders and crossed somewhere on your back as she traps you between her legs; it was likely out of instinct, again likely because she was so inexperienced.

 It is a wonderful feeling, to say the least, being sandwiched by her soft, warm thighs, but you knew you needed full access to her body, and your mobility was limited somewhat with her legs wrapped around your head. Reaching up with your hands, you place them on the inside of her soft thighs before pulling them apart, spreading her legs again, allowing you more room to work.

 You look up for a moment, past the glistening lips of pink flesh in front of you, past her flat stomach and the heaving mounds of her breasts to her eyes, and you find a look full of lust, but also of yearning - the yearning to have you make her feel as good as you had always thought she looked - absolutely amazing.

 Unwilling and unable to wait even a second later, you finally allow your mouth to descend between her spread thighs, extending your tongue and licking her pussy lightly from bottom to top, just barely grazing her moist, soft flesh. Jeongyeon lets the loudest moan of the day escape her lips at the new sensations beginning to flood her body, and you take that as permission to continue.

 You continue to lick her most sensitive area, adding to the further build up of pleasure coursing through her veins, enjoying the sweet taste of her slick juices gathering on your tongue. Your hands, satisfied that she was going to keep her legs spread in their current position, move closer to your mouth, your left hand moving to the top of her mound and your right drifting downward toward her entrance.

 Once you feel she is ready - and the juices flowing freely from her body are a great indication - you take things to the next level, using your left hand to carefully spread apart the lips of her pussy, revealing the glistening pearl of her clit; simultaneously, you lightly penetrate her body with two fingertips of your right hand until you are two knuckles deep. Then, with utmost care, you give her clit a swipe with the tip of your tongue.

 “Oh, fuck!” the young woman exclaims, her hands buried in your hair as you feel her lower legs wrap around your shoulders, keeping your face pressed against her. Satisfied that you were on the right path, you move on, placing more, faster licks on her clit while pushing further inside her with your fingers. Soon you are licking her with a steady, passionate pace, and your fingers are almost completely inside her, curling upwards and finding that rough patch at the front of her pussy.

 Jeongyeon’s reaction to your first touches on her g-spot are ecstatic, and her hips rise off the surface of the table involuntarily, the young woman temporarily losing control of her body to the sparks of pleasure flaring out from her crotch. Her juices flow freely into your greedy tongue, and your fingers feel her slick, wet walls begin to tighten around them; she was getting close.

 “Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,” she exclaims as if chanting, “oh god, I’m gonna cum!”

 You want to tell her to cum, want to tell her to let go, but it was difficult to speak with your mouth full of her hot, wet flesh, and so you encourage her the only way you could - by increasing your pace ever so slightly with your tongue on her clit and your wet fingers thrusting in and out of her slick flesh.

 The effect is immediate, and the orgasm that courses through Yoo Jeongyeon’s body is unmistakable, her long, slim legs wrapping themselves tightly around your head, trapping your face between her wet pussy and warm thighs. She convulses slightly, her limbs and hips quivering of their own accord. But most delicious of all is the feel of her pussy tightening so stiffly against your fingers, and the warm, sweet juices that flow freely onto your greedy, wanton tongue.

 It takes awhile for her to recover, but when she finally does, and when she finally allows her legs to loosen their deathgrip on your head, she finds the strength to finally speak.

 “Fuck.”

 The single word causes you to giggle a little as you finally lift your face from between her thighs, licking your lips as you gather the oily juice on your tongue and savor its taste. Jeongyeon reaches down with her hand on your cheek and pulls you up, making you rise from your knees to kiss her, her tongue eagerly tasting her own nectar on yours.

 From this position the bulge in your pants presses up against her crotch, and she breaks the kiss to glance down at where your pelvises are touching.

 “Payment accepted. I think it’s time we get going - wouldn’t want you to be late to your destination.”

 You both smile slyly as Jeongyeon rises from the sofa and takes a few steps towards the bedroom. With a look over her shoulder at you, she slides the white dress shirt off her arms, finally leaving her entirely naked - aside from the black chauffeur’s hat.

 That such a downright gorgeous woman could have been near you for so long without you noticing was utterly mind boggling. Every square inch of her tall, slim body was dripping with sensuality, from those deep, dark eyes to her long, curvy legs. Her body was so unlike the other women you’d had recently, so tall and slim and seemingly going on forever.

 She reaches over and takes your hand. With one more sexy, wanton look, she turns and begins to saunter over to the bedroom, those slender legs and wide hips making sure you watched every step she took.

 “Looks like we’ve arrived, boss,” she says seconds later in the bedroom, “and I do believe you have to pay the balance of the transport fee.”

 “Gladly, Jeongyeon.”

 “Good,” she says, her voice all soft seduction, “then come fuck me.”

 Your patience is not infinite; and going by the way Jeongyeon presses herself against you and kisses you deeply, neither is hers. Arms quickly work at your belt, and you take the moment to divest yourself of the sweater you are wearing - soon you are as naked as she is, aside of course for the chauffeur’s hat. Jeongyeon reaches up to her head to remove it, but you grasp her wrist and smile. She takes the hint and leaves it on.

 Mouths still locked in a heated, passionate kiss, you slowly push her forward until you reach the edge of the bed, which thankfully is relatively elevated and thus perfect for what you had in mind. Jeongyeon hops onto the bed, those gorgeous legs spreading easily for you as you step between them. She reaches down with her left hand and wraps her thin fingers around your hard shaft, a sly smile appearing on her lips as she does so.

 Jeongyeon lies down on the bed, her slim body laid out for you.

 “Put it in me now, boss,” she says, every syllable dripping with arousal, as if her flushed skin and glistening, inviting pussy were not enough evidence of her desire.

 You are not one to disappoint her, and, gripping your firm shaft with your right hand, you press it against her opening, delighting in the feel of her hot flesh against yours, gathering a healthy amount of her slick juices on the tip of your cock. Jeongyeon lets a soft moan escape her lips, and her hand darts out to grasp your wrist.

 “Go slow,” she says, her tone suddenly different, as though she were breaking character for a moment, “it’s been awhile.”

 “I will, Jeongyeon. We’ll only go as fast as you want.”

 Her smile is all the reassurance you need, and you slowly press into her opening, her warm, hot flesh giving way slowly as you penetrate her for the first time, her body slowly giving way to your shaft as it spears into her pussy.

 Jeongyeon grimaces slightly, but soon feels some relief when you enter her fully for the first time, her silky embrace wrapping tightly around your shaft as you fully embed yourself inside her. Wanting to reassure her, you bend over on the bed and kiss her softly. She returns the kiss and presses onto your chest with one of her palms, pushing you back to your upright position.

 “Okay, I’m ready now, boss,” she says, “please… please fuck me.”

 Moving slowly, you withdraw your cock, enjoying the the feel of her tight pussy grasping every inch of your shaft as though afraid to let it go. Jeongyeon’s tightness was on another level, and you absentmindedly wonder if it was because she hadn’t had sex in awhile.

 Her hands grasp your forearms, her nails digging into your wrist, and for a moment you are afraid you are hurting her, but the small nod she gives you when you look at her with a look of concern convinces you that she is okay. The last few women you’d slept with were comfortable with their sexuality, and it was different to be with a woman who was a little more less experienced; not that it was a turn off, but quite the opposite - you wanted nothing more than to please her, make her feel the way you felt she deserved.

 You continue to penetrate her at a consistent pace, your shaft fully lathered now with her juices, making each entry and exit easier and easier. Jeongyeon seems to settle into things, now letting soft gasps and moans escape her lips with each thrust into her body. Her legs, once spread hesitantly, now wrap themselves around your hips, and you relish the feel of her long limbs wrapped around your torso as you continue to fuck her.

 “Oh god… god that feels so good. You feel so good inside me! Oh god!”

 You increase your pace ever so slightly - ever mindful of her request that you go slow. You delight in the sight of her small breasts rocking up and down with each thrust, and the cute features of her face warped and twisted slightly in a pleasurable way that is beautiful in its own way. Your gaze travels the length of her slim, long torso, until finally it settles between those spread, long, perfect legs of hers, and the drenched, slick lips of her pussy, wrapped tightly around your shaft as it enters and exits her body.

 “Faster, please,” she gasps, her words almost a demand, “please, boss. Please fuck me faster.”

 You bend over the bed and drop your hands to the bed to stabilize yourself as you increase your pace slightly, focusing on the depth and length of your thrusts, ensuring she feels each thrust of your cock in and out of her body.

 “Oh my god, oh my god,” Jeongyeon gasps, “just like that! You’re gonna make me cum!”

 You are surprised by how quickly she is nearing orgasm, and happy that yours is still some ways away - you want to savor every moment you are having with her, and want to make sure you last long enough to do so.

 Jeongyeon cums soon after, her entire body shaking and quivering, her legs wrapping even tighter around your hips as she does so, her heels digging into your butt as she struggles to maintain her composure for a few moments until she loses it entirely and a long, loud gasp of sheer pleasure escapes her mouth. Her pussy tightens and convulses tightly around you, tight enough to send shocks of pleasure coursing through your body as well.

 When her orgasm finally subsides, Jeongyeon is a writhing, quivering mess on the bed, a sheen sweat lending a glistening quality to her naked body. You let your eyes savor the sight of her there on the bed, and you wonder how the hell you overlooked this young woman for so long.

 “Fuck,” she says again. It must be her post-orgasm word, you realize with a smile. She squirms a little on the bed, her hips moving slowly from side to side, creating delicious friction on your hard shaft, still fully embedded inside her.

 Jeongyeon raises her torso from the bed until she is upright, her legs still wrapped around your hips. Your hands caress her thighs softly, enjoying the feel of her warm flesh beneath your palms.

 “Thanks for paying the rest of the balance, boss,” she says, “although I think I owe you some change.”

 Without letting you answer, Jeongyeon pushes forward on your chest with her right hand, until eventually your shaft slips out of her body. Hopping off the bed, she turns around so that her round, firm ass is facing you, her long legs lending her butt a delicious looking curve as she leans forward, resting her forearms back onto the bed.

 “Fuck me, boss,” she says, turning around to lock eyes with you, “fuck me until you cum.”

 You reach forward and caress her round cheeks with your hands, squeezing the firm flesh and delighting in the sight of her glistening pussy, just begging to be fucked. You are unable to resist the sight, and before you know it you are dragging the tip of your shaft up and down on her drenched pussy, gathering more and more of her juices on it.

 If Jeongyeon was tight on her back, she was even tighter from behind. The way her walls embrace you as you enter her is almost enough to make you cum on the spot - it takes every ounce of self control not to fuck her as hard as you really wanted to. Instead you relish the feel of her tightness, of her wet, slick walls embracing every inch of your shaft as you begin to fuck her.

 Jeongyeon quickly gets used to the feeling of you penetrating her from behind, if the gasps and moans that escape her lips in a steady stream is any indication.

 “Oh god… oh god, you’re so big inside me,” she gasps, “it feels so good… please… please fuck me, boss! Fuck me! Make me yours!”

 Jeongyeon turns, her eyes dripping with desire beneath the brim of the driver’s cap still on her head. What she lacked in experience she certainly made up for in sheer allure, that unmeasurable something that made her so sexy, so attractive, and so downright gorgeous. The other girls were downright sexy, or cute, but Jeongyeon had something special, something none of them had, and you had no idea what it was; but you wanted more than anything else to find out.

 Your hands leave her butt to grip her hips, her words and her tight, slim body bringing you closer and closer to orgasm. You feel that build up, that approach towards the point of no return, quickly approaching, and you feel no need to delay it any longer.

 “I’m gonna cum, Jeongyeon, fuck I’m gonna cum.”

 “Wherever… wherever you want, boss! Cum for me… cum for me!”

 Fucking her from behind was amazing, of course, but you wanted to watch those beautiful eyes, wanted to see them as you came, wanted them to watch as you spilled your cum on her body. And so you pull out of her grasping pussy, and turn her body around until she is lying on her back on the bed again, her legs spreading once more to allow you between them. Taking your slick shaft in your right palm, you jerk it quickly, and before you know it your orgasm is overtaking your senses.

 You force your eyes open to watch as thick, hot semen shoots from the tip of your shaft to land on Jeongyeon’s long, slim torso, on her small breasts and flat stomach, in long, hot streaks. Jeongyeon gasps at the feeling of each stream of cum as it lands on her naked body, the sexiness of her voice and her beautiful eyes and every inch of her naked body lending further power to your orgasm.

 When it finally ends and you stop pumping your shaft, you watch through half-lidded eyes as Jeongyeon’s chest heaves up and down, breathing heavily, stained with white streams of your hot semen. Her arms are splayed out carelessly on either side of her, completely drained of energy. The black driver’s cap has somehow managed to stay on her head this whole time.

 “I guess I finally beat you at something. So you’ll join the team?” you ask, still breathing heavily. Your wet shaft has come to a rest in that wonderful crook where her crotch meets her thighs, juices, both yours and hers, dripping off it and onto her warm skin.

 “Alright, I guess I can join up. But first I’m going to buy more costumes,” she says with a smile, “there was a schoolgirl one in that store I liked…”

 ---

 You are in the elevator on your way to your own hotel room when you receive a text from JYP.

 JYP says: Call me right now.

 Not wasting any time, you go to your directory and press on his name, steeling yourself for whatever might come next. So much has happened, so many trials and tribulations and outright dangers that you were almost unsurprised that yet another thing needed your urgent attention.

 But when you hang up the phone after a short conversation with your boss, there is nothing but a wide, genuinely happy smile on your face.

[catboymingi]

if you’re reading this...

navi/masterlist

pairing: mingi x reader

genre: fluff, some crack maybe?; best friends to lovers

word count: 2.6k

warnings: literally not a single one. implied frozen hate (i‘m joking)

for evigt / måske for evigt / skal vi sammen samme vej / og når i morgen får øjne og natten hviler sig / skal vi for evigt måske den samme vej - forever / maybe forever / we’ll take the same road together / and when tomorrow comes and the night goes to rest / we’ll maybe take the same road forever

it had become a routine that after your classes you’d walk to the café mingi was working at, getting a hot chocolate (to which he added an extra large amount of whipped cream while giving you a wink) and settling on whatever chair was free in order to study some until he got off work. sometimes you’d spice it up and get a different drink, and sometimes he’d spice it up and bring you a mystery drink to wherever you were studying. today, however, you just got the regular while you waited for your best friend to have time to entertain you. you’d had an exam today and really just wanted to yell about the phonetic inconsistencies you’d had to deal with, but you knew no one but mingi was willing to listen. so you had to wait for him, sighing in annoyance every couple minutes as you looked through your study materials.

when his shift was finally over you grabbed your stuff, throwing away the receipt and napkins that he insisted on giving you even though you told him time and time again you didn’t need them. then you rushed over to him, an exaggerated sigh of annoyance leaving your lips in order to make him ask you what was up. the boy wrapped his arms around you and laughed when you dropped your bag from the sudden embrace.

“you had an exam today. how’d it go?” this was what you loved about him - he always remembered these details about you and your life, he knew your schedule well enough to get worried when you were late, and he genuinely wanted to hear about things that were on your mind.

“don’t ask. how can a single language have this many rules that literally no one cares about? studying for this was just like this is the rule. yes we use it. no we don’t. you’re welcome.” you said the last sentences with a fake cheery voice, making your contempt for the exceptions that seemed to be more than the words that adhered to the rules obvious. then you kept on ranting while mingi grabbed his stuff, and while you left the café, and you first got done when you were already halfway to your place, glad that you got to let out some frustration.

“that sounds… hard”, he said, unsure of what else to say since he had no idea what exactly you were talking about. languages were your thing while maths was his, but you both still supported the incomprehensible monologues of the other whenever one of you got either really excited or really frustrated about their subject.

“if it were me, i would simply make the language follow the rules.” you laughed at that - he said exactly what you’d thought countless times before.

“mingi for language council president”, you joked and he looked at you with big, excited eyes.

“that’s a thing? would you vote me in?” now you had to laugh even more. he really didn’t know anything at all about your subject, but the excitement was adorable.

“sorry to disappoint, i don’t think that’d work. you can be the ceo of choosing the movie though, if that mends your broken heart even a little bit.” you were at your place now, and you could feel mingi vibrate with excitement next to you at the prospect of getting to choose the movie. he acted like a giant baby sometimes, but that only made you like him more. this was much better than someone who never got excited about anything.

you let both of you in, getting out your laptop and placing it on your desk chair next to the bed (you were a student, so you had neither a sofa nor a decent table, your desk being cluttered to a point where it was an act of mental gymnastics to even figure out it was a desk at all), joining the boy who’d already settled on your bed.

“what’s the choice?”, you asked, cursor hovering over the search bar.

“frozen.”

“of course.” you laughed but complied with his request, sitting back and leaning into his chest as the movie started playing. you loved movie nights with him - when you were spending time with him like this you were able to relax, and knowing he enjoyed it just as much only made it better. by now you’d seen several movies upwards of five times because they were your go-to choices, but it didn’t matter. it was less about the plot than it was about being close to him and enjoying each other’s presence even when you didn’t say much.

the night continued like this, your best friend choosing silly movies only and the both of you trying to one-up each other with bad jokes until you got tired and went to bed. this was how it usually went, and you wouldn’t want to miss this for anything in the world. going to bed together, waking up together, making early mornings a little easier to stand.

days went on like this, meeting mingi at work, spending evenings and nights together, and to you everything was as usual. you continued to not pay attention to your receipt when you ordered from your best friend, which resulted in him sending his coworker to you one day when you were again studying while waiting for him to get off. you looked up surprised when it wasn’t your personal delivery guy bringing you your drink, and were even more confused when you were handed a plastic cup instead of the regular porcelain one. then you noticed that there was something written on it with a sharpie.

if you’re reading this i’m in love with you.

you looked up at yeosang in shock - you barely even knew him! but he grinned at you and pointed at where mingi was unsuccessfully trying to hide behind the counter, making you realise just who had written the little note. you didn’t really know how to react - his shift wasn’t over yet and surrounded by customers wasn’t exactly the best situation for a serious conversation. but, once more to your surprise, the boy who’d delivered the cup to you went up to your best friend and told him to end early.

“it’s only like half an hour left anyway, i’ll deal.” you smiled at him with gratitude in your eyes as the tall boy slowly made his way towards you.

“do you want a reply right away or do you want to go home first?” from what you knew about him you knew his anxiety was probably eating him alive right now, but you also didn’t really want to talk about this in the middle of the street.

“let’s just go”, he replied, though he was still avoiding your gaze. you wanted to grab his hand, but you had to carry your stuff in one and the other was holding on to the cup with his confession; no way in hell were you going to throw that away. but then you realised he had his bag hanging over his shoulder, which left both his hands empty, made obvious by his nervous fiddling.

“can you carry my bag for me?”, you asked, and he immediately did. this gave you the chance to grab his hand and you smiled up at him as you gave it a reassuring squeeze. for the first time since you left he looked at you, and you could see the fear in his eyes. so you decided to hurry, not wanting him to have to deal with the anxiety by himself much longer.

you finally reached your place, and you didn’t even bother to take off your shoes when you got in before you asked him: “you confessed on a cup?” you tried to give him an appreciative smile, but to him it seemed more like a teasing one.

“well, i tried on your receipts, but you always threw them away without looking, so i just… didn’t know how else to.” he sounded so nervous, his deep voice trembling slightly, and you felt so bad.

“i didn’t know you’d written something there! i’m sorry”, you apologised, remorse apparent in your words, and this time it was his turn to smile at you reassuringly, though it wasn’t very convincing, his own anxiety making it hard for him to have any expression other than one of heart-crushing fear of your reaction.

“it’s fine. i could’ve just said something, too.”

you looked at the cup again, and you could see he’d tried his best to write prettily, which was why you hadn’t even recognised the handwriting as his at first. he’d really put in effort. and you were about to cry at how cute he was and how long he’d probably been trying to get your attention with his little notes and at all the cute confessions that were now in the trash and never to be seen again. but you stopped yourself before you got too sad at that thought, eyes focusing back on the message he’d left you.

“you mean this?”

“mm. i thought i should tell you.” his gaze was glued to the floor. “sorry i did it stupid like this though.”

you stared at him in shock. “take that back right now.”

“huh?” this wasn’t what he’d expected. he’d thought you’d turn him down or laugh at him or something, but not that you’d tell him to take it back.

“this is the sweetest thing ever and if you say it’s stupid one more time i’ll have to reconsider my feelings.”

this day was just full of surprises for him.

“your feelings?”

you smiled, holding the cup in front of his face with the message clearly readable to him. if you’re reading this i’m in love with you. and even though this technically confirmed that you reciprocated his feelings, he wanted to be sure.

“you mean it?” you nodded, looking him right in the eyes as you did so, hoping he could see that you were serious.

“pinky promise?” now you couldn’t help but laugh - this was such a mingi thing to do, making you pinky promise everything that held some importance to him. but it was another thing about him that made you fall in love with this idiot.

“pinky promise. silly.” the insult was more of a pet name, your voice almost as soft as your expression as you linked your pinky with his. after this he wrapped his arms around your waist, picking you up with a lot more energy than you’d expected him to have after having just worked a full shift. but here he was, all but jumping up and down with you in his arms, and as much as you liked it you had to stop him.

“mingi! the cup!” too late. the rest of your hot chocolate had been emptied over him, serving as a rather unconventional hair treatment. you were both laughing as he let you down and you dragged him to your bathroom, insisting on washing his hair right there.

“it’s gonna get sticky if i don’t” was the reason you gave him, but really you just felt soft and affectionate and happy and wanted to be emotional without him being able to look at you while you said sappy things. so you had him take off his shirt (which had received some of the chocolate treatment as well) and kneel down in front of the shower while you rinsed his hair with warm water.

“is this temperature fine?” you’d checked it on your hand, but you knew that the scalp was always a different story.

“it’s nice. this is nice.” even though you couldn’t see it you knew he was smiling, and you smiled as well.

“you were actually scared i didn’t like you?”

“mm.” you laughed in disbelief.

“you’re incredible. i all but moved in at the café just to see you!”

“mm.”

“i let you choose the movies even though i know you’re gonna choose frozen for the fourth time this week!”

“it’s a good movie!”, he defended himself. but you weren’t done.

“i’ve had you over so much i might as well have you join me in the rent contract, you’ve become more essential for a good night’s sleep than my blanket, i regularly steal your clothes, i-”

he interrupted you, laughing. he knew that if you weren’t washing his hair right now, you’d be using your fingers to count just how many things you thought had been dead giveaways.

“okay, i get it. but you didn’t realise either, so we’re even.”

“mm.” you turned off the water and yelled at him not to move when he tried to get out the shower before you’d put a towel on his head.

“now you can move.”

“how generous”, he teased you before sitting up, making sure his shoulders were dry enough to not drip on the floor either.

“if you can’t appreciate this i don’t think you deserve the honour of dating me.” this time it was your turn to tease him, but you hadn’t anticipated the reaction you got. he turned around so quick that he almost fell on his butt, staring at you wide-eyed.

“dating you?” he sounded so shocked that you weren’t sure if he liked the idea or hated it. so you decided to keep joking just so you wouldn’t embarrass yourself if he didn’t want to.

“i was thinking about it, but now i don’t think i want to”, you said, pretending to be sulky. but it seemed like he was still so in shock that he didn’t catch on to the fact that you were joking.

“o-of course i appreciate this, and you! and you. i’m-” you hadn’t expected him to actually take you seriously, so it took a moment to realise that he did, but as soon as you did you interrupted him.

“i’m joking! i’m joking”, and as if to convince him you smiled at him, the smile you usually gave him when he’d forgotten to bring something you’d asked him to and felt guilty. the ‘it’s okay, you didn’t do anything wrong, don’t worry’ smile.

“oh. so you’ll date me?”

“mm. but can you ask again? this isn’t very, like… romantic.” this time your smile was apologetic, but his was so bright you were sure that if you turned off the light right now you’d still be able to see perfectly.

he was still on the floor and made use of that as he shifted to be on one knee, looking up at you who was looking at him with a mix of shock, adoration and a held back laugh at his silliness on your face.

“y/n, will you be my girlfriend, wash my hair whenever someone spills their beverage on it, be there to remind me to not make a mess, and make me smile for as long as you can stand me?” mingi was being goofy to make it less awkward for the two of you, but you knew he meant it anyway, and even though you almost burst out laughing at his proposal your heart was beating faster than it should, your stomach feeling tingly and weird but in a good way.

“yes. now get up, you’ll get cold.” and with that you grabbed his hand, dragging him to your bed as you set up your laptop. it was time to watch frozen for the fifth time this week, but as you settled against your now-boyfriends warm chest and felt him kiss the top of your head with water dripping from his still wet hair onto your nose, you realised that you’d watch frozen every day for the rest of your life if that meant you’d get these situations for the rest of your life.

[reinahwanggg]

SuperDad 》 Kim Taehyung

♡pairing: taehyung x oc ♡

♡word count: 1,962 words ♡

♡warnings: it's honestly too cute, taehee is a sweetheart, this isn't a warning but just an adherence to everyone the OC is a person of color, i'll probably make a part two to go about all the details of how taehyung and taehee handled the 48 hours without alyssa, OH and taehee cried seeing his mom leave, just about it. mentions of taehyung not being around as much as he wants to. mentions of what seems to be separation anxiety. ♡

♡genre: established relationship, dad au, idol!tae, fluff, taehee is a cutie you just wanna keep, Inspiration from the return of superman ♡

♡summary: taehyung's back from tour and ready to spend the next two days, with his son, taehee. without his mother there, of course because it's show protocol. ♡

♡a/n: i got inspired by the many dad aus i see and read, like omg they are honestly so cute. also got inspired by reading a fic/ one-shot of jaehyun being on the return of superman with his wife and child and that was the C U T E S T. hope you guys enjoy, also, i added gifs as dividers because i did this on my phone and this is kinda long. credits to all the owners of each gif used ♡

the camera pans in on a sort of empty living room, a wolf gray sofa sat in front of the equivalently colored wall, a small black squared table is there beside it, and along it is a picture that is covered by a cute emoticon.

littered around the vast space are various cream colored tents, with camera lenses peaking out, various fingers and hands holding them. the camera then passes over to the television, sat on a small drawer, that has glass doors, littered with many DVDs and vinyls, and the seemingly 75" television is off, unsurprisingly.

it then shows the kitchen, monochromatic colors is the aesthetic it seems, as a modern black gas stove is there, with the gray smart refrigerator alongside the counter that separates the two appliances. there is a four slot toaster and a kettle on the aforementioned counter, and a little magnetic knife strips which held all the knives, tongs and spatulas that are often used. the cabinets are a brilliant pearl color, various cute stickers decorate it, some looking old and torn and others looked like they just came out the pack.

it then shows the lounge room and a bedroom respectively, before a dark room comes into view. the emcees had already asked if there was a new superman for the show, and wondered who the new family was. they adored the little height chart on the door casing, and the little furniture and things here and there. they even tried to figure out what the shelf of things were, since it was covered with another cute emoticon.

•~•

back in the room, a little head peaks up at the sound of the doorbell ringing, looking left and right, probably trying to figure out what century it was. then the phone rang and the little human grabs the cellular device in their hands, knuckle sliding it over, and it amazes the emcees.

in the cutest voice the little human could muster, they answer the phone.

"good morning, hello?" the little guy answers in english, and the emcees are practically digging all of this up.

the voice then answers, but the words is silenced. it then shows as the hair of the tiny human bounces, the phone is dropped, footfalls are quiet, yet swift, and the door to the room opens. the tiny human can be slightly seen, and they run out, before running back to close the door.

various camera angles appear, for how fast the little one is running past everything, and the human passes the living room area, taking a left, and then a right and stands in front of the door, then he moves to the little crate beside it and sits patiently. after a few seconds, it opens, and a tall man enters the apartment with a few suitcases and a duffle bag, another cute emoticon doing it's job as it hides the man's face.

the human is practically bouncing on the crate at this point, his round, yet sharp eyes creasing up, his tiny white teeth on display as his arms frail around. the man rests down his luggage, before pretending he can't see the smaller male, and looks around for said human being.

"dad!" the small boy shouts, and the emoticon is finally off of the male's face as he smiles, the signature boxy grin his fans has come to love is on display as he picks up the little rascal, and whisper shouts a little "taehee!" just as enthusiastically as the child had to his father.

the emcees are shocked, like genuinely, you could hear it in the way they go "waaaaaa. it's bts' v!" and it switches again, showing the superstar, alongside his glowing son, and a pregnant lady beside him.

the lady is a mixture of slim and thick, her thighs all packed and gracious as it presses on the seat and shows beneath the fabric of her dress. said dress is long, with a flowy skirt and a sort of baggy top, black as the base with various flowers, colored rose pink and sky blue, along the skirt, past the waist, and some on the top. the belly she sports is a big one, and she look like she was ready to pop in no time. her hair was dark brown and kinky, with golden brown tips as the curl pattern shows perfectly, resting on her back. her light brown eyes get lost behind her lids as she smiles, her nose is scrunched up, smile lines along the eyes and her lips is outstretched, the craters in her face deepens, the dimples popping out perfectly, and the little boy shows his own.

her caramel skin glows, just like her aura is, and the boy glows equally with his honey toned skin as well, as he sits on his father's lap, both of them rubbing her stomach.

"hello everyone, i'm Kim Taehyung, aka V from BTS and this is my family."

Q: How old is your kid?

"He's two and a half years old, but if we're gonna get technical, he's 30 months."

Q: How long have you two been married?

"Four years. We've been together for five, and got married a year into the relationship because i couldn't resist her in the slightest."

"Lol, likewise."

"I told you stop saying LoL out loud lyssa. it's outdated by now."

"iT's oUtDaTeD bY nOw. i do what i want tae."

the questions and the bantering went on for another minute and a half, taehee getting in on it to, and him and his mother verbally gangs on taehyung, causing him to pout.

"we were actually kind of hesitant to be on the show. for many reasons, obviously, but mainly because we weren't sure if we wanted taehee, taesung and taeri in the public eye as yet. or at all. i wanted to show them on my own time, wanted to wait until they were old enough to understand this world to decide whether or not they wanted to be known as our children. after a while, and with the help of my hyungs, jiminie and kookie, we decided to take part in it anyways. we hope you guys take care of us."

Q: Woah, you guys are having twins?

"Haha, yes. we found out during the gender reveal that the doctor forgot to tell us we were having two babies. good thing we planned to always buy double the clothes and necessities for whenever i get pregnant. i say that because this little beast is unpredictable."

•~•

the video then switches back to the house, with taehee and taehyung sitting on the couch, the television on, with them watching a show, taehee swaying from side to side with the music, taehyung singing along quietly, and they watch the show until lyssa exits from the room and pecks both of their foreheads, before going straight to the jù,kitchen.

she tells alexa to play an older song by her husband's group, and the intro plays as soon as the show finishes, taehee immediately running into the kitchen to help and sing along to the song. meanwhile, taehyung is in the living room, his phone in front of his face as he smiles softly, both him and the person he's seemingly on the call with is silent as they listen to the two on their seemingly daily routine.

"you want to help make the pancakes dylan?" lyssa asks in english to her son, and he peeps an excited 'yes mama' over the voice of hoseok and his rap for hold me tight.

she smiles at him, and they make the pancakes from scratch, him calling out the ingredients in english, and she helps him in pronounciation and correcting his mistakes with a chuckle and a smile. while the pancakes are frying, she kindly asks taehyung to go to the store at the end of the corner to get some hershey's cookie n creme chocolate bars and a jar of dill pickles for her cravings.

she makes sure they all eat, before getting ready and going to head out for the allocated forty eight hours set. taehee follows her like a little duckling as she slightly waddles through the living room, with a purse on her shoulder, and she shoves the car keys in the bag, before turning around and ruffling his hair.

"be a good boy for mama, okay? you get to spend two whole days with papa and your uncles! isn't that fun?" taehee does seem happy, but you can tell, deep behind his nod, he is secretly praying that alyssa doesn't go. that she stays with both of them for the two days, just like old times, but she had let him watch the show, and he knows that's not the case. when she turns to leave, taehee grabs the hem of her dress, and she turns around, meeting his sharp cognac eyes, and it looks like he was trying his best not to cry.

"oh, dee, c'mere," she starts, lifting him up in her arms as the tears finally fall. she knew her taehee as a strong boy, but there are times where he can't help, but cry. dad was always to the company or on tour for as long as taehee knew him, so he built a special relationship with his mom. he knew he promised her to be strong, and to be a big boy, for when she was going to leave, but he hopes, that two days doesn't turn into a long time, like dad sometimes does.

"now what did we discuss dee?"

"th-that i w-was gonna be a b-big boy. th-that i w-was gonna stay w-with dad un-until mama g-gets back."

"right, we did agree to that, but you look like you wanna come with me. do you want to come with me, or are you gonna make me proud and spend time with papa? he misses you, you know. every day, he calls, sometimes when you're asleep and he always tells me how he can't wait to come home and have you by his side. do you wanna let papa down? let mama down? let your uncles down? or are we gonna be a big boy and be on our best behavior to make mama, papa and uncles proud?"

"i'm gonna be a big boy. i'll stay with dad and we'll have so much f-fun mama, you'll want to come back."

"i'm sure of it dee. now, papa is in the room waiting for snuggles. you know how to work the phone, so call me whenever. okay?"

"okay mama. i love you lots!"

"i love you more than lots!"

"i love you more than your lots! have fun mama, but not too much fun or i'll be mad at you."

alyssa gasps, pouting a bit, before smiling once taehee plants a big fat kiss on her cheek and smush them together like she does to him. they smile at each other, before she rests him down, and she waves at him until she is nowhere to be seen, exiting the door and off to go about her day. taehee rushes inside the room, knocking on the door, before opening it in at the sound of 'come in' and smiles at his dad, running and climbing up the bed to lay beside his dad as he talks to uncle jin.

"oh, it's little tae! how's it going buddy?" jin asks, from the other side of the phone, and taehee smiles, the dimples making another appearance, before answering his uncle. taehyung looks at his son, eyes glimmering with pure love, as he thinks that he can finally spend time with his son.

[narcissasdaffodil]

16 for marilecto

Thank you so much for the request! I’ve turned into a little bit of a fluff ball now, this took 2 days to write. I thought it would be 200-300 words, but 955 words later, proves I don’t know how to accurately measure how big something will get, whoops x Also see if you can spot the two references in here, well technically 3!

“Long live the walls we crashed through, I had the time of my life with you.”

On the first real day they had together, they spent most of the time indoors, watching stuff on TV and films.

Alecto was still a little wowed by the idea that they had become a ‘we’ now. That she was sharing her life with someone she cared for deeply. Not having to find another flatmate was a plus side of this whole situation, she couldn’t ignore that side.

She absentmindedly strokes Marisol’s hair and gently kisses her forehead. They were both curled up on the sofa, Marisol’s head in her lap. Part way through the film, Marisol had drifted off and tipped sideways into Alecto’s lap. Alecto had adjusted their positions slightly, but could feel her leg going dead. The TV had turned itself off hours ago and she just sat there enjoying the peace and quiet.

Sadie jumped up on the sofa next to her and curled up, nestling next to Alecto.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before was one of those films Alecto watched regularly, she had seen it so many times and wanted to show Marisol something she cared about.

Marisol’s eyes opened in her lap and she shifted slightly. She sat up and shifted into a more comfortable position. She yawned and rested her head on Alecto’s shoulder.

“Did I completely miss the film? I had a lot of jet lag to sleep off, but I don’t mind if we watch it again. It feels so nice to just relax, and not be stuck in the pressure cooker that is the Villa. I still can’t believe we won, not because of you or anything. But because I’ve always had a little bit of doubt about finding my forever person, the one I love. Sorry, I’m rambling a bit.” Her cheeks flushed red in her ramble.

“Any excuse to rewatch TATBILB is fine by me, don’t worry. It does feel like a dream, a happy one. I keep pinching myself hard to check this is real, and it very much is real. I’m just relieved I won’t need to find another flatmate, that joy did await me soon. That is...if you’re serious about moving in with me, I’m fine to go at your pace. So if we need to slow it down, just let me know. I won’t be put off in the slightest. I know you prefer a slower pace for relationships.” Alecto gently stroked Marisol’s hair and felt Sadie jump up onto her lap. “Uh oh. I really need a snack, so would you mind grabbing something? Please...Pleasee.”

Alecto could feel her voice turning slightly whiny. Marisol moved her head from Alecto’s shoulder and watched her quizzically.

“Since you have Sadie on your lap, and had me fall asleep on you earlier...fine. You don’t need to try and act cute to get me to do stuff though.” As she stands, Marisol pretends to be annoyed, folding her arms as she goes to retrieve some food. Her warm eyes gave her away when she returned, and the smile on her face. She handed Alecto a plate with a bagel and kept one for herself.

“You’re not really annoyed, right? And thanks for the plate too. I hate crumbs.”

Marisol laughed and nudged Alecto playfully in response.

“I’ve noticed. You did give Lottie hell once for eating a sandwich without a plate, which was really funny. You scared Bobby enough he was hiding behind the counter.” Hiding behind the counter? Wow, that’s a little funny.

Alecto focused on her bagel and nodded. She takes a dainty bite and sets it back on the plate. “I do scare people pretty frequently like that. Maybe as I’m seen as the quiet type so when I flip, it shocks people. Which is interesting for people who aren’t on the receiving end, likely. I don’t see the point of flipping out often, I’m pretty patient.”

“Lottie did seem to majorly have it out for you, though. You hadn’t even done anything to have that response. Apart from kissing her, which was hardly as big a deal as she believed. Like come on. You probably don’t want to talk about the Villa though…” Marisol fell silent and trailed off. She stared into space and focused on her food.

“Hey, I don’t mind that too much. It’s definitely pretty recent in people’s minds, and felt like way longer than it probably was. If I minded, I would’ve said something anyway. Trust me. You shouldn’t hold yourself back, I’m a honest person so do say if stuff is bothering me.” Alecto placed a hand on Marisol’s shoulder and momentarily forgot her food. She set her plate down on the side table and focused her attention on Marisol.

“You’re right. I guess I’m still having to unlearn the whole mindset where I’m automatically annoying to people. That’s a leftover from school, and it does extend to uni. As apart from you, and Hope and Bobby, I’m pretty alone in general. I shut myself away from others far too easily, you���ve likely noticed.” Marisol bit her lip, deep in thought.

“That’s relatable. For a while, I felt the same, but found my people. You need to just be patient and keep trying. You’ll find people eventually, I promise.”

“Something I’ve noticed recently is this: I watch the light move during the day. And you know what happens at 5:30? You turn gold. Well, your eyes change colour in the sunshine, they turn amber which is just as pretty. It does mesmerise me slightly.” Marisol looked up at Alecto, and found herself captured by the very eyes she had referenced before.

[bouwrites]

Even Heroes Have the Right to Dream: Chapter 8

Tonight I swear I’d sell my soul to be a hero for you.

First, Previous, Next. Ao3.

Story under read-more.

“Marinette?” Jon calls blindly into the apartment as he examines the note in his hands.

“What?” Marinette appears from the hallway. “What’s up?”

“Can you, like, convert this for me?”

Marinette furrows her brow. When Jon hands her the paper and she catches sight of what’s on it, she sighs heavily and rolls her eyes. “I don’t know American measurements. Just use what it says, you baby.” She says. Jon takes a step forward when she taps his shoulder so that she can squeeze past him and approach one of the cabinets. From which she pulls out a scale. Oh. I didn’t know we had that. Right behind the scale is some spoons from a drawer. “The butter is measured on the packaging. These measure mililiters. Everything else, use this like a normal person.”

“The butter is measured by tablespoons, not- oh, wait, no, I see it now.” Jon frowns at the stick of butter in his hands. “This is so much math.”

Marinette snorts and rolls her eyes again. “Americans. What are you making a cake for, anyway?”

“You remember Tamias?”

“From your speech class?”

“Yeah! His birthday’s coming up. David is freaking out over it, so we’re all pitching in to throw him a party.”

“David?”

“Hernandez? We worked together on a few projects. Massive crush on Tamias. Like, he’s adorable.”

“Oh, the one that got us into that debate about Harry Potter for like three hours.”

Jon snickers. “Yeah, that’s him.”

Jon can feel Marinette’s eyes on him as he gathers everything he needs to make the cake. He would think that having a baker’s daughter watching him bake would be reassuring, but to be perfectly honest? It’s not. It’s kind of terrifying. “Do you know what you’re doing?” Marinette asks.

“I’ve made cake before, Marinette.” Jon rolls his eyes. “And I cook for us half the time. Do you really have so little faith in me?”

Marinette just fixes him with a flat look and asks, “Do you want me to help?”

Jon maintains that he can do it on his own. Still, he wants the cake to be as good as it can be, and Marinette can be considered somewhat of an expert on the subject. And David wants everything to be perfect so he will get on Jon’s case if he finds out a baker’s daughter offered to help and he turned it down. So, Jon sets down the recipe and quietly says, “Yes, please.”

Marinette giggles. It’s an angelic sound Jon really should appreciate more. “Okay, move over.” She quickly grabs one of the bowls and starts throwing ingredients in without measuring a thing. “And for the record, you can do it alone. It’s just going to be better if I help.”

Jon opens his mouth to protest but ends up just groaning. “Yeah, that’s fair. Thanks, Marinette.”

“No problem. I need a distraction, anyway.”

“Oh, really?” Jon asks, picking up the bowl of sugar and butter to cream it together while Marinette flits around him to grab something he missed. They don’t have a stand mixer, mostly because they hardly have space for their coffee maker if they still want to use the countertops, but his muscles are good for something. “Studying?”

Marinette pauses. “Something like that.” She says. “So, when’s this party?”

Jon frowns at her behavior but, ultimately, if she doesn’t want to share, she doesn’t need to. She’ll tell him if it’s any of his business. “Saturday. You want to come? No one would mind.”

Marinette hums for a moment. “No, thank you. I’m just going to get a head start on studying for finals.”

He shrugs. “Probably a good idea. We’ve got real dumb shenanigans planned to set up David and Tamias and you are probably smart for not being there, honestly.”

“Oh, god.” Marinette mutters. “Alya used to pull some of the most convoluted plans to set me up with Adrien before we got together. I don’t even want to imagine what a boy’s version of that is.”

Jon can’t help laughing at the disgusted look on her face. “When David’s involved?” He says. “You really don’t.”

Predictably, David ends up setting the curtains on fire. It’s not his fault, of course, but it happens anyway. Their other friend, Mason (the most reasonable one, including Jon), gets $20 from each of them, though it’s Jon who actually puts the fire out. With a small fire extinguisher that Mason brings. Because he totally calls it.

Truth be told, Jon isn’t exactly close with anyone there. He meets most of them through projects or each other and sort of falls into this group by accident. He spends much more time with Marinette than with other NYU students. Partly because, now, anyway, he doesn’t have to hide around her. He doesn’t have to worry about small feats that normal people aren’t able to do. Too casually moving furniture, or forgetting to put on an oven mitt and not burning himself. And partly because when David does anything outside of his field of expertise, something ends up on fire or otherwise destroyed.

Actually, now that he thinks about it, it’s usually because of his area of expertise.

Today’s explanation boils down to “mood lighting.” Jesse is their lookout while David insists everyone light candles to “set the mood” so he can pull Tamias into the room later and ask him out. Luckily, they don’t get very far. Unfortunately, the reason they don’t get far is because David “I can make a chandelier in five minutes” Hernandez thinks duct tape, a prayer, and a bunch of random things he finds in his bedroom can make a cute chandelier.

It’s more about if he can than if he should. Jon gives Mason the twenty bucks while David is taping his creation to the ceiling fan. In hindsight, he should not have had faith that David would pull off the night without injuring something.

Anyway, the chandelier, surprisingly, works. The problem comes when he puts candles up there and takes a look at it and says, “This was a really dumb waste of time, wasn’t it?” And, to be fair, it is hideous, all wire and tape, so it’s not exactly the mood-setter he hopes for. David reaches up to take it down again, and that’s when everything goes wrong. He slips, lit candles fly everywhere, there’s wax on the floor, a curtain is catching fire, and Jon is already pulling out the fire extinguisher.

On the bright side, Tamias comes in, sees David wincing and holding his head, and rushes to his side to fuss over him. Mason ushers everyone else out of the room, leaving David with Tamias and a wink.

While they wait for the lovebirds to come back out, they make an obstacle course for David’s cat. And David. There’s a lot of tape involved. Jon mostly watches, since he feels weird setting up all this in David’s home, but the others are a lot closer to him and they don’t hesitate a moment. Apparently, this is normal.

Note to self, Jon thinks, never let them in your apartment.

“Beer?”

Jon shakes his head. He has drunk before, but he can’t get drunk unless his powers are inhibited somehow, and alcohol tastes terrible, so he doesn’t see the point. It’s not a bad thing. He actually counts it as a blessing because if he could get drunk, he would be ardently against it. He does not want to see anyone with his kind of powers inebriated. That’s just asking for trouble.

Not to mention he’s technically still underaged. Marinette’s old enough, though, this year, as is Mason. No one thinks much about it when everyone’s in college together.

“You figure out your major yet?” Mason asks, making himself comfortable on the couch next to him.

“Nope.” Jon answers.

“Seriously? We pick classes like next week, dude. You going another semester undeclared?”

“Might have to.”

Jesse leans over the back of the sofa to say, “You were on that whole moral ideals thing a while ago. Why not study ethics or something?”

Jon has considered studying ethics, but that has always been just a joke. He can’t imagine himself having fun in ethics. “Because I know an ethics major.” Jon says with a snort.

“Ha! True. You could do, like… geology. Or archeology. I don’t know why; I see you digging.”

“That’s because I grew up on a farm.”

“Oh, right.” Jesse whispers. “Was that racist?”

Jon looks at Jesse for a moment. “…No. It’s not a bad idea, though.” He takes a moment to ponder those options. He would do well in archeology. Finding old things from past civilizations, learning about what they were for and the people that used them… it’s a good idea.

Ethics is too subjective. There are no real answers, so every argument will always end up circling around itself until everyone is infuriated. Especially Jon. Especially with him having been a hero. And maybe he really just doesn’t want to be told that he has to be a hero to be a good person. He’s starting to believe he doesn’t, just a little, thanks to the Girod, and he’s not risking diving into ethics and having that crisis again.

That said, one of Jon’s leading options has always been studying people. Politics or sociology or something in that vein. Archeology, or maybe broader, anthropology, might be exactly what he’s looking for. To study cultures and civilization, to learn about the dominant race on Earth in a way he’ll never understand Kryptonians. It’s a little exciting, when he thinks about it. And it’s funny – the alien studying humans. Jon will get a giggle out of that for a long time. “I could do anthropology.”

Mason hums. “I can see that for you. Cultural anthropology sounds like your jam, to be honest.”

Jon laughs somewhat awkwardly. It’s true, but he honestly didn’t think Mason knows him well enough to tell. Maybe he’s just that transparent. He can buy that. Despite how much he hides about his identity and abilities, he’s not exactly an enigma. He’s certainly no Damian. “You think?”

“Worth looking into.” Mason shrugs. “You’re running out of time, dude.”

“Yeah, good point.” Jon makes a face. “I’ll have to look into it.”

David and Tamias stumble out of Mason and Jesse’s makeshift hallway obstacle course, the former glaring and the latter giggling awkwardly. Everyone watches David expectantly, but they get a curt shake of his head and it’s all they can do to stop themselves from groaning. Maybe next time. At least Tamias is having fun.

The more Jon looks into it, the more appealing the option is. Or maybe it’s just because he needs to sign up for classes and any direction is a godsend.

He likes the idea of anthropology. It’s a grab bag of history, culture, human behavior, even biology if he wants to go in that direction, and to a lesser extent all the myriad specializations that go into the entirety of human history, which is basically all of them. Maybe he can even learn a bit about fashion history and surprise Marinette. Extant garments from history count under the sphere of anthropology, Jon thinks, so it isn’t impossible.

Actually, that’d be pretty interesting. If Marinette has taught me anything about clothes, it’s that they can tell you a lot about the people who wear them. I wonder how much we can learn about a culture just from its clothes.

And I wonder if anything I learn studying this could be applied to Krypton, too. That would be interesting.

Jon talks to Marinette about it, and then Damian, and then his parents, and every one of them is supportive of this direction for him. Granted, all of them boil down to, “If that’s what you want to do,” but still. Aunt Kara gets a big laugh at the idea, and then gets really excited about it, and Jon can’t help but wonder if she’s just supporting him in that odd, exuberant way she does (the way that he’s half-sure she’s only like with him, because she knows it’s a surefire way to make him smile – she’s done that since he was little) or if she gets the idea that he might use the techniques and methods he learns studying humans and turn his gaze back to Krypton. Maybe they can recover even a little of that lost culture that even Aunt Kara can’t hold onto.

Jon’s not against the idea, he just doesn’t want her to get her hopes up. As neat as it would be, Jon still doesn’t know how he would even start, much less whether he wants to. It’s just… an academic interest. Because he’s one of very few people with that option available to him. A path mapped by curiosity, not passion. Maybe that will change if Jon starts down it, but only God knows the future.

But once he talks to the ones he’s closest to, he talks to the boys again, mostly for reassurance, and then he talks to his advisor and all of a sudden things start happening a little too quickly

All at once he’s signing up for classes and running around to turn in forms to their proper places all without time to really think about what he’s doing. Fair enough, he supposes, once he has time to breathe again. He’s been thinking it over for a year and a half, basically. It’s about time something is actually done.

With everything over and done with, Jon sits on the sofa in his living room, leans back to stare at the ceiling, and smiles. He’s not certain he’s making the right choice, he’s not sure that this is definitely, one hundred percent the thing he wants to spend his time doing, but he’s finally taken that first step in a direction. Finally, the crossroads ahead of him has become a path, and even if it’s not the best path for him, it’s still a direction. That’s a lot less scary.

It’s not like he’s locked in place, anyway. He might be a bit locked into his major soon, if how quickly his first year (and this semester) goes by says anything about his college experience, but even then, that doesn’t dictate his career. He still has a lot of options; they’re just not swarming all around him. And it’s such a relief.

He sighs there on the couch and feels lighter than he has in a long time. He has focus, direction, something to work towards beyond some vague ideal of normalcy. He’s finding in his attempt to decipher the Girod some Frankenstein of an ethics system that doesn’t necessitate heroism for its own sake, even if deep in his heart he knows he’s crafting it himself and at least to an extent is working backwards from his conclusion, the one that he needs, that he’s not a bad person. (He’s not sure that’s a bad thing, though.) He’s actually excited about the future! For the sheer number of times he’s thought there might not be one, that’s quite an achievement.

And he can’t do this without Marinette. Through all of his floundering, his philosophical musings, his hesitation, his fear and doubt, she’s always right there. Something close enough to normal to matter. A rock that he can float back down to. She’s his tree on the farm, that sits quietly with him as he watches the stars, that holds him up when he’s scared of falling.

It’s been a long time since Jon has just sat down and felt content. When Marinette joins him and they watch a show on the television, Jon can’t help but think how lovely it would be for this to be his normal. If this feeling, this moment, could last forever, Jon would be happy.

Jon gets an unexpected text from Damian during winter break. It’s odd partly because Damian is the kind of person who calls more often than not, partly because Damian is the kind of person who will show up outside Jon’s window in every other situation, and partly because, to Jon’s knowledge, there’s no cause for Damian to contact him at all.

They’re friends, of course, but it would be a massive lie to say they’re the kind of friends who hit each other up just to talk. Neither of them are really that kind of person. Frankly, Jon is a little surprised that they’re still friends now that he isn’t a hero. Sad as it is, he half-expects them to drift apart quickly without them working together all the time.

But however much a text from Damian throws him off, the content is what takes his legs out from under him. It’s a link to a news article, with no additional context. The article is originally in French, but apparently the batcave translated it already so what Damian sends him is helpfully readable.

And Jon feels a little like something is grabbing his heart. Too-cold hands wrapped around it, constricting it, trying their best to mute its beating.

“Mayura Strikes Again,” the headline reads, “Ladybug Returns.”

Ladybug returns. The words echo in his head easily, finding nothing else to disrupt them. His mind is empty except for that one thought. That, and the sickening feeling he has in his gut. “Marinette…”

He scrolls through the article, dread and horror looming over him, drooling on him, sliding down his spine to send shivers all through him. There are pictures. Mayura, Chat Noir, a couple heroes Jon only knows tangentially – they were around before but stopped fairly early on, Marinette tells him their identities were outed – Queen Bee and Viperion, and there in all her glory, Ladybug. Marinette.

She’s older than the last picture of her. Her hair is longer, though Jon knows she’s thinking of cutting it short. She’s wearier, more tired, strangely enough, despite being out of the fight for over a year. Jon thinks it’s what Damian says is going on with him. He’s safe, so he can process everything. It’s hard, and Jon knows Marinette struggles with it too, but that’s why he can’t… He can’t fathom why she’d do this.

No. He can. He knows better than anyone why. There is no other choice but to fight, or so she thinks. Mayura got her Miraculous back somehow, so the battle, Marinette’s old battle, the one she became Ladybug in the first place to fight, is back on. She’s obligated to fight. To finish her duty. It’s her responsibility, and Marinette is, without a doubt, a responsible person. Jon understands, he just… feels betrayed.

It’s stupid to feel this way. She can do whatever she likes. If she wants to become a hero again, or even if she just feels like there’s no other option, then she can. But Jon thought they were in this life, this choice to leave heroism behind them, together. He thought they were working on this as a team, and he can’t help but feel a little like Marinette has guided him onto the field, handed him the football, and left him to face a whole team of linemen on his own.

Not to mention, as much as he hurts for himself, he hurts for her, too. He knows – he might be the only one who knows – how hard it must be for her to decide to fight again. He wonders what pushes her to this point, if Mayura is really so extreme on her own, and he pities her. Jon has been called back to duty more than a few times since he retired, and not just by Damian. He’s always refused. He always tells them that he can’t help them. Marinette is called back, and she answers. Jon doesn’t know if that’s brave or stupid, but either way he knows how she feels, and because he does, he can’t be angry at her. He feels betrayed, confused, and alone, but not angry. All he feels for her is pity. That she is put in an impossible position. He wishes her the best.

And then he turns his attention back to himself. He wonders what might cause him to don the cape again, and he fights the urge to retch. How can she do this? How can she be strong enough to do this? Jon isn’t. He doesn’t think he is, anyway. Just watching her, watching his normal soar over rooftops and beat down the bad guy, is enough to freeze Jon completely. It’s hard to breathe, to think, impossible to move. The very idea of doing that himself is… ridiculous.

Above everything else, though? Above it all, Jon is disappointed. And scared. Is this how his own retirement will end? Will he soon enough face that one call to action that he just can’t refuse? Is he wrong to resist it? Is he truly a coward, selfish, despicable for trying so hard to avoid it? Would refusing that irrefusable call to action be those things?

Jon tries to remember the Girod. Peace, his devotion to non-violence. Imagination, cleverness in finding the non-violent path even when it isn’t obvious. Hope, maintenance in his belief that things can and will be better. Restraint, to never take things too far when they can be resolved more gently. Purity, his ideals cannot be compromised no matter the situation. Justice… Must Justice be sacrificed for the rest of the virtues? Is it simply not possible to uphold them all?

Where is Justice if Mayura creates these monsters and Ladybug does not fight them? Where is justice if someone on the streets of New York cries out for help, and no one comes? Justice is the most difficult of the virtues for Jon to reconcile, and right now… he doesn’t know what to think.

He hates this. He hates everything about this. He hates the look on Ladybug’s face in the video and pictures, hates how disgusted she looks, hates that he’s one of few people who will understand that the look isn’t for the monster, but for herself. He hates that she’s in Paris fighting a battle she wants no part in while he’s on a farm in Hamilton County waiting for the stars to shine. He hates that there’s nothing he can do to help her, to save her from this impossible position she’s in. He hates that that desire itself is a little too close to heroism, and he especially hates the unreasonable panic and nausea that overcomes him.

How awful this entire situation is. How unfair and terrible the fates are to them both. But above all else, Will Marinette be okay?

The situation with Mayura escalates and resolves quickly. Marinette comes back to New York later than she usually does, but still before classes start. If Jon doesn’t know any better, he’d think she’s just more lax because they’re getting used to how college works.

All through break he agonizes over whether to reach out to her. To offer to contact the Justice League for her (pointless, since it’s Damian who tells him about the situation in the first place), to offer anything he can do to help, but every time he touches his phone he feels paralyzed. He doesn’t know what to say, how to approach this, or, really, anything at all.

He ends up not speaking to her much over the break. She doesn’t call him, either, but he supposes she has bigger things to focus on.

But he refuses to let this be a repeat of last year. He will not let this turn them into strangers in their own home again. He won’t allow this to be what breaks them apart. Jon is still friends with Damian. He still has other hero friends. If Marinette has to be a hero, then fine. Jon won’t let this stop them from being friends. Maybe they can’t be everything they thought, maybe things are different and uncertain and scary, but they can be friends at least.

So, when Marinette finally arrives in New York, Jon sits at their little table and waits. It feels almost like he’s preparing for an intervention, and he’s awkward and uncomfortable in that little wooden chair despite the cushion Marinette made for it.

Marinette walks into the living room, sees him, and shrinks in the hallway. “I take it you saw the news.” She says softly.

“I did.” Jon confirms. “Sorry to spring this on you, but you know we have to talk about it.”

Marinette flinches, but nods. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t… they needed me. I didn’t have a choice.”

“You always have a choice, Marinette.” Jon thinks his voice sounds tired, almost dead, but for the way she recoils he’d think he’s vicious. It sends a little pang through him and he closes his eyes so he doesn’t have to watch. “I’m not angry. I’m just… sad.”

“…That’s worse.” Her voice is barely a whisper, but he hears it.

“Look.” He says. “I’m not letting this be last year all over again. I can’t handle that, I don’t think you can handle that, and neither of our grades can handle that either. So, don’t close off from me, okay? I’m not- I’m not angry. I’m not- I’m feeling a lot of things, but nothing at you. If that makes any sense. I just- I want to know. It’s fine if you’re going to keep being a hero. I promise. I’m still friends with all my old hero partners – I don’t have a problem being friends with a hero. Just don’t lie to me, Marinette.” He hears her suck in a hissing breath. “Are you serious about giving it up or not? Because I thought we were in this together, and… And now everything’s different, and I can’t keep doing this, either. If I’m doing this alone, I need to know. It’s fine if I am. That was the original plan, anyway. So, tell me the truth.”

Marinette doesn’t say anything for a too-long moment. Jon opens his eyes to peek at her when he hears the other chair pull out from the table. Marinette sits properly, folding her hands in her lap, and stares at the table between them. “I don’t want to be a hero. I promise, I was honest. I never wanted to fight again. I honestly thought I wouldn’t have to.”

“But you did.”

“I did. I’m sorry. I didn’t see any other option.”

Jon takes a deep breath. “Marinette… the life that I want, it’s non-violent. I’m trying my best to be as pacifist as I can. You inspired that decision. You told me that violence is violence no matter what it’s for. That heroes who fight can’t truly say they stand for peace. I know you’re not me, and I know your… values and ideals are different than mine, but… in the life that you want, is peace something you value?”

“Of course, it is.”

“Then why would you sacrifice that?” Jon sighs, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, I- I’m just confused.”

“No. You’re right.” Marinette sniffs a little, and she’s all tension as she glares at the table. “I was… I felt trapped. Like I had no other option. But I did, and there’s no excuse for fighting. If I’d just looked closer, I could have found a way. I should have.”

“You said before that part of the reason you quit being a hero is because you felt trapped.” Jon says. “I think this might be why. At least partly.”

Marinette ducks her head, grimacing. “You’re probably right. But… I have to be honest with you. I am the guardian of the Miraculous. I don’t want to be, but I am. I left the Miracle Box with Chat Noir when I came here, and because I abandoned my responsibilities, nearly all of the Miraculous were stolen, and Paris had to deal with Mayura again.”

“Do you really blame yourself for that?”

“I do.” Marinette says firmly. “It’s my responsibility to look after the Miraculous, and they got stolen because I abandoned them.”

Jon can see how she comes to that conclusion. He doesn’t exactly agree, but her logic isn’t faulty. “So?”

“So, I can’t neglect my duties anymore. If I’m the guardian, I have to act like it. Otherwise, we’ll end up with another tragedy.”

Jon nods slowly. “So, you’re going to keep being Ladybug.” Marinette curls her lip and nods. “And you’re okay with that?”

“…No.”

Jon takes a deep breath. “Marinette… I don’t know what the right thing to do is. I don’t. But I want to see you happy. I don’t want you sacrificing yourself for ‘duty’ or whatever you’re obligated to do. That’s what heroes do, and being heroes has…” He chuckles helplessly. “Well, we left that behind for a reason.”

Marinette furrows her brow, worries her lip, and then sighs slowly. “You’re right. You asked me if I’m serious about giving up Ladybug. Adrien made me promise to be happy.” She takes another deep breath, preparing herself. A single tear escapes her, alarming Jon as it rolls quickly down her cheek. “This is my answer, then. I, Marinette Dupain-Cheng…”

Tikki appears out of nowhere, screeching her protest. “Marinette, don’t!”

“…hereby relinquish the Miracle Box and nam-”

The moment she starts glowing, and Tikki turns a deadly glare to him, it clicks in Jon’s brain what exactly Marinette is doing. He throws the table aside, accidentally tossing it quite a bit further than he intends, and dives to slap his hand over Marinette’s mouth. “Don’t you dare!” Jon growls.

Marinette, stunned speechless and no longer glowing now that her… ceremony, or whatever, is interrupted, levels a glare at him. She pushes him off of her and snaps, “Why not? I’ll never be happy so long as this stupid guardianship has me trapped in this life. No matter what I do, it’ll always be my job to clean up Miraculous messes, whether I want to or not. The only way to live the life that I want is to pass it on and forget it all.”

“But you’re the best Ladybug ever, Marinette!” Tikki protests. “You can’t just give it all up!”

“I already did!” Marinette says. “I already told you I don’t want to be a hero! I love you, Tikki, but you haven’t been paying attention. I’m sorry, but I’m not Ladybug anymore. I haven’t been since I made the decision to come to New York.”

“But-”

“Don’t ask me to keep doing something I hate, Tikki. Please.”

“But I-” Tikki flinches when she catches herself, and then finally whispers. “Okay. I just want you to be happy.”

“Thank you.” Marinette turns her gaze to Jon. “I expected Tikki to try, but why did you stop me? Don’t you see? This is the other way. This is how I can live peacefully.”

Jon watches her talk to Tikki with an understated anger simmering just beneath his skin, agitated like the surface of the ocean, rippling across his body like liquid. And when she talks to him, he can’t help how his voice raises just a little. “What did I just say?” He asks. “Don’t sacrifice yourself! Like it or not, your memories make you who you are. I’m not letting you throw away so much of your life just because you can’t see a better option! You’re Marinette Dupain-Cheng! You’ll figure out another option. I’ll make another option for you if that’s what it takes! But don’t you dare sacrifice yourself, again, for your stupid ‘duty’ you hear?!”

Marinette and Tikki both are staring wide-eyed at him. Then, all at once, both of them look ashamed of themselves. “You’re right.” Marinette says quietly. “I’m sorry.”

Jon winces. He hates that temper of his. He hates that he gets angry sometimes when he shouldn’t. But Marinette just… giving up. After so much effort put into creating what they’ve found, and so much potential in the future, to just give up now is… “Sorry I yelled.” He says. “But don’t give up on this. Don’t give up hope. We’ll figure it out.”

Marinette nods. It’s uncertain and hesitant, but she does. “I hope so.”

——-=——-

Tag List: @moonystars14 @pawsitivelymiraculous @magic-miraculous @vixen-uchiha @buticaaba @bigpicklebananatree @lozzybowe  @moonlightstar64 @amayakans @theatreandcomicfreak​  @toodaloo-kangaroo​ @too0bsessedformyowngood​ <3

[an-actual-angel]

Pretty Baby: Chapter 8 & 9

Pairing: Connor (RK800) x Reader, Collin (RK800-60) x Reader, Richard (RK900) x Reader

Summary: The year was 2082. 44 Years after the android revolution. Things have turned south for humanity. Androids now rule the world, leaving humans to be considered as mere animals. While some Androids still have a general disdain for humanity some have taken to the idea of keeping them as “family pets.”

You, born in captivity, specifically bred to be the perfect pet happen to get adopted by the RK brothers.

Chapter Description:  Tension only furthers between the RK Brothers after Collin and Richard fail to inform Connor about the goings-on in Detroit.

Previous Chapter | AO3 | Next Chapter 

KOFI

Chapter 8 - The Fool

Your name: submit What is this?

 You eagerly watch the screen waiting and listening for more information. Nothing. They brush it off and moved on to the next story.

“Why didn’t either of you tell me about this?” Connor stands to his feet striding toward his brothers in fury. You had learned over your time staying with the brothers that they had high titles within the law enforcement in Detroit. Richard even earning the title of Commissioner.

Connor, however, had left the DPD once Hank had fallen ill. He couldn’t bring himself to work there again after that. Instead, he found himself a career working with youth and community. The youth being child android models as well as newly deviated androids. His brother’s usually kept him informed with the goings-on in the city. All of the brothers having a powerful influence and an important image in Detroit they needed to know this information.

“We barely see you anymore, Connor.” Collin retorted in his defence. “How are we supposed to tell you when you’re not around?”

Richard was absolutely lavishing in this moment, you noticed him attempting to hide his contentment. You found it strange, Richard never really smiled, he only ever smirked in a devilish manner.

Connor grabs a dark green military jacket that had been draped over the side of the couch to put it over his shoulders.

“Where are you going?” Collin sighed before moving towards Connor, in an attempt to perhaps stop him.

“I need to see Markus.” He avoided eye contact, fixing his jacket onto his body.

“I suppose we ought to come as well.” Richard slapped his hands down onto his knees before standing up to join his brother.

“No.” Connor shut him down. His gaze cutting into Richards.

Richard shrugged and sat back down. “As you wish, we can stop by later.” His hands stretching over the back of the dark sofa.

Connor snarls his upper lip at him, looking between his brothers in disgust before strutting out the door. He was absolutely livid. It would be hard to imagine that the three of them used to be close.

Collin worried that perhaps this lack of this important information could be the straw that broke the camel’s back, so to speak. Although Collin and Connor’s relationship didn’t exactly start on the best foot, they had truly grown inseparable over time. Once they had met Richard the three of them had created somewhat of a bond, feeling like they shared some special type of understanding. They helped each other when struggling with deviancy, they worked together, fought for android rights together, Eventually even adopting one another as brothers.

Collin usually always went along with Richard’s schemes, mostly because they wanted a similar outcome. He trusted Richard, however, he wasn’t so sure about all of this. Yes, Collin thought humans to be less than androids and that Connor needed to realise this but he couldn’t help shake the feeling that Richard’s plan was only pushing Connor further away from the two.

He would never admit it but he always looked up to Connor. He was there for him when no one else was, he forgave him after the Cyberlife tower incident and he never held it against him. They used to see themselves in each other but now, Connor looked a broken shell of his former self.

“Well, I hope you're happy now.” Collin turned his back to Richard, LED spinning red.

“I know what I’m doing.” Was Richard’s reply.

---

It was late and Connor still hadn’t come home.

Collin and Richard were moving around the apartment arguing with each other, you listened in at first but after a while, their voices faded from your mind. You just stared out the window into the city night. Wondering about the events earlier.

Why were humans running through the streets? Why where they attacking androids? They were foolish to think that they could overpower or even so much as hurt one.

Eventually, Richard and Collin came to an agreement that they were going to go speak with the Mayor, Markus at City Hall.

Would he still be there this late? Apparently so. You guessed androids technically didn’t need to sleep. Some still did, well they went into stasis mode while laying down. It was a good way for an android to run diagnostics and ‘recharge’ per-say, but it wasn’t needed too frequently.

Even after the brothers came to their agreement to see the Mayor, they moved on to their next argument. Whether or not they should take you, mainly arguing over it being appropriate or not. Richard did not seem too keen on leaving you alone again.

Eventually, Richard came up to you, hands settled behind his back.

“How would you like to go for a little walk?”

Your eyes glimmered at the question. The thought of being out in the real world again excited you. You hadn’t really been giving a chance to enjoy it on your first encounter as you had been lost, alone and on the run looking for Emily. At least this time you would be given the chance to marvel at the city you never got to explore.

“I’d really love to.”

“Go put something warm on.” Richard instructed you.

You rushed to your bedroom in a paced walk, trying to hide your eagerness. Even though whatever political situation that was going on seemed serious, at least it would give you a tiny taste of the world.

When you came out of your room you felt your heart drop as you noticed Richard now standing with something in his hands. A leash and a collar.

Seriously?

“Come here.” He commanded.

You slowly approached him, hoping it was just some kind of messed up joke. “Is that really necessary?” You asked meekly.

“Well, with the commotion caused by the humans recently, I would say so.” He spoke in a cold voice. “Plus you don’t have the best track record, little pet.” Opening the black leather collar up he stretched it out, waiting for you to subserviently move closer.

“Does it really have to go around my neck?” you subconsciously place your hand around your throat and began to rub it softly “Can’t you just put it on my wrist?”

“Just be glad he doesn’t make you walk on all fours.” Collin walks past the two of you, his eyes buried in his phone. Richard shooting him a glaring look before his cold eyes snapped back to you.

“Remember your place.” He pulls the collar tightly against your neck. You gasp a little at constriction around your throat.

“Whoops.” He replies in a sneer before he continues to buckle it around your neck, clasping the leash to the collar.

Why did he have to be so harsh all of a sudden?

He gives it a slight tug and leads you out the door.

After a quick car ride and a brief walk to your destination, your androids bring youinto the city hall. You were a little disappointed you didn’t get to see more of the city but honestly more relieved at the same time, having the collar on was humiliating.

Your owners, of course, didn’t want you in their actual meeting with Markus and the other androids, so you were kept in the waiting room with a member of staff to keep watch. There was an older man who was also sat in the waiting room, he must have also been human. You could tell because androids weren’t usually made to look his age, plus he had no LED.

While some androids chose to part with their LEDs, it was usually more common to keep it as it became a part of their culture and a symbol of pride.

Since your owners had left you (yet again), you took off your collar to rub your neck. Wondering what the point was of them bringing you here.

“I wouldn’t do that” the older man who was sitting across from you warned, hinting to the fact that you had taken off the collar. Your eyes travelled up to meet his tired ones.

“First time out, huh?” His voice was rough and he spoke through a thick accent but something about it seemed almost comforting. However so, you remained quiet, not really knowing what to say.

“Who’s your master then?” He asks.

You nudge your head in the direction of Collin and Richard who you both could see from a distance entering into a conference room.

“Wow, the RK brothers. huh, must be nice.” His eyes trailed the two of them.

Something about his statement bugged you. “You know them?”

“Know of them, Big players round these parts. Politics and all that.” He explained

“They’re politicians?” You questioned the man, confused.

“No, not exactly, but they definitely play their part in how things are run around here. Big following.”

You chew on your bottom lip. You guessed that made sense, you recalled how one of the girls back at the adoption centre spoke about how they played a factor in the android revolution.

“I hope your behaving, humans ain’t looking too good at the moment.” He jokes. You take it slightly more literal.

“They’re hard to read.” You fidget in your seat, looking nervous.

“You want my advice. Keep your nose clean and do as you’re told. You’re never going to outsmart a ‘droid. Maybe if you’re lucky they’ll treat you well.”

Your mouth weakly parts.

“Look, kid, with ‘droids like them, you probably got it better than most.” He shrugs in his attempt to ‘comfort’ you.

“Suck up to them, maybe they’ll become fond of yah like mine.”

“Yours?”

“Look at me, kid. I’m in my golden years and I'm still with my ‘droids, most throw yah away when you stop being cute.”

You had never really thought about it. Did androids just get rid of their humans once they reached a certain age?

“Throw them away? Where to?”

“Beats me kid. I’m not looking to find out neither.” He rests his weathered hand against the side of his face.

A silence falls again when you don’t know what else to say.

“What about that Connor though?” The man perked up. He seemed genuinely interested. “What’s he like?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know much about him at all.” You replied to him in an almost apologetic way.

“That’s a Shame.” His plump face falls flat.

Before you could open your mouth to say much else, androids begin to pour out of one of the conference rooms.

“Come on, Jake.” One of them calls out in your direction, in a similar way a man would call his dog.

“Oh, looks like that’s me. See you around, kid.” The man, Jake, tilts his head to you.

“Bye…” You say quietly.

It was another while before Collin and Richard came out to collect you. You had spent your time mulling over Jake's words. Maybe you should take heed of his advice?

He didn’t seem completely miserable. Maybe you were lucky to be with your owners.

You looked down at the collar in your hands, squeezing it and sighing. You took another deep breath before clasping it around your neck again.

When Richard and Collin came back, you stood to your feet and handed your leash over to Richard to hold. He almost looked shocked at this although he didn’t really say much. He just took it and began to walk.

Arriving back at the house, Richard unclasped your collar. You just went to the living room to sit down quietly and wait for further instruction. Avoiding them didn’t work. Maybe playing your role as their little pet might.

You wondered maybe if you could earn their trust and who knows, maybe things would be easier? Or maybe it will help you to learn the best way of metaphorically stabbing them in the back to escape.

The next few days you had been compliant. You did exactly everything they asked of you, which honestly wasn’t much.

Connor finally came home after three days of Collin non-stop calling him. You tried to eavesdrop on the conversation they had but you didn’t hear much. You didn’t want to move too close and get caught, ruining the perfect image you were trying to keep up.

You briefly heard Connor mentioning he felt that androids were falling into the mistakes of the past. Collin trying his best to comfort his brother but to no avail. It wasn’t really going to be much comfort anyway when Connor knew that Collins beliefs were so different from his own and yet he still tried his best to be understanding.

Collin did, however, promise to help Connor with an event he was planning for work. A fundraiser of sorts for his youth centre. Which left you home alone with Richard.

The both of you sat in the living room, TV blaring on some Political debate you didn’t really pay much attention to. You noticed that Richard kept looking over at you, needless to say, he was confused by your willingness to play along, maybe you were finally learning your place.

Your eyes caught his, so you responded with a small smile. He furrowed his brows getting up out of his seat and moving to stand over you.

He held your chin to look up at him and brushed his thumb along the side of your cheek. You continued to smile brightly up at him in spite.

“Have we broke your spirit, little one?” he tilted his head to the side.

“No, I’ve just decided I like it here.” Your smile dangled on the corner of your mouth.

“Is that so?” His brows lifted, hand still on your chin.

“I guess I didn’t realise how lucky, I was until now.”

His hand dropped from your chin. “Bullshit.” He knelt down to examine your face more carefully.

“I have everything I need.” You shrug.

“And what about your little friend?”

You didn’t reply, you just looked down to your hands. Richard still observing your every move.

“Yes, I still miss her. That won’t change.” You eventually responded. “But I’ve learnt my lesson. No running away.”

Richard's face was blank, it was hard to tell whether or not he was buying what you had been telling him. He moved his hand back to your face to tuck a stray bit of your hair behind your ear. You don’t know what came over you but something in your head told you to kiss the inside of his palm as he did so.

He froze, as did you. Surprised you actually did it, your idiotic brain thinking affection could be a way to win him over. At least you hoped that’s why you did it and not for any other reason, it's what you would tell yourself anyway.

His jaw clenched as he stared at you, neither of you moving for a couple of seconds, His LED flashing between colours.

His hands eventually fell to your bare legs, slowly stroking them. You maintained eye contact, the silence between you deafening.

You instinctively moved your head slightly towards him. His LED flashed red, immediately standing to his feet and stumbling backwards.

Your eyes widen in shock at this usually stoic android’s awkwardness.

Before you could say anything to him, he had already left the living room, making haste back to his bedroom.

What the hell just happened?

________________________________________________________________

Chapter 9 - Pacify Her

You sat in your confusion for another short while before snapping out of it. What was your next move going to be? You probably should just go to bed and act as if nothing happened the next day.

But still, a part of you itched. Something deep down bugged you. You wanted to talk to Richard.

But was it a good idea? Would he get pissed at you, pushing you back to square one of your ‘kissing up’ or would this perhaps be good, going to check on him. Showing some care?

You wanted to take time to ponder on what to do but your feet had other ideas, leading you right outside his bedroom door.

Curiosity pulling at you again, you let your ear press against one of the matte black double doors of his room, listening intently but there was not a sound.

While your face was pressed against the one of the doors you noticed the other was slightly agape. Biting down on your lip you pushed it ever so slightly to reveal Richard’s figure sitting on the edge of his bed. Head in hands, LED still Crimson.

You took a few steps backwards, wondering what the hell you were going to do. What was going through his mind, was this because of you or where you miss reading the situation? He could just be frustrated with all of what was going on with Connor and the humans.

While your head was also spinning around you hadn’t noticed yourself walking backwards straight into the door to Connor's room.

With a slam, you fell against the door which swung open. Ouch.

Whispering a silent swear you attempted to sit up off your now tender bottom. The noise you made hitting the ground then occurred to you. You were reminded that Richard’s door was slightly open. Trying your best to scramble to your feet, you made the plan in your head to dash back to your room, or the living room, anywhere but here.

Being too slow in your thoughts and actions meant you weren’t able to accomplish this in the right amount of time. While you were only picking yourself up from the ground, Richard was already standing in his doorway.

When you were on your feet you noticed him staring down at you, arms crossed. Your face burned in shame. He didn’t say anything, he just continued his intimidating stare.

“I… I’m sorry, I was just-” You stammered trying not to fall over your own words.

He put a hand up to silence you before calling you to come over to him. Your head sunk down below your shoulders, obliging to his demand. He stood to the side and gestured you to go into his room, as you did he closed the door behind you.

“Sit.” He pointed at his bed. You complied, nervously sitting on your hands, something that you did when you felt like you were going to be in trouble.

You watched as Richard paced up and down through his room, finger pointed upon his lips as his head was at a downward angle. LED flashing between colours, it seemed that was happening a lot tonight.

You bit at your lip again, desperately wanting to know what he was thinking. Was he mad, did he know you were spying on him, did he think you were sneaking into Connor's room? Maybe he thought you were just roughhousing? You didn’t know, it could be a number of things really.

He finally looked in your direction, you felt yourself instinctively gulp.

“What am I going to do with you?” He sighs. His usual flat voice sounded slightly aggravated.

“Richard, I-” You attempted to explain yourself, but before you could say another word one of Richard’s hand was around your neck, pinning you down on his bed.

“Don’t use my name like we are friends.” He growled. “Your nothing but an animal, do you hear me?” His face was inches from yours, your noses almost touching.

You exhale quietly. Your stare caught, mesmerized by his eyes. Eyes that oftentimes felt cold and bitter, usually giving you an alienating sense of distance now felt like the hottest of blazing blue flames which engulfed around you.

Your mouth fell slightly as you fully took in his face, his touch, his presence. Somehow less frightening than usual but twice as exciting.

He took note of your subtle movements and look of awe on your face. He bit his lip back as he stared at your own. His thumb brushing the side of your neck, He allowed himself to linger as well for a brief few moments before snapping himself back to reality. He rose back to his feet, cleared his throat and fixed his shirt from the slight crumples that had been made from leaning over you.

You sat up slightly, eyes not leaving him. Watching as he turned his back to you, asking you to leave.

Wait a minute… An idea sparked in your mind.

He got his shot to experiment on you before. Maybe it’s your turn.

You shyly moved behind him, letting one of your hands move up between his shoulder blades. As he turns to question you, your other hand was placed on his jawline, enticing him to move his head closer to yours. You gently allowed your lips to meet. You noticed how surprisingly soft and warm his lips were as they gingerly pressed against yours, it wasn’t a big kiss just a delicate touch for your ‘research.’

As your faces parted you noticed his eyes still closed. It could have almost made you blush before he swiftly smacked them open. He looked furious now.

Shit. Was your only thought. What is he going to do now?

Before you could think another thought, he had grabbed your face, pulling you into a deeper kiss this time.

Oh…

This definitely is not what you expected at all.

His hungry mouth nipped at sucked at your own. You gasping in pleasure as you felt his greedy tongue entering your mouth. You couldn’t help but wrap your hands around the back of his neck as you pulled him in closer. You knew you were going to regret this later but all you could think of was now was Richard and the things you wanted him to do with you.

You whined when his lips finally parted from your own. He had you pushed up against a wall, his hands back on your throat. His head fallen down to his feet, he exhaled deeply before looking back up at you with a dark scowl.

"Get out.” He demanded you as he pushed himself off the wall, off of you.

“Richard I-”

“I said leave.” He cut you off coldly.

Your body was still leaning against the wall mostly because your brain wasn’t functioning in its usual way, your head was still spinning in thoughts, your lips still buzzing from the kiss. You opened your mouth trying to find the words to say. Maybe to apologise, you hadn’t meant to overstep any boundaries.

“Don’t you ever do what you’re told?” He complained once more before grabbing your arm and escorting you out of his bedroom.

“I don’t want to find you lingering outside my door again.” He gave you a final warning before slamming the door in your face. Leaving you alone in the dark hallway.

Left speechless you rubbed the back of your neck and let out a small huff before allowing yourself to wander back to your bedroom.

___

The next day Richard continued on as if nothing happened, only this time he avoided touching you. You were used to his 'fake' cuddles and gentle caresses when Connor was present but it suddenly all stopped. You would be lying to say you didn’t miss it.

Over the next few days, he also seemed less insistent on bringing you along with them to places. Something he had been doing a lot more of, after your trip to city hall. You still attempted to impress him with your spotless behaviour but it didn’t really seem to get his attention much more.

Had you messed this whole thing up?

On the other hand, a good thing that came out of this was, the less touchy Richard was with you the more Connor seemed to hang around. Giving you the chance to talk with him for a bit.

He jumped, slightly shocked when you first spoke to him. He hadn’t really expected it. A part of him thought that at this point Richard had you brainwashed to be a quiet little pet, he was pleasantly surprised to find out otherwise. Over the next week or so, without Richard's prying eyes, the two of you had the chance to chat to one another.

You had asked him about his interests and watched his face light up while talking about how he loved photography and going on nature walks. Something about him seemed very sincere to you.

When he asked about you, you admitted that you hadn’t really had many chances to be able to have a hobby, but you did tell him how you loved reading and how you would love to go on an adventure of your own one day. Explaining again how you never really got to see much of the outside world apart from your brief walks with his brothers. You leaving out the detail of your running away that one time, of course. The corner of his mouth lifted up as he asked if you would like to go with him next time he had the chance to go on one of his walks.

You delightfully agreed, admitting that it sounded wonderful.

“Great! Sounds like a plan.” He smiled back at you. He explained it probably wouldn't be for another while though as work and things in the city had been a little hectic but you understood and said you appreciated it none the less.

It started to look like maybe you had a friend here after all.

________________________________________________________________

Previous Chapter | AO3 | Next Chapter

[ghostking-wenning]

Radishes, Chapter 6.2

This one’s a 2-part! Enjoy!

2.5K, Rated G, modern au, NingXian etc

***

Qionglin sat bolt upright in his bed. A thin sheen of cold sweat coated his body, the sheets tangled around his legs. His chest heaved and his cheeks flushed. A dream. It was just a dream! Oh, but what a dream it had been. Wuxian on his knees before him, looking up at him as he… oh god. Qionglin clapped his hand over his eyes, as if that would block out the memory of that vision. 

Tentatively, he stood on shaky legs. He breathed a sigh of relief when he realized he hadn’t made a mess of his sheets, aside from wrinkling them beyond recognition. Sure, he’d had raunchy dreams before, but never like this! Never so long, with such detail, with a specific person that he actually knew! They weren’t even boyfriends yet! They had only recently shared their first kiss! Why would his brain conjure up such naughty imagery? Such naughty sensations?

He shivered remembering the feeling of Wuxian’s hands… and mouth… all over him. It had felt so real, even though he’d never done any of … that. His dream had even replicated the scent of his cologne, the flavor of his favorite wine. Heat coiled in his belly as he remembered the way he squished him against the wall, leaning his whole body into him. Then all that heat immediately rushed to his face when he remembered the way he had simply submitted to Wuxian’s ministrations, baring his throat like a dog to a wolf. 

Really? He asked himself. Is that what I’m into? A wave of dread and shame washed over him when he heard an echo of the words “good boy” whispered in his ear and remembered how much he loved it.

“Oh god,” he groaned aloud. “I’ll never be able to look him in the eye again…” What a shame that was, too, they were such beautiful eyes. Especially when they were fixed on Qionglin with that searing heat as he-- 

“Nope!” Qionglin said, forcibly derailing that train of thought. A cold shower. That’s what I need. He peeled off his sweat-soaked nightclothes and headed to the bathroom. In the mirror, he was almost surprised to find his neck and chest exactly as they always were, not mottled in lurid red marks. He couldn’t bring himself to look any further down, so he hopped into the shower and turned it on full-blast, hoping the water would pressure-wash his filthy mind. He didn’t even flinch at the cold.

He lost track of time, but he eventually calmed down. He dried off and redressed himself in clean pajamas. It was still several hours before he needed to be awake. He laid down on the couch, so he wouldn’t have to change his sheets for the moment. 

Mercifully, the rest of his sleep was dreamless and deep. He woke to the sound of his phone chiming. He had a message from his sister. 

“Happy birthday, little brother!! I love you! We still on for dinner tonight?”

Oh god it’s my birthday! In an instant, all traces of sleepiness vanished. Somehow he’d entirely forgotten his own birthday. Am I seriously that clueless? He shook his head, rolling his eyes at himself.

“Thank you, jiejie! Yes, of course, I’ll meet you at 7!” He replied, tacking on a few heart emojis.

Granny didn’t allow anyone to work on their birthdays, so he had nothing to do until dinnertime. He slumped on the sofa and stared at the ceiling until his phone pinged again.

“Bring that little punk boyfriend of yours. I have to make sure he’s good enough for you.”

He knew Qing well enough to read between the lines: “This is not a request.” 

He didn’t even bother pointing out that they weren’t technically boyfriends yet.

Usually he would be elated to spend time with Wuxian on his birthday, but a) Qing could be … intense… he wasn’t sure if he was ready to introduce them yet, and b) he was convinced Wuxian would somehow read his mind and discover what a weird pervert he was. Maybe he’s busy! Maybe he won’t even come. He tried to reason with himself, but that actually just made him sadder. 

It took a couple of hours to build up the courage to text Wuxian. He was a lot of things, sure, but he wasn’t a psychic. (Right? That would be crazy… right?) If Qionglin could just keep his cool, he’d never have to know about his dreams. He took a deep breath and opened the message app.

“Hey, Wuxian! Are you busy tonight?” He cursed the way his fingers shook as he typed.

Not five minutes later, his phone beeped.

“Nope! What’s up?”

Fuck. 

“I’m having a birthday dinner with my big sister, and I was wondering if you’d like to join us!” He decided not to mention that Qing wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Wait, is it her birthday or your birthday??”

“Mine.”

“What?!”

“Why didn’t you tell me!!”

“Happy birthday!!!!!!!!” 

“I forgot! I’m sorry!” It was fully true, but that didn’t make it less ridiculous to admit.

“FORGOT? Wild. Anyway I gotta go find you a present! Can’t wait to see you later!” A string of kiss emojis followed, and Qionglin giggled in spite of himself.

He gathered himself quickly and responded. “You don’t have to get me anything!!”

“Too late! I’m already out the door! See you later byeeee!” 

A minute later, Wuxian texted again. “Wait, where and when am I seeing you?”

Qionglin snickered softly, an endeared smile growing on his face. He sent Wuxian the map link and enjoyed about four minutes of peace before remembering why he’d been so nervous about texting Wuxian in the first place.

Panic hit him like a train. Several trains, maybe. His heart skipped and his fingers tightened around his phone so hard his hand shook. Calm down, he tried to tell himself over the alarm bells clanging in his head. Calm down!! Through sheer force of willpower, he evened out his breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth, he repeated like a mantra.

He walked briskly to his bedroom, pointedly ignoring the rumpled sheets on his bed and snatched his anxiety medication. He popped one in his mouth and hastily gulped some water, and sank into his desk chair. Leaning back, he shut his eyes and waited for his heartbeat to calm. 

Something to focus on, that’s what he needed. Something hands-on. But if Granny caught him working the fields, she’d chase him away with a rake -- it had happened before. So he decided on target practice. He grabbed his bow from its stand in the living room and marched out to the woods. 

In a small, round clearing were a line of painted wooden targets he’d made himself. He liked to warm up starting from 30 meters, then progressively back away. He took a deep breath as he lined up his shot, shoulders flexing as he drew the bowstring back. The middle target, dead center. He exhaled slowly as he released the arrow, which made a satisfying thunk as it sank exactly into the center of the target. 

After landing perfect bullseyes into each target, he backed away to 40 meters, then 50 and so on. He felt perfectly centered; there was nothing in this forest but him, his bow, and his breath. 

He leapt about a foot in the air when his phone chimed in his back pocket. How was it already 5 PM!? Where did the time go? He thought, as he began to gather his arrows. It was well past time to get ready. He hurried back to his house, where a fat orange barn cat woke from its nap on Qionglin’s rain boots. It made a curious prrt noise as it fixed big yellow eyes on him. This was the one his little cousin had dubbed “Cheese.”

“Hello, Cheese,” he greeted, stooping to scratch behind its ears. “I’m sorry, but you can’t come inside.” Cheese purred and pawed at the door, but didn’t put much effort into following him inside. 

Hanging up his bow, he realized he felt much better, as if his thoughts sorted themselves out on their own. It was just a dream. It’s perfectly natural, and he’ll never even know! And if he found out somehow, I’m willing to bet he wouldn’t blame me at all. It was magical, almost, how archery relaxed him, even as it wore out his muscles. (His medication probably also helped, but he liked to think it was mostly archery.)

He washed his face, and pulled back his hair, fussing with the locks that were too short for his half-ponytail. Poking through his closet once again, he wondered if Wuxian would say anything if he wore the ghost shirt again. He decided against it, instead opting for a grey striped shirt and a dark blue cardigan that he thought looked pretty sharp. He may not have a lot of nice clothes, but he thought maybe he was getting better at dressing well. Well-ish, at least, he thought, tugging on his comfy-but-ugly sneakers, but it was those or work boots. 

He checked his pockets and whisked out the door to his car. He would probably still be on time.

He was not.

Fifteen minutes late, he scurried into the restaurant and scanned the room for his sister. At least for his birthday she might not scold him for being late. Soon enough he found her, looking polished and perfect as ever, in a tasteful dark red dress with her long black-tea-colored hair in a sleek braid. Across from her was none other than Wuxian, Qionglin realized with a start. What-- how did she find him? Why-- oh god what are they talking about? 

He stood stock-still for a few seconds, until Wuxian laughed brightly, the sound spurring Qionglin forward. As casually as possible, he strolled over and plunked down beside them. With any luck he’d missed the awkward small talk and Qing inevitably giving Wuxian the third-degree about what he does, and his intentions with her little brother.

“S-sorry I’m late,” he said, offering a sheepish smile. 

Qing looked like she wanted to say something about it, but Wuxian beat her to it.

“No worries! Happy birthday!” He said, grinning and reaching for Qionglin’s hand. 

“Mhm,” Qing agreed. “Happy birthday, hun.” She patted his cheek fondly, and he blushed, unable to hide his cheesy grin at the attention.

“Thanks…” he mumbled. “Um, so, I guess you’ve already met, so I don’t need to introduce you. I-- I hope you weren’t waiting too long, though.”

“Not at all! Your sister was just telling me about how cute you were when you were little,” Wuxian said, eyes twinkling with mischief.

Qionglin’s head whipped around. “Qing!” He complained, exaggerated betrayal written on his face.

She smiled deviously. “What? You were adorable! You used to hide behind me and follow me everywhere like a little duckling.”

Qionglin groaned and buried his face in his hands while Wuxian giggled. 

“He’s still adorable,” Wuxian said. “Absolutely too cute.”

“Yep.” Qing nodded. 

Well, at least they’re getting along… Qionglin thought. The rest of the evening went in a similar fashion, the two of them teasing him affectionately and relishing in his embarrassment. After dinner, they sat around chatting over glasses of wine. Qing reached into her purse and produced a small envelope. 

Qionglin carefully opened it and read the card. Tucked into the corner was a gift card to a ritzy clothing shop.

“I’ll take you shopping next weekend, if you’re free.” Qing promised. 

“Mm! Thanks jiejie,” Qionglin said leaning over to give her a one-armed hug. 

“Ooh, my turn!” Wuxian chimed in. From inside his jacket, he pulled a little bundle wrapped in red tissue paper. He handed it over, grinning proudly.

Qionglin untied the silver ribbon holding it together, and the paper unraveled. Inside was a packet of heart-shaped candies and a set of charming pins shaped like monsters: a werewolf, a sea serpent, an alien, and a ghost, much like the one on his t-shirt. Qionglin’s heart threatened to burst in his chest. Faintly blushing, he gazed up at Wuxian, who was watching him intently, eyebrows raised.

“Thank you…” he said, somewhat breathlessly. “I love these.”

Wuxian’s face split into his signature dazzling grin. “I’m so glad! I noticed you don’t accessorize much, and I thought maybe it was because jewelry would get in the way of farm work or whatever, so I figured pins might suit you-- I even made sure to get the kind with extra-sturdy backs so they won’t fall off!”

Qionglin chuckled shyly. “That’s… really thoughtful. Thank you,” he repeated.

Qing scoffed lightly. “Way to show me up,” she said looking pointedly at Wuxian, but she was smiling. She gave a small, approving nod. Apparently Wuxian met her expectations well enough. She stood gracefully and tossed her braid over her shoulder. “Well, I should get going, but you two have fun, okay? Dinner’s on me.” She bent slightly and gave Qionglin a firm hug and kissed the top of his head. 

Then she walked around him and extended her hand to Wuxian, who shook it graciously. She leaned in and whispered something to him that Qionglin couldn’t hear. 

Wuxian’s eyebrows shot into his hairline and he blanched. “Yes, ma’am,” he murmured weakly. 

Qing flashed Qionglin an indulgent smile and bid them both goodnight, before sweeping away, paying the bill and leaving, her heels clacking decisively.

Qionglin cleared his throat awkwardly. “S-so that’s my sister,” he said tentatively. “I hope she didn’t say anything rude.”

Wuxian laughed, light and breezy, like he hadn’t just looked scared out of his wits. “Nothing unusual, anyway. Just the shovel talk-- and a quick one at that. Very efficient. She’s cool, though!”

“Isn’t she?” Qionglin agreed wholeheartedly. “I-I’m glad you got along okay. She seems to approve. Of you, I mean. Of-- of us.” He felt his cheeks color slightly, savoring the word us.

Wuxian smiled again, and squeezed Qionglin’s hand. “Good. Because I plan on sticking around.”

When they finished their wine, they took a walk through a park to sober up. The moon was just beginning to rise over them as they strolled leisurely, hand-in-hand. 

“So, how old are you now? 23?” Wuxian asked, somewhat out of the blue, stopping and stepping off the paved trail.

“Mhm, exactly.” Qionglin said, following him into the trees. “Why?”

“For this,” Wuxian answered. He tugged Qionglin closer and cupped both sides of his face, then began peppering him with kisses, everywhere he could reach. Qionglin spluttered and tried to pull away, but Wuxian was unstoppable. He seemed determined to cover Qionglin’s entire face in a layer of kisses. “20,” he murmured, kissing his left eyebrow. “21,” he kissed the center of his forehead. “22,” he kissed the tip of his nose. “23,” he whispered, and at last kissed Qionglin’s lips, wrapping his arms around his waist and holding him tight.

When they finally parted, Qionglin was breathless and practically vibrating. He hid his face in Wuxian’s collar and snuggled close. Wuxian chuckled lightly and nuzzled his hair. “Happy birthday, Qionglin.”

[bytheangell]

Raise a Glass to the Past

(Read on AO3)

Present Day

“I was looking through your files again at work today,” Alec says, leaning his head back against Magnus’ shoulder. They’re both on the sofa, Alec nestled comfortably in the space between Magnus’ legs, leaning against Magnus while Magnus leans back against the cushions. They each hold a glass of white wine after dinner, enjoying the breeze coming in through the open balcony door, listening to the faint sound of rain falling just beyond the wall.  “Again?” Magnus asks, a light laugh chasing his words. “Ran a full Nephilim background check on me before we started dating, didn’t you?” 

Alec knows the words are spoken in jest, but the memories they bring up leave the current Head of the New York Institute biting down on his lower lip, considering his next words carefully. 

“Actually…” Alec starts before stopping abruptly. It’s a strangely personal series of events to explain, even if they all involve Magnus; somehow the idea of telling him about it brings up a lot of conflicting emotions in Alec He’s embarrassed at the guilt he felt for most of his life, at how he thought so much about the man he loves before he ever met him, that this man who changed his entire life from the second they did meet managed to shape so much of it even before that moment, without ever realizing... 

What will Magnus think if he tells him now? 

“Actually, sort of. But not intentionally. See, when I was probably about 5 or 6…” 

---

Alec, age 6 

Alec finds his way once more behind his father’s desk at the New York Institute. There are files up, files that he knows he shouldn’t be reading, but ever since he learned how to string full sentences together he’s absorbed every word he could lay his eyes on. And that includes dossiers left on computer screens in the same room as him while his father runs down to the ops room for a moment to deal with some emergency or another. 

Even kneeling on the large chair his head doesn’t clear the back of it, blocking him from view of anyone passing by the open door. Which is good, because if they did see him he probably wouldn’t get to read the page about a warlock that’s front and center, with a black-and-white photo of a man with spiked hair, slit cat-eyes, and a grin that makes Alec smile back even though he knows the man in the photo isn’t smiling at him. Magnus Bane. Those aren’t words Alec knows, but they’re words he’s heard out loud before. A name. 

His father comes back and scolds him for touching his computer (which, Alec defends, he didn’t technically do, he only read what was already open), before being ordered to re-read the section of the Shadowhunters Codex on Warlocks if he’s so damn interested in them. Alec dutifully slumps out of the chair to obey, his copy of the book marked with dozens of pencil circles of words he doesn’t know to ask about later. He’s only half focused, however, his mind frequently drifting back to the eyes and the smile of the man in the photo.   

---

Present Day

“I was your first Downworlder file. How cute.” There’s a hint of sarcasm to Magnus’ tone, one that Alec doesn’t take personally. He knows the tone of those sorts of files and the reasons why his father might’ve had it up on the computer that day. But there’s also a hint of actual endearment over the idea that Alec remembers that, even now. 

“You were,” Alec confirms. “And I have to admit, as a suggestible youth, I didn’t have the best impression of you at first.” 

“Oh, no?” At this Magnus straights up a bit, shifting behind Alec on the sofa. There’s no turning back now, Alec, realizes, not after piquing Magnus’ curiosity like that. 

“I’m sure you can imagine, but any files the Institute had on you weren’t painted in the most positive of lights…” 

---

Alec, age 8

It isn’t long before the Institute’s records, both on the computer and in the library, become freely available to Alec. He’s reached a point in his training and studies where it’s easier for him to simply look up answers on his own when he can rather than run everything back to Hodge or his parents. Because he stays out of trouble and does what he’s told when he’s told to do it (as much as any kid does, certainly more than Jace or Isabelle at the very least) he’s left to his own devices for most of the time he’s not in a lesson or training. 

This means no one is around to see him stop at Magnus Bane’s file almost every time he goes to look something else up… or should he say, files, plural. There are a lot of files on him, Alec notices, many marking him as a criminal in varying degrees: lying during Clave Inquiries, harboring fugitives, refusing to assist in investigations when his services were requested, aligning with dissenting Downworlders against Clave sanctions throughout the centuries. The bottom line is always a general disregard for the Nephilim which is all Alec is able to discern from the words on the page when he first comes across them. 

It seems simple enough at first read. He isn’t familiar with all of the terms he comes across or every single one of the various laws and regulations broken, but he doesn’t question them. This is a very powerful warlock who is capable of doing a lot of damage - and he doesn’t seem to listen to any of the rules. Hiding fugitives, helping criminals. If Magnus Bane is on the Clave’s radar then it must be for good reason, High Warlock or not. 

So when everyone around him tells Alec that Magnus is not to be trusted, despite the fact that he still feels inexplicably drawn towards the cat-eyed warlock in the photos, Alec forces himself to believe them. 

---

Present Day

“And what number is that file up to these days?” Magnus asks with an amused smile. 

“Right now? Pending review of wiping your record clean after, you know, saving the entirety of Idris and all,” Alec says, shifting himself forward enough to turn to face Magnus on the sofa as he takes a sip of his wine. “Plus, I don’t think Jia liked the idea of the Head of the New York Institute being married to someone with such an extensive criminal record.”  

They both laugh at that, Magnus shaking his head incredulously. “I don’t know… that’s a lot of history to erase. I think I’d like it better if they kept it - we could print it out and frame my accomplishments, hang them over the fireplace.” 

Alec shrugs. “We both know most of those violations were bullshit anyway,” he points out.  “Do we?” Magnus challenges playfully. “Because a moment ago you were telling me all about how young Alec Lightwood thought Magnus Bane was nothing more than a dastardly, dangerous lawbreaker.” 

Alec rolls his eyes. “I didn’t stay that naive forever.” 

---

Alec, age 10

Alec never stops asking questions, always eager to learn more, so no one thinks twice about it when he starts to ask them about the High Warlock of Brooklyn. He’s careful to approach a wide range of adults around the Institute so no single person will see that the cases he ‘randomly’ chooses to read up on for his studies all happen to revolve around a singular Warlock. 

What he learns, slowly, is that the only danger Magnus Bane poses is to the stuffy older members of the Clave who wouldn’t know how to be nice to someone if they tried. Almost all of the fugitive harboring Magnus is guilty of turns out to be for injured or wrongfully accused Downworlders (though the Clave didn’t know they were wrongfully accused at the time). But Magnus knew, and he protected them when he thought the Clave probably wouldn’t listen to a word they said if they were taken in. 

The more Alec learns about his people, the more he starts to realize that they believe they’re better than everyone else in the Shadow World. The rules are set up to favor them because they enforce the rules. The Nephilim are in a position of power in the Shadow World, dealing out justice as they see fit - this is a lesson taught to him now as something to pride himself on, but instead it leaves him feeling uneasy. 

He wants to talk to Downworlders about it but he’s forbidden. They would only feed him lies, the older Shadowhunters tell him. He doesn’t need to confuse his mind with so many sides of the same story when their side is right here for him on a silver platter. When their side, the right side, is the only one that matters.

Someone must talk to his parents because soon he’s told to stop asking questions about Magnus Bane. His job is to learn what he’s taught, to do as he’s told. 

Except his questions don’t stop there, not about Magnus, and not about himself. 

His parents take him to the wedding of a family friend and with tears in her eyes his mother smiles down at him and says “One day you’ll meet a nice young lady, and I’ll be watching you up there.” 

Alec thinks of all the girls his age and frowns. He doesn’t like any of them that way, even though he knows one or two have a crush on him. Their friends giggle about it and try to push them together during sparring, but Alec mostly finds it annoying. 

“Does it have to be a girl?” Alec whines. When he thinks of the people who make him smile, the people he might want to spend the rest of his life with (which doesn’t mean much to a nine year old who thinks the break between dinner and dessert is an eternity) his thoughts drift to a boy or two in his training classes, and then to some photos in a database that bring him more comfort than he even fully realizes. 

“Of course it does. Why would you even-” Maryse almost dismisses before her gaze turns sharp, almost fearful. 

“What if I want to marry a boy?” It’s such a simple, innocent question. He hasn’t liked any girls yet, but there are a few boys he think he might. So it only makes sense that instead of a nice young lady he’d want to marry a nice young man. 

“No, Alec. Shadowhunter boys don’t marry other boys. It isn’t-” Maryse falters. “They just don’t. You just haven’t met the right girl yet, but you will. I promise.” 

Alec considers this. “But what if-” 

“Alec, I said no. This isn’t up for discussion. And don’t ever mention this to anyone else, okay? Especially not to your father.” They’re speaking in whispers to begin with, and though Robert is only two seats away on the other side of Isabelle he’s entirely oblivious to the conversation. Izzy looks like she may have been listening but turns her head quickly. 

Alec simply nods and keeps the rest of his thoughts on the matter to himself, not just for that day but for years to come. 

---

Alec, present day

“I always knew how I felt was different, but that was the first time I realized it was wrong,” Alec admits. “And up to that point I was nothing but the perfect son, I didn’t want-- I didn’t want to ruin that.” 

“Maryse knew,” Magnus realizes, surprised. 

Alec nods. “My father was the only one who didn’t, or maybe he was just in such deep denial he convinced himself he didn’t notice. But I think everyone else had an idea, at least. Izzy was the only one who ever tried to bring it up but I denied it long enough that she stopped trying. My mom never mentioned it again after that wedding, and neither did I. Well, not until…” 

“Not until your wedding,” Magnus says, smirking ever so slightly. 

“It was kind of hard not to talk about it after the stunt you pulled, yeah,” Alec points out, and though he tries to sound accusatory he’s smiling back, unable to help himself. . 

“The stunt I pulled? It takes two to tango, Mister. You could’ve just taken me out of the room to talk, you didn’t have to make out with me in a hall full of Shadowhunters,” Magnus counters, eyebrow raised in amusement before growing serious once more. “I’m sorry you felt like you had to hide who you are for so long.” 

“Yeah,” Alec agrees. “Me too.” 

---

Alec, age 12

“Please?” Alec begs, hazel eyes large as he tugs at the back of his mother’s dress. “Let me go to the meeting! I promise I’ll behave. I won’t say a word, you won’t even know I’m there.” He’s twelve-and-three-quarters now, nearly thirteen whole years old. Plenty old enough to sit in on a meeting. In fact, his parents have dragged him along to countless meetings he didn’t want to be in, so he doesn’t know why this one is such a big deal. 

Maryse shares a look with Robert who only shakes his head. “You can come to the next meeting we have with the Clave. Not this one. I don’t even want to be in this one.” Alec’s father mutters the last bit, earning him a reproachful look from Maryse. 

“But I don’t want to go to a Clave meeting. I want to go to this one,” Alec insists. 

“Why this one?” Maryse asks, and Alec opens his mouth to answer before snapping it shut again quickly. What can he tell them? That he overheard them talking about meeting with the local Warlock representative? That he wants to be in the same room as Magnus for more than 5 seconds, to hear the man speak and see if he’s anything like what Alec imagines after reading every report on him they have? 

“Because I already know a lot about Shadowhunter things. I want to learn more about Warlocks, too.” Not a total lie. 

Both Maryse and Robert exchange a hesitant look. “Alec, sweetie. The man we have to meet with… well, he doesn’t like us very much. It’s already going to be a very difficult meeting... Maybe we can bring you along to talk with some other warlock another time. You just be good for Hodge, okay? We’ll be back soon.” 

They’re gone before Alec can ask any of the dozen follow-up questions running through his head. Us? Did Magnus not like him either, even though they never met? Did he hate all Shadowhunters? So many questions that Alec knows he’ll never get the answers to because he knows better than to ask now. 

...then again, maybe no answer is better than getting a truth he doesn’t want to hear. 

While his parents are gone he goes back to the computer. Back to the files and the photos. It’s safe, and it’s become almost a ritual habit by this point to imagine a world where the things he’s starting to feel for boys isn’t something he can’t talk about; a world where his gaze can linger on more than just a photo on a screen without being seen as a cause for concern. 

---

Alec, age 14

“Son, we need to talk. You’re coming of an age now when you’re going to start having… impulses. You see, when you like a girl-” Robert Lightwood begins after making it a point to call Alec into his room after watching one of the girls in his class flirt with him endlessly during his last training session, going so far as to try and lean up for a kiss after he pinned her to the mat. Alec had never moved so fast in his life to jump back from it but apparently that part was lost on his father. The fact that Alec got a lot of attention from the girls his age, however, was not overlooked. 

Alec doesn’t have the heart to tell him that he already knows all about sex. Word travels fast once one kid gets The Talk and his dad is a year and a half late to this party. He also doesn’t have the heart to tell him that liking girls, Alec is now entirely certain, is never going to be an issue. 

Or perhaps it’s going to be the biggest issue, because his mother’s words still echo in his head, creating a cycle of guilt and shame every time he does feel an impulse, just not about any of the girls he’s around. He barely looks at the other boys, afraid of what might happen if he looks too long, or the wrong way. Afraid someone will notice… that someone will know. 

For now he forces himself to smile back at the giggling girls, but he hates it. And every time Jace ends up stepping in oozing charm to pull the attention away from him it leaves him feeling equal parts grateful and sick to his stomach, because he wants Jace to smile at him like that. He wants any boy to smile at him like that. 

Except every time a boy is even remotely kind to him he’s afraid it’s because of something he did that he didn’t realize, or something he let slip that he didn’t catch, and so he closes himself off entirely. He throws himself completely into training, into work, and into files stored away he sometimes forgets are for everyone’s use, and not just his own personal escape. 

---

Alec, age 17

Duty first, his father tells him. He’s being raised to run an Institute, to help bring the Lightwood name back to its former glory and prestige. That leaves no room for error… it certainly leaves no room for his attraction to guys, especially not his troubling feelings for his parabatai or his increasing infatuation with Magnus Bane. 

His exposure to Downworlders has increased significantly since he, Izzy, and Jace began sneaking out to a Downworld-run diner downtown. Izzy and Jace have both dallied in the company of romantic partners who would give their parents a heart attack to learn about, but not Alec. He watches from afar, daydreaming but never partaking. He can’t, not with anyone he actually wants to. Part of him knows that they’d never say anything if he told them but he doesn’t want to put that sort of burden on either of them. Because that’s what it is, and that’s all it will ever be: a burden. 

He gets the feeling he’d be more easily forgiven for wanting to spend his time with downworlder girls than Shadowhunter boys, if his feelings were simply an act of teenage rebellion. If only. He knows by now that Shadowhunter, Downworlder, or even mundane, the only people he’s ever going to like are going to be boys. And he knows that will never be okay. 

So instead of smiling back at the waiter he keeps pointedly avoiding eye contact with he watches after Izzy and Jace, yearning for the freedom they have and their honest sense of selves. They can afford to sneak out, to mess up, to disappoint - the same pressures and expectations aren’t put on them that are put on him, and he envies them for it. He shoulders the burdens so they don’t have to, defending them at every turn in the hopes they never feel the crippling shame he experiences every single day. 

---

Alec, age 20

Alec gets stuck with the task of assisting with updating all of the databases with more up-to-date photos after getting caught sneaking into the Institute at 3 am one night. In truth, he only allowed himself to get caught by security in order to buy Jace and Izzy enough time to run in the opposite direction - both of them are already on probation this month while he has, as usual, a nearly spotless record. He’ll take the hit this time and they’ll owe him a huge favor later, one he’ll be sure to make count. 

“I can’t believe he supplied us with his own photos,” says a voice followed by laughter from one of the other Shadowhunters on the project. 

“Who?” Alec asks, only half-listening for the answer. He doesn’t particularly care, 

“Magnus Bane,” comes the reply in a tone full of contempt. Alec freezes, nearly dropping the stack of photos in his hands. “Said, and I quote, ‘Our security cameras never pick up his good side’.” 

“Let me see,” Alec manages, wondering if he sounds as anxious as he feels. They all look over the offering Magnus sent over, most of which are from that club in town that he owns now, Pandemonium. Some of the photos are just him, others have an assortment of men and women in extremely close proximity. One photo looks downright compromising and Alec has to turn away quickly to avoid anyone seeing the fierce blush that crosses his face. It’s the first time he realizes that maybe Magnus is like him, a simple reminder that he can’t possibly be the only person in the entirety of the shadow world who likes the same gender. Magnus looks so comfortable, so carefree in that photo, and Alec wants that, too. 

For a moment he closes his eyes and imagines a world where he has a chance at happiness without having to hide, where he can be bold enough to take a photo with another man, to leave a lingering touch--

And then it’s gone. 

The names and jokes that follow at Magnus’ expense make Alec’s blood boil as much as they make his stomach turn, because a lot of them could just as easily be aimed at him. They are, indirectly, not that anyone other than him knows it. Alec doesn’t know how long it goes on before something inside him snaps. 

“He really isn’t that bad, you know,” Alec mutters. 

“What was that, Lightwood?” One of his peers questions. 

“Magnus Bane,” Alec says, louder now. “From what I’ve read on his file, he really isn’t that bad. Most of his charges were due to misinformation.” 

“I heard he and Camille Belcourt were a thing once. Bet he gets her to just encanto everyone who catches him,” one suggests. 

“Yeah. My father was part of a raid on some rogue werewolves Bane defended in the early 90s. He never got charged for that, either, but my uncle nearly died,” another says. 

Alec decides to cut his losses and not bring up the fact that most of those raids were unjustified, the charges were dropped because the warlocks and werewolves were only reacting in self-defense. 

The photos Magnus sent in end up in the trash and the standard security camera footage uploaded in their place. Alec can’t help but think that the photos are unnecessary anyway - every side is Magnus’ ‘good side’. 

---

Present Day

Magnus rolls his eyes. “Do you know how long it took me to pick out the best photos for that?” he says with an exaggerated roll of his eyes. “The least they could’ve done is return them to me. Didn’t have to throw them out.” 

Alec, however, finds it difficult to be amused by the story, even now. “Doesn’t it bother you? That that’s how some Shadowhunters see you? Not just you, but all of the Downworlders?” It’s something that’s bothered Alec more and more ever since he saw the sort of reception Magnus got for the brief period he stayed at the Institute with him. Of course Alec isn’t naive enough to think the bias is gone, that people would change their minds overnight just because the Head of the Institute was with a Downworlder, but… he expects more than what he got. He expects better. Magnus deserves better. 

“Of course it does, Alexander. But there are some people so stuck in their antiquated ways that they’ll never change, not for you, and certainly not for me. If I worried about everyone with an unfavorable opinion of me then I wouldn’t have any energy left for the people actually worth my time and effort. People like you.” 

Alec relaxes a little at that. 

“I wasn’t so sure I’d be one of those people when the first time I saw you at Pandemonium ended with you fleeing through a Portal,” Alec admits. 

---

Alec, age 24

Alec keeps an eye on Jace and Clary… and Magnus. It’s the closest he’s been in years, not trusting his own instinctive reactions enough to dare come to the club on his own. Magnus is so much more attractive in person, and the guilt that wells up inside of him at the simple observation is nearly enough to drown under. 

He doesn’t have long to dwell on it before a Circle member sneaks up behind Magnus and Alec takes him out with one well-aimed shot from his arrow, careful to avoid eye contact with Magnus as he walks by him to retrieve his arrow and scan the crowded room for other attackers. He has a job to do, he can’t allow his emotions to distract him.  

 “Who are you?” Magnus asks out loud, unaware that a few recently activated runes allows Alec to hear the words over the thump of the music even at this distance. Alec has to fight against the shiver of anticipation that runs down his spine in that moment. 

Because Magnus Bane may not know who he is -  not yet - but Alec certainly knows who he is. How do you explain to someone you just met that they’ve held your interest for years? Short answer: you don’t. 

Alec focuses on his arrow, on the Circle member, and by the time he turns back around Magnus is gone and Alec’s following Jace, Clary, and Izzy out of the club without looking back.

Alec doesn’t miss his chance the next time they meet, not long after and under strangely similar circumstances.

“Well done,” Alec says, allowing his bow to drop slowly once he’s certain his arrow hit its mark. His shot is followed quickly by a blast of blue magic which renders the circle member unconscious. Alec looks away from Magnus, aware of how long he’s waited for this moment: their first meeting. Just to be in the same room as him-- 

“More like medium rare,” Magnus says, and Alec’s thankful he’s looking away because he doesn’t know what he’d do if his first proper interaction with Magnus Bane is for him to catch Alec rolling his eyes at the pun. 

It isn’t long before Magnus makes his way across the room and into Alec’s space. “I’m Magnus, I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced?” 

“Alec.” He smiles. The only thing he can think is that the photos and faraway glances didn’t do justice to even half of Magnus’ beauty. And then he realizes he’s staring, smiling like some dopey schoolboy, and he can’t seem to make his mouth stop grinning. “Um, we uh, should really, uh, probably get, you know…” 

Alec silently prays to the Angel for the ground to open him up and swallow him whole, which would be far less excruciating than his fumbling. Magnus, to his credit, doesn’t seem deterred. “Right. We should join the party,” Magnus agrees, finishing his thought for him. 

And the rest? Well, the rest is history. Their history. 

---

Present Day

As he finishes recounting the impact Magnus had on his life before they even met, Alec’s face is a little flush despite the cool autumn air; whether it’s from the tinge of embarrassment over the story he kept to himself for so long or the alcohol (which he blames for blurting all of that out) finally starting to get to him he can’t tell. 

“Alexander…” Magnus says, voice soft and eyes full of an emotion that Alec can’t quite place at first. “I had no clue-” 

“Of course you didn’t,” Alec says with a soft laugh. “You had no way of knowing. Honestly, I never even planned on telling you. But that’s what made it so easy for me to trust you from the very start - I knew you were a good person before I even met you. It wasn’t just that I always dreamed of meeting someone like you… I just always dreamed of meeting you.” Alec takes a deep breath. “But do you know what finally made it sink in that it didn’t have to be just a dream?” 

Magnus doesn’t ask what, he doesn’t have to. The curiosity is written all over his face and he remains silent, giving Alec the time to finish his story at his own pace. 

“The day we tried to get Clary’s memories back, when I ruined the summoning circle. You told me I didn’t have anything to be ashamed of,” Alec’s voice is quiet now. “It was the first time I had the hope that that might be true. That there might be one person out there who wouldn’t look at me, at what I wanted or who I wanted, and only see something that needed to be hidden.” 

Magnus reaches across and takes his hand. “I’m glad you listened.” 

“I’m glad you didn’t give up on me,” Alec admits. “I didn’t exactly make it easy on you.” 

But Magnus shakes his head. “All my life, the only times Shadowhunters were willing to give me a chance were when they needed something from me: a deal, or a favor. You aren’t the first to see that file and form a judgement, but you’re one of the first to look beyond it. To see me as a person, and not just someone with something to offer.” Magnus smiles again. “It seems to me, Alexander, that you didn’t give up on me, either.” 

Alec thinks about that for a moment and nods, and then turns and grabs his glass of wine. “To not giving up on each other, then” he offers. 

Magnus mirrors the motion, glass meeting glass in the space between them on the sofa. “To never giving up on each other.” 

They drink, and Magnus shifts to lean back against Alec, Alec’s hand moving up to brush through his husband’s hair. The last thing Alec thinks as they drift off to sleep on the sofa, Magnus first and Alec close behind, is how nice it is to go from never dreaming he’d have someone like Magnus in his life to dreaming about Magnus every time he closes his eyes, no longer ashamed of the love he deserves.