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thearmyprof · 9 months

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For you, a purl: Or, Jungkook’s Harrowing Battle Against the Sweater Curse

Rating: E

Pairing: Yoongi/Jungkook

Word count: 9,687

Genre: Non-Idol!AU, Humor, Holiday Vibes, Domestic Fluff

Warnings: No Major Warnings, Explicit Sexual Content

Read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/52239349

Jungkook drums his fingers on his desk, staring into space, deep in thought. The truth is, he’s worried. A door closes loudly from down the hall and snaps Jungkook out of his stupor. He glances at the wall calendar—a cute kitten one Yoongi gifted him at the start of the year—which reminds him, for probably the tenth time this morning, that Christmas is only three weeks away.

The date is circled with little hearts. It’s on a Monday this year, but he still got them tickets for a concert. They’re going to get lamb skewers beforehand from their favorite little hole-in-the-wall joint halfway between both their places of employment. Jungkook sighs.

He’s worried. He knows he should be worried about the fact that he’s gotten none of his work done this morning. He’s going to get written up at this rate. But he can’t find it in himself to worry about that. Not right now. No.

Yoongi has been knitting. This in and of itself is not worrying. In fact, in the five years they’ve been dating, Yoongi’s new hobbies have never worried Jungkook. He loves it actually. Every few months, Yoongi moves on to something new and Jungkook gets cute little knick-knacks out of it. It’s endearing. He loves his new chopping board, beaded bracelets, the stained glass piece now hanging in their bathroom, the ceramic figurines now decorating his dresser, the mason jar full of beach rocks on his work desk. He loves all of it.

Jungkook glances at the calendar again. Yoongi’s been knitting for four months now and is showing no sign of quitting. Jungkook is impressed, even, for him having stuck with it this long. And he has a full winter set of accessories to show for it—scarf, beanie, mittens, fingerless gloves, muffler, socks. He’s honestly not really sure how many appendages Yoongi thinks Jungkook has.

Jungkook drums his fingers against his desk again. No, that’s all fine. What’s not fine is the scene he thinks back to the night before. Yoongi took Jungkook’s measurements. Not just any measurements—wrist, arm length, shoulder width, back length, collar. There is only one terrifying conclusion that Jungkook can draw from all of this. Yoongi is knitting him a sweater. Probably for Christmas.

He takes a deep breath and holds it in before releasing it slowly. No, this cannot happen. Jungkook is in too deep and loves Yoongi too dearly to let this be their demise. Because anyone that knows anything knows any boyfriend that knits their love a sweater, dooms the relationship to certain destruction.

While Yoongi has his ever rotating hobbies, Jungkook has his superstitions. Nothing debilitating, if you ask him. Just– he likes to be careful. Why tempt fate? So, Jungkook is a walking encyclopedia of curses, jinxes, bad omens, and how to avoid falling for such fates. And he likes to keep himself up to date on such things.

That’s why, in late November, when he probably should have been finishing up the end of month report, he found himself on Wikipedia instead.

“The Sweater Curse,” Jungkook mumbles to himself. “Fifteen percent of knitters reported said they experienced the curse firsthand. When a knitter knits a sweater for their loved one, they inevitably break-up. Some even report they break up before the sweater is ever finished. What the fuck.”

Jungkook glances at the beanie and mittens, a bit rugged, a hole in one of the mittens, and jumps a foot off his chair when his work phone rings shrilly through the cubicle.

“Jeon Jungkook,” he says into the receiver as he clutches his chest.

“Hey, Kook-ah, have you seen my knitting basket?”

Jungkook pokes his head through the archway between their small living room and kitchen, taking in the sight of Yoongi looking behind couch cushions with a furrowed brow. He looks especially dashing right now, glasses slipping down his nose, powder blue sweater engulfing his body.

“What was that?” Jungkook asks innocently.

“My knitting basket,” Yoongi mumbles, now on his hands and knees looking under the furniture. “I can’t find my knitting.”

“Huh,” Jungkook says breezily and moves back into the kitchen with a smirk.

Jungkook brings out the tray of dinner to the coffee table and freezes as he sees Yoongi contentedly knitting away. Black yarn. It looks soft and chunky. Terror chills Jungkook’s blood. He takes a moment to compose himself before saying “Oh, did you find it?”

“Hmm?” Yoongi looks over as Jungkook approaches, over the top of his glasses. “Oh? Yes, it was in the closet. It’s weird that I don’t remember putting it away.”

“Maybe you’re just getting old, hyung,” Jungkook says cheekily. “Forgetful.”

Yoongi narrows his eyes in Jungkook’s direction. He hums in reply.

“Come eat, hyung,” Jungkook says. “I made dak gomtang.”

“Let me just finish this row, Kook-ah,” Yoongi says.

Jungkook sighs under his breath as he watches Yoongi’s fingers fly with needles and yarn. He’s gotten so good at knitting. When exactly did that happen? When has he had the time? The thing he’s knitting doesn’t look like anything yet, though. Just a block of fabric, dark and soft looking. He opens his mouth to ask Yoongi what he’s making, but Yoongi interrupts him by quickly putting everything away and kneeling next to him at the table, eager to try some of Jungkook’s soup.

“Thank you for this meal, Kook-ah. I’ll eat it well,” Yoongi says, giving Jungkook a quick kiss on the cheek.

Jungkook ducks his head at the show of affection, feeling his cheeks burning. He’ll figure out a way to sabotage the sweater project later.

Jungkook tries to push the thought of the sweater out of his mind, but it haunts him. Every time he looks at Yoongi, he can’t help but imagine him presenting the sweater with a wide smile. He shivers at the thought and shakes his head, trying to clear his mind. He needs a plan.

Days pass, and Jungkook spends every spare moment trying to come up with a way to stop Yoongi from knitting the sweater. Continued attempts to hide the knitting basket don’t work. Jungkook has even attempted to introduce new hobbies casually into conversation. “Hey, have you ever heard of macrame?” “You see this quilt, I bet you could make something as beautiful, hyung.” “Have you ever thought of keeping sea monkeys?” It’s no use. The man is hellbent on knitting. He can’t just tell him he doesn’t want it, that would be rude. But he can’t let their relationship be ruined by a simple sweater either.

As they sit on the couch watching TV one evening, Jungkook notices Yoongi is absent-mindedly knitting again. Jungkook bites his lower lip. This is his chance.

“Hyung,” Jungkook says softly, lowering the volume on the TV a bit, drawing Yoongi’s attention away from the knitting. “I’ve been thinking about Christmas.”

“Oh?” Yoongi says, setting down his knitting needles. “What’s up?”

“Well, we didn’t really talk about gifts.”

“Gifts?” Yoongi asks as he glances down at the now-considerably-larger square of black fabric in his lap.

“I was thinking maybe this year we shouldn’t exchange gifts,” Jungkook says, eyeing Yoongi carefully. He watches the gears turning behind Yoongi’s eyes, his brow furrowing.

“But,” Yoongi starts, clearly confused. “You were the one that said you liked exchanging gifts. And that Christmas was the perfect time of year to exchange gifts.”

Jungkook winces a bit, but Yoongi doesn’t see it with his eyes still trained on his knitting. “I know, hyung. I just feel like, maybe, we’re a bit old? Yeah, a bit old for silly presents.”

“Oh,” Yoongi says quietly. “Well, if that’s what you want.”

Jungkook cringes the moment he realizes he fucked up. This was too far. He waves his hands frantically as if to dash away this entire conversation. “No, no. Hyung, wait, I was just thinking out loud. Just ignore me. I love your gifts. Maybe I’m just having a quarter-life crisis.”

Yoongi looks up at Jungkook then, giving him rare eye contact. “If you’re sure.”

Jungkook nods enthusiastically. “Positive. Let’s keep our traditions. Let’s pretend I never said anything.”

Yoongi nods slowly and picks his knitting back up. “Can you turn the TV back up? I want to try to finish this section before bed.”

Jungkook groans and screams profanities in his head as he casually picks up the remote to bump up the volume.

“Can you just stand there for a minute, Kook-ah?” Yoongi says from the doorway of the kitchen.

Jungkook glances at his boyfriend, standing there holding that demonic piece of black cloth with a sweet smile on his face. He goes back to the sink where he’s finishing up washing dishes. “What’s up, hyung?”

“Just hold still for a minute. You can keep washing,” Yoongi says, approaching the younger.

Jungkook feels the warmth as Yoongi lays something across his back, pressing at his nape and waist line simultaneously.

“What are you doing, hyung?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Yoongi says with a little hum.

As quick as he had come, he leaves the kitchen again.

Jungkook blinks, trying to process what had just happened. “Did he just–”

It’s Monday again. Jungkook stares at the kitten calendar at his work desk. The kittens are obnoxiously oblivious to his plight. Fluffy grey things, with little Santa hats on, batting at ornaments strewn over the fake snow ground. How do they get the hats to stay on? Jungkook shakes his head. Not the most important point of concern. It is now two weeks before Christmas. Yoongi is still knitting.

“Hey, earth to Jungkook!”

Jungkook is snapped out of his crisis-induced reverie by his co-worker Taehyung.

“What? Sorry, I was thinking,” Jungkook says, pulling his eyes away from the kittens to see his friend standing over him giving him a suspicious look.

“Everything okay?”

“What? Yeah, just tired, I guess,” Jungkook says.

Taehyung narrows his eyes. “Did those kittens murder a member of your family?”

“What?” Jungkook blinks trying to keep up with this conversation.

“You looked like you were plotting revenge on those kittens,” Taehyung replies with a wave at Jungkook’s calendar.

“Oh,” Jungkook says. “No, I was just worrying about Christmas.”

“Have you ever asked the important question though?” Taehyung asks, now looking deep in thought at the kittens.

“What?”

There’s a moment of silence before Taehyung tilts his head to the side and asks, “How do they keep the little Santa hats on?”

Jungkook lays his head down on his desk, closing his eyes.

“How was your day, hyung?” Jungkook asks as they sit, thighs touching, on their living room loveseat. It’s cold outside and they’re predicting more snow tonight. They’ve put on some holiday piano music on the TV. Jungkook is meant to be reading. He’s been staring blankly at the page for a while now. Finally, giving up. Yoongi is knitting.

Yoongi hums. “Not too bad. Might be getting a new client in the new year.”

Jungkook puts his book in his lap, not even bothering marking his page. He looks at Yoongi carefully. Yoongi is looking at his knitting. Jungkook decides it’s time to enact the next phase of Operation: Sabotage Our Sweater (SOS).

“That’s great, hyung,” Jungkook says, dropping his voice a little, letting a little of his Busan satoori into his inflection. He slowly drops his hand onto Yoongi’s thigh, letting his warmth bleed into Yoongi’s perpetually cooler skin through the fabric of his fleece pajama pants.

Yoongi doesn’t respond with more than a small hum, still knitting.

Jungkook pushes his hand further, slowly, slowly, towards Yoongi’s inner thigh.

Still nothing, except what Jungkook might describe as the incredibly loud clicking of knitting needles filling the room, mixing with the soft piano version of “Silent Night” from the TV.

Jungkook keeps going, shifting himself so his side presses into Yoongi, his hand gripping around Yoongi’s inner thigh.

“Kook-ah,” Yoongi murmurs, shifting his leg in reaction to Jungkook’s grip.

“Yeah, hyung?”

“Can you just–”

Jungkook tightens his grip and leans over so he can press kisses into Yoongi’s neck. The book he was reading falls to the floor.

Yoongi tilts his head to give Jungkook easier access to his neck, but still his fingers keep flying along with needles and yarn. Jungkook keeps kissing Yoongi’s neck.

“Kook, can you– hold on– I–,” Yoongi tries.

Jungkook leans back just enough to look at Yoongi’s face. He tries and fails to hide the small smirk on his lips. “Something wrong, hyung?”

“No, just– can you let me finish this row?”

“Hey, Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi says quietly over the top of his coffee mug. His hair is still in disarray from sleep, cheeks still flushed. He always looks especially soft first thing in the morning, if one were to ask Jungkook. Of course, Jungkook reflects, Yoongi looks soft all the time.

“Morning, hyung. You’re getting a late start this morning,” Jungkook says with a pointed look at the clock hanging on the kitchen wall for emphasis.

“Are we having a fight?” Yoongi asks without preamble. He sets his mug down on their small dining table and keeps his eyes fixed on whatever is left in the bottom of the cup.

“Fight?” Jungkook asks. “Are we?”

“Well, last night you screamed and left the room in a huff and were asleep before I got to bed, so…”

“Oh,” Jungkook says, suddenly remembering his extremely embarrassing meltdown last night. He was on a mission. Operation: SOS. Instead he made himself sadly horny and Yoongi still made progress on the sweater. It was a moment of weakness. But he’s Jungkook. He’ll rally.

“Oh?” Yoongi glances up for a moment which just serves to make Jungkook feel more than a little guilty.

“No, we’re not having a fight,” Jungkook says with a big sigh, crossing the small space to sit in the chair next to Yoongi’s, knocking their knees together. “I’m sorry. I guess I’ve been in a bit of a funk and I took it out on you last night. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay, Kook-ah,” Yoongi says softly. He reaches out and takes Jungkook’s hands into his. “Sorry I’ve been a bit distracted lately.”

Jungkook lifts their joined hands and kisses Yoongi’s knuckles. He enjoys the blush on Yoongi’s cheeks from the sudden affection. Jungkook smiles and watches Yoongi drink the last of his coffee. No, Jungkook can’t lose this. Operation: SOS is still on.

Jungkook picks up their favorite tteokbokki from the neighborhood stand on his way home from work. He thinks he might be partially apologizing for his chaotic behavior and for Operation: SOS through food. He dismisses the thought as he steps into the quiet apartment.

“Hyung, I’m home!” he calls out.

“Be out in a moment,” Yoongi says from their bedroom.

Jungkook sets the food out on the table and waits for Yoongi to join him.

“The smell is amazing,” Yoongi says as he sits down. “Thank you, Kook-ah.”

“Let’s eat well, hyung,” Jungkook says, handing Yoongi his spoon and chopsticks.

Yoongi is still knitting when they sit next to one another in bed later. Jungkook is blankly staring at his book again. He even turns the page every once in a while to look like he’s actually reading. He still thinks his plan to distract Yoongi is a good one. He’s just been missing something in the execution.

Jungkook casts a sideways glance towards Yoongi, who looks perfectly content to be knitting away. He’s humming some pop song under his breath. Adorable. But also infuriating.

Jungkook slides his hand onto Yoongi’s thigh, fingers pressing into the warm muscle. Still the same click-clack of the needles, the same hum of some barely recognizable song. As Jungkook’s hand travel higher up Yoongi’s thigh, Yoongi’s fingers pause momentarily in the knitting.

“Oh, shit,” Yoongi mutters.

“What happened?” Jungkook asks, sitting himself up against the headboard to look Yoongi over.

“I dropped a stitch.”

Jungkook blinks at Yoongi and then down at the black mass in Yoongi’s lap. “Oh.”

Yoongi curses under his breath again and then bundles up the knitting, throwing back the comforter.

“Where are you going?” Jungkook asks as Yoongi struggles to untangle himself from the bed and get his house slippers on.

Yoongi turns and gives Jungkook a small smile. “I dropped a stitch and I need to fix it before this whole thing is ruined. You go to sleep. This might take me a little while and I don’t want to keep you up.”

Jungkook watches, stunned, as Yoongi makes his way out of the bedroom. Once the bedroom door is shut, Jungkook flops himself down into Yoongi’s pillow and screams.

Jungkook wakes from a dream. Well, a nightmare really, even if at the time it didn’t feel like a nightmare. He was in a meadow full of flowers. He wishes he can remember what kind now, he would look up their meaning. The one thing that he does remember is the snake. White, with dark copper eyes, watching him from afar as he sat in the meadow. There’s a roiling in the pit of Jungkook’s stomach as he tries to remember more details about the dream. This is not good. Snakes in dreams are a bad omen. Everyone knows that.

He turns to see Yoongi sound asleep next to him. Peaceful. Blithely unaware of the havoc being wrought in Jungkook’s brain. Jungkook carefully extricates himself from the tangle of sheets and slides out of bed. He pads across the room, the cold wooden floor sending shivers up his legs. He enters the living room, where the moonlight mixed with city light filters through the curtains, casting a soft glow on everything it touches.

Jungkook sighs and sinks onto the couch, his head in his hands. The dream lingers in his mind, haunting him like a specter. He tries to shake it off, but the unease settles deep within him.

He glances at Yoongi’s knitting bag on the coffee table, the mess of yarn and knit fabric peeking out from within. Jungkook’s gaze lingers on the knitting bag. He reaches his hand out, tentative, as if something inside of the bag will leap out and bite him. His fingers run over the soft texture of the yarn. It’s nice. So soft. He imagines the finished product will be very warm.

“Jungkook-ah?” he hears a soft call for him from the bedroom. He stands quickly, as if caught doing something he’s not supposed to, and retreats back to the bedroom, sparing the knitting a single glance over his shoulder as he goes.

As they watch their weekly baking program on TV, Jungkook has the realization that they’ve become extremely domestic. Here they sit, Jungkook leaning into Yoongi’s side and Yoongi still determinedly knitting away. He seems to be working on some other piece or something now. Jungkook doesn’t quite understand how this adds up to a sweater, but he’s still positive that’s what is happening here.

“Hyung, I invited Taehyung hyung over next weekend for the dinner. I hope that’s okay,” Jungkook murmurs during a lull in the program.

Yoongi nods and says, “That’s fine. Seokjin hyung and Namjoon said they can come, too.”

“Hope the snow isn’t too bad by then,” Jungkook says, glancing out the window as the flakes come down in the dark.

The cheerful ending credit music of the program chimes out and Yoongi is still knitting. Jungkook feels the panic itching under his skin. Each little flick of Yoongi’s forefinger with the yarn around the needle brings the sweater one step closer to completion. Operation: SOS is in jeopardy.

“Hyung,” Jungkook murmurs. He turns his head so his chin can rest on Yoongi’s shoulder. Conveniently, he can admire his boyfriend’s profile this way. Soft and pretty, he thinks.

Yoongi turns his head just a little, just enough, and flicks his eyes towards Jungkook, something that looks like actual interest alights there.

Jungkook surges forward, pushing his face into Yoongi’s, bringing their lips together. Yoongi makes a little noise of surprise, but returns the kiss enthusiastically. After a moment, he pulls back and looks at Jungkook’s face with curiosity.

“What’s gotten into you lately?” Yoongi asks.

Jungkook shrugs. “Can’t I just be horny, hyung?”

Yoongi chuckles. It’s his low, breathy chuckle that Jungkook loves so much.

“Just let me–”

“If you say ‘finish this row.’ I swear to all the gods, hyung,” Jungkook whines out.

Jungkook is pleased that Yoongi has the sense to look a bit chagrined, but quickly schools his face in mock offense. “Yah, Jungkook, where’s the respect?”

Jungkook carefully takes the knitting out of Yoongi’s hands—is ecstatic Yoongi lets him—and leans over to set it on the coffee table. He turns back to Yoongi with a grin on his face. “Respect, huh?”

“Yah,” Yoongi protests, even as he reaches for Jungkook’s hips and helps him slide over to Yoongi’s lap.

Now straddling his lap, Jungkook is able to lean over and kiss Yoongi more deeply. He’s missed this. Considering how desperately Yoongi seems to be returning each press of lips, each swipe of tongue, he thinks Yoongi might have missed this too.

A warm, wide hand makes its way under the hem of Jungkook’s hoodie, softly caressing his waist.

Jungkook moans into Yoongi’s mouth, gripping onto the back of Yoongi’s neck for support. He grinds down against Yoongi’s lap, feeling the growing hardness there. Jungkook wants to both race to the finish and slow down to savor every moment and feeling.

He breaks the kiss with a breath of air, leaning his forehead against Yoongi’s. “Hyung.”

Yoongi hums contentedly, looking up at Jungkook with hooded eyes. Jungkook starts kissing softly along Yoongi’s jawline before moving down his neck.

Jungkook leans back just enough to tug off his hoodie and toss it over the couch. He looks down at Yoongi and his fingers are flying to the hem of Yoongi’s t-shirt. Yoongi still offers no protest. Jungkook removes the shirt. He presses his lips to the place he was kissing just moments ago and works his way up Yoongi’s jaw-line to capture his lips again. The taste of the whiskey they drank after dinner lingers on Yoongi’s tongue.

They break apart for a moment, panting. Hands traveling over skin, leaving soft touches in their exploration.

“Bed?” Jungkook murmurs, keeping his forehead pressed against Yoongi’s. Yoongi nods, moving both their heads and Jungkook stands quickly, toppling both of them over and into the bedroom. Neither give a second glance to the knitting left quietly to itself on the coffee table.

Jungkook wakes with confusion. It’s dark. He shouldn’t be awake yet. He reaches his hand out for Yoongi, hoping to be able to lull himself back to sleep with the older man’s warmth. But as he reaches, his hand finds nothing but air and comforter.

Wrinkling his brow, he cracks open his eyes further than the slits they had been moments ago. No light coming from the bathroom. Bed definitely only has one person in it. Jungkook sits up.

“Yoongi?” he calls out softly. The bedroom door is shut. If Yoongi is in the rest of the apartment, he probably can’t hear him.

Jungkook grabs a sweatshirt and throws it on before searching for his boxers on the floor. He gives up and grabs a new pair from his dresser before leaving the room.

The light is on in the living room. Yoongi is sitting on the couch, back towards the hallway where Jungkook is standing with confusion written all over his face.

“Hyung?”

Yoongi jumps and turns his head towards Jungkook, a smile on his lips.

“What are you doing awake?” the elder asks.

Jungkook walks towards the couch to sit down next to Yoongi. “I could ask you the same.”

Jungkook’s eyes land on the knitting in Yoongi’s hands, the black mass of knitted object in his lap.

Yoongi nods before saying, “I just wanted to get a bit more done.”

Jungkook nods and can feel tears burn his eyes. This is ridiculous. He’s not about to cry over this. He’s not.

“Are you okay, Kook-ah?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook has to pause to clear his throat, shaking his head quickly back and forth. “Yeah, I’m fine. Guess I’m just tired.”

The look Yoongi gives him is so warm, so caring. Jungkook feels like he’s scrambling to hold on to it.

“Well, you should go back to sleep,” Yoongi says. His voice is so full of love, Jungkook wants to drown in it. Can you drown in a sound?

“Maybe I’ll just sit out here with you for a little while.”

Jungkook leans into Yoongi, resting his head on the older man’s shoulder. The Yoongi’s familiar scent engulfs him, and he feels his body relaxing, ready to go back to sleep.

His eyes slide shut and he almost doesn’t hear, “Whatever you want. You know I’m happy when you’re around.”

This is getting serious. No, this was already serious. Operation SOS is heading towards catastrophic failure. Yoongi has a work ethic like no one else Jungkook has ever met. Who has sex with their boyfriend and instead of staying comfortably in bed to sleep with said boyfriend, gets back up to work on their damn knitting?

Jungkook sends a death glare to the kitten calendar telling him there is only one week left before Christmas.

“Is it that you hate cats?”

Jungkook blinks at Taehyung, who is standing in his cubicle.

“What? No.”

Taehyung nods sagely. “You are dating Yoongi hyung, so you hating cats wouldn’t track at all, really.”

“What?” Jungkook swears he loses the ability to process spoken language every time he talks to his friend.

“Ready to get some lunch?” Taehyung asks.

Jungkook nods slowly, trying to catch up with the abrupt subject change.

As they walk towards the canteen, Taehyung tilts his head, looking towards his friend. “Is everything okay? You’ve been...off.”

Jungkook sighs and slides a hand down his face. “Yeah, it’s just Yoongi’s been knitting.”

Taehyung hums as if what Jungkook just said made any sense.

“He’s been knitting a sweater, I think,” Jungkook clarifies.

Taehyung nods.

“For me.”

Then Taehyung gasps. He throws out his arm, bringing them both to a stop in the hall. “He isn’t!”

“I think so,” Jungkook whispers.

“Doesn’t he have those, I don’t know, those knitting ahjummas he talks to? Why didn’t they stop him?” Taehyung says, desperation leaking into his tone.

“Huh, I hadn’t thought of them,” Jungkook says thoughtfully. He wishes he had taken Yoongi up on being introduced to the local knitting group. At the time it seemed a bit overkill. But now, what Jungkook wouldn’t give to have these ladies help him out—before it’s too late. “They must not know.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’ve been trying to distract him. Nothing’s worked.”

Taehyung nods. “I know you have some grudge against felines in Santa hats, but what about a kitten?”

“A kitten?” Jungkook stares at his friend.

“You know, they are wicked with yarn. And Yoongi would be so distracted by the kitten that he’d eventually give up on the knitting.”

Jungkook shuts his eyes, almost letting himself picture a scene with a little white ball of fluff—full of sharp teeth and nails—absolutely shredding the black sweater, Yoongi cooing as it does.

“Our apartment doesn’t allow pets,” Jungkook says sadly, letting the daydream float away in wisps of smoke.

“Oh, that’s too bad,” Taehyung says, letting the smile fall off his face. “Well, we can brainstorm some more over food.”

Yoongi is home late. Jungkook spends part of his night pacing the living room, but not wanting to be that boyfriend by calling to nag. It’s almost 10pm by the time the front door is opening and Yoongi is tiredly slipping off his shoes.

Jungkook is waiting for him in the living room, sitting on the couch with a frown on his face. He watches as Yoongi enters, exhaustion evident in every line of his body. He tiredly pulls his body to the couch, to sit thigh to thigh with Jungkook. Jungkook looks him over. Yoongi’s hair is disheveled, probably from running his hands through it all day, but he has a sparkle in his eye. Only the kind of look he gets when he’s excited about something.

“Hey,” Yoongi mumbles, his voice barely above a whisper. Jungkook wonders if he’s trying not to disturb the quiet coziness of the house or if he’s had to speak all day.

“Are you okay, hyung? Why are you so late? You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine, Kook-ah,” Yoongi says. He adds a small smile afterward as if to emphasize his point. “Did I not mention I’m going to be late home this week?

Jungkook narrows his eyes at his boyfriend. “No, you didn’t mention. You’re always forgetting to tell me important things, hyung. Did they at least feed you?”

“Yeah, I ate. Don’t worry about me,” he replies. He pats Jungkook’s shoulder. “You head on to bed, I want to get a bit more done tonight before I turn in.”

“What do you mean by ‘more done’? It’s almost ten!” Jungkook protests.

“Not work. I just want to get a bit more knitting done tonight,” Yoongi says. “It’ll help me unwind.”

Jungkook snaps his mouth shut. “Ah, okay.”

He gets up without another word and heads toward the bedroom to get ready for bed.

Jungkook stares at himself, without seeing, as he brushes his teeth in their shared bathroom. This is getting out of control. Now he’s knitting when he very clearly needs sleep. As Jungkook spits and rinses, he feels more resolute about Operation SOS. He squares his shoulders after wiping his mouth. He grabs the lavender oil and a soft towel as he leaves the bathroom.

“Hyung?” Jungkook finds Yoongi still sitting on the couch, knitting away.

“Hmm?” Yoongi responds absently.

Jungkook sidles up behind the couch, putting the oil and towel on the back of the couch, and slides his hands over the tops of Yoongi’s shoulders. “I think you’ve earned a break and a special treat, hyung.”

“What do you mean?” Yoongi says, clearly not actually paying much attention.

Jungkook starts massaging Yoongi’s shoulders. And wow, they are tense. This is clearly long overdue. Jungkook watches Yoongi in the reflection of the dark TV while he continues his ministrations. Yoongi lets out a small groan, his eyes fluttering closed as Jungkook’s skilled fingers work their magic. The tension in his shoulders gradually melts away under the firm pressure. His knitting needles slowly come to a halt, forgotten in his lap.

Jungkook smirks to himself. He murmurs, “Does that feel good, hyung?”

“Kook-ah, you have no idea how good that feels,” Yoongi practically moans out.

Jungkook smiles, leaning down to press a soft kiss against Yoongi’s temple. “I’m glad I can help you with that unwinding, hyung.”

Yoongi grunts in assent, still lost in the feeling of Jungkook’s hands working all the knots out of his muscles.

“Lean forward for a moment, take your shirt off,” Jungkook whispers in Yoongi’s ear.

“What,” Yoongi says even as he immediately complies with Jungkook’s instructions.

Jungkook lays the towel across the back of the couch to catch any excess oil before he pulls Yoongi, now shirtless, to lean back again. Jungkook grabs the lavender oil and pours a generous amount onto his palms. The soothing scent fills the room. He rubs his hands together, warming up the oil before returning them to Yoongi’s tense muscles.

Yoongi lets out a contented sigh as Jungkook’s hands glide smoothly over his bare skin. The lavender oil adds an extra layer of relaxation to the massage, the scent enveloping them both in a calming atmosphere. Jungkook applies just the right amount of pressure, kneading away the knots and tension that have accumulated in Yoongi’s muscles. As his skilled hands work their magic, Jungkook can’t help but admire the way Yoongi responds to his touch. He appreciates the softness of his skin, the defined lines of his muscles. He pushes his hands forward past Yoongi’s shoulders to glide over his chest, massaging as he goes.

Jungkook leans forward and presses gentle kisses along Yoongi’s exposed neck, trailing a path up to his jaw. Yoongi shivers under his touch, a low moan escaping from his lips. Encouraged by Yoongi’s responsiveness, Jungkook moves around to the front of the couch and sits himself on top of Yoongi’s thighs—knitting quite forgotten on the floor. Yoongi stays still, like a puddle on the couch.

Jungkook adds more oil to his hands, rubbing them together to warm them up. Then he leans forward and continues to pepper kisses along Yoongi’s jawline, his fingertips now tracing patterns along Yoongi’s bare chest. He massages Yoongi’s pectorals from the front and Yoongi’s breathing hitches as Jungkook’s lips find their way to his earlobe, gently nipping at the sensitive skin. Jungkook can feel Yoongi’s nipples pebbling under his palms, despite how relaxed the rest of his body is.

Yoongi lets out a soft moan, his head lolling back against the towel on the couch as Jungkook continues his ministrations. His hands move lower, tracing circles over Yoongi’s abdomen, feeling the faint tremors beneath his touch. Jungkook’s own body responds to the heat pooling in his core, aching for the man beneath him.

“Help me with your pants, hyung,” Jungkook murmurs to not break the peaceful warmth of the room.

Yoongi doesn’t even open his eyes as Jungkook pulls his sweatpants down, only moving enough to lift his hips to allow the pants to come all the way down. Jungkook pulls them off and throws them in the direction of Yoongi’s shirt before coming to kneel in between Yoongi’s knees. He adds another generous portion of oil to his hands.

All Jungkook can hear is the sound of their mingled breaths, heavy and ragged, as he rubs oil into Yoongi’s thighs. Even though Yoongi is completely relaxed, Jungkook still can see him tenting in his boxers. When he can’t stand it any longer, he pushes himself up on his knees, wrapping his hands around Yoongi’s neck to pull his head forward. He captures Yoongi’s lips in a searing kiss. A guttural groan rips from Yoongi’s throat, arching his back off the couch to press himself closer. Yoongi’s hands find their way to Jungkook’s shoulders, fingers digging into the soft flesh.

Jungkook gasps against Yoongi’s lips, feeling the urgency and hunger in their kiss. The massage now entirely forgotten, Jungkook breaks the kiss to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses down Yoongi’s neck, not even caring about the taste of lavender as he goes, before he whispers, “Hyung.”

Yoongi nods, almost frantically, which Jungkook feels more than sees as he licks and kisses Yoongi’s neck. With a swift movement, he stands up and pulls Yoongi to his feet, their bodies pressed flush against each other. Yoongi’s hands scramble to remove Jungkook’s shirt, their lips never parting as they desperately cling to one another. The air is filled with the sound of heavy breathing and the rustling of fabric as the rest of their clothes are discarded, leaving them both bare and exposed.

Jungkook walks Yoongi backward until they reach the edge of the couch. With a gentle push, he guides Yoongi to sit down, his legs spread open. He kneels on the floor in front of him again, his gaze fixated on Yoongi’s clearly throbbing erection. Lowering himself down, Jungkook takes Yoongi into his mouth, his tongue exploring every inch of him. Yoongi’s back arches off the couch, a loud moan escaping his lips as Jungkook’s warm mouth envelops him. He threads his fingers through Jungkook’s hair, urging him on as he rocks his hips minutely in time with Jungkook’s expert movements.

Jungkook bobs his head, his tongue swirling around the sensitive head of Yoongi’s cock. He can taste the saltiness on his tongue and his hand wraps around the base, pumping in sync with his mouth. The wet sounds fill the room, mingling with Yoongi’s heavy breaths and small gasps.

“Kook-ah,” Yoongi barely moans out, tugging lightly at Jungkook’s hair. “I– I’m close.”

Jungkook just nods and hums, which seems to be the undoing of Yoongi.

As Yoongi’s release washes over him, his body tenses and his grip on Jungkook’s hair tightens. Jungkook swallows it all, slowly pulling away with a satisfied smirk, using a thumb to wipe away spillage from his lips. After a few beats, Yoongi recovers enough to pull Jungkook into another desperate kiss. Their mouths move together as Jungkook situates himself back to straddling Yoongi’s lap.

Breaking the kiss for a moment, Yoongi reaches for the bottle of oil and Jungkook leans his forehead on Yoongi’s shoulder, breathing heavily. Yoongi manages to get a dollop of oil on his hand without having to jostle Jungkook too much. Jungkook watches as Yoongi reaches in between their bodies to take Jungkook’s length in his palm. Jungkook hisses, the sensation almost overwhelming.

Jungkook’s eyes flutter closed as Yoongi begins to stroke him with the slickness of the oil. The combination of the heat from Yoongi’s hand and the lingering scent of lavender fills his senses. Every touch sends sparks of pleasure coursing through his body, and he gives kisses to Yoongi’s shoulders.

His entire body is on fire, every nerve electrified by Yoongi’s touch. Yoongi’s hand moves slowly and deliberately, spreading the slick oil along Jungkook’s length. Jungkook can’t help but buck his hips forward, seeking more friction, more of Yoongi’s touch. He feels like he’s teetering on the edge, already ready to lose himself completely.

Yoongi leans in, capturing Jungkook’s lips in a searing kiss as he continues to stroke him. Soon, Jungkook loses all coordination as heat and sensation roar through his abdomen. He’s breathing fast and hard, little out little whines, until he’s released in between them.

Their bodies remain intertwined, sweat glistening on their skin as they catch their breath. Yoongi’s hands roam over Jungkook’s back, tracing the contours of his muscles with a tenderness that belies the intensity of their previous actions.

Jungkook nuzzles into the crook of Yoongi’s neck, leaving feather-light kisses along his collarbone. Yoongi’s fingers card through Jungkook’s damp hair, a soothing gesture that lulls them both into a state of tranquility. They lie there, basking in the warmth of each other’s presence, their bodies entangled on the couch.

As their breathing steadies, Yoongi speaks softly, his voice filled with an undertone of contentment. “Kook-ah, let’s go shower.”

Jungkook whines, but nods. They both awkwardly stand on wobbly legs, helping each other to the bathroom and clean off under the warm spray. With gentle caresses and soft kisses, they dry and change for bed, getting under the comforter to tangle their legs together. Jungkook thinks Yoongi falls asleep as soon as they hit the bed. They lay there in the peaceful darkness, their bodies intertwined, while Jungkook rests his head on Yoongi’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

The following three nights, Jungkook is asleep before Yoongi even gets home. He only half-wakes when Yoongi is climbing under the blanket next to him. Jungkook would be happier about the knitting not happening, if it weren’t for the worry about the hours Yoongi is suddenly keeping. He wonders if Yoongi is even seeing any daylight at this rate.

Jungkook wakes up to the sound of Yoongi’s alarm blaring on the nightstand. He rubs his eyes and stretches, groaning at the stiffness in his muscles from sleeping in one position all night. As he sits up, he notices Yoongi already dressed and ready for the day, looking like he’s been up for hours.

“Morning,” Jungkook mumbles, still feeling groggy.

Yoongi turns to him with a tired smile. “Morning, Kook-ah. Sorry for waking you up.”

Jungkook shakes his head, trying to shake off the sleepiness. “It’s fine. Just surprised you’re up so early.”

“Yeah, well... I have an early morning meeting today,” Yoongi explains, grabbing his phone off the nightstand. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Jungkook nods, understanding. He’s relieved it’s Friday and that this weekend should be relatively relaxed in comparison, even if they were hosting a dinner party tomorrow.

When he finally pads out to the living room, he has a half-formed thought about maybe grabbing the knitting project and hiding it. If Yoongi is this distracted with work, surely he’s too distracted to be knitting. Then he’ll move on to another hobby and this whole horrid episode can be put behind them.

Except the knitting isn’t where he had seen it the night before. Jungkook gets on his hands and knees to peer under the sofa, thinking maybe it got kicked under in their exuberance. Nothing. He glances around the room. He checks the normal surfaces Yoongi tends to leave his half-finished work sitting on. Empty. He goes back to the bedroom and scours for the project. No luck. Did he take it to work with him? That would be—that would be weird, right?

“Maybe I’m losing my mind,” Jungkook mumbles as he grabs his clothes to change into. He’s going to be late for work at this rate.

“I’m telling you something bad is going to happen and it’s probably going to be Yoongi breaking up with me,” Jungkook says sulkily into his rice. The canteen is almost empty, Taehyung and Jungkook having taken their lunch an hour later than normal to finish up a project.

“You know,” Taehyung says, pointing his chopsticks at Jungkook. “I know the sweater business is bad news. But think about it. Why on earth would you break up? You two are like relationship goals. You’re the most domestic pair I’ve ever met.”

“Still,” Jungkook pouts. “I had that dream. And! This morning, when I got off the bus, there was a crow just waiting for me. Watching me on the sidewalk. One crow. It’s another bad omen.”

Taehyung looks at Jungkook with sympathy. “My eomma sent me some red ginseng. I’ll bring it for you tomorrow. I think you need it more than me.”

“I don’t think ginseng is for bad lu–”

Taehyung interrupts him with a wave of his hand and says, “Just accept the gift, Jungkook-ah. It can’t hurt.”

Jungkook looks glumly into his rice, but mumbles, “Thank you, hyung.”

Taehyung pats him on the head with a look of sympathy in his pout.

Yoongi is working away in the kitchen, with what looks like a half dozen different dishes cooking. Jungkook is meant to be putting up some holiday decorations. They host this friends’ dinner every couple of months and it isn’t normally a decorations affair, but with Christmas in a couple of days, it feels nice to be festive. Except Jungkook is now sitting on the edge of his bed—hiding from Yoongi—on his phone, scouring Naver for remedies to bad luck and curses. Honestly, he’s not sure why he didn’t think of this before. If he can find a good way to counteract the Sweater Curse effects, then he doesn’t have to break Yoongi’s heart by destroying the sweater before he can gift it.

Jungkook scrolls through countless articles and forum posts, searching for any possible solution to the curse that has befallen—or surely will befall soon—him and Yoongi’s relationship. He reads about cleansing rituals, talismans, and even special incantations that can supposedly ward off bad luck. Desperation fuels his determination as he delves deeper into the obscure corners of the internet.

The article is filled with stories of individuals who have encountered curses in their lives and managed to break free from their grip. Jungkook scrolls down, his eyes scanning the page, until he stumbles upon a section about love curses. His heart rate quickens as he reads about different methods to counteract the effects of a curse within a relationship.

The conclusion is to burn a stick of incense and meditate on the relationship. Then throw salt over the left shoulder.

“Garbage,” Jungkook mumbles. “This is just like– shit relationship advice meets amateur superstition.”

“What are you doing?”

Jungkook jumps up from the bed and immediately puts his phone behind his back. “Nothing!”

Totally not looking guilty as fuck, he thinks.

Yoongi narrows his eyes from the doorway. “Well, you’re not supposed to be doing nothing. You’re supposed to be decorating. We only have a couple more hours until the early birds start arriving.”

“Oh!” Jungkook takes a jerky step forward, remembering himself. “Right, yes. I came in here to get the decorations out of the closet.”

“Did you forget and start playing a game on your phone?” Yoongi says with a laugh.

“Yeah, must have,” Jungkook chuckles along. He really needs to get his head in the game here. Operation SOS is struggling.

Jungkook swings open the closet door and retrieves the box of decorations. His hand trembles slightly as he grips the handle, trying to mask his anxiety with a forced smile. As he carries the box back to the living room, he can’t help but feel a pang of guilt for slacking off and not fully immersing himself in the preparations for the party. He takes a deep breath, trying to push away his nerves and focus on the task at hand.

As he enters the living room, Jungkook sets the worn cardboard box down on the coffee table and begins to unpack its contents. His nimble fingers handle each decoration with care, delicately hanging twinkling lights around the room and strategically placing ornaments on various surfaces. A singing Santa figure takes center stage on the coffee table, its (annoyingly) cheerful tune filling the space anytime someone walks by. But even as he busies himself with festive tasks, Jungkook’s mind is consumed with thoughts of breaking the curse and protecting their relationship.

He’s in the bedroom putting the empty box away when the bell rings. He walks out to find Seokjin and Namjoon taking off their coats in the front hallway.

“Hello, hyungs,” he says cheerfully. “Was traffic okay?”

“We took the train,” Seokjin says, walking further into the living room. “I want to have something to drink tonight!”

Jungkook chuckles as he follows them into the living room. “Well, you’re in luck because Yoongi hyung is playing bartender tonight. He’s been looking up new cocktail recipes.”

Seokjin’s eyes light up with excitement. “Oh, I can’t wait!”

Soon enough, Taehyung arrives with Hoseok and Jimin in tow. Hoseok is ready with bright apologies, “Sorry we’re late. You know who is always operating on their own time.”

“Yah,” Jimin says with no force in his tone.

“They say another storm is blowing through tomorrow,” Namjoon says from the couch, eyes glued to his phone. “More snow?”

“Isn’t there something about a white Christmas? A song or something?” Seokjin asks.

“Dinner is ready!” Yoongi calls out. “Come help me bring it out.”

“See, we arrived just on time,” Jimin says with a sharp nod.

They all help to bring out dishes to the coffee table, Santa being temporarily rehomed to a side table before his singing ruins everyone’s appetite. The aroma of the food fills the air as Yoongi and the others set the plates down. The table is soon adorned with an array of mouthwatering dishes, from steaming bowls of savory soup to platters of grilled meats and colorful side dishes. The room is filled with the sound of cheerful chatter and laughter as everyone takes seats around the crowded table.

“Hyung, don’t forget to come eat,” Jungkook says to Yoongi who is still running around mixing drinks and getting last minute banchan, while everyone else dishes up.

“You can dish me up, Kook-ah,” Yoongi says distractedly as he digs in the fridge for who knows what.

“Hyung,” Jungkook tries again.

“Coming, coming,” Yoongi says. A soft smile adorns his lips as he sits down, thigh to thigh next to Jungkook, backs against the couch.

The room is filled with the clinking of cutlery and the soft murmur of conversation as everyone enjoys the delicious meal. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, a perfect reflection of their close-knit group of friends. All worries about curses and bad luck fade to the background as Jungkook revels in the joy of this moment, surrounded by the people he loves most.

That is, until knitting comes up during the dinner conversation.

“So, Yoongi-yah, are you still knitting?” Seokjin asks with a glint in his eye.

Jungkook tenses and makes eye contact with Taehyung, who grimaces back at him in sympathy.

“Oh yes,” Yoongi says, not noticing Jungkook’s silent conversation with Taehyung. “I think of all the different fiber arts I’ve tried, it’s definitely my favorite.”

“You might say you’re ‘hooked’ on knitting?” Seokjin says with a grin.

Everyone looks at him for a moment before Yoongi says, “That’s crochet, hyung.”

“Oh don’t get all knitty-gritty on me,” Seokjin says, his smile not fading. “I’ve knitting is sew relaxing.”

“Please stop,” Yoongi deadpans. Jimin and Taehyung are snickering to each other. Everyone else just looks perplexed.

“But I have so many yarns I can spin for you, Yoongi,” Seokjin continues. “Knit happens. Just roll with it.”

Jungkook finds himself giggling and Yoongi gives him a look of ire. “Don’t encourage him, Kook-ah.”

“Don’t get yourself all tied into knots, Yoongi-yah. It’s not like I’m saying anything skein-dalous. Jungkook-ah, maybe Yoongi has gotten you a purl as a gift.”

Seokjin bursts into a high-pitched laugh and everyone joins in this time, even if they didn’t really follow all the banter.

Jungkook loves seeing Yoongi trying to hide his grin, his cheeks pink with the attention. He gives Seokjin a big smile.

“Snow is starting,” Namjoon says, looking at his phone instead of out the window.

Everyone else glances out the window to see soft white flakes falling down.

“Guess it’s time to go,” Seokjin says matter-of-factly.

Soon, everyone is getting coats on. Santa starts up a jaunty chorus of “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” with his hips jerkily dancing around on the side table.

“Oh, Joon-ah, I have something for you, before you go!” Yoongi says.

Jungkook looks at him curiously. Yoongi runs to the bedroom and comes back with a square box wrapped in green paper. He hands it to Namjoon, who had just finished getting his boots on.

“Thanks, hyung,” Namjoon says bashfully. “You didn’t have to, you know.”

“I know, but now we’re even,” Yoongi says with a smile.

Bemused, Jungkook watches them, but is quickly distracted by hugs from his friends and they get ready to make their journeys home.

“Be careful in the snow!” Jungkook calls out to them as they leave.

Once the front door is shut, Yoongi and Jungkook turn to each other with exhausted grins.

“Clean up tomorrow, hyung?”

“Yeah, let’s go to sleep, Jungkook-ah. I’m exhausted.”

As Jungkook drifts off to sleep, arms securely around his boyfriend, he realizes he never saw his hyung pick up his knitting project once today. Maybe he’s finally moving on to a new hobby, he thinks sleepily. It’s not until 5 in the morning, light in the room unusually bright as the snow reflects the city lights outside, that his eyes slam open and his brain helpfully realizes that maybe he’s not knitting because he’s already finished the sweater.

Jungkook has never hated cheerful little holiday kittens more in his life. Those little fluff balls wearing those incredibly ridiculous hats mock him, reminding him today is Christmas. By all rights, he should be happy. He got great seats for the concert tonight, he had gotten Yoongi’s gift a while ago, and he looks good today. The red and white pattern holiday sweater he’s wearing fits just right. He should feel on top of the world. Instead he feels like a failure. Operation SOS was a disaster. Jungkook folds himself into his arms on his desk.

He’s startled by something heavy being dropped on the tabletop next to his head a moment later.

“From my eomma, as promised,” Taehyung says.

Jungkook looks at the bag, presumably full of red ginseng. “Thanks, hyung. You really didn’t have to.”

“I know,” Taehyung says with a nod. “Let’s go get lunch.”

Yoongi looks amazing. That’s the first thought in Jungkook’s head as his hyung walks towards him along the crowded sidewalk. He’s wearing a black leather jacket that hugs his body just right, accentuating his broad shoulders and lean frame. His hair is styled perfectly today, a tousled mess of black strands that make Jungkook’s fingers itch to run through them. Yoongi’s eyes meet his, a mischievous glint flickering in their depths, and Jungkook can’t help but feel his heart skip a beat.

“Hey,” Yoongi greets him, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Ready?”

“Let’s go, hyung,” Jungkook says with a smile, pulling Yoongi by his hand into the restaurant.

The lamb skewers they eat are just as wonderful. The night is perfect. The concert is fun and Jungkook blushes when Yoongi gushes about the seats he was able to score. As they walk back to their apartment, hand in hand, light flakes of snow kiss their noses and cling to their eyelashes. A magical Christmas evening, indeed. So magical, Jungkook completely forgot to worry about their exchanging of gifts until they were sitting together on their couch, knees knocking, cute wintry fireplace video playing on the television.

“Let me get mine first, Kook-ah,” Yoongi says with a grin.

Before Jungkook can say anything, Yoongi is up and running to the bedroom to grab his present. Jungkook swallows thickly. This is it. This is the end. As sweat pricks at the back of his neck, anxiety coursing through his veins, he thinks that if they were going to end their relationship, at least he had this perfect day. In fact, they have been having a lot of good days lately, he thinks.

“Here you go, Kook-ah,” Yoongi says softly. “I made it for you.”

Jungkook sees Yoongi’s face first before he registers the gift he’s holding out in his hands. His face is soft, but there is a bit of nervousness behind his eyes. His cheeks are dusted pink. Then Jungkook’s eyes move down to the little rectangular package—brown wrapping with a red string—in his hands. Small. Very small. Not bigger than his hand.

“Oh,” Jungkook says with a start. “Hyung.”

He gingerly takes the package. He feels tears prick the back of his eyelids as he blinks down at the wrapped box.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Yoongi asks.

Jungkook just shakes his head. “Thank you, hyung.”

Yoongi chuckles. “You haven’t even seen it yet.”

So, Jungkook slowly unties the string and delicately pulls the wrapping off the box. It’s a black velvet box, like the kind you get jewelry in. He tentatively pops open the top and sucks in his breath at the contents. Inside is a thick silver chain. He sets the box down after pulling the chain out. It’s a necklace. A beautiful silver chain necklace.

“You– when did you make this?” Jungkook breathes out.

Yoongi looks sheepish as he rubs the back of his neck with the palm of his hand. “That’s– it’s where I was this last week—why I was late. I was taking lessons. And made that. For you.”

“Oh, hyung,” Jungkook says as he quickly moves to put the necklace over his head. “It’s perfect.”

Yoongi ducks his head, clearly embarrassed. “It’s not much.”

“It’s wonderful, hyung. Thank you.”

Jungkook gets up and runs to the bathroom where he can get a look at the necklace around his neck. He smiles. “So, what have you been knitting for the last month, hyung?”

“What’s that?” Yoongi asks, coming to stand in the doorway, admiring Jungkook through the mirror.

“You’ve been knitting like a maniac. I thought you were knitting something for me,” Jungkook says, making eye contact in the mirror while his hand absently rubs along the chain around his neck.

“Oh, that was for Namjoon. I made him a sweater. I thought I told you?”

Jungkook stares at Yoongi through the mirror. “A sweater. For Namjoon.”

“Yeah, that’s why I kept using you for size comparison,” Yoongi says cheerfully.

“Oh, right,” Jungkook says with a nod.

“Did you have a gift for me or shall we get ready for bed?” Yoongi asks.

“Oh!” Jungkook says. He looks at the necklace one more time in the mirror. He thinks he might like this new hobby of Yoongi’s. Then he blanches when he remembers the gift that is carefully wrapped, waiting for Yoongi in their bedroom closet. “I, uh, well. I’m not sure I want to give you my gift after you’ve given me such a meaningful present, hyung.”

“I’ll love anything you give me. You know that, Kook-ah,” Yoongi says softly.

“Right,” Jungkook says, trying not to choke. “Right.”

He marches himself to the closet as if these are his last steps. He gets the box, wrapped in holiday kitten wrapping paper, and walks out to the living room where Yoongi has settled back down on the couch.

“Uh, hyung, you don’t have to open this, you know?”

“Stop delaying,” Yoongi laughs out.

With a gulp, Jungkook hands the box to Yoongi and sits down next to him. He wipes the palms of his hands on his thighs as Yoongi compliments the cute kittens on the paper. Soon the paper is torn away and the gift emerges. Jungkook cringes with a smile-turn-grimace.

His heart does somersaults as he watches Yoongi’s face go from curiosity to confusion to brilliant sunshine laughter.

“Really?” Yoongi asks through his laughter.

Yeah, everything is going to be fine. He’s not even sure why he was ever worried about them breaking up. Sweater Curses. Jungkook knows they are truly, disgustingly meant to be together. He lets his awkward grimace slide back into an endeared smile, cheeks still bright red in embarrassment.

Yoongi is laughing, with a gorgeous gummy smile on full display. When he finally catches his breath, he’s able to wheeze out, “Sea monkeys?”

#bts fanfic #thearmyprof #bts ff #bts angst #angst with a happy ending #yoonkook #holiday vibes #sweater curse #myg #jjk #puns #knitting humor

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baiyijian · 3 years

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adventures in chinese internet slang: 红领巾 (red neckerchief)

Originally, this refers to the red neckerchiefs (mostly) worn by primary school age children in communist party organisations (called “Young Pioneers”), who would then typically grow up to join the Young Communist League.

[210701: zhang zhehan at ‘1921′ movie promo]

But in slang (i found it on this douban post*), someone kindly explained it means 一般只做好事不留名。在网上就是发图发帖发资源的那些人 [generally it refers to someone who does good deeds without leaving a name. on the internet, it is someone who makes posts, uploads photos, posts resources etc.]. So basically someone who is helpful.

But they said it can ALSO mean 其他骂人的范指** [fans who abuse other people] which is I believe is how it was used in the context I saw it in, though I’m not 100%

*The amount of slang used on douban is insane. it’s like a whole nother language. google translate is usually pretty good for baidu answers and the like but it completely breaks down in the face of douban (I’m yet to figure out whether “fat golden retriever” is meant to refer to Tao....)

**They’ve used 范指 as a transliteration of fans. I guessed that meaning but spent twenty minutes trying to verify & being progressively more confused until i asked someone for help on discord. It’s definitely not conventional. People usually say 粉丝 or 饭.

#look wikipedia says it's a scarf but that is NOT a scarf #chinese #chinese langblr #langblr #chinese language #what is structred learning im just going on baidu answer sprints every few days

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quellmythirst · 3 years

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Hey, so I had an idea for a Billy Russo x Reader fanfic. Lowkey based off the movie Time Is Up where the reader meets Billy but she’s dating someone else. Billy actually knows the reader’s boyfriend and Billy and the reader become good friends. But the the reader finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her and apparently Billy KNEW that he was cheating so then Billy and her fight, the reader gets in her car and drives away mad and gets in an accident where she loses her memory so she doesn’t remember meeting Billy AT ALL.

Just an idea because I’m watching the movie right now and I literally LOVE your Billy Russo x Reader stories!

Hey! How are you? Yes! So I haven't seen this movie but, I read the plot outline on Wikipedia and hashed it out. I changed somethings, but I hope you like it anyway.

Don't Wait to Long

Pairs: Fem!Reader x Billy Russo, Fem!reader x Steve Rogers.

Words: 2.1kish?

Warnings: Infidelity (Not reader), violence, swearing?

Dating Captain America had a lot of perks, the esteem, the parties and the way he used to look at you. But lately things have been off. He's been going on more missions, staying at the compound later and later. You knew, knew his job was important saving the world and all that shit. But after 3 years, you began to think that you weren't. You felt as though you were no longer a priority in his life, you could even pinpoint the moment he changed. The second they pulled Bucky from that freezer in Wakanda he was a changed man. You were constantly being brushed to the side to make room for this new man in his life. You tried to be understanding, to be patient. He would come around as soon as Bucky got settled you told yourself, but after a year of this you were beginning to have doubts,

Sitting on the couch you stare at your phone, your best friend just a click away. You knew you shouldn't call him, you know how Steve feels about your relationship with Billy. But with an ocean between you its not like he could argue, it would be fine. Billy would come over and reassure you just like he always had, you would drink wine and watch vampire movies and all of your worries would fade away. Taking a sip of your Pinot you click his number.

"Hey Girlie, what's up? Captain underpants leave you all alone again?"

"Don't call him that. But yeh, what are you up to?"

"Just putting on my jacket," he says and you hear the rustle of his scarf.

"You heading out?" you ask, worried that maybe you interrupted him.

"Yep, I'll be over in 20, make up some popcorn," he tells you before disconnecting the call.

When he arrives you've got the room all set up, blankets draped cross the couch, popcorn bowl sitting in the middle of the table and his favourite whiskey waiting for him.

"How you feeling there Girlie?" he asks, unwrapping his scarf and throwing his jacket over the back of a chair.

"Shit," you sigh pouring yourself another glass of wine,

"Can't believe you let this asshole treat you like this," he says taking a seat beside you and clicking play on What we do in the shadows.

"He's not just some asshole Bill. He's Captain America,"

"Yeh, exactly, he should fucking know better."

"What am I gunna do?" you ask him ,feeling unsure of yourself

"Why don't you go visit him? He's on mission right? I'm sure he'd be happy to see you," Billy says, knowing the opposite is true. He'd tried everything to get you to see what a jerkoff this guy was, maybe if you saw for yourself, what he had learnt by hiring a PI to follow your supposed "Perfect Man," you would finally see clearly.

"But he's in Sydney, I don't have the kind of money for flights," you sigh, Billy didn't need to know about the algorithm you had cooked up in your spare time, to pinpoint where in the world Steve was. It helped you to feel closer to him, knowing exactly where he was in the world. Imagining yourself on the balcony with his arms around you and the look he used to give you, like you where his reason for being.

"I do, how about I come with you?" Billy says, knocking you out of your dream world and you had to admit it was a good idea.

"Really? You'd do that for me?" you say clutching your non existent pearls.

"Do anything for you Girlie, I just want you to be happy," happy with him, he said to himself, pulling you into a tight hug, "wanna go now?"

"Right now?"

"Sure, go pack a bag, I got spare clothes in my car,"

The flight to Sydney was long, having to change over in Hong Kong was such a pain. But it would be worth it when you got to see Steve again and with Billy's reassuring presence by your side it would be easy to avoid boredom. You knew Steve would be out all day on mission, returning to his hotel room at night. Which he had told you was in the Shangri La on the harbor. The pictures he had sent you were beautiful, looking out over the cruise ships, the iconic harbor bridge and the weird looking opera house. Not to mention, it made his location a lot easier to track.

"What are we gunna do while we wait?" Billy asks, guiding you to the tram that would take you from the airport to the city.

"I always wanted to see the Opera house," you say, looking up on the tram system at which stop would bring you closest. You ride the tram getting off at Circular Quay. The water sparkles beautifully as you take in your surroundings. To the left you see a large park in the distance and an abundance of cafes, the your right you spot the Opera house, your legs dragging you forward towards the building.

"Omg there's so many steps," Billy complains as you reach the top, looking down over the peninsulas at the the picture perfect harbor, the bridge shining bright in the background.

"Take a selfie with me," you smile, leaning your arms over Billy as you pull out your phone snapping a pic of the both of you. "Where to now?" you ask him,

"I think I saw a museum over there, want to go check it out?"

"Yes! lets go!" you take his hand dragging him behind you as you run towards it. Your breath catching in your throat and a slight sheen of sweat on the both of you. You walk through the museum, not even noticing that your sweaty hands where still intertwined. To focused on enjoying all the artwork that had been loaned to the museum. Taking picture upon picture with each other throughout the interactive exhibits. The room of paper flowers was beautiful and you took the most photos in there, astonished that someone had taken the time to install this beautiful piece.

The sun hadn't even begun to set when you hear your tummy grumble, "Billy what time is it?" you ask, rubbing your stomach and staring up at the sky.

"Around 7," he says, as you begin to walk towards the park you had spotted earlier. His hand still in yours.

"7? It sun is still up, and its like 30 degrees still,"

"Yeh, apparently that's normal around here. Want to go find something to eat?"

Heading into the Rocks district on the northern side of the harbour you find The Keel Bar, down a side street. The bar was beautiful, the air full of woody and a distinctly rum flavored smell. You both sat down, enjoying the cool breeze of the evening air, salt water filling your nostrils as you ordered your plates of food to share. The waiter retuned offering you both their specialty rum for the evening. You and Billy sat reminiscing about the day you had spent together, exploring the city and relishing each others company.

When it hit 9 you were a little sloshed, Billy's hand held under your arm to guide you as you tried to walk off the buzz.

"I just need a minute," you say leaning on the near by railing,

"Take all the time you need Girlie, I'm sure that dickweed isn't going anywhere,"

"Why don't you like him?" you ask, "You never liked him,"

"He's got bad vibes ok and the way he treats you. You deserve better,"

"Someone like you?" you raise an eyebrow at him, maybe this was why?

"No, definitely not. I don't deserve you either," he scoffed leaning next to you on the railing.

"Billy," you whisper, your hand snaking up his arm to turn him close to you as your hand reaches his chin, bringing his face down closer to yours, "tell me to stop,"

His eyes dart from yours to your lips, entranced in the lustful was you were staring at him, "I don't want you too, but you have to," he says leaning back and pulling away from you. "Your drunk girlie, maybe its time I got you back to that fuckwit you call a boyfriend."

You approach the building, checking your phone to see that the algorithm you had crated had calculated the room number and floor of Steve's room with the photos he had given you. "I'll be going then," Billy says reluctantly, gently knocking his fist into your jaw, "have fun girlie. Call me if you need me," he turns heading out of the lobby.

You hear weird noises as you approached Steve's room and think maybe someone else on this floor is celebrating their honeymoon form all the grunting and moaning you can hear. But your ears perk up when you hear a voice you know, a fiery rage fills your lungs, seeping out your eyes in angry tears. You pulling your special swipe card that can hack any door in seconds, slamming the door open.

Your eyes budge wide, taking in the scene before you. Your boyfriend, the man who said he would marry you one day, balls deep in another mans throat. Realization hit you like a ton of bricks, crushing and heavy. This is what Billy had been trying to tell you. "We're over," you whisper, your voice laced with sobs of defeat. You turn away from the scene, racing down the halls towards the elevator. You hear your name being called and suddenly a strong hand seizes your arm.

"Where you going honey? It wasn't what it looked like," Steve lies, a soft pathetic looking smile on his face.

"Really?" you spit back, rage bubbling and boiling in your blood, "because it looked like you were balls deep in James Buchanan Barnes. Remember all those time's you said you guys where just friends Steve? Remember when I asked about him?" your voice shaking, eyes attempting to burn him alive from the inside out.

"What about you and Billy huh? Dude hasn't left you alone for a minute," he shouts his vice grip on your hand bruising as the elevator dings open and Billy is standing inside. He steps out, reaching behind him to pull a gun out and point it at Steve.

"Of course, can't let her go anywhere on her own," Steve growls at Billy.

"Let go of her," he commands in a deep and harsh voice.

"No, she's my girl," Steve tugs you closer to him but you pull away, trying desperately to get free of him.

"Like fuck I am. Go back to Bucky and stop pretending, it's not 1940 anymore Steve! You guys can just be together and leave me the fuck alone!" You scream, your arm aching, your feet kicking into his legs.

"She's got a point Steve," Bucky says, finally exiting the apartment a towel wrapped around his waist, "let her go and come back to bed."

"We're taking about this when I get back to New York," he says sternly to you finally releasing your arm and you run into Billy, his arms wrapping protectively around you.

"We aren't talking about shit ever again Steve Rogers, You're never going to see me again," you say as the lift closes between you.

Tears fill your eyes as your realization finally hits you, you dumped Captain America. Yeh, because he's a liar and a cheat. You sob into Billy's arms as he walks you towards the hotel he had booked, not quite as fancy as Steve's but nice, it was artsy and fun.

The room is cute decorated in all sorts of colours, various nick knack's around the place and it then you realise there's only one bed.

"Its ok, I'll just sleep on the floor," Billy says, "did it heaps overseas one more night wont kill me,"

"Don't be silly there's heaps of room," you smile for the first time in an hour, feeling a tiny bit more normal and sane than you had in years.

"I don't want to make it weird,"

"Its not weird, we can share a bed and I bet its super comfy," you say feeling a bit better. You yeet yourself onto the bed face first, but its a lot bouncier than you expected and boings you off, your head colliding with the side table, before your whole body hits the floor.

In a flash Billy's is at your side, wiping the blood from your room desperately trying to get you to wake, he almost gives up and calls an ambulance when your eyes flutter open and he lets out a sigh of relief.

"Hey Girlie, you ok?" his voice dripping with sincere concern.

"Who are you?" you ask, rubbing your head where the pain was coming from and looking down to see blood on your fingertips, "Who am I?"

"Y/N, come on now, this isn't' funny. You know me," Billy says sliding his arms under you and placing you on the bed.

"Do I though?" your face turning quizzical as you stare up at the man.

"Yes, now shut up and drink this," he says handing you some ibuprofen and a glass of water, "we better stay up incase you have a concussion."

"Whatever you say stranger," you drink them both down. smiling mischievously at him.

"Do you really not know me?" he says taking your face in his hands, his thumbs stroking along your cheeks and genuine worry in his eyes. Without thinking you push forward locking your lips with his, your tongue diving into his mouth to taste him for the very first time. Your hands moving into his hair to hold his face close, pulling him down until he was completely atop you.

"I could never forget you, but I would like to get to know you in other ways," you winked at him.

"I can think of many ways to keep you up all night," Billy says seductively.

"Cant wait to hear them."

#Billy russo request #billy russo x reader #billy russo x you #billy russo fanfic #the punisher fanfic

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festival-of-pudding · 3 years

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here you go @finduilasclln , just a little boo-boo ❤

“What are you making, Dad?”

“What do you mean, what am I making? This is clearly a racecar.”

“I thought it was a horse.”

Eddie gasped in indignation, and Christopher giggled. The truth was his Lego creation didn’t look like a car or a horse, more like a log with growths all over it. But at least he was trying to make something — unlike Buck, who was hunched over the table with his tongue poking from his mouth as he assembled a solid wall of multicolored bricks.

“What are you even doing?” Eddie asked him.

“What, this?” Buck held up his creation proudly. “This is an international maritime flag signal.”

“What?”

“Yeah.” He pointed at the patterns. “It says, ‘I require assistance. I am on fire.’”

“Where do you get this stuff?”

“Wikipedia is your friend.”

“I like it, Buck.”

“Thank you, Christopher.”

“Well, you just wait. This racecar’s gonna be amazing.”

Christopher reached over to pat his father’s hand. “It’s a good try, Dad.”

Buck laughed, then covered it by scarfing some popcorn. “I need more blue. Chris, can you pass me the blue?”

Christopher picked up the bin with the blue Legos and carefully handed it to Buck. When he set it down, Buck’s hand knocked a stray yellow piece off the table; he bent under the table to grab it, and as he came up he bonked his elbow against the table edge.

“Fffff—” He clamped his mouth shut against a string of profanities and clutched his smarting elbow.

“Are you okay?” Christopher asked.

“Yeah, I just hit my funny bone.”

Eddie swigged his soda. “That’s what you get for making fun of my car.”

“That’s not nice, Dad.”

“I’m just kidding, buddy, Buck’s not really hurt. Right, Buck?”

Buck was attempting to peer at his own elbow, his lower lip thrust out in an exaggerated pout.

“I said right, Buck?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.” He rubbed at the elbow, frowning.

“Come on, you barely touched it.”

“It was right on the edge!” Buck held his arm to his chest, still frowning. Under his breath he muttered, “Probably gonna leave a bruise.”

“Oh for— let me see.”

Eddie leaned over the table and Buck thrust the elbow directly in his face.

“Sets compound fractures all day, can’t handle a bump on the arm,” Eddie muttered.

“The ulnar nerve is extremely sensitive to blunt force trauma.”

“Blunt force trauma. You’re fine. You want one of Christopher’s Band-Aids?”

“Very funny.”

Beside them Christopher piped up: “When I bump my head on something, Abuela kisses it better.”

Eddie’s smirk vanished.

“That’s, uh, that’s different. Abuelas do stuff like that.”

“Because they want you to feel better. Don’t you want Buck to feel better?”

Buck tilted his head, still pouting, and batted his eyelashes for good measure. “Yeah, Eddie, don’t you want me to feel better?”

Eddie frowned. He glanced at Christopher, who was watching him expectantly. He should probably set a good example; he didn’t want Chris getting any signals that male friends couldn’t show affection. But why couldn’t it be a hug? Hugs he could do. He was great at hugs. Eddie sighed, then quickly leaned forward and gave Buck’s elbow the briefest peck before sitting back down.

Christopher burst into squeals of laughter.

“I tricked you!” he cried. “That’s baby stuff. I made you kiss Buck. You kissed Bu-uck! Now you lo-ove him!”

“Christopher—” Eddie’s attempt at Stern Parental Face didn’t hold quite as much oomph with the fierce red blush creeping up from his neck. “I did not kiss Buck.”

“Technically you did,” Buck said.

Eddie glared at him, but Buck was grinning at Christopher. “Of course he loves me! And I love him, and you. We’re all friends, right? Friends love each other. Whether they kiss or not.”

Christopher returned to his Legos, still wiggling with delight at the success of his masterful ploy. Eddie couldn’t help but smile at him and tousle his hair, but the smile softened when he looked back at Buck.

Buck bent his arm a few times and gasped. “Abuela was right! It is all better! I have been healed!” He was smiling too, but the teasing pout was gone. In its place was something that made Eddie’s blush flare a little warmer.

“And now you love me,” he added.

He reached for his soda, grinning at whatever he saw on Eddie’s face, and winked.

“Finish your racecar,” he said.

#firefighter husbands #christopher diaz has two dads #buddie #911onfox #911 on fox #writingtag #911 abc #fp:myposts

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epic-sorcerer · 3 years

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Queer imagery in BBC Merlin

Content warning: kink/fetish, fisting in particular but I show I big image containing a long list of different kinks, homophobia, dom/sub dynamics, sex

Merlin is shown wearing a purple tunic in s4, despite the fact he is a servant and purple(especially with such saturation) was extremely expensive bc purple dye was so hard to make. Gwen also has a light purple dress(or maybe 2? It’s hard to tell). Even though it’s definitely lighter than Merlins tunic, it’s still expensive.

it was illegal for peasants to wear expensive fabrics because of the Sumptuary Law. Basically it makes sure that lower class people are not fashionable. However, BBC Merlin doesn’t seam to care about that law, considering Merlins other bright clothing so take this was a grain of salt.

Basically what I’m trying to say is that there’s no way they could have gotten their hands on these clothes without the help of nobles. Gwen might have, because she works with clothing and could have easily mixed blue and red dye together. Merlin probably not have because he’s never shown to be particularly materialistic or interested much in fashion, despite his bright clothes. Bright Purple would have been much, much harder to get.

It makes the most sense for Merlin and possibly Gwen too to have been gifted such expensive clothing by a noble for being a good servant. I’d imagine Arthur would be the one to give Merlin the tunic and morgana the dresses.

Why does this matter? Lavender(and also purple in general) was considered a queer color starting in the 19th century. Queer men especially were said to possess a “streak of lavender” and a serge of homophobia at the time was often referred to as the “Lavender Scare.” Purple and lavender is still used now to symbolize queerness.

Since Merlin is a modern interpretation of Arthurian myths, it would be perfectly plausible that this symbol was on purpose. Merlin/Arthur and Gwen/Morgana are both extremely popular ships and they are both shown to have a very deep form of trust(Gwen/Morgana being at the beginning of the show). Arthur and Morgana gifting Merlin and Gwen purple clothing could be show them they accept their queerness and/or signaling their own queer attraction to them.

Now, this next symbolism concerns only Merlin/Arthur.

Merlin is shown to have three neckerchiefs.

Navy blue, red, and light grey. Why does this matter? Well, let’s take a look at something called the handkerchief code, also known as the hanky code or “flagging.”

This code has its origins all the way back in time during the Wild West in the USA, but got more popular during the late 20th century in USA and UK gay bars. This code was used mainly by queer men and some nonbinary people to signal to other queers what they wanted sexually. While typically worn in people’s back pockets, a handkerchief could also be worn around one’s neck to show they are a versatile and experienced.

According to this code, Merlin is into;

Red: fisting and getting fisted. This color was hard to get an exact shade from, but the second best option was dark red for double fisting which is honestly so similar I’m not sure if it really matters much.

Light grey: stone topping and getting fucked by a stone top

Navy blue: fucking and being fucked anally

For any one wanting to make their own interpretations of Merlins neckerchief colors(the lighting makes it hard to tell the exact ones) have a look at this handy chart

Not only that, but Arthur is seen wearing a favour on his left arm in s3 ep 4.

What’s a favour? It’s a fabric strip of affection commonly given by maidens to knights before a tournament as a symbol of good luck. It’s often a very important scarf, hankcerchlif , towel, really any bit of cloth that can be tied around someone’s arm. This is also a popular trope in historical media for a female love interest to give a favour to a male one to show chemistry between them.

Regardless of your stance on Merlins gender identity, you have to admit how commonly Merlin is shown to be gender nonconforming(GNC) or otherwise be associated with “womanly” qualities. Especially in a society so heteronormative, the only “pure” option for a knight receiving a romantic gesture would have it be from a woman. If the token was from a queer man, it would also out the noble and cause lots of horrific chaos and destroy both of their reputations.

Even if it was common for women to give knights favours, queer men still existed and with that came romantic gestures—this time hopefully more secret.

Even though the favour on Arthur’s arm doesn’t look exactly like Merlin’s neckerchief, Merlin was the only person to speak with him while preparing for the tournament. Also, the original theorist who I linked in my sources also pointed out that Merlins neckerchief looks lopsided. Almost like Merlin tore off a bit of it and hastily tied it back on.

Although this theory is definitely flawed, it doesn’t matter. Arthur is still wearing a red handkerchief on his left arm. But what does that tell us exactly?

Regardless of wether or not it was Merlin’s, the red is the same shade and also implies Arthur is also into fisting. What about the placement? Sicne it’s on his left, it shows that he is a top/dom, meaning that he prefers to be the one fisting. Since it is worn around his upper arm, it shows that he is simply into the fetish, compared to what other placements mean. In another source, it shows taht upper arm means switch, but because Arthur is wearing it on his left it wouldn’t really make sense for him to signal being a “top-switch” compared to being a top and having the fetish in general.

If you look closely, you can see a different colored stripe on the favour. It’s hard to tell exactly what the color is, it could be yellow, gold, orange, etc. because the color is so dubious, I’ll just leave y’all with a list of color meanings that may apply to Arthur’s favour.

YELLOW: pisser/watersports kink

YELLOW, Pale: spitter/spit kink

MUSTARD: Has 8+ inch dick

GOLD: two looking for one

ORANGE: anything anytime

Also, it’s important to bring up what many in thsi fandom refer to as the “fisting scene.” Where Arthur threatens Merlin by showing him his gloved fist and pulling a bit at the glove.

youtube

In the blooper, you can see Merlin’s actor(Colin Morgan) breaking character and giggling as Arthur shows him his fist. Many in the fandom agree that this was a clear innuendo for fisting, and it is very well possible.

Merlin is shown hitting Arthur and saying he was just doing some horse play, but still indirectly convincing Arthur that he needs to teach Merlin a lesson. This is actually a common act in BDSM sex, where the submissive person purposely angers the dominant into punishing them in a way that somehow involves sex or fetish play.

If you look closely, you can see Merlin is wearing at kinky red fisting handkerchief, showing Merlin is perfectly capable of being a submissive fistee. Also, the hanky code also includes other symbols such as latex or rubber gloves that, surprise surprise, also mean fisting. Although it’s more likely Arthur’s gloves where made of leather, it can still further be interpreted as a fisting symbol if you want. Either way, Arthur’s favour still holds water as he is undoubtedly the dom in this situation.

Also, Merlin is very impulsive and a madlad. Tell me he wouldn’t wear his secret fetish symbols infrount of stuck up, Roman Catholics who are none the wiser. He’d probably think it’s hilarious which is probably why he wears them almost everyday. Merlin loves playfully misbehaving(and is also a brat sometimes) so it makes sense for him to have some dangerous fun.

Now, you may be asking. Why does this matter? At the end of the day, it probably wasn’t intentional. Well, there is alwyas room for doupt BUT I do have some ferther proof. One of the co writers of BBC Merlin—Johnny Capps—actually won a Stone Wall Award. You know, an award named after a core part of queer culture?

The award’s website and Wikipedia page say they give the award for art that describes the LGBT experience well. While I am unsure why or what Capps made to be nominated, it still shows he is very much in touch with queer culture. Capp himself even said at an interview about Merlin, “... in the end, deep, deep down it’s about sexuality and things you just can’t tackle head-on.”

Well, what says more about sexuality than the main characters fist fucking each other? That’s a lot of sexuality. While I am unsure of Capp’s age, he does look to be about middle age and it would make sense for him to know about a code popularized in a 70s to 90s. Especially for someone who has made multiple queer oriented stories in his life time.

Sources:

Why is purple considered the color of royalty?

Sumptuary law

How lavender became a symbol of LGBTQ resistance

How Lavender Became a Symbol of LGBTQ Resistance(part 2)

flagging opinicus rampant

Handkerchief code

DO YOU KNOW THE HANKY CODE?

Picspam: The Red Favour (Proof of Arthur Wearing Merlin's Favour in 3x04)

Five medieval love tokens

The Lady's Favour

Hanky codes

Nominees for Stonewall Awards announced

Merlin series 5 spoiler-free launch report

Pls reblog I spent hours on this /np 😭👊

#tw kink mention #tw sex talk #tw eye strain #tw homophobia #tw queerphobia #research essay #long post #Merlin #bbc Merlin #Merlin bbc #merthur #merlin/arthur #gwen/morgana #morgwen

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michael-massa-micon · 3 years

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What???? - February 2022 This is a Mata Mata Turtle. The following almost unbelievable description of this species is from Wikipedia: “The mata mata is a large, sedentary turtle with a large, triangular, flattened head with many tubercles and flaps of skin, and a "horn" on its long and tubular snout. Three barbels occur on the chin and four additional filamentous barbels at the upper jaw, which is neither hooked nor notched.” The Mata Mata is beautiful, in a weird, sci-fi monster sort of way. Basically they lie around all day in shallow water with their head right at the surface. With all those “tubercles and flaps of skin” and the other weird characteristics, they look like a large leaf floating on the surface of the water... until a nice bug or small fish happens by and they scarf down dinner. I was intent on getting an image of a swimming stingray when this thing stuck his snout out of a hole and started climbing up the rocks. Needless to say, I didn’t go back to the stingray. MWM

#arizona #arizona boardwalk #odysea #aquarium #mata mata #turtle

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farfromsugafanfic · 3 years

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Sutures - Chapter Eleven: Right Place

Genre: Soulmates AU, Idiots to Lovers, slight Enemies to Lovers

Pairing: Yoongi/Named Reader

Warnings (chapter specific): mentions of anxiety (sort of), exes who won’t leave you alone, family hospitalization, mentions of death

Synopsis: “A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.” –Jean de la Fontaine

There was only one thing you and Min Yoongi had in common that night. You were both brokenhearted. You only intended to be together for one night, but when you both end up in the hospital the next day you discover that you are soulmates. It could kill you to be apart. As you and Yoongi attempt to sever the bond between you, will another be formed?

Previous | Series Masterlist | Next

You swung your legs towards the seat across from you, but they were just barely too short and they fell straight back down which caused Yoongi to chuckle. He sat diagonally from you with his feet resting on the seat beside you. He wore headphones and had his laptop in front of him. You hadn't even realized he was paying attention to you.

You held your knitting needles and your creation was nearly done. Yoongi had told you about his family dog--Holly--and you remembered seeing his picture in Yoongi's studio. You were knitting a small scarf that would tuck easily around his collar. You wished you had more time to make him something like a jacket, but Yoongi had sprung the trip on you, planning and taking on a large project like that took weeks to complete.

The scenery on the train flew by so quickly you could hardly make it out and it made your head spin if you tried for more than a few seconds.

"You seem quiet," Yoongi said. He hadn't taken his headphones off and you laughed at the thought that he simply had them in as a habit.

"You were working. I didn't want to disturb you."

Yoongi shrugged and lowered his laptop screen and allowed his headphones to fall around his neck. "You seem nervous." His gaze lowered down to your fingers that continued knitting as you spoke and looked into his eyes. You hadn't even noticed the way your fingers continued the pattern.

"I mean, I want to make a good impression on your family. I know we're not really together or anything, but I'm your soulmate and if they don't like me--"

"Exactly, you're my soulmate," Yoongi said. "Finding each other was less than one in a million. Almost less than one in a billion. And, don't they say that soulmates are often not just compatible with the person, but their family as well?"

"That's been the case so far," you said, remembering reading the Wikipedia article on the handful of other soulmate couples. "But, soulmate science is new and imprecise. And, I imagine for those who are different from their families or don't have good relationships with them, that can't always be true."

"I have a feeling they will like you," Yoongi said. "You don't have to worry."

You didn't get a chance to respond as the train lurched to a stop and announced its arrival in Daegu. The doors opened and you stood up. You and Yoongi had had the train car to yourselves, so you were able to stand up and grab your suitcase immediately.

"Are the press gonna be here?"

"I don't know," Yoongi said. "We didn't officially announce this trip, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone is following us."

You nodded. It was becoming familiar to see camera flashes and your face used as a cover photo. The thought of growing used to it sent a shiver down your spine as you extended the handle on your suitcase.

Yoongi stood beside you and your eyes met briefly causing his lips to turn upwards in a small smile. He reached up and pulled the mask you'd forgotten was looped around your ears and hanging around your chin up over your lips and nose.

"Just in case," he said.

---

You hadn't seen a single camera as you neared Yoongi's parent's place. You weren't sure if it was a blessing or a curse. Just because you couldn't see the cameras, didn't mean that they weren't there. You half expected to see a picture of you and Yoongi getting off the train in Daegu pop up in your newsfeed.

"We're here," Yoongi said. The car stopped and Yoongi was immediately out and walking around to open your door. You stepped out and gripped the handle of your suitcase, the bones of your knuckles feeling like they were about to burst through your skin.

Yoongi walked slightly in front of you and opened the door. The first thing you heard was a high-pitched barking and before you could catch sight of Holly, the brown full-sized poodle was jumping up on you in greeting.

"You must Holly," you said, crouching down and allowing the dog to rest its front half on your lap. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Ah, I'm right here." Yoongi's face contorted into a look of simultaneous amusement and jealousy.

You laughed as you ruffled the dog's ears and crouched down so he could lick your chin. "Oh, you're so sweet." You reached into your purse and pulled out the scarf you finished on the train ride and carefully tied it around his neck.

"Oh!" you heard someone exclaim from the other end of the room. "I wasn't expecting you two for another hour. Dinner isn't done yet."

"It's fine. We have to get settled anyway."

Yoongi's mother's eyes widened as she met yours. It was as if she had just noticed you. She stood just a few inches shorter than Yoongi and you could see they shared many features. From the slope of the nose to the way her eyes seemed to narrow in on you, the same way Yoongi's did in certain moments.

"You must be Sumi," she said. "It's so nice to finally meet you."

She reached out and pulled you into a hug. You tensed as she wrapped her arms around you. From everything Yoongi told you about his family, they were not outwardly affectionate people and so you had expected at most a firm handshake.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I just feel like you're part of the family already." She glanced over at Yoongi and back at you. "I haven't seen Yoongi this happy for a long time."

"Oh," was all you could get out. Yoongi had told them you were trying to sever the relationship, right?

---

Yoongi met his mother's gaze. Her eyebrow slightly arched, a look Yoongi had seen many times. Holly broke the silence with a bark signaling for you to reach down and pet him again. You crouched down so your face was level with his and allowed him to lick your chin.

Yoongi couldn't help but smile as he watched you. Your hair was ruffled from the train ride and he noticed the way your shaking hands calmed as they ran through Holly's fur. He crouched down next to you and met your eyes, a small smile simultaneously appeared on both your faces.

"I've never seen him warm up to someone so quickly," Yoongi said, ruffling the dog's ears.

"I guess he just likes me."

"Yeah," Yoongi said, his voice an octave quieter. "I guess he does."

Yoongi's phone buzzes in his pocket. His hand reaches for it, but he doesn't want to leave this moment. It wasn't like he was reliant on his phone, but with an upcoming album and the other members working on it in his absence, he couldn't ignore it.

Jihee's name appeared on his screen and his widened. He hadn't blocked her number purely because the texts after the break up stopped and with the whole soulmates thing, he'd honestly forgotten.

Yoongi opened the text and found a screenshot from Instagram where she'd posted a picture of herself laying on a bed with her legs straight up in the air. It wasn't the familiar slope of her calves or the arch of her back that caught his eye, but rather the black pumps she wore.

He recognized them instantly as the ones you'd worn and abandoned the night he'd met you and the ones you'd failed to get back from Minki. Yoongi had no idea how Jihee got a hold of them, or how she even knew their significance.

He screenshot the text and emailed it off to the legal team at BigHit. He knew the post would probably gain some attention, but he trusted it would be seen for what it was, an attempt to seek attention.

Blocking her number, he slid the phone back into his pocket. Yoongi knew he should tell you, but watching the way you adjusted the scarf around Holly's neck, he decided he'd tell you later.

---

Yoongi was starving and watched as each dish was placed on the table. His parents had made a bit of everything and as soon as everything was set he quickly reached for braised pork and his mom's homemade kimchi.

You grabbed a bit of everything and mixed it together with your rice. Yoongi reached out and grabbed a few more pieces of meat and set them in your bowl.

"You didn't eat much this morning."

Your eyes widened and Yoongi thought he caught your lips curl into an embarrassed smile.

"Sumi," Yoongi's mother said. "I'm so happy you came into Yoongi's life. We were getting a bit worried Yoongi would never find someone who made him truly happy." She glanced over at Yoongi's father. "Even in his past relationships, I never saw Yoongi like this."

Yoongi felt the heat rush to his ears and his feet fidgeted under the table.

You--despite Yoongi seeing the way you fiddled with your chopsticks indicating your nerves--smiled. "Well, I didn't really have a choice." You laugh, which normally made Yoongi's heart jump, this time made it fall.

While it was entirely true that you and Yoongi hadn't a choice in getting to know each other, there was a part of Yoongi that didn't want this to end. He wanted to see you play with Holly, see your hair splayed over your face in the morning, and your small smile when he gave you more meat.

"I am happy I met Yoongi though," you said. "Even if we can't spend the rest of our lives together and this is all some weird biological thing, these past few weeks getting to know Yoongi have convinced me that we are truly soulmates. I don't think soulmates always have to be romantic or end up together, we just get each other."

The table fell silent. But, it was content and for the remainder of the meal, the only sounds heard were light conversations and the sounds of eating. Yoongi couldn't help the swelling feeling he felt in his chest. He worried he would suddenly float off the seat like a balloon if he didn't try to stifle it.

You set down your chopsticks. "Thank you for the meal. I'll clean up my things and head to bed."

"Oh, no need to clean up. You're our guest. Yoongi, why don't you show her to your old room? I'll set you up a bed on the couch."

"Ah, mom, we're soulmates. Is that really necessary?"

"Yes," his mom said. "Maybe the poor girl wants a break from you."

His mom's quip made you laugh and he let out a sigh. "All right," he said. "Come on."

---

Yoongi led you to his childhood bedroom. When he opened the door, you were met with Epik High posters and notebooks lining the shelves of his bookshelf. You smiled at how distinctly Yoongi it felt. While it obvious his room hadn't changed much from when he first left home, you could still see hints of the man Yoongi would become. From the basketball trophies to the books about music production.

"Hey, I need to talk to you about something."

Yoongi's demeanor changed as he closed the door. "I got a text from Jihee earlier. She somehow got ahold of your shoes and posted with them. I sent everything to the company and I'm sure they will take care of it. I just wanted to warn you in case this blows up--"

"I trust you, Yoongi," you interrupted. "They've already said everything they could. It can't get worse than it already is and I know you'll do your best to take care of it."

You flopped down onto the bed and patted the bed beside you. Yoongi laid beside you. Your bodies were centimeters apart, but you didn't touch.

"Your parents didn't like Jihee, did they?"

Yoongi shook his head. "No," he said. "They tolerated her because I liked her, but they said they never pictured her as part of the family."

"Mine never liked Minki either." You were silent for a moment. "Maybe they knew somehow."

"Maybe," Yoongi said, his fingers brushing against yours. You turned and noticed he was still looking up at the ceiling, seemingly not noticing how his hand wandered to find yours. You wondered if it was a side effect of being soulmates. Your hands would always find each other.

The moment was severed when your phone rang. It was your mom and your stomach turned as you realized it was 5 am there.

"Hello?" You didn't care that Yoongi was in the room anymore. In fact, something kept you clinging to his hand.

"Sumi? You need to get here. Grandma's in the hospital and they don't think she has much time left. We're gonna leave her on life support until you get here because we know she would want you here. I don't know if it's possible without risking your own health and Grandma will understand--"

"No, I'm coming. I'll find a way. Give me a couple days. I'll be there, okay?" Your eyes were filled to the brim with tears and after you said your goodbyes, they rushed out. You weren't cognizant, but when you opened your eyes, you were folded into Yoongi's chest.

"Did you hear everything?"

Yoongi nodded. "I've already called a car to take us back. We'll be back in Seoul in a few hours."

"Yoongi, what are we going to do? You have a comeback soon. You can't just come with me to California."

"Shh, we'll figure it out. Just get your things together, okay?"

You nodded and got off the bed to collect your things. "Yoongi," your voice was still hoarse and barely there. "Thank you."

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twdmusicboxmystery · 3 years

Text

Beth’s Template in S11

Okay Bethyl Enthusiasts! Here goes!

I’ve been promising to talk to you about exactly what I think will happen in S11 with Beth’s arc, and that’s what I’m going to do today. I’ve had a basic idea of things for a while, now, but these bonus episodes and their epic symbolism have really kicked things into high gear. They’ve helped me see things more clearly and even helped give me a more definitely (disclaimer: though still somewhat fluid) timeline for how/when it will all happen.

So, of course we all hoped to see her in ep 22. But if he we had, it would have had to have been in a coda. Like a preview of some kind. Because they didn’t quite get to the part of the story where I’m expecting to see her. But I’ll get into that in more detail.

So, we’ve been saying for a while that we think she’ll come through Eugene’s storyline, so that’s what I’ll be focusing on here. Because that’s specifically what I think we’ll see in S11. @wdway has found a TON of Beth symbolism around Eugene. She did most of her investigating and reporting over the long, CoVid hiatus, but I haven’t gotten around to posting much of it. Maybe I still will. We’ll see. There’s been so much to talk about lately.

Let me also state that, while I firmly believe we’ll see Beth in S11, I don’t think we’ll get to the point where Daryl will see her. And yes, that kinda sucks. But they probably won’t have their reunion until the spinoff. I know the Bethyl reunion is what we’re all waiting for, but hey, at least once we see her, we’ll know it’s coming, right?

So let’s start by going through the relevant template.

I’ve mentioned parts of this before, so I apologize if any part of it is repetitive. But it will help you if you understand not just what I believe we’ll see, but why.

So, let’s return to 6x08/09. At the end of 6x07, the church fell and all the walkers got into Alexandria. Eugene ends up in a garage with Tara and Rosita. They can’t get into the house connected to the garage because the dividing door is locked. After a discussion between the two ladies about whether they’re going to give up hope or else “do something,” Eugene offers to pick the lock and they get inside.

Inside, Morgan was keeping Creepy Wolf Dude (who I’ll abbreviate CWD) in the basement. He brought Denise (Beth proxy) in to patch up his injury, which she does. Carol wants to kill CWD and tries, but Morgan stops her. He’s on his “all life is precious” kick and ends up body slamming Carol, so she passes out. But when his back is turned, CWD also hits him over the head, so Carol and Morgan are both down for the count.

Just then, Eugene, Rosita and Tara enter, but CWD takes Denise hostage and leaves.

Everyone with me?

Okay, let’s start with Denise. Because of the way she died, Daryl’s reaction to her death, and AALLLLLL the Beth symbolism around her, she’s clearly a proxy for Beth. So what I’m going to argue is that this little sequence is a foreshadow and template for how she’ll be reintroduced into the show. Notice how Daryl isn’t present in any of these scenes. So again, this is how we, the audience will see her. Not how Daryl will first see her. Kapish? Okay.

So, I think Eugene unlocking the door to a new place represents him finding or “unlocking” a new community. Kinda like the one he, Yumiko, Zeke, and Princess are now in the process of discovering.

How did we come up with that? I honestly don’t remember in detail. Like I said, it’s something we’ve discussed for a long time. I think we started with Denise=Beth and worked backward from there. It kind of feels like out of all the members of TF, Eugene will see her first, but then she’ll be taken away from him right away.

Now, he’s in the midst of discovering new people/a new community. A few other pieces of evidence for this:

1) Before they run into the garage, right after the church falls, Eugene gets on the radio and calls for help. Remember, Daryl hears him? So that parallels to Eugene talking with Stephanie via the radio.

2) If you go through the dialogue of Rosita and Tara in this scene and compare it to dialogue in the scene in 10x16 between Yumiko and Ezekiel (the scene where his horse dies) the parallels are ridiculous. They aren’t the exact same lines of dialogue, but the meanings and chronology of it is almost exact.

3) In terms of Denise = Beth, before she patches up Creepy Wolf Dude, she says to him, “show me the wound.” In Rick’s dream in 9x05, we heard Beth’s voice say, “What’s your wound?” It’s almost like they were trying to show us that Denise = Beth and that this template would play out with her return.

Okay, I hope that’s all clear. Shit’s about to get really interesting.

Before we continue, I want to remind you of THIS POST I did about 5x09. If you haven’t read it, I suggest doing so. I talk about the radio voice in 5x09 and how it talks about “attacks against the republic.” We couldn’t have known what that meant before, but now it’s clear that it’s a foreshadow of the CRM and the CRM war, which won’t happen until the spinoff.

It’s super interesting because Andrew Lincoln was the radio voice (he’s currently with the CRM) but he has his English accent. (I’ll tell you why that’s important in a minute. It wasn’t a casual or irrelevant choice on the writers’ parts.) So if that suggests Rick being with the CRM, which he is, it’s kind of interesting that Beth’s voice, singing “Struggling Man” also comes out of the radio at first, before we see her sitting there singing it. That suggests that she, too, will be with the CRM and part of the CRM war. None of Ty’s other death hallucinations spoke from the radio. I’m just saying.

The voice there even mentioned brutal attacks against the republic, including setting people on fire and hacking them with machetes. And that’s important because that’s just what the wolves did at Alexandria, and in the above template, we have CWD taking Denise (Beth). So it’s all interconnected.

But even so, I’ve had a hard time nailing down what it means and what the story line will actually be when Beth return.

Enter episode 10x21 and @bluesandbeth’s inspired research.

In ep 21, Carol snoops around in Daryl’s room and finds the book “The Golden Age of Piracy.” Now, I’ll admit I didn’t look into this reference very extensively because I THOUGHT I knew what it meant. We had a “pirates” reference between Daryl and Carol in 10x01, when they first discussed leaving together on his bike. Since we already know they’ll be leaving together for the spinoff, that conversation was a foreshadow of what will happen in the spinoff. And if you’ve been following my posts, you know that I see their whole arc in the bonus episodes (6x18 and 6x21) as a foreshadow of that same story line. So to me it was just another confirmation of the spinoff arc.

Then @bluesandbeth contacted me because she’d been looking into the Golden Age of Piracy book. She looked up the author and found out some interesting things. This author is real and basically wrote two kinds of historical books. (X) Books about piracy, and books about the American Revolutionary War. The author wrote a book called Greene and Cornwallis. (X)

Yikes! Yes, Greene is a real person and a patriot who stood against Cornwallis in the Revolutionary War. But what are the chances the writers use an author who just happens to have written a book with Beth’s last name in the title?

Historically, Nathaneal Greene was George Washington’s top general and right hand man during the war. I’ll come back to him. For now, it’s enough that he shares Beth’s last name.

I immediately hopped online to see what @bluesandbeth was seeing and look for more. And boy did I stumble upon a treasure trove!

I noticed a second book by this author called Swamp Fox. (Full title is Francis Marion: Swamp Fox.)

Now, you may wonder why that caught my attention. It’s not anything I ever posted about. It has to do with Leah. While me and my fellow theorists were discussing her and episode 10x18 endlessly, we noticed that Leah often wore a fox-fur scarf:

We conjectured back and forth about what it meant. Foxes, just like most animals, can have many different symbolic meanings depending on what culture you’re looking at. They’re often seen as sneaky and wily and deceptive, so we wondered if it was a reference to the writers “deceiving” us because Leah is a hallucination. But that was about the best we could come up with.

Well, when I saw the title of Swamp Fox, I immediately thought of Leah. And of course symbolically, Leah = Beth. So I decided to investigate.

And guess what? When I started reading about the Swamp Fox book, all the stuff from the S6 template above and the 5x09 stuff about Beth being part of the CRM war started clicking into place so fast, it made my head spin.

The Swamp Fox is about Francis Marion, a real man and patriot who also fought against the British during the American Revolutionary war. He’s the guy Mel Gibson’s character in The Patriot is based on. He faced down Cornwallis (one of the main British generals during the American Revolution) and was awesome at guerilla tactics and staying hidden. You know, in the swamp. Hence, they called him Swamp Fox.

Does that sound familiar to you? Think about what Andy Lincoln/Radio Voice said in 5x09 about Guerilla warfare and attacks against the Republic. You could describe Francis Marion’s military career any better if you tried.

And then I went to Wikipedia to look up general information on Marion and pictures of the British flag are all over the place.

Okay, this is another thing that won’t be very familiar to you because I haven’t focused on it much. In one of the episodes of TWB, Julia Ormond’s character is at home and we see a huge British flag hanging on her wall. Not surprising, given that she’s British. But it was such a huge, blatant symbol, and the camera focused on it for so long, that we figured it had to mean something. We just didn’t know what. The best we could figure is the colors (blue and red) and the fact that there’s both a huge X and a T/cross on the British flag.

Well, I now know what that symbol represents in TWD world. Reading about Marion and seeing the British flag on his Wikipedia page made it all make sense to me.

In short, Francis Marion, a.k.a. The Swamp Fox = Beth. She’s going to be the second-in-command general/guerilla warfare expert against the CRM. That’s why they had all that stuff in 5x09 when we saw her and heard her sing. The reason for the British flag is that Julia Ormond’s character = Cornwallis.

Read up on Francis Marion HERE.

(This is also why I said it’s important that in 5x09, they had Andrew Lincoln use is British accent for the radio broadcast. It’s meant to be from the point of view of the CRM, which symbolically represent the British in the template.)

So they’re using the American Revolution as a loose template for how the CRM war will go.

Back to Nathaneal Greene of Greene and Cornwallis? Yeah, same thing. Greene was George Washington’s direct under-general and right-hand man. Kind of like a…second or new sheriff? In the CRM war, George Washington = Rick and Nathaneal Greene = um, Greene (Beth).