#love a good troy selfie

[dandelionpixels]

community gang x reader / britta x reader

(platonic)

ask: Hey! Could I maybe request a part 2 for the britta sibling hcs where reader bonds with the group and they each help reader with their depression and Britta too of course! Sorry if a slight retread! I just love how you write britta and R!

(Part one to this is here)

- Abed is definitely the kind of friend to sit with you when you’re struggling. He’s not the one to drag you outside, or force you to drink more water. He just shows up and Britta lets him in and you guys sit on your bed and watch the show that Abed knows will make you feel a little bit better. He offers up bits of trivia to make sure you don’t zone out and even gets you to split a pack of noodles with him.

- Whenever you’re with the group and feeling down, Shirley has a habit of pulling you aside to ask if you’re okay. It’s a little embarrassing because she’s not super subtle, but you appreciate how quickly she always clocks it. She hugs you like a mom and holds your hand like a sister, and tells you that you’re gonna be alright.

- When she pulls you aside, Britta usually does something stupid to distract the group a bit while you guys talk, so you’re not too embarrassed.

- Troy is a higher-energy companion. He likes to be the one who comes over in the middle of the night and makes you guys laugh so hard you wake Britta up and she comes in but instead of being upset she just suggests you all order delivery and you stay up half the night bent over laughing with the both of them.

- Annie is definitely more solution based, and I love her for it. She brings an extra water bottle for you because she knows you don’t drink enough. She has granola bars and fruit snacks in her purse that she pretends are for everyone, but you know they’re just for you. She also for sure helps you clean your room when it gets too overwhelming, with no judgement and no snide comments, just trash bags and a laundry basket and a Sunday where she has no plans.

- Jeff pretends like he doesn’t care, but not even he is buying it. One time when you were sitting in on a study sesh, you get a text from him that just says ‘You good?’ and one time when you said ‘Yeah’ he says ‘Meet me @ water fountain in two mins’ and when you get there, he crosses his arms and stares until you sigh and your voice breaks and your eyes get watery. His face falls and he starts backtracking, “Wait, don’t do that.” and when you start sniffling he sighs reluctantly and in an effort to stop the tears, offers up his arms. When you hug him tightly, he pats you semi-awkwardly on the head, not quite sure what he’s supposed to do now.

- After a minute, you scurry away in an embarrassed rush. But after that, he’s gentler with you. He never asks straight up, but he texts versions of ‘Holding up?’ more and more often. Britta warned you one night that you really shouldn’t tell anyone else about him caring, because he will resort to blackmail.

- Every once in a while, when Britta realizes it’s getting bad, she comes home with a box cake mix and the snacks you guys loved as little kids. It’s always enough to get you out of bed, and you guys spend the evening ‘cooking’ as best you can and eating snacks and face-timing the study group so they can see your creation. The selfie of both of you with frosting on your faces is your wallaper for a long time.

[ms-mani]

#SUNDAYFUNDAY ❤️

#THETABORFAMILY 😍

[gothchickwriting]

Master List:

Request guidelines posted here

Demon Slayer:

Rui - The Nanny: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 - End , Seeking Love Headcanons

Muzan - Florist! Reader Headcanons , Human/Demon! Reader Headcanons

Kyogai - Kinktober (2019) Aphrodisiacs

Sanemi - Kinktober (2019) Scars

Gyutaro - Kinktober (2019) Somnophilia , Modern! Gyutaro x Reader Headcanons , Gyutaro x Reader : Good Intentions Part 2 , Gyutaro x Reader NSFW - Spanking , Gyutaro x Rich! Reader: Trouvaille

Douma - Kinktober (2019) Dacryphlia , Douma x Reader: Belle Ame

Kaigaku - Kinktober (2019) Hair Pulling

Enmu - Kinktober (2019) Teacher/Student

Akaza - The Breath of Winter: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7, Akaza x Reader: Comfort , Akaza x Reader NSFW , Akaza x Reader: Redamancy

Spider Brother - Spider Brother x Reader

Zenitsu - Zenitsu x Reader: Practice , Zenitsu x Reader: With You, I’m Safe

Tanjiro - Tanjiro x Reader: Unspoken , Tanjiro x GN! Reader: Late Night Promises , Tanjiro x GN! Reader: Food for a Fever, Love for the Soul

Diabolik Lovers:

Sakamaki + Mukami Brothers x Witch! Reader Headcanons

Mukami Brothers x Model S/O Headcanons

Shu - Shu/Laito/ Yuma x Reader NSFW

Laito - Shu/Laito/ Yuma x Reader NSFW

Yuma - Shu/Laito/ Yuma x Reader NSFW

Tokyo Ghoul:

Uta - Uta x Opposite! Reader Headcanons , Kinktober (2019) Lingerie

Kaneki - Yandere! Kaneki x Reader: In Your Arms

Borderlands:

Tyreen - Kinktober (2019) # Selfie , Kinktober (2019) Branding

Troy - Kinktober (2019) # Selfie

My Hero Academia:

Tamaki - Kinktober (2019) Phone Sex

Shindo - Kinktober (2019) Thigh Fucking

Obey Me:

Mammon - Kinktober (2019) Praise Kink

[hansolmates]

a hero’s journey (m)

summary; jungkook and jisoo are the mightiest power couple. however, one drunken confession and that whole facade fades in an instant. you realize that maybe you need to break from your unvaried life for a bit and be the hero of your own love story pairing; jungkook x editor!reader (f) genre/warnings; best friend’s boyfriend au, slice of life, angst with a happy ending because im weak, pining pINING, everyone’s kind of a mess in their own sweet special way, alcohol use, mentions of ze weed, toxic relationships, mean friends, sex—slight dom!kook, food play, fingering, squirting, heavy use of the petname “pretty girl” bc im weak, strength kink, manhandling (oop!) w.c; 22.2k a/n; woof! my first fic for @goldenclosetnetwork​ 23 | jungkook’s birthday project! this goes out to all the closet romantics *ahem me cough* who doesn’t love pining between a cutie koo? a huge thank u for vivi @eerieedits​ for making this bbbBEAUTIFUL fic banner!  

prompt used: “I should’ve known.”

if you like this fic pls consider giving a like n’share🥺💜🥺💜

It’s so easy to ignore the world. 

Maybe it’s a young-adult thing, but it gets difficult fitting into the 9-to-5 and playing to satisfy bosses that don’t entirely understand your work ethic. Maybe it’s out of complacency, or fear. But you prefer to let the world flow around you and when you’re needed, you’ll act. You’ve reached that point in your life where you enjoy the little things, satisfied by an extra hour of overtime tacked onto your paycheck, a new fabric softener, or finding the perfectly squishy yoga mat. 

You’ve finally started feeling comfortable in your shoes, uncaring as to whether you’re single or drowning in college debt, happy to live a relatively stable life. You’re grateful. There’s nothing more than you need than your happiness, and the love of your friends and family. 

Namely, your best friend from college. Jisoo always joked about how you two “won the lottery” as dorm rooms in freshman year were determined by lottery. Pulling numbers 883 and 884, you and Jisoo snagged a corner spot of the dormitory, leaving you two utterly cramped but utterly close as the years went by. Six years later and it’s still the case, the two of you have grown into talented working ladies. While you may not be able to spend time with each other the same way you did in school, you still care for each other. 

So when Jisoo shows up teary with a rumpled dress shirt and her hair waterfalling out of this morning’s bun, you break out the good alcohol and season three of Jane the Virgin for her. 

After the liquid is warm in your cheeks and you’ve fawned enough over Micheal and Rafael’s love triangle, you let Jisoo ramble. 

Jisoo has downed a whole bottle of soju on her own, while you’ve decided to have a tasteful glass of wine. You’d rather be tired wine drunk than wasted on soju. 

“Jungkook and I had a fight,” she warbles, stuffing a handful of popcorn in her mouth, “it was totally stupid.” 

Your eyes flash, picturing Jisoo and Jungkook in quarrel. They’re the epitome of an Instagram-worthy couple, beautiful and deathly charming to a fault. They show nothing but kindness and sweetness to you whenever you third-wheel, not a lick of anger between them when you’re all together.

So a fight is something surprising. Jisoo and Jungkook, J-squared are a power couple. Saying their names next to each other just emits a sort of energy you can only akin to famous small screen couples like Troy and Gabriella or Cory and Topanga. Jisoo’s Instagram is belly full with sweet selfies of them together, the doe-eyed man always looking completely sweet and gentle to the woman in his arms.

You never piqued Jungkook as the type of guy who would pick a “stupid fight.” And you know Jungkook pretty well. 

Maybe a little too well. 

“He surprised me during my lunch break and he caught me talking to Doyoung and he thought I was flirting,” Jisoo is practically eating her sweater, her head falling between her flannel pyjama sleeves. 

“Doyoung, as in your ex Doyoung?” you raise a brow. 

She groans, glaring at you in earnest. “Not you, too! I told him it was ridiculous to get jealous, and then I told him how jealous I get when he’s around girls and I don’t need to tell him that,” she rolls her eyes, twisting her feet petulantly in her fuzzy socks, “but then you know what he says back?” 

You wince, swirling your wine glass, “That you’re crazy?” 

“That I’m crazy, exactly! How did you—” her bloodshot eyes zero in on you, where you’ve tucked yourself in the corner of the couch. You swirl the ruby liquid in your cup, watching the feet web around the cheap crystal, “you think I’m crazy too, don’t you?” 

You swallow your sigh, taking your time to finish your liquid in languid sips. Uneasy, you wish you could just sink through the couch in order to avoid this conversation. Jisoo’s heart is generally in the right direction, but in terms of emotions she has the kind of sensitivity that you prefer to ignore rather than tread. Jungkook is also equally emotional, but in a different way. He wears his heart on his sleeve, preferring to keep things straight as opposed to bottling it up like Jisoo. 

However the theoretic bottle has reached it’s brim and Jisoo’s tipping, fast. 

“I need to tell you something,” Jisoo is swerving, crawling like an infant on wobbly limbs to reach your corner of the couch. You almost stop her, tell her you can continue this conversation in the morning, it’s what you normally do when she drinks into a stupor. But tears are swimming in her glassy caramel eyes and she’s grappling onto your blanket, resting her head in her lap. 

Her glossy russet strands curtain her head, so you don’t see the expression on her face when she says her next words: 

“Jungkook told me he liked you senior year, and I told him you weren’t interested so I’d have a chance.” 

Wow. So that explains everything.

The memories that you’ve tried so hard to brush away, the feelings you’ve tried so hard and continue to try to suppress, are laid out in front of you on a rusted platter. You could laugh, you could fling the rest of the Pinot Grigio down your throat like fresh water on a hot day and call it a night. 

But instead you choke back your tears, and push her off because you’re hurt.  

Deep down you know you would’ve been less upset if she told you the week after Jisoo and Jungkook called it official. If you knew from the beginning, it would’ve been easier on your heart. But it's been over two years since the past, thinking you’ve been needlessly, stupidly, delusional in thinking that you could’ve possibly had a chance with Jungkook.

Because it could’ve been you. And the reason why Jisoo and Jungkook fought today? Now you know it’s because deep down, they know they’re each other’s second choice. 

You can’t even recall a time where Jungkook and Jisoo were together alone before they suddenly started dating, remembering how it used to be you and Jungkook before Jisoo found him one day in your shared apartment, utterly smitten. And now you know you weren’t delusional, because the feelings and the signals you two were exchanging in senior year was real. 

But it doesn’t stop the fact that over two years have passed. Two years of a serious relationship between Jisoo and Jungkook, and two years of you secretly loving him from an arm’s length. 

“You hate me,” Jisoo removes herself from you, voice trembling. The quick, dark part of your mind wants you to snap back of course I hate you. You’ve trusted Jisoo with your life all these years, she was the reason you got through college so gracefully, why you enjoyed the past seven years of your life. 

But the sentiment is stained, and all you can do is deliver a tired smile and stand up. “I don’t hate you,” you say, “I’m just, really overwhelmed. I can’t lie and say that I’m not hurt,” your fingers clutch the fake crystal in your grasp, and for once you’re thankful you’re not strong enough to break it, “but you two love each other now and there’s no point in dwelling in the ‘what-ifs’.” 

Now that you think about it, when was the last time Jisoo treated you like a best friend? You stare at your wine glass, thinking that the only time comfort is provided in this apartment is when Jisoo is upset, never when you’re upset. 

Jisoo bobs her head senselessly, agreeing to every word. It’s pathetic, seeing her on her knees and her eyes glimmering with the hope that you’d forgive her straightaway. She must feel awful. That’s good.  

You sigh, needing to be the bigger person. “You need to call Jungkook and tell him he has nothing to worry about though, after all, you two have history now. As much, if not more than Doyoung.” 

“Right,” she replies, biting her lip. It suddenly feels like you're talking to a wall, carrying a conversation that's long ended.

“As for us,” you have half a mind to slam your glass on the counter, but instead you give it a heavy hand, letting slowly thump to the coffee table, “I don’t think I want to see you two, for a while.” 

“Understandable.” 

“And I don’t want to help you move out anymore,” I just want you gone.  

“Right,” she whispers. The both of you will be completed with your lease in two months, and Jisoo and Jungkook have decided to move into Jungkook’s apartment. As for you, you haven’t decided as to whether you want to go through the whole process of moving out or looking for a new roommate. 

“I’m sorry, I’m so so fucking sorry. I just was insecure as fuck in college and Jungkook was the first person I met in a long time that helped me feel more… like me.”

You want to say that she's right, she’s selfish. Her excuses aren’t palpable anymore. It’s too late. But if you were in Jisoo’s shoes, you’d think this apology is mere crumbs in comparison to your friendship. Why isn't she trying harder? Maybe because she doesn't know any better. After all, you never told her what you felt for him has morphed into love. 

You don’t even have to ask as to whether she’ll tell Jungkook this or not, you now know honesty is not her style. 

Jisoo doesn’t get a goodnight and a drunken kiss on the forehead like she usually does whenever you two have your late night talks. Instead, she seals herself to her own demise as you slam the door to your bedroom, effectively shutting each other out. 

Work is a bitch the following morning. You’re like molasses, rolling out of bed despite the whole world and its mother telling you to go back to sleep. 

Your feet are killing you as you make your walk to work, deciding to wear a pair of red-backed heels so you can stomp your way through your day. 

Your Wusband (Work-Husband) Kim Namjoon matches you step-for-step, eyes glued to his phone as he catches you on the sidewalk. “Woman on a mission,” he comments absentmindedly, eyes glued to his phone as he follows the click of your shoes to your favorite cafe. 

You spare a glance to your right hand-man, eyeing him appreciatively at his dedication to your morning routine. He’s your favorite co-worker, one who keeps you on time to your meetings and keeps you sane when you want to pull your hair out and dig out a coffin in your little cubicle. Namjoon’s long legs always seem to catch up with you during your workweek, whether it’s to get coffee in the morning or to talk shit about the latest gossip in the breakroom. 

The bell of the glass door tinkles in your ears as you enter the café, relatively busy for the morning rush. While you wait in line, Namjoon ticks off your activity list for today. 

“Meeting with Victoria is cancelled this morning,” you groan in relief, your supervisor Victoria always scares the shit out of you even when she’s not doing anything, “and just the usual proofing and whatever we have to do on the third floor today—can I get a large iced Americano with a pump of caramel? Thanks,” Namjoon moves aside so you can throw your order in as well, “and after work could you stop by Vernon’s? He took a sick day today and he has most of the manuscripts for the next issue.” 

“Done and done,” you swipe your card in the dip, tucking your card away in your zippered pouch. “So like, do Americanos taste any good? Like it’s literally watered down espresso how do you pay to drink watered down tar—” 

Jungkook’s at the pick-up counter. Jungkook’s at the pick-up counter swirling stray sugar crystals with his thumb and putting them in his napkin. What an impeccable display of Virgo energy, absentmindedly cleaning things he has no business doing. You scoff to yourself, recalling this morning that Jisoo got off the phone this morning with a stupid smile on her face. From the mirror image that Jungkook is excluding while he’s smiling on his cellphone like a smitten teenager, it seems like they’ve made up. 

Nevertheless the hurt from last night is still fresh in your bones, and you force yourself to look away despite the fact that your morning pick-me-ups are almost done and are sitting tauntingly next to Jungkook’s elbow. Does he really need to learn against the counter like he owns it? Hair slightly damp from the shower, your heart beats a little faster at the fresh image.His biceps are straining against his charcoal lycra long sleeve, which is slightly damp from his morning run. Snap out of it! You are a mature, working woman who does not swoon in the view of bulgy muscles, especially when the man who owns those muscles is taken. Suddenly there’s a call of your name, and two cups and a paper bag are put in front of Jungkook. 

He blinks, and you immediately pale when you see his eyes flit over your name surrounded by your favorite coral pink beverage. You feel struck as his head perks up at the name and he narrowly makes eye-contact—

“The fuck you’re doing,” Namjoon gripes, shoving your guava iced tea and croissant in your chest, “standing there like a moron as if we don’t got shit to do today.” 

“Sorry,” you mumble, pulling at the brown paper bag to tug a piece of croissant between your teeth. The warmth, buttery pastry melts in your tastebuds. Ah, bread. Nothing like a little bit of carb to make you feel better. 

You’re suddenly thankful for Namjoon’s gargantuan torso from effectively blocking you from Jungkook, hauling you out of the coffee shop like a petulant toddler. He doesn’t even give you a chance to catch another secret look at the object of your affections, making sure you’re back in your work game before you enter the building. Even if he doesn’t know it, Kim Namjoon’s always got your back. 

Or in today’s case, breathing down your back. 

Without your third editor and a hard deadline coming up by the end of the week, you and Namjoon are working in tandem throughout your 9-5 to complete drafts for Big Hit Publishings Arts & Media section. Both of you take turns to bring snacks and feed each other, feeling like reading zombies and slaves to your desk as you remind each other to breathe throughout the whole ordeal. 

In complete honesty you don’t totally mind. Namjoon is a great partner-in-crime, and you both love what you do and do a damn good job at it. You call it “Buzzfeed but with Benefits.” 

And at least for today, you could quell the feelings in your chest from last night and this morning. Sure, you’ve always been okay with the pining you’ve had for Jungkook. The feeling comes and goes whenever it pleases, and since yesterday you’ve been okay with just admiring from afar and being their third wheel. 

However, now the feelings are acutely comparable to a third-degree burn with the help of Jisoo playing with fire. 

With a quiet exhale, you concede in your gaming chair (because it’s just so damn comfy to keep in the office.) You’re an adult and not a petty child, and you will not let this piece of information derail you from your calm, stable lifestyle. 

But honestly? Fuck Jisoo. 

“Let’s go, buckaroo,” Namjoon logs off for you, the cinnamon-y smell of his shampoo effectively waking up your senses, “it’s already 5:30. And you said you’d stop by Vern’s to get his drafts.” 

“Right,” you blurt, mindlessly putting away your papers and snack wrappers in your bag. You can’t believe the whole day’s gone already. 

“Maybe you don’t even have to go to his apartment. Just text him or whatever.” 

“Sounds good, thanks Joonie.” 

“And y/n?” Namjoon gives you a look that causes you to force a terse smile, one you give one too many times to higher-ups at work. It isn’t to insult Namjoon by any means, but you guys are partners, the kind that tell way too much but hide just enough to remain close from afar. “Take it easy, will you?” 

“I will,” you concede, stretching your arms, “I’m def overdue for a massage.” 

“You don’t look sick,” you scoff, taking in the casual look your co-editor boasts as he leans casually against the doorway. 

Hansol Vernon Chwe is the epitome of fluffy, decked out in large electric blue sweats and his russet brown hair curling softly above his porcelain skin. Not only is he your co-editor, but also a friend from college. Not to the extent that you were with Jisoo and Jungkook, but you operated in the same publishing club and managed to get partnering internships that made you the co-workers you are today. You see a little bit of that collegiate youth in Vernon right now, as he looks well-rested and fresh faced despite the fact he probably didn’t apply moisturizer or drink enough water today.

“But you kinda do,” he tilts his head, noting the heels that adorn your feet, “you’re wearing your sexy shoes today, that means something’s going on.” 

“Gee, ever the ladies’ man,” you scoff, getting under his arm to invite yourself inside, “all I want is the completed interviews so we can pick out the best parts and draft them. Then I’ll be on my merry way.” 

“Oh c’mon, we’ve been talking nothing but work this whole damn month. What happened to college when we’d talk hours about House Hunters, the safeness of library sex, that little furry thing in Lincoln Hall’s urinal? That was prime conversation.” 

“Vern, I’m just here for the drafts,” you sit at his tiny kitchen table, glaring at his open laptop.  

“You could’ve just emailed me,” he teases, twisting around his chair so he can rest his arms against the back. “But since you’re here, that means you probably wanna spill some tea but you’re too upset to admit it.” 

“If I talk will you stop talking like that?” 

“Yes. Give me the juicy details. Need some juicy juice.” 

“Nevermind, get out of my apartment.” 

“Uh, this is my apartment.” 

“My point still stands,” you make another face at his outfit, “you look like the blueberry girl from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”  

Vernon purses his lips, scooting his chair closer to yours. He’s unfazed by your insult, far used to your defenses being higher up than Fort Knox. He looks up at you with his pretty lashes and deceivingly sweet caramel eyes, leaning his head along the backrest. “C’mon, tell me what’s bothering you,” he says in a gentle tone, coaxing you open. 

He always knew how to do it for you, a little bit of sweet talking and that clear open gaze always reduced you to shreds in university. For him, it always took a good meal and some sci-fi movies to get him to talk. That must be why you’ve stayed friends for so long, you two knew how to connect. 

Finally you crack, kicking off your shoes and hoping the sharp end doesn’t land on his cat. You hear Luna meow in protest but she’s got great reflexes. Unbuttoning the first three buttons of your stuffy blazer, you air out your cleavage, not caring about Vernon’s gaze. He’s seen worse. 

“Remember Jeon Jungkook? Majored in graphic design.”

“Ah, yeah. The guy who like, lived at the gym and the dining hall? Haven’t seen him in a minute,” his eyes seem to glaze over the glory days, reminiscing in the simultaneous safetynet and stressor that made up your early twenties, “didn’t you guys hit it off real well? Like I remember you ditched like—three sci-fi nights to study with him. Who even studies at 1AM?” 

“Yeah, we did,” and you can’t help but frown at as you remember the 7-Eleven runs, the utter warmth you felt when he would wipe a stray rice grain off your cheek, and how happy you felt to laugh so much with him it hurt, “but uh. Jisoo got drunk last night, because they had a fight. And she sort of admitted to me that she sabotaged our relationship and told Jungkook I wasn’t interested in him so they could start dating. Two years later and here we are.” 

A pause. And then, “Want a beer?” 

Vernon doesn’t even wait for a response when he gets up, bare feet slapping against the tile as he prepares some drinks and snacks for you. 

“That’s pretty fucked up,” he practically sing-songs among the cacophony of popcorn pop-pop-popping in the microwave. The aroma of buttery kernels is all but a relief, reminding you of movie matinees, “and like, she knew you liked him! It was totally obvious, even if you didn’t spell it out for her.” 

“Yeah,” you practically gushed to Jisoo those past two months, every waking moment with heart-eyes over the talented graphic designer Jeon Jungkook. 

“I can’t believe Jisoo would keep that a secret from you for so long. Like, can you even trust her anymore?” 

“Don’t know, was she even my bestfriend or was I just a good roommate to her?” you ask. Vernon is holding two beers in one hand and a bag of popcorn by the tips of his fingers in the other, careful to not burn himself. Opening the beer for you, you thank him and take a long swig.

“Well, good thing you’re still not in love with him or whatever. That would really suck. Unless—”

The look on your face says it all. You’re practically snotting into your bottle, your face tucked into your chin as you fight hard to stop the tears you’ve been suppressing for the last two years. “Don’t give me your pity,” you garble, turning away from the sad look Vernon gives you as he wraps his arms around you. 

The tears are soft and gentle, flowing freely onto the cotton of Vernon’s arms as you let it out. 

“‘M’not,” he concedes, rubbing his chin into your neck. He really is a lot like Luna, just like his  cat ready to give you affection. “Let’s just, get some take-out and watch Hamilton or something.” 

He lets you wear his matching sweat suit, lime green, as you order Thai food and rap along to Hamilton’s sick beats. Vernon does a better job keeping the flow, but you’re having a good time being his hype man as he parades around the living room like it’s 1776. 

You go home that night around ten o’clock, feeling noticeably lighter and more relaxed. Be that it may you are still wearing the sweatpants and heels ensemble, you feel comforted. 

The apartment is quiet when you walk in, not a single light turned on. You get a slice of the city lights bleeding in from the organza curtains, which allow you to kick off your heels and hobble to where you think the kitchen counter is. 

Today is Jisoo’s day to cook dinner. You can tell she decided to cook today from the faint smell of Japanese curry and a small unwashed plate in the sink. Whenever it was someone’s turn, they usually left an extra bowl or serving in it for the other roommate when they got home. Unsurprisingly, you find no such thing on the counter or in the fridge. 

You’re not upset, but rather decided. If Jisoo is going to let your friendship fade off with no intention of redeeming herself, then you should give her the same amount of energy back. You realize now the apology she gave last night wasn’t for you, but empty words to make her feel better and mend whatever toxicity she’s created in her own relationships. People like Namjoon and Vernon reminded you that you didn’t need to try and earn other people’s friendships. 

It’s disappointing, but the feeling is all but too familiar. 

If you could describe Jisoo as anything, it would be the color pink. Blushing, beautiful, beguiling pink. The way she flushes when Jungkook does an uncalled for grandiose gesture of romance, or when she wears a hot magenta number when she’s hosting a fashion show. Jisoo is the personification of La vie en rose, unbothered and unabashed.  

But now all you see when you think of Jisoo? Nothing but red. 

With that, you go in your room and untack the polaroid of you and Jisoo at the carnival last month, putting it away in your junk drawer to be forgotten. 

“You’re running away.” 

“Am not.” 

“Are too,” that interjection comes from Vernon’s roommate, Jung Hoseok. He’s been watching you two bicker over work for the past hour while he plays GTA5, failing to get a good hard carry because you and Vernon are too busy discussing whatever finishing touches you need on your final draft. 

“No one asked for your opinion, Jung,” you throw over your shoulder. 

“I’m just saying,” Hoseok flicks his wrist and nabs a tank, “you never wanna go home, you eat all our food, and I found your pyjamas in my laundry basket.” 

“You said your basket was the blue one,” you hiss under your breath. 

“The navy blue one,” Vernon chirps unhelpfully, “not the electric blue one.” 

Hoseok hits “save” on his campaign, disconnecting from his PS4 and stretching his lean limbs. “I mean, we could use a third roommate,” Hoseok jokes, getting up from the couch and grabbing a handful of M&Ms from your bowl, “you do make a bomb mac n’cheese.” 

“Appreciated,” you relent when Hoseok presses a kiss to your cheek and tells Vernon he’ll be back late working, leaving you and Vernon alone in their shared apartment. When Hoseok is gone, you stare at the door, tilting your head, “y’know,” you remark, “Hoseok’s a cool guy, why did I never hang out with him in college?” 

“Because he was stoned the majority of senior year and you just didn’t vibe with that crowd.” 

“Oh, yeah.” 

“But, you’re trying to change the subject,” Vernon carefully untacks your hands from your keyboard, knowing that you two have already been done with this month's issue and you’re now just mindlessly re-reading emails. “You’ve been here since Thursday, and now it’s Saturday. And as much as Hoseok and I like having you around so you can wake me up before we go to work, it’d be nice to throw me a bone and let me in on what you’re thinking right now.” 

You frown, noting Vernon’s large hand covering your laptop closed. He isn’t going to remove his hand anytime soon unless you talk. “Jungkook’s helping Jisoo pack up her half of the apartment this weekend and I don’t want to be there,” you say, short and simple. 

“You miss her?” 

“Yeah,” you admit honestly. You hate this version of yourself, unable to even look at Jisoo nowadays despite the fact you’re under the same roof for the remainder of the month. It’s hard to believe that the roommate from six years ago finally got under your skin, cancelling out all the years of friendship because of one silly relationship, “sad she doesn’t want to be my friend anymore.” 

“Did you talk about it?” 

“There’s nothing to talk about,” you reply despondently, “if she cared at all she would’ve to apologize again by now.”

Vernon figures, and his neutral expression doesn’t change as he leads you to the couch, brushing away Hoseok’s things so you two can get comfy. You busy yourself with the remote, exiting the PS4 homepage to scroll Netflix. 

“And are you trying to get over him?” 

“I mean, yeah,” you have been, but it’s a little hard when you’ve been contentedly pining. It was easy to keep your feelings bottled up because you originally thought Jisoo and Jungkook were meant to be for each other for the past two years. Now you're still pining but ruefully bitter at Jisoo.

“It’s not fair, y’know. She broke girl code, bros before hoes. Or is it chicks before dicks?” Vernon shakes his head at his lame attempt to get you to smile, which works anyway because Vernon’s silly and his sense of humor always gets you a little loose. “It’s your house too, you shouldn’t feel like you don’t belong there.” 

“Well I was supposed to help her move out this weekend, and I’d prefer it if Jungkook didn’t know what was going on.” 

“What?” your friend furrows his thick brows together, tucking his hands under his knees as he leans into your stubborn expression. “You’re gonna let Jungkook go on with his life not knowing that his relationship is based on a lie. That’s not cool. Even if you’re into him, he’s still your friend.” 

Damn, when did Vernon get so good at giving advice? Truth is Vernon’s always been good at dishing advice, you’ve just been privy to what you wanted to reveal to him. The first year or so being together outside of college was always about work, saving each other’s asses to ensure you two got that promotion and aim higher and higher. Now that goal is out of the way, and what better way to reconnect over some shoddy romance straight out of a Degrassi special? 

“I know,” you hug your knees tight to your chest, “when I’m ready, okay?” 

“Okay,” he agrees, because he’s not a pusher, “do you know the best way to get over someone?” 

“What?” 

“The best way to get over someone, is to get under someone," he emphasizes that point with his hands, sliding one under the other with a wiggle of his thick brows.

You slap him on the shoulder, “Vern, you disgust me.” 

“But it works!” 

“I’m not going on Tinder to find a fuckbuddy.” 

“You don’t have to look on Tinder or Tumble.” 

“Bumble.” 

“Whatever,” and his eyes flicker to his lap, where his pale fingertips turn red as he grips the edge of a throw pillow. "If you really don't wanna find someone, I can help." 

Is Vernon offering himself up? He is offering to fuck your brains out in the hope that you could inevitably fuck out your interest in Jungkook? Your eyes flicker over to Vernon's form on the couch, who's tucked in the couch just as you are. 

It’s true that you find Vernon attractive, and to some extent he definitely finds you attractive as well otherwise he wouldn’t have suggested the idea. It’s just that in college you never viewed him in that kind of light, probably because you were always so caught up in Jungkook. But tonight you can’t seem to ignore the eagerness hidden in Vernon’s carmine gaze, and how shiny and touchable his chocolate locks look under the setting sun. 

“I don’t want our friendship to change,” you reply slowly, furrowing your brows. “I appreciate it, but I don’t know. It sounds like a temporary fix.” 

“Can’t knock it if you don’t try it,” and out of curiosity, you don’t shy away when Vernon leans over to you, squeezing himself between the couch so he can tuck you in his arms. “I want to help you, but only if you want to.” 

Maybe it’s the frustration you feel with Jisoo, Jungkook’s ignorance, or the fact that you haven’t felt physical pleasure in such a long time, but you soften into Vernon’s hold. He’s relaxed, nothing betraying him as he waits patiently for your answer. You’ve always admired how much he kept up his “cool as a cucumber” demeanor. He isn’t the type of guy to let life pass him by, but he’s the kind of person who walks along life, embracing the ups and downs like old friends. He’s the ocean waves that crest along the shore, pushing and pulling along without a care in the world. 

He’s the textbook opposite of Jeon Jungkook, which is why you give Vernon the okay to lean in and press his lips against yours. 

His kisses are soft, and he takes great care in making sure you’re comfortable with this new step in your relationship. It almost feels as if you’re cutting corners, and you can’t help but feel a little guilty that you revel in the way Vernon’s hands trail under your too-large t-shirt. 

The pleasure you’ve ached for is there, bubbling low in the pit of your belly. It’s hard to get you out of your mind however, because this man isn’t the one you love. His kisses hold no power, only brief reprieve. Your heart doesn’t palpitate and your palms don’t sweat, you’re just languid. 

You’re greedy and selfish, but you remind yourself that it’s okay to allow yourself of these freedoms, even for a little bit. As Vernon finds your sweet spot that has you rolling your hips against his, you find that temporary fix isn’t a bad start at all. 

When you trudge back to your apartment that night after much reluctance, your face is still flushed and you think you smell a little too much like Vernon’s cologne. But the fact that still stands is that you're satiated, and you feel a tiny percent closer to moving on. 

The television is glowing with a terrible reality TV show, angry brides upset over cake layers or whatever. Jungkook and Jisoo have fallen asleep on the couch, surrounded by half-empty boxes. Jungkook has his arm lazily over Jisoo, her petite body fitting perfectly between his chest and the crook of his neck. 

You scoff when you spy Jisoo's bedazzled manicure digging into Jungkook's bicep, as if someone's going to take him away if she doesn't hold tight.

With stiff muscles you spare one look at Jungkook, ignoring the pang in your chest as you weave between boxes to turn the TV off. Barely an iota of your feelings have dissipated since your previous tryst with Vernon not an hour ago. Looking at Jungkook brings it all back, unfortunately. You suppose the feelings will pass with time. The soft hum of the television ceases, and you’re bathed in a room that feels dark and empty, despite the apparent life in the room. 

There’s some bleary talk coming from the couch as you walk to your bedroom, and if Jungkook is sleepily mumbling your name in question, you pretend you don’t hear. 

“So, where’s y/n? I thought she was going to help us pack.” 

It’s an innocent enough question, as Jungkook scans the corner of the living room hallway that leads to the bedrooms. You haven’t come out yet. He knows that you love sleeping in on the weekends, but he hopes the smell of fresh food will coax you to the table. His pan is sizzling in protest, telling Jungkook to quit talking and flip the hashbrowns. He's fried up three, in the hopes you’d be up for some crispy potatoes. He knows how much you love potatoes, especially at 2AM when you’re craving fries and a McFlurry combo. 

Instead Jisoo mutters, “You toasted too much bread, you know I don’t eat bread like this,” she’s pulling slice by slice out of the toaster, until there’s a stack of six golden toasts in the middle of the kitchen table. 

A little part of him wishes to quell the precursor to the argument there. It would be so easy for Jungkook to say, “the extras are for me” because he’s trying to gain weight, and that would be that. 

Instead he continues with his unanswered question and replies honestly, “I made extra toast for y/n, babe. She was supposed to help us pack but I haven’t seen her all weekend.” But he’s pretty sure you came home last night, unless that was his imagination. 

Jisoo pulls a carafé of apple juice out of the fridge, pouring the amber liquid into two glass cups. “Ah, she said she had some last minute things to do for work. Y’know, Big Hit always wants a big hit.” 

He chuckles, tilting his head as Jisoo gives him a small smile from the kitchen table. Jisoo is always good at cheesy jokes. “She must love her job, huh.” 

“Yeah.” 

“Her articles are really good, too,” the air smells like butter and Italian seasoning, as he places one hash brown on Jisoo’s plate, and two on his. He knows you edit in the Arts & Media section, and loves how you make it a point to include video games and modern graphics when it’s deemed appropriate. “She did a piece on the evolution of RPG and I thought her commentary was really spot-on.” 

He brings breakfast over to the table, while Jisoo places two slices of toast on his plate, one buttered and one with strawberry preserves. Breakfast is a quiet, but peaceful affair. Jungkook takes note of how Jisoo takes extra long to complete her meal, her fork creating ribbons in her little blob of magenta jam. He allows himself to complete his first hashbrown and a slice of toast before asking the difficult question. 

“Are you and y/n okay?” and he also takes note when Jisoo’s ministrations on her jelly stop, as she looks up at him with her big brown eyes. 

“We’re fine,” she insists, “just normal roommate issues, I promise.” 

“Maybe I should text y/n,” Jungkook says, pulling out his phone. “Lemme help you fix this, wouldn’t want you and her in a bad place when you’re about to move out.” 

“Baby, why are you so concerned about y/n?” Jisoo croons while his thumb hovers over your contact, his screen showing a two-year old selfie you two took during a study session early on in your friendship. He can’t remember the last time you two took a picture together out of spite, one without Jisoo. Jisoo’s hand pulls him away from his phone, rubbing small circles between his palm. 

He wants to ask, why aren’t you? But he sees the terseness in Jisoo’s smile, as her eyes fix between the interlocked fingers. He has a feeling he’s hovering somewhere he isn’t allowed to be in. Maybe it really is roommate stuff and it’s none of his business, but he feels a little insulted being left out because you and Jungkook are just as much best friends as you were in college. 

Or are you? 

This question plagues him throughout the day, and when Jungkook packs enough boxes for the weekend and says he needs to go home, Jisoo for once doesn’t argue. Normally Jisoo would cling to him like a koala, murmur simultaneously adorable and dirty things in his ear and lead him to her bedroom to coop up for hours on end. But Jisoo says she’s tired and needs some alone time, which is also fine. 

He doesn’t feel like going home, and instead heads straight to the gym. A couple pumps wouldn’t hurt, and it would clear his head. It’s nearly five in the evening when his body is thrumming with the afterglow of his post-workout, and he decides to take a little cool down in the mall and treat himself to a smoothie. 

It must be kismet when he sees you coming out of the bookstore, looking a little winded but no less professional in your beige blazer set and rose gold iPad. Whenever he hung around your apartment with Jisoo and you’d come home from work, he’d make it a point to acknowledge your plethora of multicolored skirt-suits. He never needs to be professional in his place of work, and admires how much effort you put in. 

“Hey!” he jogs up to you, and he catches the way your shoulders jump at his voice. “We missed you today.”

Your smile curls into something dry, and you twist your spine like rusty hinges to face him. In turn, his smile dims a little, wondering if he’s doing something wrong. Maybe you’re tired? He catches the line of sweat that glistens your baby hairs, and how your hair is done up but has fallen a few centimeters with some pieces falling out. 

“Jungkook,” you exhale, “lifting boxes wasn’t enough of a workout?” 

“You know me,” he replies stiffly, hiking his backpack higher upon his shoulder. Why does this conversation feel so awkward? “So, finishing up work? Sucks you have to work on a Sunday.” 

“Ah, it wasn’t so bad,” you face relaxes a little as you explain your work, “it was children’s day at the bookstore and they were watching Disney movies. I’m writing a piece on how I believe Ratatouille is Pixar’s magnum opus. Interviewed some kids, I wanted an expert opinion.”  

“Ratatouille is the superior film,” he declares with a firm nod, “after all, anyone can cook.” He revels in the small smile he manages to retrieve from you, immediately understanding the inside joke. If he came out of the gym five minutes earlier, he probably would’ve been able to catch you in the bookstore. What a shame, he would’ve loved to see you play around with the kids. 

At the mention of food, the mall manages to silence itself enough for him to catch the grumbling coming from your stomach. He laughs when your cheeks heat. 

“I was on my way to get some smoothies,” he jabs a thumb in the direction of the food court, “wanna catch up and get a bite?” 

“Oh, I don’t know, I have a lot of work to edit,” disappointment pangs in his chest at your easy rejection, but he ignores it, “I kinda wanna save some money too, still not sure if I’m staying in the apartment after Jisoo moves.” 

He doesn’t know what compels him to take your shoulders and wheel you in the direction of the food court, much to your protest and whines. “C’mon, explain to me why Ratatouille is the magnum opus—I need to defend why The Incredibles is superior. I’ll treat you to dinner.” 

“What? I can pay for my own food—” 

“And I can’t treat my best friend to a nice meal once in a while?” 

That has you stopping in your tracks, and Jungkook nearly barrels his chest into your head if not for the grippy soles of his Adidas Ultraboosts. He can’t see your face, but his hands note how your muscles cord tightly between the cotton of your blazer. 

He doesn’t understand why you’re so tense. Was it because he called you his best friend? Well, you are? At one point he felt that way, early on in college. The position just stuck with you. And when Jisoo told him you weren’t interested, he was perfectly fine with the platonic relationship. It was nice to have someone to talk media and video games to, someone not as chaotic as Jimin and someone not as deterred as Yoongi. 

Although, maybe as of late he hasn’t been so much of a friend. It’s no one’s fault, he’s been caught up with work and Jisoo’s move, he hasn’t said so much as a “hey how are you” when you’re around. He can’t blame you. 

Suddenly his mind blanks, the mall fading away as he focuses on how small you look as your eyes dart between the parking lot and the food court. Jisoo and Jungkook have been so caught up on each other lately, that he fears you’re starting to separate yourself.

“Um, this place is good,” you tug him by the elbow and lead him to a fast food joint. 

When he picks up both your orders and comes over to your saved table, you’re talking animatedly on the phone. You’re laughing, looking at Jungkook as if he’s the one intruding and you’re muttering a hushed “sorry” as you continue the tail end of the conversation. 

“Yes, Joonie. Go with section two, I know my shit. I’m your Work Wife for a reason, Umji in PR could never compare,” you’re giggling like you’re five years younger, and Jungkook feels stuck in a timelapse. 

He watches you go, throwing around names and terms that he’s so lost on but so desperate to understand. He knows nothing about your life other than the one that’s tied with Jisoo, which is a damn shame. Since when did he inevitably downgrade you from “best friend” to “his girlfriend’s roommate?” 

“I’m sorry,” you turn your phone over and push it to the side, giving Jungkook a smile as well, albeit weaker, “let’s dig in!” 

To his relief the dinner goes as good as it should be. You have your tray practically overflowing at the seams, all on Jungkook’s dime. It has his heart swelling with pride, he hasn’t seen you eat in a long time. There’s fries spilling out from the corners, and two sandwiches because you couldn’t decide between a chicken sandwich and a burger. 

Food gets you amicable, and he doesn’t mind when he does most of the talking. You’re engrossed in his talk, lettuce hanging out of your mouth as you’re rapt with attention as he recalls a story that happened at work recently with Mingyu. You ask questions in all the right places and he sucks up all your attention like a happy pill, and it feels nice to be able to lead a conversation for once. 

“Jeez, I’m getting the burger sweats,” you giggle to yourself, and his smile brightens at your positive change in attitude. Food always helps. 

When you remove your thick high-collar blazer, that’s when he sees it. 

“Seeing someone?” he asks, eyes flickering curiously towards the violet bruises that bloom across your neck. 

“What–oh,” you have the audacity to look embarrassed, hands clutching your neck like a shield, “no, just a hookup.” 

A messy hookup, too. Unless you had a thing for showing off marks, which doesn’t seem to be the case. “Didn’t peg you for someone who hooks up,” he says more to himself than you, but you catch him on his impulse jab. 

Your eyes narrow and your defenses go up, “I’m trying to get over someone,” you snip back, busying your hands by crushing up your greasy sandwich wrappers. 

“Am I allowed to state my opinion?” 

“Since you asked so politely, no.” 

He sighs, “I just don’t think that’s the best way to get over someone,” heck, Jungkook doesn’t even know who exactly you’re trying to get over. He just knows that you’re far too smart and independent to let yourself resort to such matters. 

“It isn’t, but it’s really the best option as of now,” you reply curtly. 

And his gaze saddens as he sees you fold your blazer over your arm, indicating that your time is up. Jungkook is aware the comment he made is out of line, and it weakens him knowing that you don’t even want to pick a fight with him. He can’t even find it in himself to apologize properly. 

He doesn’t know if he’s more sad that you’re pining over someone unattainable or upset at himself for not knowing you’ve been harboring feelings for someone. If you really think hooking up is your only option, you must be really hung about whoever you’re into as of late. 

“If it’s worth anything,” Jungkook adds, wanting to leave on a high note, “fuck that guy. He clearly doesn’t deserve you.” 

A small, secret smile plays on your lips, “Yeah, I like to believe that.” 

“I’m anxious,” Namjoon’s mantra makes the whole energy in the room wobbly, paired with the fact the two of you are squished between cardboard boxes as Jungkook aimlessly moves things around like a Tetris screen. 

The only time you feel remotely comfortable basking in your home is when Jisoo is gone. Oh-so conveniently is the Big Hit building undergoing maintenance today, so you and Namjoon have decided to work from home in your apartment. Although you thought by now that Jisoo’s boxes would be long gone and tucked away in Jungkook’s place, instead you’re living in an episode of Ed, Edd and Eddy and the cardboard is practically wall-to-wall. You also thought by now that Jungkook would have no reason to show up unannounced anymore, but apparently that’s not the case. 

“I have, anxiety,” Namjoon adjusts his glasses for the nth time this afternoon, brain not fixed enough to focus on the screen of his chrome MacBook, “anxiety, anxiety. I can’t right now. I need my weighted blanket and a pillow.” 

“Namjoon, I can get both of those for you if we just send in this last spread,” you coo gently, as if placating a baby. You make brief eye contact with Jungkook from the other side of the room, his lips quirking in amusement as he stacks a box of clothes by the kitchen. 

“Do you feel my palms? My palms, they’re like a fucking fountain you need to feel them—” your Wusband approaches you like a zombie, leaning over you and tripping over his criss-crossed legs before he topples over you. 

“Blegh, get off of me you sweat giant!” you cry with a good-natured laugh, although the grip of Namjoon’s palms under your shoulders are damp and slimy, “Joon, I can’t get you your blanket if you’re crushing my boobs.” 

Namjoon finally relents, untacking himself to rest his chin on your glass coffee table. “Fine.” 

“Look over the last column and I’ll bring your blanket, okay?” 

Pushing yourself off the ground, you shuffle your way out of the living room through the maze of boxes and into the hallway. It feels like your apartment is less of an apartment and more of a storage space when you’re trapped in-between two lines of boxes, and Jungkook effectively blocking you from entering your room. He was just in the living room but now he’s come from the linen closet, standing between the entrance of your room. 

“Sorry,” he pops his head out from a smaller box, one filled with designer costume jewelry. 

“It’s fine,” you chirp, barely making eye contact as you shuffle over the boxes. 

Your toe drags over the lid of one of the open boxes in an attempt to move diagonally. You nearly crash your face into the hardwood if not for Jungkook’s arm stretching out to catch you. In seconds he manages to catch all your weight in one hand, pulling you to him with your hip pressed against his. Your breath traps itself in your neck. Your subconscious fears that if you speak now, you’ll babble about how attractive it is that he’s able to catch you as easily as grabbing a light sheet of paper. 

“Careful,” his voice rumbles in his throat as he regards you with a wan smile. 

Your “thanks” is barely uttered as you slip into your room, heaving your weighted blanket and a pillow in your arms to let Namjoon borrow. 

The burgundy quilted fabric is hunched over your shoulder, draped around your body so it’s easier for you to carry on your back. You try to eradicate the memory of Jungkook’s arms, lean and strong as he held you to him moments before.

Ugh, you thought messing around with Vernon would stop your silly pining. It seems that it’ll take more than a couple rounds to satiate your curiosity. For such a kind guy, Jungkook seems like a wolf in sheep’s clothing when it comes to the bedroom. 

You can imagine him being so kind in the beginning, coaxing you to wan and bend to his every wish and command. And then when you keen a little too hard at the attention, you bet a switch would flip and he’d grab you—

The blanket flops around your back, and you’re sorely reminded that you’re thirsting over a taken man, yet again.  

Jungkook makes it extremely difficult for him to be hateable. It’s by nature that he’s just so damn likeable. Heck, he’s pretty much packed seventy percent of the things Jisoo should be packing right now. 

Making sure not to trip again, on your feelings and your blanket, you successfully reach a tired Namjoon. You tuck your koala-shaped pillow under your co-editor’s arms, and drape the heavy blanket over him like a cape. He’s giving you a thumbs up and a toothless smile, the previous meltdown overcome as he focuses on finishing the last of today’s work. He’s slipped on some noise-cancelling earphones, presumably filled with generic coffee-house music or rain playlists. 

Wordlessly you go to your nook to prepare some tea. It’s getting late and a warm cup would distract you from the impending deadline. Despite the fact that you and Namjoon are 99% of the way done, his previous freak-out has you on live-wire and you could use a little caffeine. 

Placing three mugs on the counter you call, “Jungkook, tea?” 

“Yes please,” you stiffen when you feel Jungkook magically appear right behind you, his head peering over your shoulder, “with milk and honey.” 

Deciding to give Jungkook the beehive-shaped mug because it’s very on-brand for him, you begin to steep the leaves in your kettle while he spoons the honey. 

“So,” his words are slow as the drip of honey, the amber goo taking its time to descend into his mug as it falls from the dipper. “Is that the guy you’re trying to get over?” 

Jungkook lifts his brows towards Namjoon, who is softcore jamming to his white noise playlist. It’s cute as to how curious Jungkook is about Namjoon. While you try to keep your work life separate, there really isn’t much backstory to your personal life to warrant that kind of divide. 

“Namjoon,” you state aloud, watching Namjoon sing badly to himself, “why, are you gonna beat him up for me?” 

“I can take him,” you can practically hear Jungkook’s chest pop out. 

With a roll of your eyes, you reach to kill the heat off the tea kettle, “No need. He isn’t the guy I’m trying to get over.” 

“Oh, he’s your fuck buddy then?” 

“Shit!” being caught off guard, you grab at the handle of your kettle without a pot holder, burning your fingertips. In seconds Jungkook’s larger hand encases your own, pulling you over to the sink to soak your fingers in cool running water.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Jungkook is chanting like a sinner at church, searching for any sign of pain in your visage, “I shouldn’t have asked while you’re working with a hot stove.” 

You suppress a sigh, relaxing your fingers as Jungkook soothes the burn with his gentle hold, “Shouldn’t have asked in the first place,” you mumble. 

“I know,” he replies, “guess I’m just feeling a little left out. We don’t talk like we used to. I guess I’m getting a little too nosy for my own good, aren’t I?” 

You don’t understand what’s going on with his incessant babbling as of late, but you chalk it up to work stress and Jisoo’s move. Having no answers to his honest reply, you gently untack your red palm from his grip, assuring him that you’re fine. 

Namjoon steps into your kitchenette, being surprisingly careful as he takes your potholder to pour himself a cup of tea. If the tea is oversteeped and bitter he doesn’t say anything, only leans against the counter as he regards you two with slow sips. “You alright?” 

“M’fine,” you reply stubbornly, avoiding Jungkook’s worried stare. 

Namjoon holds out his hand, “Hand.” 

“No—”

“Hand.” 

His deep voice coerces you, and you immediately slap the back of your palm onto Namjoon’s. Your partner brushes his golden hands over the tiny blister that’s forming over your fingertips. “Can’t have my Work Wife outta commission.” 

“Your Work Wife is fine,” you gripe back. 

Your co-worker’s eyes flicker over to Jungkook’s for a brief second, Jungkook regarding him in curiosity as he stares at your connected palms. “I have some aloe in my bag for sunburns,” Namjoon offers helpfully, ignoring the weird glances, “I’ll give it to you in a bit. Also, I’ve overcome my sudden bout of stress and I’m ready to email our progress to Victoria. We’re done for the day.” 

“Awesome, thanks Joonie,” you exhale, relaxing against the sink, “wanna go eat somewhere?” 

“There’s a niche place in Itaewon if you wanna check it out?” Namjoon offers.

Jungkook interjects, “Jisoo ordered pizza if you guys wanna share with us?” 

“Pizza also sounds good—” 

“We don’t wanna interrupt your alone time,” you gracefully cut in, stepping in front of Namjoon despite the fact that he’s easily towering over you. 

Jungkook snorts, “I’ll have enough alone time with her when she moves in, don’t worry. Besides, I ordered three pies because I wanted to try three different flavor combos. I need two additional judges.” 

“Thanks Jungkook but,” you stifle a cry when Namjoon jabs you in the back with his thumb. It’s pressing, digging into the small of your back as if he’s trying to telepathically tell you that you’re being rude, “but… I don’t know if I can eat three slices! Namjoon on the other hand, can probably eat enough to fairly judge.” 

“Great,” Jungkook’s smile is blinding, causing your grin to stiffen as he looks for his phone to shoot Jisoo a quick text that they’re having dinner for four. 

Once Jungkook’s out of earshot, Namjoon tugs you by the sleeve, “The hell was that?” he hisses in your ear, “you look like you’re about to shit and piss your pants at the same time.” 

“I just don’t feel comfortable eating with them,” you cross your arms in defiance. You think back to just a week ago where you and Jisoo reluctantly attempted to eat breakfast together one morning. You provided minimal small talk while Jisoo clinged to her phone, replying to you in non-committal clipped tones. 

“Do I want to know?”

“No.” 

“Do you want me to leave?”

“No!” you retort, “you got me into this mess, you’re gonna stay with me ‘till the end.”

“I don’t know what you want from me, woman,” Namjoon throws his arms out exasperatedly, oolong tea nearly sloshing onto his hand, “just suck it up or I revoke your bragging rights to that snag you got on our spread next Monday.” 

“Not my fault you couldn’t get Kim Taeyeon on the spread,” you smirk. 

“Well I didn’t so happen to stalk the Sephora she frequents for the past two weeks—” 

“I didn’t stalk her I just so happened to need a new Fenty Gloss Bomb every other day—”

“I’m home, Jungkookie!” 

Your face contorts, your playful energy melting to the hardwood as your previous banter with Namjoon evaporates into thin air. Work bags in one hand and three boxes of pizza balancing in the other, Jisoo kicks off her heels somewhere across the door and places the pizza on the dining table. 

Jungkook immediately appears by her side, and you look away and Jisoo plants a heavy kiss on his lips. She cracks open one eye as she notices you and Namjoon hanging by the kitchenette, “Oh,” she mumbles at her audience, “you’re here?” 

Yes, you bimbo. I’m here in my own apartment. 

“I guess you didn’t read my text that they’ll be joining us for dinner,” Jungkook cuts in good-naturedly, “we have way too much pizza anyway. Have a seat, guys.” 

Jungkook navigates the kitchen as easily as your own, and you slump in your chair while Namjoon exchanges pleasantries with Jisoo. She looks impeccable, hair in a tight chignon and a tight navy dress as she converses with your co-editor. 

“I’m starving,” Jungkook announces, making sure to place a slice on Jisoo’s plate. He shuffles through the other boxes, making brief eye contact with you when he decides to put a slice on yours as well, “you like these toppings, right?” 

You regard the greasy, hearty piece of cheese and bread with a curt nod. You feel Jisoo’s eyes laser on your skin, “Yeah, thanks Kook.” 

Namjoon, Jisoo and Jungkook mostly stir up the conversation, you opting to eat as slow as possible to avoid any conversation. It’s easy to blend back and let them take over, as Jisoo loves to talk about her fashion firm and Namjoon is a great listener. 

Jungkook and Namjoon make it a point to direct the conversation to you from time to time, and you let the ball leave your court as soon as it lands. You prefer to keep your responses short and simple, especially when Jisoo is so eager to talk about the new silk drapes she’s installing for Jungkook’s windows.

Your phone buzzes in your lap, and you discreetly look under the table to read the incoming text message. 

vernie bernie: would u like to do the devil’s dance tonight

vernie bernie: or a tickle to my pickle? 

vernie bernie: beatin ya bean? 

You: ohmyGOD 

vernie bernie: or y’know, u could just come ovr and chill. Hobi made some bomb tres leches

You: call. Ill come after dinner

“Are you okay, y/n?” your head bounces up to meet Jungkook’s gaze, “you’ve barely eaten and you haven’t talked much.” 

“Oh you know, she’s just stressed about the upcoming spread,” Namjoon steps in for you, and you send him a discrete, but grateful smile. He’s always impeccable at reading the room, “she’s just nervous about her interview with Kim Taeyeon, but I think you did her interview justice.” 

“No way, the singer Kim Taeyeon?” Jungkook gushes, regarding you with stars in his eyes, “your interviews are always so great, y/n. You ask really good questions. Like that one spread about  Lee Yonghwa’s art gallery? Really cool.” 

You notice the way Jisoo presses her lips together, a thin line as if she’s trying to seal away words that she’ll regret saying. She’s jealous, and you can’t help the blush of pride that fills your veins as you raise a secret brow at her. 

“Right, you got nothing to worry about,” Namjoon squeezes your shoulder encouragingly, as if you’d get his double-meaning. 

“Thanks,” you reply, pushing your plate away and standing up, “I’m actually gonna go head to Vernon’s for a bit, though. He wants to double check his work before we email Victoria.” 

It’s a bald-faced lie, Namjoon sent the files to Victoria right before dinner, but he isn’t going to argue. 

“Okay,” Namjoon thanks Jungkook and Jisoo for the meal, stacking his plate atop yours, “I’ll walk out with you.” 

“It’s only been twenty minutes, though,” you see the slight panic in Jungkook’s gaze as he watches you quickly clean up for you and Namjoon. You can’t quite pin why he’s so concerned, after all he has been acting strange as of late. 

“Yeah, I’m full,” you reply curtly, licking your lips and avoiding his gaze. You already know what he wants to say, that he’s been in your apartment all day and all he’s seen you eat is stale chips and tea, “but we can do this again.” But hopefully not. 

“If you’re coming home late again,” it’s the first time Jisoo has spoken to you directly. You tilt your head to her slowly, watching the plastic smile carefully carved onto her expression. You see the contrived care and concern between her brows, “please try to be quieter next time, the last time you came home late you woke Jungkookie up.” 

Snapping your gaze to Jungkook you plaster on a thick smile, “Sorry Jungkook—” 

“What? No, it’s fine!” he furrows his brows in confusion, finally able to detect the strange tension between the two housemates, “I barely heard you—” 

“Maybe I’ll just stay the night at Vernon’s,” your eyes trail over to the pajama set you immediately switched into when you got home today, “wouldn’t want to disturb you two.” 

“Good,” Jisoo’s tone is saccharine and clipped as she tacks on a, “have fun.” 

It’s laudable, how much Jisoo wants to make a fool out of you but you won’t have it. You revel in the perplexed expression as Jungkook’s gaze darts back and forth between the two of you, wanting to butt in but unsure of how to approach it. Not giving him the time to, you bid the couple a goodnight and make a fast getaway. Heck, you don’t even take your work stuff with you. 

Once you’re out the door, Namjoon wordlessly gives you a hug. You sigh gratefully into his embrace. 

The next time Jungkook sees you, he reads the room before anything. You and Jisoo’s apartment is scarily empty, almost clinical. He’s tried texting you a few times after his failed-not-failed attempt at catching up at the mall and his awkward conversation concerning Namjoon, but you always reply back with vague replies and an unpromised promise of meeting up sometime soon. 

It dulls him to think that you’ve given up on him as a friend. But can you blame him? He needs to keep an appropriate distance for Jisoo, after all, she doesn’t like it when he gets too close to other women unless it’s strictly professional. Usually Jisoo’s jealousy inevitably works itself out and Jungkook doesn’t pose any problems because he has very few girl friends, but for some reason your friendship with him specifically gets Jisoo stiff in the face. Is it because you and Jisoo are so close? Possibly. 

But it doesn’t mean you can’t join the same Valorant server with him at 2AM and accidentally bomb each other, or argue over the magnum opus of each film company. Is that not enough? 

Jisoo’s working overtime, and Jungkook suggested last night that he move the boxes to the front of the door for easy pick-up when the moving truck arrives. Jisoo promises to buy Thai food in return, and with a kiss emoji she leaves him to audit fabric budgets. 

As he glides down to Jisoo’s room he notes that the pictures along the wall have disappeared, and there’s double the amount of boxes in the hallway. It seems that you’re moving out too. To where, he doesn’t know but he hopes it isn’t too far. 

He chides Jisoo remotely when he sees that her room is completely intact, and he makes moves to pack up her things. 

That’s when he finds his letter. Not a love letter to Jisoo, but a love letter to you. Deep in the recesses of Jisoo’s junk drawer, is a faded lavender envelope with a pressed cream colored baby’s breath taped up in plastic. The glue is yellow and old, clearly served its purpose due to the fact that the letter is already opened and the contents rumpled. 

Hey Pretty Girl–

He immediately stuffs the letter back in its holder, stricken at his messy handwriting from two years ago. It feels like he found a time capsule, another version of Jungkook confessing to you. He used to call you Pretty Girl, not enough for you to catch on to his feelings, but enough for you to understand that he did find you attractive. It was early on in your friendship. 

When you first asked him to be study partners for some silly class that had nothing to do with each other’s majors, he gaped like a guppy and pointed to himself. That day he went to class in last night’s clothes and a nest of fluffy strands. “Me?” he felt like absolute trash, and you were probably desperate due to the fact you two were the only seniors in this class, “but you’re a pretty girl… and I’m pretty dumb when it comes to this subject.” 

But instead you scoffed and pulled him from his slumped figure, dragging him to the library, with a wink and a “you’re pretty, too.” Those words have burned in his brain since then, as he wasn’t used to getting such off-handed compliments, especially from intelligent girls that wanted more than one night. 

For whatever reason you continued seeing his dumb self, even after the semester ended and together registered for one more class for spring. 

Whenever you’d go out for ice cream you wouldn’t hesitate to stuff your face and add for extra Oreos and fries, you’d assure Jungkook you’re not normally this much of a slob. 

Jungkook would just smile and offer you a napkin and say, “You’re still a pretty girl.” 

He fell for you gracefully. There was no regret, no walk of shame, no cliché late night party where you or him could’ve instigated it into the physical. It was all by feel. 

However the two of you took your time with your relationship, languidly enjoying the hushed conversations in the library at 2AM, the late night McFlurry runs, the integration of each other’s friends like it was natural. Ergo the lavender love letter. It was a gentle declaration, one he felt pretty confident in. 

So color him stupid when you passed him in class with a happy wave, Jungkook dumbfounded at how well you handled his confession. You weren’t oblivious, you just never read it. 

But now he knows the declaration was for whatever reason, lost in transit. “I should’ve known,” he whispers in the air, the letter crumpling in his grip. Composing himself, he pinches his brows.  

There’s an electronic buzz and a sharp slam of the front door. Judging by the time, you’re home. 

You flop onto your mattress, folding an arm over your head to stop the sun from seeping to your eyes. Vernon’s exhausted you, and you barely got away before he could have any say in it. You need a little space, and some time to think. 

Just as you close the door to your bedroom, it swings open. 

You gape as Jungkook thrusts himself into your bedroom like a deer with horns, looking pale. You follow his gaze, darkened eyes that linger a little too long on your neck again, and you narrow your eyes at him to avert. He looks a little red in the cheeks despite his pallidness, looking like he just got out of bed with messy wavy locks and his signature sweats. Is Jungkook packing for Jisoo again? 

Acutely aware that you smell like sweat and sex, you clutch the blankets closer to your body. “Uh, rude.” 

He looks uncharastically frantic, waving a letter in his hand, “Did you ever read this?” 

“Read what?” you ask, hands reaching out for the envelope. 

“My confession letter,” he blurts, having no shame now that all the gears are running through his head. “I wrote you a letter asking you out, because you said you wanted to collect notes like in Letters to Juliet. But I just found it in Jisoo’s drawer, why would it be there?” 

And all the pent up frustration that never seemed to escape under Vernon’s sheets, the feelings that never seem to subside, all bubble back to the surface. Now that Jungkook knows, there’s no hiding. 

You’re in shock, hands reaching for the letter despite the burn that seeps through your fingertips. Jungkook’s shoulders slump when you do indeed look like it’s your first time seeing this, as if a missing puzzle piece in your timeline has finally been revealed.

“I, I didn’t think you’d write me a letter,” you take the lavender envelope, clutching the letter by your chest like it’s something precious, “that’s so sweet,” you say to yourself.  

It dawns on him, “Wait, you knew about this? I knew something weird was going on.” 

“Only recently,” you frown. 

“And you didn’t think to tell me?” he nearly shouts, causing you to flinch, “no wonder why you were being so weird all this time. How could you let me live the rest of my life knowing this? That my relationship is built on a lie? ” 

“I don’t know,” you suddenly feel very small in your mattress as Jungkook rounds up on you, pulling your desk chair closer to your bed, “because you love Jisoo, of course.” 

“Well obviously that’s not possible,” and while yes a two-year realtionship ending like this is going to hit him hard tonight, he’s focused on you and the fact that you failed to tell him, “somehow I’d find out. Why wait for me to find out on my own?” 

“Because I wanted to protect you!” 

“Protect me,” he scoffs, crossing his arms and sneering at you. It causes you to tense up, feeling the telltale signs of tears bubbling to the surface, “you don’t even want to be friends anymore, y/n. I’ve tried to catch up to you so many times, but you keep leaving me hanging. I know I’ve been a pretty bad friend and I get it if you just feel awkward that I liked you, then that’s a shitty reason.” 

“Have you ever considered that it’s too late to tell you?” you shoot back, sitting up straight, “yes, I admit I should’ve told you earlier and I’m sorry, but it was a lot for me to process to y’know? Jisoo and I haven’t talked properly in weeks!” 

“Oh, so you’ve stopped trying to be friends with Jisoo too, huh? Just like you’re trying to stop being friends with me.” 

“No,” you pinch your brows, “she stopped being friends with me! She doesn’t care about me because she has you,” conflict burns in Jungkook’s gaze, and you only serve to fuel the fire, “she’s tried so hard to not involve me in your relationship.” 

“Just tell me why you’ve really kept this secret instead of saying you want to protect me like a baby—” 

“It’s because I’m in love with you, idiot!” 

You blink and back up against the wall of your bedroom, as if you can’t believe that the words came out of your mouth. 

It’s quiet again. The sour look evaporates from Jungkook’s face as he watches you suppress your sobs on your mattress. The room seems devoid, sucked out of its color as you’ve cleaned up most of your things, the only thing left being some plain grey sheets and a pillow. 

Jungkook’s mind is absolutely reeling, playing back memories from a different point of view. 

“When Jisoo told me she sabotaged our relationship so she could date you, I was so upset and didn’t know what to think,” you manage to place the lavender note on your wooden desk, making sure no tears could mar it. “And I thought I could move on and eventually stay friends with the both of you, but the next day Jisoo put all her attention on you and completely ignored me or any attempt to salvage our friendship. She only told me to forgive herself,” you’re hugging yourself, wrapping the blankets around you like a weak embrace, “so I thought if I cut myself out of the picture and forced myself to move on like I should’ve, everything would’ve been okay.” 

“So, you would’ve rather kept all this pain to yourself?” 

“Yeah,” you give him a teary smile, “because I wanted you to be happy.” 

And with an equally sad smile he murmurs, “But I’m not happy.” 

 Your face falls, and you really look at Jungkook. He’s exhausted as well, slumped in his chair. Has he been trying to grapple along the threads of his relationships, while you’ve been trying to loosen them? 

“What a waste of two years,” he slumps in your chair, letting the pieces click into place, “a relationship built on fake love. I was really trying, y’know. I thought I was going crazy.” 

The three of you have unknowingly been playing a futile game of Cat’s Cradle, a game that no one wins. 

Jungkook looks wistfully out the window, noting the pleasant day that fails to present itself in your tiny room. It feels simultaneously satisfying and bitter when it falls into place, your thoughts finally fitting together for the first time in months. “We could’ve loved each other. For real,” he says, and you silently agree. 

You’re still crying, shaking like a leaf in autumn. Jungkook’s arms hover awkwardly over yours, his warmth palpable despite the fact that he hasn’t touched you yet. With a timid smile you allow consent, and you melt like putty in his arms. 

“Kookie, ‘m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” you murmur into his shoulder, not caring if it hurts when you press your chin into his skin. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way.” 

It’s been so long to have him close like this, the friend you’ve always wanted but never needed. Since college you’ve always imagined a life without him doing just fine, but that doesn’t mean you want to live without him, roommate’s boyfriend or not. 

“I’m sorry too,” he sighs back, “this sucks right now, but we’ll be alright.” 

The two of you sit in your room until it turns dark and the sky muddles into shades of twilight and egg yolk orange. There’s lulls in the conversation, the two of you filling in the gaps and making sense of the mumbo-jumbo that’s been going on in your consciousness up until this point. Your insantities turn sane, and by the time Jisoo’s making her way back inside with the smell of pad thai, Jungkook is ready. With a squeeze to each other and a press of your lips because you don’t know what to say, you tuck yourself in and pretend to fall asleep. 

“Messy, messy, messy,” Vernon sing-songs, knocking his heels against the wall. 

The both of you are sitting upside-down, butts attached to the wall connecting to his mattress and your feet hanging in the air. Your mint floral organza socks pad against his Pink Floyd poster, while his yellow tube socks are heeling against some old Polaroids from college. There’s no prospect of sex today, not when shit just hit the fan. 

Today you and Vernon are just two old friends and very close co-workers. 

“Tell me about it,” you bemoan, frowning at the beige wall, “this whole week’s just been a whole mess. It’s like, warm tuna salad.”

“Gross,” Vernon grimaces at the apt comparison, “so what happens now?” 

You sit up on your elbows, looking down at Vernon’s peaceful expression, “What do you mean?” 

“Like, are you gonna get together with him?”

You snort, flopping back down on his bed. The blankets fluff around you and you inhale the pine scented sheets. “After all that? No.” 

“But you still love him?” 

It must sound dumb to still love him after all this time. You wouldn’t be surprised if Vernon thought you’re silly to still hold a place in your heart for someone who has fifteen million things on their plate now. After all the physicality and the space Vernon gave you in his home, your feelings haven’t wavered. 

Your companion doesn’t bother waiting for your answer, hearing your answer somewhere in the air as he gets up and throws on his denim jacket. Rolling over your stomach you ask, “Where are you going?” 

“Some friends down in printing want to meet up for drinks,” Vernon messes up his hair, making the waves part in that little coiff that makes his jawline look sharp. “I heard Yerin really wanted me to come, so.” 

You can’t help the little middle school coo that comes from your lips, causing Vernon to giggle and throw a pillow at you. “Yerin’s cute!” you declare, remembering the petite girl in overalls who’s all about pops of yellow and violet, “you're into her?” 

“Nah,” Vernon holds up two hats in his hands, gesturing for you to pick one. “Just figured it was a push in the right direction.” 

Crawling out of his bed you stumble in your oversized t-shirt, tucking a finger under your chin as you decide between the emerald bucket hat and the red Ralph Lauren baseball cap. You pull out both hats from his hands and set it down on his vanity, opting to smooth out the flyaways and ringing your fingers through his soft curls. “And what direction would my free-flowing friend be going today?” you ask aloud, “you look better with your hair out,” you declare firmly, “makes you look like a fluffy CEO.” 

He laughs at your silly comparison, and he gently moves your hand away from his hair when you linger a little too close to him. His gaze is solemn as he regards you with a gentle smile, “Keep your distance, I’m tryna get over someone,” he says simply, and your arm falls limp at your sides. 

Your heart thuds in a different direction, your mouth parting but no words coming to the surface. When was the last time you asked about Vernon’s needs, wondered if he was doing alright, making sure you two were on the same page—

“You’re spiraling,” he reads you like a playbook, smoothing down your hair to press a kiss to the crown. Suddenly you feel guilty for not having sparks in your belly, shaming your conscience for not even considering his sacrifices in your self-absorption these past few weeks. “Like I said, I wanted to help you. Stop looking like a kicked puppy, it’s okay to be selfish.” 

With transparent tears the two of you pack up and head to your next destination. Hands ghosting between each other you make your way to the exit of Vernon’s apartment, him to meet up with his friends while you have to unpack your new apartment. With a hug you tell each other you’ll see them on Monday, and as easy as that you go your separate ways.

Hey Pretty Girl—

I kinda wanted to tell you this in person but I know how much you liked Mamma Mia and all those other movies that have grand gestures in writing so I thought hey, might as well shoot my shot on paper. 

Not gonna tell you all the details, because you deserve to hear it in-person. But mayhaps this letter has something to do with how much I like studying with you, watching movies with you, doing absolutely nothing with you and all of that in-between. 

There’s a gift card to our spot attached. Meet me at McDonalds @12 tonight, so I know it’s real 😎

Hopefully yours, Jungkook

P.S. if you haven’t noticed already, I sprayed a little cologne and stole Taehyung’s fancy paper from Muji. That’s how serious I am about you. 

“Joon, we live in a bonsai garden. We’re like giants in a forest.” 

“Can you—can you stop spitting at them? Let them breathe, dammit.” 

“Not my fault they’re so tiny! I literally have to zoom 200% just to get a good look at ‘em.” 

The two of you are huddled in what used to be Namjoon’s balcony, now a sunroom for his succulents and bonsais. Your heart feels pink and swollen with affection as you regard Namjoon with interest, absorbing every bit of information you can as he teaches you how to care for his plants. After all, you’re co-parenting now. 

Having your Wusband co-sign as your roommate for the next year is probably the best decision you have made this year. Everyday is like a breath of fresh air. With Seokjin gone for the year to tour his restaurant franchises, his room is yours for the taking. The two of you are easy going roommates, filling the apartment with color and vigour whether it be in the form of baking sweets or watching Netflix documentaries. 

The only drama you ever have is when you two are having a meltdown over the same work-related issue, as if you two somehow share the same brain cell. It’s significantly less stressful, no need for unnecessary anger when  you have someone as mediating as Namjoon.

After today’s plant lesson, you two go back to the living room to finish up your work for the evening. Another perk of living together is that you can go home at normal work times and continue where you left off with the comfort of your couch and eating a whole pizza pie with no shame. 

Namjoon’s phone pings with a new email from corporate. “We got the new concept for next month’s spread,” he gestures to you with a grandiose wave of his arm, “drumroll please.” 

He pulls up the newsletter from corporate with a flick of his thumb. Your company put out every month’s concept out in an Evite, like every month was a themed party. A stressful, month long work party. In seconds, the page loaded and you’re met with next month’s title bathed in electronic glitter. 

The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Class of Youth

The two of you say silent, absorbing the concept like a cookie to milk. It’s a personal spread this month, a real treat for the team to show off their normal non-professional life. A spread that reveals the masters behind the ink and text. Last year’s personal spread was about the staff’s vacation destinations, but this year’s is much more intimate. You can imagine all the ideas that will be thrown around on Monday’s meeting: pinning down shared ideas like Throwback Thursdays, late night munchie runs, drunk stories, and all the crazy college nostalgia that you’ve been trying to avoid as of late. 

But now it’s presented to you in a gold chalice, and while you’re sick of the past you think it’s about time to face it. You’re excited to tackle the dark monster you’ve suppressed since Jungkook and Jisoo’s breakup. 

“Did I ever tell you I was president of my university’s Mock Trial?” 

“No, I always thought you’d be president of the Comparative Literature Club or whatever. But Mock Trial is equally as nerdy.” 

“I’ll have you know Mock Trial got me tons of action,” he winked, “made me very convincing.” 

“Gross,” you sneer, “so that’s what your spread will be about? How the co-editor of the Arts & Entertainment section managed to bag with his skills from Mock Trial?” 

“Nah, I went on a penniless journey with Jin during spring break. Six days around Malta.” 

“That does sound so you,” you sigh, fingers slipping between the cracked screen as you mull over the overly happy Evite, “sounds like a cool story.” 

“I know that look,” Namjoon quips, snatching his phone under his nose, “don’t overthink your spread just yet, it’s still the weekend. Now to more important things, what do you want from Taco Bell?”

And because you can’t refuse the combined efforts of nachos and Namjoon’s dimples, you relent for the night and tack the unmade idea to the next workday. 

Unfortunately the next workday is just as disheartening. Today’s work meeting is the antithesis of icing on the cake. While your college life isn’t anything remarkable, you didn’t think it was a painfully dull time. With every passing moment and every excited co-worker throwing memories back and forth like ping pong balls, the more you felt inferior by competing with their amazing memories. 

“Who can even afford Aruba at twenty-one,” you mutter under your breath, stalking back to your cubicle. 

Filling up a whole spread is daunting to you, the thought of Victoria popping her head in your cubicle to ask what you’ve got for the day is practically eating you from the inside out. Maybe your college life was in actuality, super boring? You have no crazy drug trips to tell, any vacations that gave you a life-changing perspective, or an epic love story. 

“What’cha got there, partner?” 

The third musketeer of your editing team’s caramel eyes peer into your cubicle, causing you to jump in your chair. Vernon wheels around, chair and all to push you into your already cramped space. His gold button up gleams in the sunlight, effectively blinding you. 

“If by something you mean nothing, then yeah I got nothing,” you frown, spinning around your chair. “What are you writing about?” 

A fond smile melts onto your friend’s face, and you can’t help returning a smile that mirrors his own. You two have fallen back into a good place, as far as you know. He’s still easy, simple, sweet Vernon. When you dropped some boxes off in coloring, you heard that Vernon and Yerin have recently started seeing each other. 

“Thought of the idea as soon as the Evite came out. It’s more of a photo spread, but I’m gonna write about my study abroad in NYU,” Vernon ticks a pencil on his forehead, “a self-identity piece talking about how I felt like, not-white around my family n’stuff. And then felt not-Asian at the same time, s’complicated but I think I can make it work.” 

“Deep,” you pat his shoulder caringly, knowing that Big Hit is a good outlet for these kinds of subjects, “alright City Slicker, since you’re so full of ideas then tell me what to write about.” 

Vernon sits up straight, regarding you with narrowed eyes, “Aren’t you gonna write about your little love triangle with Jisoo and Jungkook?” and it seems like he’s already storyboarded the idea in his head, gesturing to the air as if he’s writing down a timeline, “I can see the headline now: How to Steal a Heart,” he’s grinning, nodding fervently as you cross your arms in distaste. 

“Vern, are you suggesting that I exploit Jisoo and Jungkook’s personal lives?” while the journalism business didn’t pride itself on sincerity, it did feel wrong to drag in your personal life to that extent. 

“Babe, you don’t understand. You have the perfect slice of life story. Everyone’s writing about expensive vacations and that one time they got cross-faded and ended up in Busan,” he squeezes your hand, “but your story, it’s relatable. It’s romantic. It’s angsty. It has closure. No one’s gonna be able to relate to an impulse spending on daddy’s money to Aruba. But first loves? Unrequited romance and all that ish? Everyone can speak to that. And you’re a beautiful writer, they’ll eat up that story like honey.” 

“I don’t know, it still doesn’t feel right.” 

“Change up the names, twist the story,” he offers easily, knowing you’d put up a fight, “besides, it’s not like you’re planning on talking to Jisoo or Jungkook ever again,” you open your mouth to retort, but Vernon’s phone beeps to the Star Wars theme song and he’s flying out of his chair. “Shoot, gotta go help Joon upstairs. Just think about it, okay? Good luck!” and he’s kicking his chair out with a brown loafer, leaving you with breathing room in your cubicle. 

Five seconds later Vernon is jogging back, pointing a finger at you, “And if you do choose to write it, you have to add that Jisoo copped your McDonalds gift card. Like, who does that shit? Couldn’t she have just given it to you and say it was from her and not Jungkook? Seriously fucked up.” 

For the next ten or so minutes you mull. Out of all the memorable college events you’ve participated in, the largest one by far is your (now defunct and debatable) friendship with Jisoo, and your (un)requited love for Jungkook. Reluctantly, you must admit Vernon has a sharp idea, busting in like a hero and offering you the most writable piece on a silver platter. 

It doesn’t feel morally right just to start writing, because ultimately you can’t feel comfortable until you get the consent of Jungkook. While you don’t want to touch Jisoo with a ten-meter pole, you do want to start talking to Jungkook again now that the waters have calmed.

Your life has moved gracefully up until this point, and you’d like to start being friends with him again. Decision made, you pull out your phone and make an important call.

“Hey Yoongi,” you say nervously. Min Yoongi is Kim Namjoon’s equivalent, Jungkook’s Wusband and former upperclassmen in college. 

Said man hums noncommittally on the other line, “Whaddya want, it’s been awhile.” 

You stifle a giggle at his apathetic attitude, knowing he’s someone who wastes no time in getting straight to the point. “I just wanna make sure Jungkook’s address is still the same? I know it’s been a couple months, but I need to send him something and I wanna make sure it gets to him ASAP because—”

“Because last time something was sent, your crazy roommate intervened and Jungkook ended up in a two-year half-toxic relationship? Yeah, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

“Yoongi,” you say slowly, “where are you?” 

“Working in the studio,” he tuts, “Jungkook says hi, by the way.” 

Typical, cat’s out of the bag. With a roll of our eyes you reply, “Thanks for outing me, Yoongi. Talk to you later.” 

“And y/n? Jungkook says he’s waiting.” 

With a stupid smile slapped onto your face, you hang up the phone and pull out your stationary kit from under your desk. You pluck out a vermillion red envelope, a color so bold and begging to be seen, you know it can’t possibly get lost in transit. Feeling a little bit like a high schooler as you pull out a glitter jelly pen, you get to writing. 

Hey Pretty Boy...

Jungkook and Jisoo are no longer together, evidently. 

Their social media runs in different directions, with Jisoo sporting absolute elegance in her work at her family-owned boutique. Her posts are full of shiny outfits and soulless gazes, betraying any pinch of emotion she may have felt over these past few months. Her profile is wiped of any personal posts, all traces of you and Jungkook evaporated from her page. You must admit that she looks good, like a real fashion mogul, but only at the surface level. 

Conversely, Jungkook is thriving. It’s evident. Normally he isn’t the type of guy to post so frequently, his habits being often sporadic and limited to sweaty gym stories. But whenever you scroll, it’s pictures of him smiling. Big bunny teeth broken into a genuine, full-bellied laugh. Cute selfies of him and his co-workers. You notice two familiar co-workers in those posts, Irene and Seulgi, two beautiful women Jisoo always felt intimidated by whenever she ranted to you. You conclude positively that Jungkook doesn’t feel tethered and can hang out with all the friends he wants, female and male alike. Jungkook looks free, and you’re happy for him. 

It’s another Instagram-worthy moment tonight at McDonalds, where you and Jungkook proposed to meet each other at 12AM. 

This time, the letter makes it to its desired destination. You make sure of that because this time you hand-deliver it, slipping under his apartment door knowing he lives alone and no one would be able to access it except him. 

You’re parked in an obscure corner, but you can see that Jungkook is currently having a great time with his co-workers for an after work meal. Yoongi is unbothered on his phone, while Jimin and Seulgi are taking turns throwing fries into each other’s mouth. Jungkook is squished between them, scrunching his nose cutely as he tries not to get in the fray of their fry-war. 

Your phone pings, and you laugh at what pops up on the screen.

Yoongi: come inside, u loser. 

You: can’t ur friend group makes me nervous stop being so dang cute

You: dw i’ll wait, it’s only 11:50

Instead of replying, Yoongi puts his phone down and resumes eating. In turn you pick a playlist, deciding that “summer time high mix✨✨✨” is a theme you need to subscribe to for the rest of the weekend. 

Busying yourself by sending some texts to Namjoon and checking some emails, you relax in your seat as you let your brain turn to sludge for the weekend. You’re tired, eyes glazing over as you watch Yoongi elbow Jungkook harshly, forcing him to look out the foggy window. 

Jungkook’s eyes light up like it’s Christmas Eve, but instead of Christmas lights it's your car’s lowlights. The graphic designer  pays no mind to his friends as they wish him goodbye and goodluck, throwing on his jacket with a wave. 

The night air whizzes by, Jungkook’s floppy black strands bouncing with each step as he bounds to your car. He throws your door open, bringing in the cold air as he regards you as easily as an old friend would. 

“Hi,” he chirps, placing his tattooed palms by the air vent, “c’mon, let’s order.” 

“You know, you could’ve ordered inside and brought it in here.” 

“Yeah but then it would take longer to get to you,” the cheeky grin that Jungkook throws at you is unmistakable, “c’mon, get out the car and let’s switch.” 

“Huh?” 

“You look tired, you didn’t come back from the office again, did you?” 

“I did tonight,” you say, “I just really wanted to get the soft copy of the article done and—” 

“Out, out!” Jungkook clicks your seatbelt off and he’s coming out of the passenger side, opening your car and pulling you out by the hand, “c’mon, I’ll drive.” 

You shake your head, hiding your smile in your hand as you let Jungkook do what he wants. Normally you’d be insulted that anyone suggests they should drive your car but Jungkook would always drive you around, saying he loved long rides. Above all, if you could trust anyone to drive your car, Jungkook is at the top of the list. 

Buckling in, you bite the inside of your cheek as Jungkook easily pulls out of the parking spot one-handed. His jacket is pulled up to his elbows, exposing his veins as he expertly whirls the wheel in the direction of the drive-thru. Since college he’s always looked very attractive driving.  

Doesn’t mean you have to act like you’re still in college. You tamp those feelings down, knowing that your article probably has you feeling stuck in time. 

“—coming along?” 

“Wha?” 

“I said, how’s the spread coming along?” 

“It’s pretty much done, I think. I’ll send you the hard copy when it’s ready,” you tap your fingers against the dashboard, “but are you sure you’re okay with me writing it? I know I’m using a pseudonym and everything for you two but I still feel weird—” 

“It’s fine, I think it’s a good thing,” and you still squirm in your seat when he flashes you a genuine smile, “I mean, it kinda is a funny story and I think it’s good for both of us. Like closure, y’know? Moving on and—hi, can I get two Oreo McFlurrys and a large fry? Thanks!” he pulls out his wallet to scan the total on the e-reader.  “I mean, didn’t it feel good writing it?”

“Yeah,” you replied honestly, relaxing in your seat, “like, college was fun and all, but when Jisoo kinda ruined all that… after awhile I didn’t think it was ruined after all, y’know? I still made amazing friends and ended up where I wanted to be. I want to show the readers that shit happens, and that’s okay. And if things are really meant to be, they’re meant to be.” 

The summer playlist hums in the background as Jungkook pulls up to the pick-up window. He thanks the worker and hands you the tray, and you make quick work to put the fries in the first cup holder for optimal sharing. He doesn’t park at McDonalds, but instead smoothly pulls out of the restaurant into the direction of his apartment. It isn’t a particularly long drive, but you figure it would be easier for Jungkook to go home first if you’re already parked at his complex. 

“What do you mean by that?” Jungkook parks in the driveway of his apartment, taking his McFlurry from your hands. 

“Mean by what?” 

“If things are really meant to be, they’re meant to be.” 

“Well, we’re here now, right?” 

Jungkook pops his spoon in, swallowing vanilla and a silly smile through his coral pink lips, “We’re here now,” he repeats. 

The night air is cool and your conversation is warm. You promise Jungkook that you’ll send him the final copy of your spread as soon as it’s done, and you two eagerly deviate away from the past and focus on the present. 

You can’t help the eagerness that flows between you, as if you’ve never spent time apart like this and it’s only now that you’re reuniting. It must be absence that makes the heart grow fonder, because you swell with affection and you find Jungkook’s presence sweeter than any kind of ice cream. 

Are you dating now? Maybe. You and Jungkook are going on dates, everything without the title. McFlurry runs, marathons of HGTV’s Design on a Dime, having lunch at each other’s respective buildings with the Wusbands. Whether these dates are exclusive or not is unknown, but you figure the question will present yourself one way or another. 

You’re in a good place right now, potential relationship or not. After all, your priorities are simultaneously positive and in order: family, work, friends, and any potential romantic trysts are at the very bottom. You could kiss the cover of this month’s issue (and trust, you have kissed your own copy multiple times) if it is not for the fact that this specific issue is for Jungkook. 

So, romantic trysts and friends have a tendency to flip-flop on your priority list, but only because it’s Jungkook. 

Unsurprisingly, there’s no guilt knowing that you’re dating your former best friend's ex-boyfriend. 

After a much deserved early work day, Namjoon and the crew arrange a hearty happy-hour filled with good food and enough relaxation to last the weekend. With your combined successes, your team felt like they made the best issue yet. At the heart of it, The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Class of Youth became a reckoning of each other’s young life. Despite the love and the growth that occurred from your college years up until this point, you’re glad to close that chapter and move forward. 

You did not tell Jungkook when the issue would come out, so you think it’ll be a fun surprise for him when he sees it magically show up at his apartment. Bending down you move to slip the issue under his door, one hand pushing it under while one hand braces against the frame to steady your balance. 

Just as the shiny cover glides under the door it swings open, and you fall flat on Jungkook’s feet. 

Being the little shit he is, he simply giggles at the blunder, looking at you with excited eyes. “I’ve been waiting for you,” he says. 

“Creepy as hell, Jeon,” you mutter under your breath, brushing the dirt off your aqua pencil skirt. Looking at him from your spot on the floor and his large height, you grimace. “You look like a middle-aged serial killer looking outside your peephole.” 

“Now, we know that’s not true.” he finally offers his hand, easily pulling you up to your feet. You follow him into his kitchen, where he’s cutting up fresh fruit. He throws your issue on the counter, gentle enough so it doesn’t slide off the granite. He gestures to himself with both hands, “me, a dashingly handsome late twenty-something in Nike sweats who can bench-press two of you? Totally not a middle-aged serial killer.” 

“It’s in the eyes,” you chastise, “you look crazy.” 

“Maybe I’m just crazy excited to see you,” he says with a cheeky grin. 

You try your best not to choke on your spit at the cheeseball comment, throwing a blackberry in your mouth. Savoring the burst of tart flavor that fills your mouth, you wait for Jungkook to plate the fruit before meeting him on the couch. He’s holding a prettily arranged plate of berries, bananas, and mango with a huge dollop of whipped cream in the middle. In his other hand is Big Hit’s magazine. 

Throwing your blazer on the couch’s arm you don’t hesitate to cuddle up next to him, eagerly waiting for him to read your spread. 

The cover gazes back at the two of you like a reflection. The entirety of the staff is posed on the cover, made to look like a class photo. Some of you are holding balloons in your respective school colors, many of you grouping up with whoever happened to go to college together. You and Vernon are wearing matching university sweaters with silly grins on your faces. In the middle of the issue is the editor-in-chief, Victoria Song holding a placard that reads: Class of Youth. 

Jungkook spares you a glance from the corner of his eye, your head naturally tucked into his shoulder. With an exaggerated sigh, he fiddles through the glossy pages, “Hmm, which one should I read first?” 

“Of course you’ll read mine first,” you pout. 

“Ah, Namjoon’s looks really fun. Or Vernon’s? New York looks pretty cool,” he flips to a random page, “wait, Yerin’s spread is a Korean cookbook! I definitely want to make some tuna rice...”  

“Jungkook,” you whine, “read mine.” 

“I don’t know,” he taps his finger on his lip, “I mean, I pretty much know your spread because I’m already in it. It would be kind of redundant to read it.” 

“Kook, you’re being mean,” you glower, rubbing your cheek against his soft sweater. He’s just so damn comfy. 

“I’m kidding,” he tugs at your cheek, “where’s the table of contents, first page?”

“I’m on page eighty-three.” 

You speed up the process like an impatient child, leaning over to brush the pages to the desired spread. You even dog-earred it, a habit that drives Jungkook crazy as he immediately fiddles to iron out the crease. 

“Are you gonna read it to me too, mom?” he teases. 

“Okay fine! I’ll be quiet, but don’t take too long.” 

“Yes ma’am.” 

Eyes fluttering, you let Jungkook take his time to absorb your piece. A roommate by any other (rude) name: the lost letter. A cheesy, gimmicky title that Victoria insisted upon that you had no choice but relent to. The rest of the spread thankfully has a very authentic edge to it, your story laced with photos of you and Jungkook, your internship with Vernon, and most importantly, a scan of the lavender letter that got left in the past. 

Jungkook’s not silent through his read-through, either. He laughs at all the right parts, fueling your ego as his smile grows at your favorite lines. While he doesn’t directly engage in conversation, his positive energy is enough for you to make you feel like you’ve done your job right. It’s one thing to write about unknown celebrities and unnamed artists, but for people like Jungkook, the validation is personal. 

“It’s beautiful,” Jungkook says when he’s read it thrice through, running his thumb over a picture of you. “Really organic. Really, real.”

“Really?”

“Really,” he chuckles, having run out of adverbs. “It’s funny, too. I liked your little internal monologue. I wish I knew how you felt back then.” 

“I wish you did, too.” 

You’re quietly munching on a strawberry, looking over a polaroid Jungkook took. It was  sometime in the beginning of senior year, where you’ve fallen asleep on his mattress, drool drying on your mouth. Normally you’d be opposed to having such unflattering, grainy pictures amongst your writing, but it encapsulates the youth you’ve tried so hard to chase away. 

“How do you feel?” Jungkook says, switching out the magazine for the plate of fruit, placing it on his side. 

“Feel great, actually,” you muse, smiling to yourself. By no means are you a hero writing some grand gesture in an entertainment magazine, but you feel like you’ve saved yourself. You’ve savored your youth in four thousand words, cutting out the poison and keeping the moment as sweet as it can be. 

“I’m proud of you,” he reaches to ruffle your hair, and you don’t even get mad when it tousles out of your pinned style. 

Reveling in the attention, you simply close your eyes and feed yourself a handful of blueberries. 

“Love that I make money, but I definitely miss college from time to time,” Jungkook stretches, jostling you out of your comfortable position. “Like I remember Taehyung and I would take turns bringing backpacks to the dining hall so we could stuff fruit in it for later.”

“Yeah, but as much as I loved college I wouldn’t go back,” you nod to yourself, “I’m happy where I am now.” 

“What about when we stayed up for midnight breakfast? The dining hall was filled to the brim with food. Remember when I tried to eat a whole stack of pancakes?” 

“Jungkook…” 

“Or when our classes got cancelled and we went to Lotte World? You ate way too much funnel cake and I had to carry you to the car!” 

“Jungkook—” 

“And that one time we snuck out to the music hall’s rooftop?” words gush out of Jungkook’s mouth like a waterfall, unable to relent, “that’s when I realized I liked you. I liked you so much, I tried to tell you that night but choked—”

“Jungkook!” and he immediately zips up, frowning. You straighten up, on your knees as you reach over to run your hands through his onyx tresses, moving the styled strands to the back of his pierced ears, “Jungkook,” you repeat softly, “I’ve heard all these stories, I was there for most of them. As much as I love the past… can we talk about something else?” you give him a small, tentative smile to show him you’re not mad, but a little uncomfortable at his reminiscing. 

He leans into your touch, pressing your palm against the soft swell of his warm cheek. “Okay,” he agrees, resting one hand on your thigh. 

You’re roped in his gaze, and you have to force yourself to breathe when Jungkook moves closer to you. He hooks a leg behind his back, and another across his lap. A cool breeze kisses your inner thighs when your skirt exposes your cotton underwear. You should be embarrassed but instead you’re fixated, unable to understand what he’s trying to accomplish. 

“Then I’m gonna talk about the future,” Jungkook traps you between the couch, his thumb running hot circles to where your skirt has hiked up. It exposes a slip of the thigh that Jungkook has seen a million times. He’s seen you walking around your apartment in a large shirt, ridden up to your boyshorts. It’s different now, you feel exposed and tingly, thrumming with excitement. “I like you, obviously anticipated news and old news. I can’t stop thinking about how much I want to go on dates with you, re-watch Avatar, grumble when I force you to come to the gym with me,” he bumps noses with you when you scrunch yours, “I wanna be with you. Heck, I’ve even cleared space in my spare room so you’d have closet space for all your fancy designer suits if you ever need it.”

“You cleared space?” you manage to choke out. Visions of a shared apartment roll through your brain. Cooking meals together, having two toothbrushes side by side, and waking up to his face. 

“Of course I did. Do you know how financially attractive you are?” he says lightheartedly, “you’re a sexy working woman and it’s crazy to imagine you’d want to settle for me and my little apartment. But I have to try now because if I don’t, it’ll be too late.” 

“That’s not true,” you retort, “you’re not someone I’d settle for. I want you, and no one else.” 

He chuckles, running a thumb over your cheek. “Then what are we waiting for? Your key’s hiding under the mat.” 

“Jungkook…” on the tip of your tongue lays the words you’re going too fast but it doesn’t make its way to the air. 

“But do you really think it’s too fast?” he reads your face clearly, “these feelings never went anywhere. They were locked away, sure. And I loved her,” he can’t even say the name, not when you’re warm and flush against him, “but I loved our friendship more.”

“I… I don’t know what to say,” you breathe, letting the cogs in your brain roll until sparks develop. 

“You don’t have to say anything,” he concedes, “I just wanted to let you know. Could’ve done the letter thing all over again and let the past repeat itself. I know Namjoon wouldn’t hide a love letter for two years, but if I left another damn letter he’d definitely make a copy and tease me about it.” 

You snort, pressing your forehead to his. You’re practically buried in the couch now, tingly and vibrating with happiness. “And I’m not going to leave you hanging. I do want to say something,” and he looks at you expectantly, licking the leftover berry juice on his lips, nearly making you miss your train of thought, “I like you too,” you say, the other L-word is also applicable, but you feel like that phrase is reserved for another time, “I want to show you off on work vacations, bring you along as my date and show them you’re my muse,” you confess, “I wanna play video games with you ‘till 2AM, and eat ice cream in the comfort of our apartment instead of our cars because we’re too stubborn to admit we don’t wanna go home without each other.” 

Jungkook absolutely preens at the affection, sending you a heart melting smile that has your stomach doing backflips.

“Jungkook, I want to fall in love with you again.” 

Your squeal of surprise is swallowed by Jungkook’s lips, tasting of mangoes and berries as strong hands cup your backside, easily lifting you onto his lap. You plop under his strong thighs, feeling them flex against yours. The both of you are pouring in this kiss, raining with promises and hopes for a future with each other. His taste is concentrated, and you can feel the devotion practically injected in his embrace. 

When he pulls away his lips are cherry-red and shiny, looking up at you through clear coffee eyes. “This isn’t a dream, right?” he looks at you up and down, unable to decipher fact from fiction, “because I distinctly remember two wet dreams that involve you looking like this.” 

Looking down, you heat at the disarray you’re in. Hair wild and parted in different wavelengths, tired of the day’s efforts. Your slightly sheer dress-shirt is rumpled, the lace collar opened with two popped buttons revealing your cleavage, and your skirt is stretched so tight that it’s ruched all the way up your thighs. Sprawled across Jungkook’s lap, you’re dangerously close to something long and hard. 

Emboldened, you clutch at Jungkook’s collar, pulling him closer. 

“Show me what happens in your dream,” you whisper into his ear, barely brushing your clothed core against his crotch, “maybe we can make it come true tonight.” 

You can’t see his face, but you feel something dark and sensual overtake him. The grip on your ass tightens, a delicious pain that has you pressing your breasts against him and nipping on his ear, your tongue darting sensually through the cold silver hoops that dart through his skin. 

Within seconds, he rips you away from his neck and demands, “Open.” 

Dazed, you barely get a centimeter of your mouth open when Jungkook presses something cold and sugary against your lips. Whipped cream. You manage to take a small bite of the tart strawberry that he holds by the viridian stem, rolling the flavor between your mouth as Jungkook paints the leftover whipped cream over your lips. Once he’s satisfied he then creates a white trail that leads to your cleavage. 

Better than any dream, his eyes drink you in like the last glass of water in a desert. Your lips are swollen and parted like a baby kitten, covered in the creamy confection. “So pretty,” he exhales, his hot tongue licking from your cleavage to your lips, swallowing the flavor of you and strawberry juice, “such a pretty girl you are, and all mine.” 

“Yours,” you submit easily, rolling your hips against his. 

At that moment you think you’re meant to fall in love this way. You can’t imagine the shy, fumbly Jungkook and your equally confused self waltzing around a relationship when you barely had your lives together. The two of you still had growing to do. The wait is certainly worth it, because as you feel his arms tighten around you, you’re sure this love will stay strong.

It’s difficult for you to find a rhythm at first, what with Jungkook’s strength and need to be satiated, both of you are sloppy but the friction is nothing less than delicious. Your finger reaches over to swipe at the leftover cream on the plate, and you press your finger to Jungkook’s mouth, and he immediately complies. A dollop of sweet cream leaks out of his lips and your panties dampen further when you feel his tongue lick you clean, imagaining how good it would feel if it was your pussy he was licking. 

Your mouth waters at the feeling of his dick lining up against your core, as sticky as the strawberry juice that clings to your bodies. 

“C-can I make a confession? I—oh, Jungkook…” your mind is all fuzzed up when he snaps his hips against yours, causing you to shamelessly bounce on his length. 

“Yeah?” 

“I… I like it when you use all your strength like that,” his hips slow as your words sink in, but you don’t mind as it gives you time to make a long drag along the entirety of his member. “Everytime you pull me up when I trip, or you come back from a workout, I like it when you carry me around like I weigh nothing.” 

“Do—do you think about it a lot?” he grunts, and you stifle a moan when he does a slow, hard drag against your wet folds. “Tell the truth.” 

“It’s, it’s embarrassing,” you whimper, unable to think straight with the amount of stimuli you’re receiving.  

“Please, baby.” 

“Yes mm—oh! I do,” you try to get the words out as quickly as you can. He stops moving, and you groan in frustration so you just lay it all out on the table. “I, I love it when you hold me in your strong arms. And, ah, uh w-henever you come back from the gym you just look so sexy fresh from the shower. Sometimes I think about how you’re too damn nice for your own good but I bet you’d be so rough in bed.” 

“Really?” and then he’s shoving you onto the couch, air brushing against your bare thighs as your back hits the beige throw pillows. He’s hovering, dark eyes starting from the tip of your toes to your damp lips. “You like it when I manhandle you? Throw you around like a little doll?” 

“All that strength, and for what?” you try to keep your snappy remarks in check, but it’s hard when he’s pressing his straining dick against your thigh, weeping and needy. 

“You’re not gonna be joking about my strength anytime soon, baby,” emblazoned, he easily throws your leg over his shoulder, pushing your panties to the side to let your wetness leak out and onto his fingers, “are you gonna complain or be a good girl?” 

“Yes, I’m ah—” you wince when he inserts a finger, “I’ll be good for you,” 

“My good girl,” he revels in the way you melt under his touch, your previous sarcasm quickly dissolving into a puddle. You always had an inkling that Jungkook would be a sneaky fox in bed, all that muscle hidden behind a kind smile and a penchant for tea with milk and honey. 

Jungkook slips in another finger, stretching you and preparing you for what’s to come. He’s scissoring you at a sensible pace that has you squirming and wanting more. To prevent you from shimmying off the couch he holds you down with his free hand, and you love the way he practically feeds you to the couch, hands dancing over your neck as he shoves you further into the furniture. 

“You look so gorgeous,” he says, causing you to moan and keen at his attention, “you’re such a strong, gorgeous woman. Having you sprawled out like this, ready to do whatever I want to you is so fucking hot.” 

“I’m—I’m only weak for you Jungkook,” you say honestly, tears pricking when he dips another finger. The stretch burns deliciously, and your folds eagerly swallow him up until you’re filled to the brim. Your fingers or toys cannot compare to flesh, and you sigh in relief when you see his inked fingers pick up the pace once more. 

“You’re damn right,” Jungkook husks, and with a grain of love he murmurs in your ear, “I’m only weak for you, too.” 

And that’s when he snaps, thumb rolling against your bud as he slams his other fingers against you, going at a brutal pace. You cry out, not caring whether his neighbors hear as he pulls you back and forth through pleasure and pain. 

“T-too much, Kookie,” you mewl, your hand warbling to find his, “I, ah, ‘m gonna cum!” 

“That’s the plan,” he only goes faster, stretching your band further and further before your desired high is reached. His hand trails up to force your chin straight, looking up at him, “let go for me, baby. Wanna feel your pussy clench around my fingers.” 

In seconds, you gush. It has you in a slight panic, drunk on endorphins as you try to lift your head up but Jungkook’s hand is firmly pressing you on your shoulder as he fingers you efficiently through your high, the wet squelching sounds only increasing with your cries. His lap is drenched in your arousal, along with his chin and lips glistening with your essence. 

He finally releases you when you’re practically shaking, his hands sticky and creamy. You moan when he shamelessly licks them within your view, making sure to wrap his tongue around his ink-stained digits. 

“I,” your mouth is dry when you feel the dampness that hits your bottom, “I’ve never, I don’t remember ever—” 

Your babbles are lost between your throat and Jungkook’s tongue, shoved deep into your mouth. Tasting your arousal has you practically vibrating in your place, as you two rut against each other like hungry bunnies. 

“God, you’re amazing,” he says between pecks, kissing away your face of any tears you may have pricked, “Amazing, adorable, absolutely beautifulIadoreyousoso—” 

“Pleasepleaseplease,” you press your hips up, wiggling for more attention, “please fuck me, Jungkook.” 

You can’t help the witchy, satisfied smile when Jungkook’s eyes darken to a thick coal, “Anything for you,” he murmurs, swinging your legs between his arms as he lifts you like a feather. 

On his lap again, you soon accept that the way you two mesh like puzzle pieces is one of your favorite positions as it gives you both equal space to ravish each other. 

Just when your hand trails to the waistband of his boxer briefs and you’re rolling your thumb over its collected moisture, the moment is shattered when the doorbell rings. You jump in his arms, unprepared for your moment to be interrupted. 

He groans into the crown of your hair, and you soften in his relaxed hold, “I ordered us pizza,” he nearly forgot. 

Perking your head up to look at him you regard him innocently, as if you didn’t release a waterfall on his sweats two seconds ago. “You got us pizza?” 

“I knew you’d be coming over tonight,” he’s pouting into your neck, regretting ever having called the pizza guy if he knew this would happen, “Victoria posted the publish date on Twitter. I just didn’t think,” he gestures vaguely to the mess on his pants, “this would happen.”  

“Damn, and here I thought I was being sneaky,” you chuckle, flicking his ear playfully. 

He gives you an uncharacteristically subby whine, shamelessly upset he has to let you go so fast after he’s given you your first of many highs. Before he weakens further under your beauty, he unceremoniously shoves you off. “Sorry, pretty girl,” you melt at the easy way his pet name rolls off his lips, “can you wait in my room for a bit so I can pay the delivery guy? I don’t want them to see you like this.” 

“But I want to eat pizza,” you declare stubbornly, standing up to button your blouse and pull down your skirt. 

Before you could fasten one button or pull down one centimeter, his hand darts out to snatch your wrist away from your body. It doesn’t hurt much, but it causes your body to heat in more places than one. He’s sexy like this, demanding your attention. “No,” he rumbles definitively, “my room. Now.” 

“Why?” you throw your hands in the air, yelping when he slaps your ass. He makes sure to make it sting, cupping you fully. 

“Because,” he says firmly, “you don’t get to eat until I eat,” you whimper when his hand reaches to cup your sex, panties wet and cold without his warmth as he pushes you in the direction of his bedroom. 

Oh, you can’t wait for both of you to eat tonight. 

some time later.

“Ohmygod the view is beautiful!” Krystal, who works in advertisement, squeals. “No filter needed!” 

“Alright alright, make room Princess,” Namjoon teases. With a bump to Krystal’s tiny hips Namjoon shoves you two across the pavilion, putting his arm around you once he finds the perfect angle, “Umji, can you get a pic of me and my Work Wife? I want this on the Big Hit Instagram!” 

You hold your straw sunhat down from the salty wind, smiling beautifully as Umji takes multiple pictures of you and Namjoon from her Nikon. Another successful year under your notch, ending with a successful work retreat. 

“Namjoon, can I take a picture with my actual wife now?” 

“We’re not married, Jungkook,” you chastise, patting the chest of Namjoon’s floral printed Hawaiian shirt so he can switch. Instantly, Jungkook slides up next to you like a picture perfect stock model piece, and you wrap your arms around his trim waist, “we’re not even engaged.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” he pouts, looking over the pavilion and adjusting the both of you so there’s a good amount of you and the resort in the background. The sun may be scathingly hot, but it looks beautiful perched over the crystal clear waters. “Namjoon, you got it easy,” Jungkook says when he hands him your phone, “every angle is our good angle, so you can’t mess it up.” 

Being the honest man he is, Namjoon knows better and doesn’t say anything to that. Instead he shoots down whatever pineapple-flavored concoction is offered to him on a silver platter, and starts shooting. 

“Is this swimsuit new?” Jungkook murmurs into your ear between shots, flicking your little red number by the strap connecting the back, “because I didn’t see this in the luggage.” 

You smile big, pearly whites as Namjoon demands to pop out your butt and work it, pressing your body closer to Jungkook’s. “Tiny enough so I could hide it in my purse,” you reply proudly, voice low for only each other’s ears, “why, surprised?” 

“Definitely not prepared,” his fingers dig deliciously in your bare flesh, “would Victoria fire you if she catches us doing it in the cabana?” 

Amused that your boyfriend now shares your combined awe and fear of your boss, you twist his nipple lightly. He yelps, and from Namjoon’s guaff he’s definitely got that on camera. “We didn’t come to Boracay to fuck in the cabana.” 

“Then the hotel room?” 

Namjoon hands you back your phone when he considers his job done, letting you and Jungkook have some alone time. You wave your phone in his face, trying to get him to focus on the task at hand. You wanted to post some cute pictures of you and your boyfriend, one to impress the family back home and the Big Hit interns back in Seoul who are absolutely pining for your position. 

“Jungkook, they have the water ski thing where you can flip in the water mid air! Doesn’t that sound fun? Or we can go scuba diving, have Filipino food, or get massages. LIterally, we’re on Big Hit’s dime, and the first thing you want to do is go back to the room?” 

“Yes,” he pouts petulantly, leaning into the hollow of your ear and whispering, “got a chub on.” 

Discreetly so, your hands brush against his navy trunks and you note yes, he’s half hard. “No!” you shake your head definitively, pushing him out of your arms. You’re not letting sex get in the way of your hard-earned vacation, you’re on company dime and you intend to milk every peso of it. “Namjoon, take him away!” 

You blow him a kiss and follow another group who’s decided to go eat, watching your boyfriend get dragged away by Namjoon’s long arms. Krystal, who’s been mildly watching the whole ordeal in-between taking selfies, looks at you in awe, “You got it good, bosslady,” she says, and you happily link arms with her in the direction of the restaurants. 

You and Jungkook definitely have it good. You don’t see him until dinnertime, looking utterly relaxed as he sips on a mango-muddled concoction. He must’ve gotten a couples massage with Namjoon, cute. Splitting up was definitely a good idea, by the time your meal arrives the two of you are practically leaning against each other, telling each other what events you need to do tomorrow and events you think will be fun to do together. 

“Joon,” Jungkook is throwing an arm over your Wusband’s shoulder, mildly tipsy. The image is adorable, as Jungkook long ago previously confessed that he felt a little jealous of Namjoon’s work relationship with you before you were dating. Now, it feels like they’re best friends and you’re third-wheeling. “What do you think about having halo-halo tomorrow? It’s like bingsu but with a bunch of other good stuffs. There’s red bean, mango, ube, ice cream…” 

Just as Jungkook begins his tirade of dessert ingredients, you pull up your phone to check on your social media. You smile back at your profile, seeing your latest Instagram post at the very top of the feed. Not to flex, but the two of you look pretty smokin’ since you’ve been keeping up with Jungkook’s insistence to join him at the gym. Jungkook and you are leaning against the pristine veranda, overlooking the clear blue water and a cloudless sky. The smiles you two sport are genuine and utterly in love. 

You scroll down the comments, most of them filled with sweet messages but one of them has you doing a double take. 

@sooyaaa__: 😒😒😒 knew something was goin on behind my back… good riddance

The smell of Jungkook’s detergent overtakes your nostrils, and you turn to him. He’s stopped talking, now immersed in whatever’s going on in your phone. 

“The nerve of her,” Jungkook scrunches his nose, disgusted at her latest comment. “As if anyone would believe her.” 

“Yeah,” you echo, “I feel bad for her, though. She’s probably lonely.” 

“Her loss, she put this upon herself. Not us.” 

You pout, “I know, but she was my friend at one point.” 

He frowns, putting an arm behind your backrest. It would be easy for him to say yeah, and she was my girlfriend and one-up you, leaving it at that. But now he knows better, and that friendship is a much better value than an ill-fated relationship. “Sorry baby,” it’s not his fault, but he sees your disappointment in putting out hope for an old friend. He gives you a little smooch on your temple, “do you miss her?” 

“The old her, yeah,” you sigh, clicking on her profile, “but now? I can do without her negativity.” 

“Okay,” he takes your phone from your hand, “have you ever blocked a person before?”

“No.”

“Well, today’s the day,” he says it so coolly, you barely have time to think when he clicks the ‘block’ button on Jisoo’s profile, then clicking off his phone to put in his pocket. “No more phone for today,” he proceeds to take your plate that was recently served, taking the time to cut your large vegetables into smaller portions. “Like you said, we shouldn’t waste your vacation time.” 

Your heart swells with butterflies for Jeon Jungkook, who’s meticulously cutting your food and telling you to relax and stop dwelling on the past. He’s right, if Jisoo’s not going to stick around for the future and continue to cause negativity in your life, why not keep the positives in the past while it lasted? 

“You know I love you, right?” 

He ceases cutting, and looks at you to pop a sweet potato in his mouth. “Love me enough to do it in the cabana?” 

He’s still on that? “Jungkook,” you warn, pretending to get up, “forget I said anything. I’m gonna go karaoke with Umji.” 

“Kiddingggg,” he whines, pulling you back down with an outstretched hand, “you know I love you too.” 

“You’re terrible.” 

“Only this way because I’d know you’d totally be into cabana sex if we were vacationing by ourselves.” 

“Yes, but you’re still terrible,” you giggle when Jungkook steals a kiss, just as easy as he’s stolen your heart.  

[bibliosophist]

Asmodeus with a mc who is insecure. They thinks they are not good enough for him and think he'd rather be with someone prettier. He find out and go's to comfort mc.

Tonight is the night. Panacea Skincare is having a launch party to celebrate their new line of products, and Asmodeus is the face of the campaign. He’s talked about nothing else but this party for a fortnight, and now it’s here.

The first thing you see when you enter the hall is a screen displaying a thirty foot tall photo of your boyfriend. In it Asmo is sprawled across a white marble bench set amid a lush, verdant garden. One of his milky white arms rests above his head, the other lays across his bare stomach. Only a swath of silky white fabric covers his hips. He’s lithe and lean, with both the indentations of his ribs and the toned planes of his stomach on display. Letters forming the words Panacea Skincare scrawl themselves across the bottom of the screen.

He squeals as he runs across the room towards his own likeness, pulling you along behind him.

“I can’t believe it! (Y/N), look, it’s me!”

“It’s you. You look incredible. I mean, you always look incredible, but you’re practically glowing.”

He giggles. “I know, right? They didn’t even alter the photograph at all. That’s one of their principles- no retouching. Panacea wants everyone to know that they’re honest and authentic. But,” he grins, leaning in to whisper in your ear, “why not stack the deck in your favour, right? That’s why they came to me. Who else has skin this close to flawless?”

You smile and squeeze his hand. “Nobody.”

“Exactly! Darling, would you mind taking a picture of me with me?” he asks, striking a pose next to the photo. He leans forward slightly, one hand braced on his thigh while the other throws a peace sign. He winks at the camera.

You snap a half dozen photos of him from different angles. You know what Asmo means when he says “take a picture.”

A high pitched squeal breaks your impromptu photoshoot. When you whip your head around to the source of the noise, you find a beautiful young demon standing stock still, pointing at Asmo. “It’s him! It’s Asmodeus!”

In a matter of seconds, Asmo is engulfed in a swarm of admirers. Some hang off his arms, others clutch at his hands. One particularly enamored demon drapes themself over Asmo’s shoulders. Camera flashes sting your eyes- it seems that the entire room is desperate for a selfie with your boyfriend. You can just barely see Asmo’s amid the crowd. A perfect smile lights up his face- he’s absolutely in his element.

As the mass of demons around him continues to grow, you’re shunted to the edge of the room. You don’t really mind; it’s not the first time, and it won’t be the last. Being with Asmo means having to be okay with sharing his attention, and you've accepted that. Still, you can’t say that it doesn’t make your stomach twist when you see the gorgeous demon with their head on Asmo’s shoulder whisper something in his ear that makes the Avatar of Lust giggle.

You’re so preoccupied with watching the encounter that it takes you a moment to notice the two demons standing a few feet away from you, heads bent together over their drinks. It isn’t until you hear your name that your ears perk up.

“(Y/N)... Yes, that sounds right. (Y/N).” says one of the demons. They both have sleek, bottle glass green hair down to their waists and skin the colour of sun bleached canvas. Sirens, you think.

Beside them, their similarly striking friend snorts. “Even their name is common. I can’t believe Asmodeus, of all demons, has settled for that.”

“Maybe they’re more than meets the eye. You’ve met the other human, Solomon, right? They say he’s the most powerful sorcerer to have ever lived.”

“Unlikely,” says the other one. They make no attempt to hide the way their eyes rove over you, or the way their lip curls before they continue. “If they had any kind of magical power, they’d spruce themselves up a bit. Would you be caught dead looking like that if you could help it?”

“No, I suppose not,” says the first, sipping at their drink.

You feel the blood rise to your face. It’s not like you haven’t thought the same thing yourself a thousand times since you started dating Asmo, but to hear it said out loud...

Ducking your head to hide the tears pricking your eyes, you make your way across the hall to the washrooms. Thank whoever designed this building, they’re single occupant. You lock the door behind you and, closing the lid of the toilet, sink down onto it.

They’re right. You know they’re right. You see the way eyes linger on you when you’re together. You went to high school, you know that look. The “what’s he doing with them” look. What did Asmo see in you? He could have his choice of lovers from any of the three realms. Even among humans, you’re... average. What does the most beautiful creature in existence want with average?

You feel the telltale sting of tears rising to your eyes just as a knock echoes through the small room. “There’s someone in here,” you say, trying your best to keep your voice steady.

“(Y/N), it’s me.” Asmodeus.

“I- I’m in here.”

“Hon, open the door. Please.”

With a monumental effort, you push back the tears. Smoothing down the outfit you’d so carefully chosen for his big event, you cross the room and unlatch the door. As soon as the lock clicks open, he’s pushing his way into the bathroom and relocking the door behind him.

“What’s the matter?” he asks, reaching for your hand. Instinctually you pull back. If he touches you now, you know you won’t be able to hold the tears in. He looks crushed. “(Y/N)? Did I do something?”

Well, crap. The very last thing you wanted to do was ruin this night for him. He’d been so excited. You couldn’t have him thinking that this was in any way his fault.

“No, no, of course not. I just- just have a headache, that’s all.”

“(Y/N)-”

“Really,” you say, turning away from him as the tears threaten to reappear. “Just go back out there, I’ll be fine in a few min-”

A warm hand on your waist spins you around. “I thought we promised never to lie to each other. Please, tell me what’s wrong.”

The look in his eyes as they try to catch yours pushes you over the edge, and before you know it you’re sobbing. He pulls you to him, rubbing his hand over your back in slow circles. You pull away, knowing that your tears will leave ugly marks on his beautiful shirt. When you try to say as much he shushes you, pulling you against him even tighter. “To hell with the shirt. What happened?”

Knowing there’s no way you’ll be able to brush this off now you relay what you overheard the Sirens saying. “And the worst thing Asmo, the very worst thing is that I know they’re right. I know it. And I know that someday you’ll leave me, and-”

“Is that really what you think of me?”

“W-what?”

“Do you really think I’m so shallow?”

“No, I didn’t mean- it’s just that you’re so beautiful. You could have anyone- absolutely anyone. Why would you settle for someone that isn’t your equal? Or as close to your equal as anyone could get, because I mean-”

“Stop,” Asmo says, cutting you off. “Listen to me. Normally I’d love nothing more than to listen to you babble about how beautiful I am, but not while you’re being so ridiculous.” He sighs. “I’ve had a lot of lovers, (Y/N). I’ve been with beautiful creatures- Demons, humans, even angels. But,” he runs his hands down your arms, slipping his hands into yours, “None of them were you.”

“So what, you’ve had your fill and now you’re ready to slum it?” You know you’re being belligerent, but you can’t help it.

“I absolutely did not say that, and you know it. I do think you’re beautiful, (Y/N). Of course I do. But that’s not why I love you. I love you for you. Do you only love me because I’m beautiful?”

“No,” you mumble, “but it’s a nice perk.”

The vibrations of his chuckle tickle your cheek. “Darling, in my long, long life I have never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. Helen of Troy didn’t make my heart stutter like you do.”

“You dated Helen of Troy?”

“‘Dated’ Is a strong word, and that’s a story for another time. Please believe me when I say you’re the one I want to be with.”

You sniffle one final time, squeezing his fingers in yours. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. And, once I’ve taught those Sirens how to accessorize with their own intestines, I would love nothing more than to spend the rest of the night with you on my arm. What do you say?”

[oleksiak-pettersson]

Art of Love (4+1) - Elias Pettersson

this from my old blog (oh-holy-alien). I want no drama, just to write.

i. the sexy selfie

The pandemic had been good for one thing at least, it had provided you time to truly find your artistic freedom. In addition, you’d found time to make art for you. You’d seen videos going around of girls making cute paintings based off of their nudes.

You’d thought this was the cutest thing ever. The way different colours could highlight the beauty of the human body. It thrilled you to watch these beautiful paintings come to fruition in videos.

You’re lounging on your bed, scrolling through TikTok. Elias had gone out to get lunch with Chris and Troy, leaving you to amuse yourself for the afternoon.

You got up, growling in your stomach motivating you to do more than just lay there in bed. You catch your reflection in the mirror. You look pretty cute today. Just a lace thong and a bra adorn your body and yet you feel crazy powerful.

That’s when it hits you, you scramble for your phone and pose in a sexy way. You take a couple of selfies, specifically in positions you know get Elias going. You giggle happily as you look through them.

They turned out all beautifully, you have trouble choosing just one to turn into a piece of art. If you had the wall space, you’d make them all into paintings. You don’t have the space though, at least not in your public rooms. Your secret hidden ‘love nest’ as Elias had dubbed it, had a lot of wall space.

But for now, you chose your favourite picture. You manage to scarf down the quick lunch you had made before making your way to the backyard shed where Elias made you a painting office.

You sketch out your picture on your canvas, delicately tracing the edges and curves of your body. It’s about an hour before you’ve finished the outline.

“Hi, back from lunch,” Elias says, sticking his head in the door. He smiles softly at you, bent over your desk and face concentrating.

“Hey, babe!” You look up from your work and smile sweetly. Your glasses are perched low on your face. “How was lunch?”

“Good should have ice time next week.” He’s trying to peak at your work, always your biggest fan.

“That’s good,” you brush a stray hair out of your face. “I should be done soon.”

He nods, before leaving you to your business. You know for a fact that he’ll be turning on the basketball game and settling into the couch, beer in hand.

You smile at his retreating form, turning back to the outline on your canvas. You’ve got your thermal zones perfectly outlined, so you turn to your paints and prep them.

You begin with your smallest areas, painting them red. You outline the red with orange, then yellow. It’s starting to come together. The blue is your final colour, and you smile at the beautiful body you’ve created on canvas. You take your black paint and do the background as well as your bra and underwear.

You smile as you look over your work. You leave it in your shed to dry.

You smirk, sneaking up behind Elias who as predicted, is watching the basketball game. You place your hands on his shoulders.

He looks up at you, a smile growing on his face.

“Is your team winning, baby?” You smile, hand coming up to stroke his cheek.

“Yes, but it’s just the first quarter of the game.” He places his beer on the coffee table.

You walk around the front of the couch to curl up in his lap. His hands grip your body to him, but he’s gone back to paying attention to the tv.

Your hand finds its way into his hair, you scratch at his scalp like he’s a cat. He preens a little at the action, he may seem closed off but really he’s a PDA whore.

“I made you something,” you whisper during a commercial break.

“Oh yeah?” He looks down at you, smiling. Elias loves your art. You may be his biggest fan but he is certainly yours.

“Come out to the shed and see for yourself.” You smirk, breaking from his hold and sauntering sexily out of reach.

He hums approvingly, “you’re going to kill me one day.” But nonetheless, he gets up from the couch and follows you.

“You say that now but wait until you see what I made you.” You giggle, reaching back to take his hand and tug him along quicker.

You stop him outside of the shed. “Stay here, and close your eyes please.”

He obeys, standing quietly, eyes closed. You sneak into the shed, looking down at the work of art. It’s dry and you can’t help but grin at how it turned out. Elias is going to die!

You exit the shed quickly, he stands there eyes still closed. You stand before him, the picture displayed.

“Open your eyes!” You try to thrust the painting towards him.

His eyes open and his jaw goes slack. He sputters over himself, staring down at the beautiful work of art. He gulps loudly and you watch his Adam’s apple bob. Elias can feel his pants tightening as he looks at the painting of your nude.

He looks around, making sure that none of your nosey neighbours can see the lewd drawing.

He pulls it into his chest, cradling it from the outside world.

“Do you like it?” You ask, pulling your lip between your teeth nervously.

“Älskling, I love it.” He looks at you, straining from jumping your bones right now. “Jag alskar dig.”

“Love you too, bub.” You smile.

Elias moves the canvas to look again. His jaw tightens and you can see the wheels in his head spinning. Suddenly the painting drops to his side, he’s got a one-handed grip on it. The other hand comes to grab your wrist and drags you into the house.

“Where are we going?” You giggle.

“Bedroom.”

ii. the roll-around canvas

Elias couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face as he showed you the photos of his celebrations from his season in Sweden pre-NHL.

The pictures were really something to marvel at too. Your boyfriend, covered in gold paint. It was sexy on a whole other level.

There was an arousing element to the photos, sure they show your cute boyfriend back in pubescent days but you can’t help but drool slightly.

“So was your whole body painted gold?” You ask, silky and seductive.

Elias’ eyebrows furrow, he clearly can’t hear the tone in your voice as he looks at you confused. “What do you mean?”

You scoot on the couch closer to him, pushing his laptop to the coffee table as you brush your hands over his pants, caressing the bulge of his crotch slightly. “Did you paint every part of your body?” You smirk, lips ghosting against the skin of his neck.

He pants slightly, moving to let your touch envelop him. But with the gold picture in the corner of your eye, you get an idea. You pull away abruptly and Elias whines, mouth pulling into a pout.

“I’ve got an idea.” You say, eyes not leaving the computer screen.

“But we were going to,” Elias starts, trying to move back into your arms.

“Oh we will, but we’ve got something to do first.” You smirk, standing up to grab your purse.

“What are you doing?” Elias groans, throwing his head back against the headrest of the couch. His hand rests on his pelvis, trying to discreetly alleviate the pressure he’s feeling down there.

“We’ve got to go get some stuff.” You reply, already pulling on your converse.

“Sex stuff?” Elias asks, head craned back to look at you.

“I mean kind of,” You say, adjusting your purse over your shoulder. “Can you please just get ready?”

---

Elias idly follows you around Micheal’s, its not his first time coming with you. He’s pushing the cart, he’s used to going through every single aisle to fulfill your crafting needs. But today has been a hastier trip than normal, you dragged him straight to the paint stuff.

You grab a large Canvas, putting it in the cart and ignoring Elias’ confused look you turn back to the paint supplies. You grab a large tube of green paint, holding it out towards Elias.

“What colours should we do with green?” You ask, inspecting the other colours.

Elias lets go of the cart and joins you in looking at the other colours. He puts his hands on his hips, clearly thinking this over thoroughly. It makes you giggle.

“Why do we need the paint?” He asks as he bends down to grab a royal blue in one hand and a pumpkin orange in the other.

“You’ll see,” you grab a golden sparkly shade and put it in the cart, only to notice the death glare your boyfriend is shooting you. “You’re going to like this I promise.”

You move into his embrace, tilting your head up and getting on your tippy toes to passionately press a kiss to his lips. His arms wrap around you, under your butt to pull you up higher so no one is straining to meet in the middle.

He finally puts you down when he remembers where you are. Elias notices what is clearly a fan attempting to take discreet photos of the two of you make out. The guy is wearing a Canucks cap, so Elias decides to let you continue on.

“I’m just going to go talk to that fan babe.” Elias starts walking over to the guy while you make your way to the next aisle.

You’re grabbing a tarp when Elias rejoins you. He gives you a look for the tarp, he wants to ask so badly but he knows you won’t give him the answers just yet.

He takes back the captaincy of the cart and guides you to the checkout

——

You’ve arrived back home and are in the middle of setting up everything in the ‘love nest’. You’ve got the canvas set up on the floor and the tarp underneath it.

Your chosen paint colours are laid out beside the set up canvas. You’d taken the wooden frame out from the canvas, making it easier to be able to move on top of.

“Okay Elias, you can come in.” You stick your head out the door, he’s leaning against the wall.

“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing now?” He asks, as he watches you begin to strip. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“Firstly, get naked,” you demand as you grab some paint. “We’re going to have sex on the canvas.”

“What’s that going to do?” He asks as he begins to strip down.

“We’re going to cover each other in paint then cover the canvas with it.” You say, rubbing green paint down your chest.

“Oh, we do need something new to hang over the couch.”

You laugh as you help him slather on paint. He leads you over to the canvas. He lays you down softly on the slightly rough surface. It’s an odd sensation against your back but you barely think about it as Elias slots himself between your legs. He’s on his knees and he leans over you, pulling your mouth towards his.

Your lips meet feverishly, his lips are plump against yours and his hands cage you against the canvas. You wrap your arms around his body to pull him flush against you.

The orange on his chest mingles with the gold of yours, your hands stretch out against the canvas, slipping slightly leaving a blue streak down the canvas.

“Gotta be in you.” Elias growls, pulling away slightly to adjust his body.

The head of his cock bumps against your clit and you cry out. He enters your slowly, eyes burning into yours as he goes.

“Oh baby.” You cry, sitting up to chase his lips.

You’re perched in his lap as he thrusts up into you. Both sets of your hands are splayed across the canvas.

“Fuck älskling.” Elias pulls out of you, directing you onto your hands and knees.

He pushes back in and starts to buck his hips at a neck breaking speed. Your cheek rests against the canvas, as your arms give out. You can’t help but cry Elias’ name. He moans loudly in an attempt to respond.

You can feel your breasts bouncing along the canvas, Elias pulls you to the side.

You’re spooning now and he pulls one of your legs up into the air. It gives him better access and his hand that’s not gripping your hip against the canvas grabs at your breasts.

“Fuck okay,” he growls, pulling his cock out of you. He smirks devilishly at the cry that leaves your mouth.

He lays back and pulls you by your hips to get on top of him. You brace your hand against his chest and push yourself up on your knees. You grab Elias’ cock and guide it toward your pussy. Before you let go, you gives him an extra squeeze.

As you slide down his length, both your mouths fall open. You press your mouth against his, his tongue fights yours in a battle for dominance.

His hand comes down with force against your ass and you cry into his mouth. You’re rocking back and forth as quick as you can.

He keeps pawing at your ass, rubbing the stinging part. You cum with a cry, squeezing around him. Elias moans, he picks you up and without pulling himself from you, he flips you over.

He thrusts slowly, pace becoming slower. He’s teasing you now, trying to get a second orgasm out of you before the first has even finished. His hand goes to your clit, rubbing and pushing. You can feel another orgasm crashing through your body and Elias begins to bite at your neck. He finds that hot spot of skin that drives you nuts and the second orgasm comes quickly.

Elias cums as you do, loud and long. He rests for a second, hovering above you. His hands are beside your head and he smiles down at you.

“We should probably shower.” He laughs, his eyes crinkle as he looks down on you. His hair is falling in his face and you want to tug on his chain to pull you to him.

“I guess. But I’m warm and cozy.” You whine, trying to pull his shoulders so he lowers himself down to you.

He laughs and pulls out of you. You cry out at the loss, pouting as he stands up. Elias picks you up.

“Canvas turned out good,” he smirks, hands wandering a little too much.

“That it did!” You smile, looking over his shoulder at it as he carries you to the bathroom.

“Going to be gorgeous over the couch.”

iii. the favourite song

It was your three year anniversary, and this year you’d decided to make each other gifts.

This was going to be no problem for you. You’re artistically gifted! And yet, you have zero ideas. You wish that you could be hit by the genius of inspiration, but like a writer you’ve got hit by the block.

You’re scrolling through the internet when your phone rings.

“Hello?” You ask, balancing your phone between your shoulder and your ear as you continue to look at your computer screen.

“Hey babe!” Holly’s voice replies, chirpy and light. “Still stuck on what to make Elias for the anniversary?”

“You have no idea. If I see one more stupid idea about origami stars or some shit,” you rant into the phone, “I’m going to scream.”

“I think Emma said something about a thing she found on tiktok.” Holly says and there’s shuffling on the other end of the line. “I’ll send it to you. Good luck hun!”

The idea in question is pretty clever. You take the glass from a photo frame and trace a Spotify song outline. Pretty easy, then put a cute photo of the two of you in the place where the album art goes.

Luckily, you do have a spare picture frame or two lying around. Ready and at your disposal. The hardest part was finding a good suitable song to express how Elias really made you feel.

You’d had a photo picked out and ready. It was a beautiful candid Brock had snapped while you and Elias had visited him this summer. You’re wrapped in Elias’ arms while he smiles down at you and you’re looking at him like he hung the moon and stars. The fire crackling before you and the moonlight in the background made it all more magical as a captured photo.

You had the photo displayed on your laptop, an attempt to find inspiration as you search through the Spotify playlist Elias made you. Finally you stumble across the perfect song.

It seems silly that you hadn’t thought of it already! It was so simple and it had been in front of you already.

You smiled before gathering up your supplies and heading out to your she-shed. You smile down at Elias, whose head pops out from his own office.

“Got inspired babe?” He asks, clearly holding the door shut to hide something from you.

“Sure did!” You stop to press a kiss against his lips and sneakily attempt to peak at what he’s so evidently hiding.

He laughs, but accepts the quick peck happily, before letting one arm out from behind the door to push you on your way.

Once in your own shed, you sort out the proper materials. Turning on the printer you prep the right print out for tracing.

It’s not hard, you tape the paper behind the glass pane. Then you begin to trace the lines and symbols for the song.

You take your photo and modge-podge it onto the back, perfectly straight.

It turned out beautiful.

——

“Present time now?” Elias asks, the plate before him empty.

You laugh, the candle light making his excited face even more cute than normal. “Sure babe. You can have yours first.”

You grab the blue gift paper wrapped rectangle from the counter. You hug it to your chest quickly before handing it to him.

The smile on his face grows as he grabs the gift. He’s practically vibrating from excitement. Elias loves getting gifts from you. You know him better than anyone else and always manage to nail it with whatever you get it.

The paper is ripped off and he looks in awe at the delicate frame. His favourite picture of the two of you was used as the album art for his favourite song, Good Life by OneRepublic.

“Käresta, it’s beautiful.” Elias is tearing up, “Jag alskar dig.”

“Love you too honey,” you smile, tearing solely because he is tearing up. “It’s definitely a good life, you know. I get to love you.”

“That was cheesy.” He laughs.

iv. the body imprint

Some of the things you found on TikTok were just the best. Recently, the latest trend was painting your body and sitting on a canvas to give it to your significant other.

At first, the trend had made you laugh. It was a silly thing, but then you remember the man-child you were dating and realized it was the perfect thing to make for Elias. Of course, you had managed to convince Quinn’s girlfriend Hanna and Brock’s girlfriend Rachel to do it with you.

It’s not as weird as it would seem as the three of you stand in your living room. Another tarp laid out along the ground under the canvas. The three of you are in nothing but tank tops and thong. Not weird at all, the three of you have been in less dressed states before.

“This is the weirdest thing we have ever done.” Hanna says, watching as you set up the paints and canvases.

“I don’t know about that. Emma’s bachelorette party in Vegas made us do a lot of weird stuff.” You reply, handing her a paintbrush.

“I thought we agreed not to talk about that.” Rachel points out laughing from where she stands in front of her own canvas.

“Good point. Now who is going first?” You ask, pouring some paint on your palette.

“I guess I can,” Rachel says, almost defeated.

“You could sound a little more excited, you know?” You tease, sticking your paintbrush in the green paint.

“You’re about to paint my ass.” Rachel deadpans as Hanna laughs. “This is as excited as I’m going to get.”

Hanna dips her paint brush in the yellow paint. You hum along to the Abba playing throughout the living room, as you slowly lather Rachel’s ass and upper thighs with paint. Hanna takes the lower half of her legs. You let Rachel dip her hand in the paint, before leading her to the canvas. She sits the way you showed her. She giggles at the feeling of the paint.

“You can get up now.” Hanna laughs as Rachel stands up.

“Oh it turned out so good!” Rachel smiles at the imprint on the screen.

“If you want, you can go shower and then we can paint your outline.” You smile, directing her into the slippers you’d pre-set out before to ensure no paint prints on your carpet. “Your turn Han.”

You lather up the blue paint, before gliding the paintbrush along her body.

“This is weirdly intimate.” You joke, grabbing more paint.

“I’m oddly comfortable with you painting my body.” Hanna laughs, painting her hand as you continue with purple down her legs.

She moves towards the canvas as you finish up the paint and you help her down to sit perfectly on the canvas. The paint goes nicely on the canvas and you help Hanna back up. She slips into her slippers and grabs a paint brush to do you.

Your ass and upper thighs are painted orange, your lower legs get painted golden and you’re guided to the canvas. You sit down, one leg up and both hands back. The paint squished between your body and the canvas and you shiver at the feeling.

After a good few seconds, you get up from the canvas. You slip into your own slippers and head off to the ensuite bathroom you share with Elias.

——-

You return, freshly showered to find your friends waiting for you. They’re also freshly showered and everybody is no longer covered in paint.

“Okay so now we fill in the imprint.” You say, handing Rachel and Hanna their paint palettes and paint brushes.

They set off to work and so do you. You easily fill in the little spaces lacking proper colour coverage. It takes very little time to fill in the parts you need, and you hum along happily to the playlist Hanna had chosen while you showered.

“Well what now?” Rachel asks, she’s on her knees beside her canvas. She’s finished touching up the pieces she needs.

“The black outline and background, right?” Hanna inquires, trying to grab the black paint without getting up. She succeeds, and pour some on the white spaces of the canvas before handing it to Rachel.

——-

The three of you finish your projects way before the boys get home. You take time to relax on the couch waiting for the three men to return from practice.

You all scramble to grab the paintings when you hear a car pulling into the driveway.

You smile at your girlfriends as they sneak out into the front yard. Their paintings are wrapped in gift paper, they decided they didn’t want to show their boyfriends right away.

“Hi babe,” you smile, reaching for the remote to turn down the volume. “How was practice?”

He doesn’t even hear you. He’s staring at the painting. It’s leaning up against the wall behind you and Elias’ eyes bulge looking at it.

“Fuck.” Is the only word that falls out of his shocked mouth.

“Do you like it?” You smile coyly, standing up to wrap your arms around him.

He nods, accepting your touch.

“Made it just for you.” You whisper, standing on your tiptoes to kiss his neck.

“Bedroom, now,” he growls, eyes darkening significantly.

i. + Elias’ body imprint

He’s not a hundred percent sure why he’s doing this. Sure your body imprint was beautiful and is hanging in the love nest, but this might be crossing the line.

He looks towards Brock and Quinn who also look extremely unsure about this. If you asked Elias right now, he definitely would be unable to tell you whose idea it was. (He’s lying, it was definitely his).

Elias was definitely inspired by that time you two had sex on the canvas, and also he’d been on tiktok himself and saw some other dude do it.

“So like are we painting our dicks too?” Quinn asks apprehensively. The look on Quinn’s face screams that he doesn’t want to do what he just asked at all.

“Hell yeah we are.” Brock boisters.

Elias and Quinn share a look, both silently judging their friend who in any other life would've been the ideal frat boy house president.

“I mean it’s not like we shouldn’t.” Elias shrugs, “We should all be proud of our bodies.”

“Easy for you to say,” Quinn rolls his eyes, annoyed at the swede. “You’re fucking packing.”

“Hey so am I!” Brock yells from beside the canvas he’s set up.

“This conversation has turned into an actual dick measuring contest.” Elias mutters annoyed. “Just paint my ass please Brock.”

Brock nods his head and grabs the paint brush. Quinn stands and watches, the look of evident death on his face. Granted, he always looks like that, Elias thinks.

“Am I painting your dick too?” Brock looks slightly revolted, himbo attitude in full effect.

“No,” Elias shoots him a look. “Don’t even think about touching my dick. This is just art. I have to look at your dick enough at the rink, I’m not touching yours.”

Based on the Death Stare Brock was getting, he back offs, not before handing the paint brush to Elias.

Elias is finishing the paint on his body, as Brock and Quinn strip themselves down to do their own paintings. They begin to help the other paint their backsides.

The front door opening causes all three men to look at the door with wide eyed fear. You walk into your living room to three grown men covered in paint half naked.

“Uh, what are you guys doing?” You ask, somewhat unfazed. It’s not the weirdest thing you’ve ever walked into in your house.

“Body imprints.” Elias says so casually, you’d assume he does it daily.

“Okay. Uh, have fun I guess.” You say, backing your way into the kitchen.

Brock and Quinn stand there, paintbrushes in hand just staring jaw-opened at the empty space you’d previously occupied.

“Well, I can never look Y/N in the eyes again.” Brock says, but he doesn’t stop painting the areas he can reach on himself.

“She’s seen worse.” Elias says casually.

“What does that mean?” Quinn dares to question.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” You reply, walking through the living room just watching Elias working on his painting. “Looks good babe!”

Elias smiles. He’s content to have finally made you something beautiful when you always make him the most beautiful art.

[strawberryshortcakegirl]

HSMTMTS Season 3 Trailer Thoughts

The beginning's actually kinda funny (something wildcats!).

Why is the right part of the scene blurred at 16 seconds..? It's pretty obvious if you pause there.

MADDOX MY LOVE

Maddox's face when she's holding out the phone bin lol

Is it just me or is Kourtney taking a selfie at a random moment kind of like Season 1 Carlos?

It annoys me that they spent 14 seconds in the trailer on the announcing Corbin and the putting on Frozen part (mainly because it was already in the sneak peek) but I know, some FaNs didn't know about it sooo

So Gina's wearing all gold while dancing on stage. I think that she's gonna have her Season 1 Nini moment where she's auditioning and then is suddenly transported to some dream stage and wearing something different (they did this in 1-2-3 in season 2 as well).

I can't see Olivia Rodrigo or Nini with a gigantic sunhat and holding a white lace umbrella but here we are

And Ricky is now standing on a log looking out to the city. I was thinking it's probably some Troy song, like Scream perhaps...? Although to be realistic, maybe EJ should sing Scream because of his whole college decision (which strangely wasn't even brought up in the trailer).

So now Gina's talking about how this is her first time doing a bunch of stuff. I think that maybe she's about to sing For the First Time in Forever because.... I mean it would make sense.

Carlos looks ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED talking about how Portwell will be a thing all summer...

Gina girl it is not your first time going all out for the lead in the show. You did that with HSM, you just didn't actually get the lead... unless Gina's talking about going all out AS the lead of the show?

They show a color wars song for a bit. Meg/Val has a mic so I'm sure she'll be singing quite a bit in that song. I'm lowkey not interested at all in a color wars thing, but oh well. Maybe it'll be interesting. Oh and later in the trailer it shows Jet (on the yellow team) being held up by his teammates so I guess we already know that the yellow team wins

Val announcing EJ as the director is making me ship Casval even harder (yes I am calling them Casval lol)

I swear I will make a slideshow of all the times the girls in Season 3 are wearing shirts with puffy sleeves.

So I've heard that EJ saying he's freaking out could be because of him directing a musical for the first time.... or it could be about Rina developing again?

Bro Ricky are you... holding an invisible guitar while jumping backwards? *Bet on it cringe flashbacks

YESSS JET GETS A SONG!!

I'm glad they're singing Start the Party actually. I hate my brain.

Oh of course Carlos can't focus on anything else except for the musical (or... is it the fact that Seb isn't at the camp? Except at camp prom?).

Okay it actually made me laugh when Ricky said that he thought someone in Frozen was named Gary. I know some people are shocked that he doesn't even know the main characters of Frozen but then I remembered I've had a friend who NEVER watched Disney so perhaps some people are just not as connected with the Disney movies world O_O

RICKY WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU WEARING?!? Is Ricky pulling an EJ and going into the auditions in costume

Nini talking to some creepy guy scares me. I know that he's supposed to be a "family friend" but yeah. Also wasn't she supposed to be working with Jamie?

Ashlyn's hair color going from orange streaks to blue streaks lol. I always think her hair looks so good though so I'm not going to question how she changed it halfway through a summer camp.

For anyone who thinks that's not Maddox and Madison, the next shot shows Madison with the same exact hairstyle and Maddox wearing the sunglasses on top of her head. Just sayin'

NINI NOTHING FROM THE PAST FEW YEARS HAS- okay she has only really thought about becoming a singer/songwriter for one semester. Literally. Before that, she was content with just being in musicals.

Also Miss Jenn looks very different (her hair is just getting shorter each season lol)

EJ if you say nothing's gonna ruin your summer with your girlfriend you're basically ASKING for it to be ruined.

So Ricky was clearly writing a song, and then did that HSM 3 thing (if anyone remembers) where he purposely was showing her the paper but not letting her have it.

It lowkey makes sense for Rina to develop anyways. EJ is too busy being a camp director. Gina's the lead. Ricky MIGHT get Kristoff.

I swear if I have to hear Corbin say "Wha-what?" again I'm going to scream.

Them specifying that Meg is from Zombies haha

EJ is probably giving the thumbs up to Gina's audition. Adding onto that, WHATEVER happens with what Gina gets, it's gonna cause chaos. If she gets the lead, people will say "Oh that's unfair because you're dating our director." On the other hand, maybe EJ won't give her the lead BECAUSE people would think that way.

The stakes have never been higher...? I'm confused last time I checked it's a Frozen musical that is put on by a two-week summer camp. It's really not that big...

But yes I will also be obsessing over every episode so maybe it is a big thing.

I'm sure only my Discord friends have maybe made it this far but thanks for reading haha :) glad that the trailer FINALLY released.

[kylewalker-peters]

💌

i associate you with good music taste, concerts, sam fender, cats, west jam, troy deeney, winks, ben davies, joe rodon, wales, swansea, atleti, ye olde spurs tumblr, a shared chelsea shopping list, love island and the love island au masterpiece, bullying, latin, so much love and happiness, men's hair, TIMO WERNER, j*ck gre*lish, hair dye, beautiful selfies!!!!, amazing makeup

[sillyrabbit81]

Her Heavy Cross

Summary: Three years after tragedy hits, Lana she decides to start dating again. She meets Will through a dating app and they begin an online romance. After months of constant requests, Lana relents and agrees to meet and go on an irl date with Will. But is Will who he says he is? Lana is quickly pulled into an intense relationship forcing her to confront her tragic past. Will Lana face it or will she close her heart forever?

Pairing: OMC x OFC

Word Count: approx 4k

Warnings: mention of sexual assault, swearing, smoking, implied smut

Authors Note: The story started as a Henry Cavill fanfiction but I changed it to be an original character, but shades of Henry are still there. Hope you enjoy the story and thanks for reading.

Part 18 Part 20

Part 19

It took over two hours to get ready. I don't know how celebrities did this all the time. I enjoy dressing up, but not when I know the pictures will be circulated widely, and every time someone types into google "Liam Cross's girlfriend", images of tonight will come up. It freaked me out.

I trusted Liam when he said the dress was right, and I trusted Jen. She had only just started dating Riza when Andy and I got married, so although she hadn't done my hair and makeup, I had seen her work and the brides always looked good. So when I asked her to do my makeup for the premiere, I didn't think twice. I regretted that when Jen took the pins out of my hair.

"Jen, I look like Orphan Annie," I complained.

She just laughed and said, "trust me." She started to work a brush through my hair while humming Tomorrow. I groaned.

But as she worked the brush, the curls started to join together, and beautiful waves appeared in my hair.

"You're a genius," I said to Jen when I finally worked out what she was doing.

Jen blushed and just kept brushing. "I have always wanted to do this to your hair. You have such a timeless facial structure. I knew it would be perfect for you and for tonight."

She did my makeup in a beautiful smokey eye and deep red lipstick. It was not too dissimilar to what I would do for myself, but she added fake lashes, brushed and plucked my eye-brows and did some light contouring. She even checked my legs and arms for marks and bruises, covering any she could find.

Jen helped me dress and double-checked everything, including any visible panty line. I couldn't see how it would be possible to have a panty line since I had gotten the smallest underwear I could find, which was a string attached to a triangle of lace.

When I was ready, I looked in the dressing room's full-length mirror. I almost cried in relief. I felt like I would fit in and not look like I had a face like a dropped pie. Jen had done a fantastic job with my hair, and I looked like a cross between Rita Hayworth and Jessica Rabbit. I adored the old Hollywood style. I thanked her a million times, and she went downstairs to get Liam and Riza.

I paced the bedroom waiting for them to come back. Being alone in the room had allowed my anxieties to creep back in. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, in through my nose and out through my mouth. The dress was tight, and I couldn't quite breathe deeply enough. But I was not going to ruin this night with my anxiety. I was not. My guts didn't care what my brain was telling itself. They churned and flipped in my belly until I thought I was going to be sick.

"Lana," Liam said from the doorway. He was alone. Riza and Jen must have waited downstairs. I gasped as I took him in. The was wearing a black woollen three-piece suit with a black tie and crisp white cotton shirt with onyx cuff links. He had was clean-shaven and had his hair combed down in little waves. He looked like he had stepped off the movie screen. He looked so perfect.

"You look incredible," I tell him.

He laughed, "No, Sweetheart. Not next to you, I don't." He crossed the space between us and took my hands, spreading them wide to get a good look. "You are a vision."

I blushed and said, "I feel sick."

Liam shook his head, "you're going to do great." Liam lead me to the dressing room and stood behind me in front of the mirror. "Sweetheart, look at yourself. Look at your hair," he touched it cautiously, just above my ear, as if scared his feather-light touch would ruin it.

"Do you know how much money some women would pay to have hair as spectacular as yours? And your body, the way it curves and moves with such grace. Your skin is so delicate and as smooth as silk." Liam ran his finger down my neck until I shivered and smiled. "And that smile, my Sweetheart, You don't know what lengths I will go to for that smile. It would make Helen of Troy hang her head in despair."

"Thank you," I said. "I needed that."

"It's true." Liam kissed my forehead tenderly, his lips just barely brushing my skin. "I want to kiss you. But I'm under very strict instructions from Jen not to. But be prepared for an attack after the red carpet." He kissed my neck with as much care as before and sighed. Then he seemed to shake himself off and asked, "are you ready to go?"

I nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"Ok, let's go downstairs. Apparently, we have some pictures to take."

The drive to the cinema was short, but the limousines' line was long. I barely remember anything until our car was the next in line. Liam had been going through a last-minute rundown of what should happen.

"Remember, I will get out first and wave a bit.  Just wait until I turn around, and I will help you out of the car." I nod, and he continues. "Then we will both stand in front of the car. I might wave again, but you don't have to. Just smile. Once we get past the initial photographers, there will be fans, and then there may be some interviews. Do you remember what will happen there?"

"You will sign some autographs and take some pictures. I'm to follow you. You're going to hold my hand the whole time through that part, right?" I asked.

Liam took my hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing a kiss into my palm. "Nothing could make me let it go." He said sincerely. "If there are interviews, they are usually very short, only a few questions. They may ask you who you are, and I'll introduce you, and you smile and say hi. I doubt they will ask you anything other than how you're enjoying the night, but if they do, I'll handle it."

"Ok," I murmured. "I wish I had a ciggie."

Liam smiled, "If you still want one when we're done, I'll find you one. The last part is where the main paparazzi photos will be taken. They will want photos of both of us, but they will also want ones of just me. Usually, they will call out something like "fashion", and that means you can walk to the cinema and some publicists or assistants will take you into the foyer, and you can wait for me there. Ok?"

I nodded and felt bile rise in my throat. I swallowed hard, but it wouldn't go away. My mouth filled with saliva, and I kept trying to swallow it.

"Lana?"

"Air." I gasped. "I need air,"

I put down my window just as Liam shouted, "no, Lana! Don't!"

The roar I heard was like being at a footie Grand Final. I was confronted with hundreds of screaming faces lining the road opposite the cinema. Their eyes were wild. Their bodies bounced and writhed in joy and excitement. They lifted posters and toys, screaming for Liam Cross.

Liam leaned over me and, waving at the crowd, quickly pressed the button to put the window up.

"What the fuck was that?" I yelled.

"Fans."

"You didn't tell me they would be on both sides!"

"I didn't think you would put your window down."

"Your life..." I started.

"Isn't normal." We both finished.

Liam laughed, "on the plus side Lana, you have your colour back. Do you still feel sick?"

I shook my head.  "No. Now I'm just terrified." The limo started moving.

I gripped Liam's hand as if we were nearing the top of a roller coaster. He ran his thumb over my knuckles and said, "We can still go home if you want." He cupped my cheek and looked at me. The car stopped.

I shook my head. "Just don't leave me."

He smiled and kissed my neck. His skin felt different, having shaved, but his kiss was still the same. "Never." He whispered.

The door was opened, and Liam got out.

I breathed deeply, trying to calm. The dress was bloody tight. Then Liam's hand was there, and I took it.

His eyes found mine, and I fell into them. He smiled his most beautiful smile, the one where his cheeks and eyes crinkled and his teeth flashed. I found myself unable to stop my smile. How could I not smile when he looked so happy.

As I stood up, his hand came around my waist, and he pulled me tight. He leaned into my ear and said loud enough to be heard over the roar of the crowd and the shouts from the photographers, "Thank-you for doing this, Lana." He kissed my ear so swiftly I thought I had imagined it.

The procession down the red carpet went as he said it would. The fans were electric and not as frightening as I thought they would be. Some even tried to talk to me, which was awkward because I had no idea what to say. I just tried to be polite and smiled.

Liam was amazing. He never let go of my hand. One-handed, he signed autographs, shook hands, gave hugs and took selfies. He was so charming, looked the fans in the eye, seemed genuinely happy and interested to hear what they had to say. He even blushed when some of the fans oohed after he had run his fingers through his hair. Just watching how much he seemed to love this part of his job made me forget a lot of my own anxieties.

Liam was a bit different with the interviewers, more alert and guarded. But his charm and wit were still there. A few interviewers, mostly the more gossipy outlets, asked about me. The film focussed ones largely ignored me. I hoped I gave coherent responses, and Liam was as good as his word and stepped in when he needed to and took control of the interviews. I couldn't believe how many times he had to answer the same questions, and he answered each with as much enthusiasm as he had the first time he was asked.

Quicker than I thought, we stopped for the last row of photographers. They shouted for Liam's attention and were almost as loud as the fans. When the time came for Liam to do photos on his own, he brushed his lips against my neck and said in my ear, "Lana, you were perfect. Go on. I'll be with you in a minute."

I went to the end and was greeted by the publicists who ushered me into the crowded cinema foyer. I found a quiet corner and waited for about five minutes before I saw Liam practically barge his way through the crowd, his eyes searching until he saw me.

He grabbed my hips and kissed my mouth so hard I thought they would bruise.

"Lana, that was perfect. Thank you for doing that with me."

I smiled a genuine, relaxed smile for the first time in hours and asked, "so it's over?"

"It's over," Liam confirmed.

I exhaled with relief and said, "you'd have to be the only person in the world I would ever go through that for."

Liam kissed me again, softer this time, lips playing against mine, "you don't know how much that means to me." He hugged me tightly before staring at me and smiling at his goofy grin. Then he said, "come on, Sweetheart. I have a few people I'd like to introduce you to. If you are up for it, that is. Do you need more time?" I shook my head, and he led me into the crowd.

Liam grabbed my hand and moved fast through the crowd, briefly saying hi to some people on the way.

I saw Myra come in from the red carpet, and I pointed her out to Liam. Liam waved her over, and she waved back then held her hand up in a 'give me a second' gesture. She went to the corner I had been hiding in and kissed a man I assumed was her boyfriend and brought him over.

I liked her instantly. She was bubbly and happy. It was like she was famous enough to be bored by the goings-on around her, but still new enough that she hadn't developed the jaded 'here we go again' attitude that you would expect.

"Phew! That was crazy tonight. I'd say that's your fault, Liam. No one else here is big enough to pull a crowd that big." She leaned over and kissed his cheeks in the European style. "Thanks for doing it, mate. I mean, it'll be good for Stones but still, it'll help with this movie too."

Liam smiled, "Don't mention it." Liam pulled me closer and introduced me.

Myra smiled widely and pulled me into a hug. She was a few years younger than me, and she was beautiful. She had gorgeous thick dark hair, cheekbones to die for under radiant umber skin, which appeared to be without a blemish and striking sea-green eyes. She was very tall, almost as tall as Liam, but very thin. She felt so delicate when I hugged her back, but it was evident from her speech and body language; she wasn't a shrinking violet.

"Hey babes, so good to meet you. I've heard so much. You look so good. That's from Maticevski, right? Great choice. I love him." I usually cringe when I hear the word 'babes'. I think of Married at First Sight for some reason. However, coming from Myra, it just sounded sweet.

"Thanks. Liam has spoken about you too."

"Yeah, Pop has been good to me," Myra said, throwing a look at Liam that made his eyes roll.

"It's twelve years, Myra, hardly Grandfather territory."

"It's not your age. It's your attitude." She said in a snarky but playful way. "Anyway, this is my Damo. Well, Damien, but nobody calls him that." Damo smiled awkwardly and shook our hands.

Myra wrapped her arms around his waist and said teasingly, "Aww, he's shy." From the look Damo gave Myra, I'd say smitten was a better way to describe him. He's tall like Liam, and though muscular, you could tell it came from physical labour, not a gym. He had a surfie look about him with his sun-bleached shoulder long hair and tanned skin.

"I'm going for a smoke before the movie starts," Damo said to Myra.

"Can Lana have one?" Liam asks. "She has quit, but she said she would like one." I looked at Liam with gratitude, and Damo and I went behind the theatre where a smoking area was set up.

We could still hear a lot of activity going on out the front, but it appeared most of the excitement was over. Damo lit our cigarettes, and I leaned against the wall, relishing the nicotine flowing through me.

Damo laughed, "you look how I feel. Over it."

"Yeah, it's full-on, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's bullshit crazy."

"So, where do you live? How did you meet Myra and get wrapped up in this bullshit?" I asked with genuine interest. He seemed even more out of place here than I did.

Damo told me he was from the Northern Beaches and was in the year above Myra at school. He had asked her to his Year 12 formal, and she accepted, but she had cancelled to go to Melbourne for her first major acting role. "So, I don't hear from her for years, but she finds me on Instagram through old mates from school, and she tells me that I owe her a date."

"That's kinda cute."

"Yeah, surprised the fuck out of me, though. Like, why'd ya wanna go out with a sparky from the Northern Beaches."

I smiled at him, knowing the feeling. "Maybe all this bullshit gets to them, and they want someone real? Someone who doesn't want anything from them except their time and affection."

Damo smiles and nods his head. "I reckon you're onto something. So what's your story?"

I don't tell him all the details but that we met online and I didn't know who he was until I met him. "It was a complete shock when I found out who I'd been talking to."

"Fair dinkum? You met him three weeks ago?" I nodded, "It took Myra five months to convince me to go to one of these things."

I laughed, "Yeah, well, I just thought better get it over with. The sooner people can get over that Liam has a new girlfriend, the quicker I can get back to normal and not worry about it."

Damo nodded and said, "yeah, I hope so too. Myra's life can get pretty crazy."

We finished our cigarettes and went back inside. We had hardly gotten through the door when we were whisked away by our partners because the movie was about to start.

After the movie, there was a small after-party for industry people only. The people who had won tickets or were friends of friends weren't invited. Liam, of course, was invited and had planned not to go. Myra pleaded with him to stay, so when he looked at me asking the silent question, I nodded, already getting the feeling not many people could say no to Myra. Myra bounced around and hugged us both.

Liam introduced me to a few other people, including Boyd, who turned out to be an outrageous flirt and a shit-stirrer. He seemed harmless and just enjoyed taking the piss out of people. He also told me something interesting about Liam that I planned to bring up with him later.

Liam also introduced me to the showrunner Arianna, who was essentially his boss. Finally, I was introduced to Naomi, who was to play Boyd's love interest, and she was also in the movie we had just watched. The Australian film industry is pretty small.

Naomi was the opposite of Myra, friendly on the outside but was one of those people who always seemed to be looking around when you talked to them to see if there was someone more interesting or more advantageous she should be speaking to. She had icy blue eyes, bombshell blonde hair, amazing breasts and a nose that was so perfect it had to have been a nose job.

She flirted hard with Liam, touching his arm, letting it linger that little bit too long. She ignored me mostly, except when she threw me some side-eye. Liam seemed to take it in his stride, polite but not friendly, until she 'accidentally' brushed her breasts against his arm.

Liam seemed to have enough, and his eyes went dark. He put his hand to my back and practically pushed me out, saying we were leaving. His tone didn't leave much room for argument, but I wanted to know why he left so suddenly when things had been going well, and I actually enjoyed the party. I was also feeling bad that I didn't say goodbye to Myra and the others.

Liam's limo was waiting outside, and he ushered me in quickly. Liam texted Myra to say goodbye and to let the others we left. "Myra won't mind. She knows how I feel about Naomi."

I said hi to our driver before turning to Liam. "Is there a history there?" I ask. My voice was small.

Liam scoffed, "she wishes." He sighed and stretched his neck. He took his jacket off, opened his vest and loosed his tie. I looked at him expectantly. He taps the driver on the shoulder and apologises, but he's going to put the screen up.

When the screen was in place, Liam started to roll his sleeves up. It seemed like he was stalling. Eventually, he said, "I suppose I had better tell you. Naomi was cast a couple of weeks ago. The original actress playing her part fell pregnant and didn't want to commit to a series. She comes in for a table read, and I felt bad for her coming in late because the rest of the main cast had a couple of months together already. Myra knew her and said to avoid her, but I thought, well, I have to work with her should get to know her. We had a chat after the read, then she follows me back to my dressing room and long story short, she takes her shirt off and grabs my cock."

"What did you do?" My green-headed monster was in full battle mode. He better have a good and believable answer.

"I threw her out ." He shrugged. "Shit like that happens all the time. What she doesn't know is that word gets around, and soon she will be seen as toxic and won't get hired. Although I think she aims to bag a guy with money and never work again."

I believed him. I was going to have to get this jealousy thing under control. It was new to me. I don't think I had ever been jealous before, even with Andy. I looked out of the window, letting the night beauty of Sydney calm me down.

Liam put his arm around me and rested his chin on my shoulder. "So was it so terrible?" Liam asked dramatically. "The premiere, I mean."

I looked at him, his blue eyes bright again. "Not all of it," I smiled at him.

"What were the good parts?"

I ran my finger across his jaw, his skin was so smooth. I missed the three-day-growth, but he looked just as amazing without it. "I liked meeting Myra."

He smiled, "I knew you'd like her."

"And the movie was good."

"Anything else?" Liam ran a finger across my collarbone

"The free popcorn and drinks."

Liam chuckled, and his finger ran up my neck. "Anything else?"

"They have great chairs in the theatre," he was turning me on. I heard it in my voice. My heart started to beat louder.

"Is that all?" He asked with his rough, horny voice. He lifted my chin.

"The bathrooms were good too."

He traced my lips with his finger. "Is that all that was good about tonight?"

"Tonight's not over. Ask me again in the morning." He slipped his finger into my mouth, and my body was on fire. Even after all I had been through, the stress and panic, my body still responded to his touch. I sucked his finger gently, and his eyes widened.

"You're very naughty, Lana." He said as he withdrew his finger and shuffled in his seat.

"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way," I said in my best Jessica Rabbit imitation.

Liam's eyes widened then narrowed. "What did Boyd tell you?"

"Tell me? Nothing?" I tried to look innocent, but I'm not an actress.

"Never mind." Liam blushed.

"Hang on, who is your favourite Disney Princess?"

"I'm not a child, Lana." He looked a little uncomfortable.

I pouted. "Come on. Everyone has one."

"Who is yours?"

"Moana, although I don't know if she counts as a Princess cause she's a chief's daughter. My second is Belle. Tell me yours."

"Ariel." Liam looked out the window.

"Favourite spice girl?"

"I don't like pop music. " I raised my eyebrow at Liam. He paused a long time before answering. "Geri."

"Which one of John Snow's girlfriends was hotter with Ygritte or Daenerys?" I was having fun with it. I don't think I'd ever seen him squirm so much.

"Ygritte, Lana, do you mind?"

"No, no, just one more." I was trying not to burst out laughing. I knew I must have had a huge smirk on my face, "Mary-Anne or Ginger?"

"For fucks sake, yes, ok, I have always had a thing for redheads."

I couldn't hold it any longer, and I burst out laughing. I laughed so hard, Liam eventually had to join in. "I'm sorry." I said, "What are you going to do to Boyd?"

"Unfortunately, Lana, it looks like I will be busy for the next 25 years because I will have to kill him."

Part 20

[trashroyalty99]

It has been a while since I introduced my ocs, soo have another one.

-His name is Orion and he's an graffiti artist from Promethea.

- He's got nickname Neon Artist. As he often used neon colors in his works and because of how Promethea is lighted.

-He's famous around the galaxy from his graffitis as he publishes his works on the echo net.

-He has light brown hair, with purple highlights, that reaches to his neck. He has implanted himself, so the graffiti mask can digistruct on the spot.

-He's 5.7 feet tall and isn't the most masculine man. He wears a choker, that he found during his first graffiti. He considers it his lucky charm.

-Speaking of jewelry, he also has few earrings on his right ear.

-He's your usual jokester, taking very few things in life seriously. He means good usually. He likes to pull some pranks at times.

-His favorite things in life are art, having fun, cider and money. Sometimes love.

-Speaking of love, his love life is non-existent. He has had few relationships over the years, but none of them have worked out. He's a bisexual mess.

-He's that guy that has no idea when to stop talking and will joke about everything. Bad puns, are his specialty.

-He utilizes his spray cans in combat as well. He has three sets of them. Cryo, flame and corrosive are his usual ones. He did consider slag at one point but he decided against it.

-He has a Jakobs pistol, that he calls Life. (It's funny, cause he takes lives with it.)

-Common face in the local police force as he gets caught from doing pickpocketing and occasional mercenary work. And his graffitis as most of them are illegal.

-But this doesn't slow him down. Quite the opposite. Once, the graffiti gets cleaned up there's usually a new one the next day.

-He met Zero during one of his missions, which is how he met the Promethea gang.

-He and Lorelei got along really well, as they both share the dumbass energy. Rhys also enjoyed his company, as he brought much needed humor to the crew.

-Rhys commissioned him to work on the interior and exterior design of Atlas headquarters. (Orion loved the job offer.)

-Rhys didn't expect the graffiti work to look so, bright but his employees liked it so he let it go.

-He ended up working on regular basis at Atlas. But once he stole something he shouldn't have, he set sail towards Pandora by Zer0's recommendation.

"I recommend Pandora for you/I liked it there, lots of things to kill/ But be, warned. It's no catwalk out there."

-And he did that. As he couldn't afford an straight fly to Pandora, he traveled on various ships as a bunny.

-It was a slow trip but he made it there eventually.

-First few weeks were hard for him. He had been so used to the availability of ac and cooler environment of Promethea.

-He absolutely used one of those mini fans.

-As he traveled the Pandora, he met with early COV. The psychos were already lunging at him but Troy stopped them.

"Hey, stop it." Troy steps out of the shadow to greet Orion. "Hello, there stranger."

"Heyoo. Are these friends of you safe to be with?" Orion asked as he pointed at the psychos. Troy nodded.

"Perfectly as long as you don't piss on them. Hey, do I know you from somewhere you seem familiar." Orion took an smug look on his face.

"Maybe. If, name Neon Artist says anything." Troy then jumped excitedly towards him.

"Holy shit! I'm such a big fan! Selfie time!" Troy quickly took an selfie before Orion could say anything. He quickly put his fingers up to do an peace sign.

-After this Troy commissioned Orion to do the graffitis for COV. He worked on them for the few weeks and he got paid well.

-He spent some more time on Pandora just exploring and making art. But this is where he heard about vaults for the first time.

-He got interested in them and after doing some research, he also got interested on the cash and sirens.

-His thoughts about Pandora.

"God, what a shit hole it is. But, I'd lie if there wasn't any charm to it. There's no law enforcement in there and huge canyons just waiting to have some art sprayed on to them. Sure, locals can make an issue but. As long as you can pull the trigger, you're good to go. Besides, what're they gonna do? Swing their bone clubs at me? I'm scared skele-ton of them. Just kidding. Not really."

Vaults tho? Now, we're talking. If, I could find one I could make some easy cash and if it's mega dull looking vault, well I can always spice it up little bit. Imagine, that. This vault was found and the graffiti on it by Orion aka Neon Artist. That sounds fucking amazing. I've heard that though it takes a siren's call to get to it. So, let's find an beautiful siren first. Let's start with COV sirens."

Similarly to Caroline, some basic information and their first trip to Pandora.

[border-spam]

Leech Lord: Popular fallacies

(Tyreen and Seifa under the cut)

Troy

That he's delicate.

It’s such a pervasive belief that he's learned to roll his eyes and deal with it at this point, that fighting against it won't lead to anything. He's tried.

Troy's slight build and missing arm coupled with his towering height has always left people describing him as frail or weak looking, fragile.

He’s not. They are completely misreading him, seeing lack of body fat and a slender torso and thinking they mean the same thing on a man of his size as they would someone smaller. They don't.

Troy spent most of his formative years scaling terrain on Nekro that makes Pandora look like a playground. He's hunted game with nothing but a small knife and his physical strength - with one arm.

His height and long limbs make him look wiry, but the strength of his core is shocking and his resilience to physical damage inhuman.

Regardless of the chronic illness and spells of fatigue that people misunderstand for physical weakness so often, Troy is housing half a God. He is a Siren.

He's taken a bayonet on livestream during a raid and just yanked it out of his ribcage like it was a thorn. Mechanics have balked in shock as he’s effortlessly lifted and held a panel sheet of iron in place while inspecting the Mechanicum, muscle shifting like coiled springs. He's ripped limbs from sockets with his bare hand in melees, and STILL people forget moments later.

They switch from awe, to remembering him as the weak twin: the frail God. The broken King.

It's an advantage, really.

People who see the Father of the COV as an easy target realise how wrong they are far too late, when his teeth are at their throats... and they don't get time to warn others not to make the same mistake.

Tyreen

That she's being controlled by her twin.

She has no idea how the fuck this rumor started but it's been around forums and fansites for YEARS with no sign of slowing.

Troy tried to explain it before: that there were people who love Tyreen so much they couldn't let themselves believe she did things they didn't like, or it would be like some kind of betrayal.

It would be like she was this perfect woman they wanted or liked to imagine was theirs, and then it turned out she wasn't their ideal, so they would find a scapegoat instead.

He'd shrugged - said of course it would be him... and it had been.

She hates this shit. It's insulting, genuinely. The level of conspiracy bullshit needed to even consider it is painful, and yet it's there. Whispered about on speciality sites, randomly cropping up in stream comments.

Troy made her do that.

Tyreen would never say this.

She looks scared at 4:15 and you see her eyes flick to the side like she's being threatened off screen

He's manipulating her, the signs are all there, she needs help

It's fucking insulting. The fact that a notable group of her followers think her so weak, so pathetic that Troy would be in control of her actions? It's all her. She's exactly who she fucking wants to be, Tyreen is her own God.

Troy's convinced there is no point in trying to combat it, reassures her it's always going to happen and always does for anyone with a following... specially women. She refuses to leave it be and has her own ways of proving them wrong.

Early morning unprompted selfie-cam streams of bringing him coffee and wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he laughs at the peck on his cheek and her -

"Oh you're SUCH a monster, aren't you"

Snapshots on her socials of him in baggy pants rolling a joint for her -

"Bein' abused again :'( look at the state of this roll-up."

It's funny, it's cute. The fans love it and so does Troy.

She likes that response in a way. Gives her a little flicker of something she remembers as happiness.

Seifa

That she has things under control.

In general, she's seen externally as having a relatively decent grip on her understanding of self and the role and world she finds herself in, but Sei has no clue what the fuck is going on half the time.

Like, holy shit. She has NO IDEA what is going on, she's just very good at pretending to have things under her thumb.

Not only do the upper departments of the COV run as multiple small companies that barely even communicate with each other while also dealing with constantly being undermined and sabotaged by other Saints and heads, but she has no real experience in leading in the first place.

She's clutching at straws, constantly on edge, stressed to the core, with no-one around who can actually confirm for her that she's doing things right. The fact that people think she does is a huge reassurance for her, she can't be fucking up that badly if most folks are happy, but... there is a damn reason you find Seifa in bottles so often. There's a reason she enjoys late nights out, forgetting everything for a few hours.

Her staff, friends, tenured old engis and mech hands are a lifeline of support that keeps her propped, but inside she feels like she's crumbling and spends far too long every day fighting the urge to just run and take her chances. She won't, it's a stupid idea and she's not that dumb, but mannnnnn.

People come to her for advice, she's looked to for guidance, she's seen as someone with a good head for what needs to be done and a great solution provider, but she's lost most of the time - scrabbling to keep her confidence intact.

Sei could do with just being told to relax for a couple of weeks. Be sent on vacation or banished to a resort for a month.

It's just not an option as things currently are, not as the COV heaves with growth daily.

Asks are Open!

[ms-mani]

He's super excited to see The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part 🤩 even brought his lego movie toys with him 🤣

❤️❤️❤️

[freshstartbaby]

Trois

PREVIOUS PART

🎧 Onyeka - Burna Boy

I woke up in my bed. Faded as ever. Sunlight was already invinting itself in my room. I wonder what time is it if it is already that sunny. I tapped the mattress to find my phone. After fews seconds I grabbed it and made the screen turn on. 8:20. Woaw it's early. We came back at the villa at like 5am so I didn't thought that I will wake up this soon. I rubbed my eyes and stood up, grabbed my towel and went to the bathroom. I put an oversized t shirt and went downstairs. It seemed like no one was up yet. I went to the kitchen and decided to cook breakfast. I hope they will enjoy it. I like to see my friends happy. I started grab fruits, juice, milk, cup and all I need. I was beginning to make waffle dough when a voice raise

« Hi Rob » Florian said smiling and taking of his airpods

I looked up at him and smiled back

« Well good morning to you Florian »

He came by my side and kiss my cheek while putting a hand on my waist. Boooooooy 🥵

« Don't you wear t-shirt sometimes ? »

He laughed and stepped back

« I do wear clothes » he said as he took a seat « Mhh not right now obviously » I rolled my eyes. He was shirtless again. Like boy you trying to get raped or something ? « I was working out « he said taking his phone « mhh, you're an early bird » I said nobbing my head and got back to the dough

I started chop fruits when he spoke up

« @MlleRob »

I looked up at him again, knowing that it was my ig nickname

« 567 followers, following 407, ok let me see that » « Are you checking on my Instagram just in front of me ? » I said putting the knife in the table « Yup » « You got some nerve » I said shaking my head « You should accepted me faster »he said winking at me « I was waiting to know you better ! » « Suuuuuure » it said sniffing sarcastically « Oh ok I see you got a worked feed, black and white stuff » « Can you not do that ? It's super annoying » « Ok ok I stop, I'm heading to the shower anyway » « Yea that's right, do that, because I can feel you from here » I said laughing, I wasn't smelling him a little

I looked at him to make sure that he understood that I was joking. He looked back at me, nobbed is head like « oh ok so you playin ? » and came behind me. I twisted a little, kept my eyes on him knowing by his glance that I was in trouble. He turned me back straight to my first position, sticked his body to my back, putted his large hands on my waist and hips and bring his mouth to my right ear

« Like last night ? » he whispered

At this point I was helpess. My body tensed up because I was surprised, tetanized and fucking turned on.

« Huh ? » he mumbled waiting for an answer and now sticking his hips to my butt. One of his hand touch my bare thigh and start raising up my shirt. « Ok playboy I was joking go take your shower » I said find a way to come back to reality, faced him and pushed him back softly « Oh you want to be less smart now ? » he said laughing « Just go » I said waiting for him to leave the kitchen before I went back to cooking

Ok i stop you here : nothing happened last night. We just danced. We danced a lot. We had fun really. When he talked about last night he was surely talking about a little accident. It wasn't an real accident I mean. There was dancehall session, I grinded on him for few songs and I felt an erection. It's all. I enjoyed a moment and and told him I was sorry. He excused himself. I felt like the situation made him uncomfortable so I try to reassure him that it wasn't a big deal I mean 🤷🏾‍♀️. We then decided to go back to our seat and talked.

As I ended the breakfast I took a story un put it on ig. I washed my hands and went upstairs to wake up those sleeping heads. I knocked at doors and shakes/carressed them a little with a bright smile telling them that breakfast was ready. Who doesn't want to be wake this way. People always tell that I'm an Ice Queen but the one I love ? Man, pure softness. I went downstairs and start to eat. Yea yea I want to be nice but I'm staving. They arrived slowly and amazed by what was waiting for them. Everyone was here, only Florian was misssing. I took a bite of bacon and saw him arrived.

« Wassup guys » he said « Well I was woke up by a sweet angel telling me that breakfast was made so I'm great » Eve said, she then looked back at Raymond and told him « I want to be wake up like that now » « For suuuuuure » Raymond said raising his eyes « What were you doing «  I questioned Florian « I called my mama » « Owwwwwww » we all shooted in choir « What ? She was checking me out, and I miss her «  he said laughing

We kept eating and talking about what we wanted to do for the day. It will definitely be a beach day. We didn't decided yet if we wanted to do jet ski or quad but we needed adrenaline. We got ready and headed to the beach.

When we got there, we played like kids. The vacay vibe was on top. We built sand castle, jumped in water, taned, bought snowballs. Perfect beach moment. During the all time my eyes kept betraying me watching Florian. Thanks god I kept my sunglasses. I meaaaaan

What make me laugh the most was that some woman came to him while he was laying down or talking with the boys. He talked to them, he seemed relaxed I even saw him laugh. Like 3 or 5 times. I saw him get the phone of one of them and start typing things. So what makes me laugh was how I felt. Like I could feel my neck srinked and my hands get on fire. You see that exactly why I don't like to appreciate someone too fast. I wasn't pissed, I was more a decepointed. Robyn can you ear yourself, not a week has passed since you know him and you are already decepointed. What a shame. I whipped my hand to clean them from sand and went lay down. A little nap never kill nobody. Let's not mess the mood.

I was laying down when I saw someone if front of the sunlight. I didn't move, thinking that the person will move. But I felt water drip on my skin as a cold and wet hand touch my waist. I quickly opened my eyes, surprise by the feeling when I saw Florian above me. I softly pushed him to the side, so he stopped wetting me (and I took the opportunity to touch his arms).

« You're wetting me » I said « Sorry » he said softly

I took the hand who was resting on my waist and put it on the towel. He needed to stop touching me like this. Even more if it was to flirt with the first woman who came holla at him.

« What do you want » « We're doing a volley match, you want to join us ? » he said, his tone reflect the surprise that I pushed him back « No I'm good thank you «  I  mumbled « Sure ? »

I nodded my head and licked my lips waiting him to go away. He stayed a little watching me. It was becoming akward so pushed down my sunglasses eying him like « what do you want, again ? ». I pouted his face, kissed my cheek and left. I watched him join the party as I put back my sunglasses. Fuckboy.

The rest of the day was cool. We went to a restaurant for lunch it was delicious. We finally decided to do some quad. It was scary and fucking exciting. We took a bunch of photos and went back home. During the afternoon I tried to not giving to much attention to Florian. It was this kind of behavior who made me feel sad after all so if I take my distances it could be easier. I felt him watching my movement sometimes but I didn't watch him back. Let's slow down a little.

Tonight we wanted to go party again. We got ready, picked a club / restaurant more local this time. I was in my bedroom, putting on my shoes and checked on me a last time.

I went downstairs finding only Florian on the couches. Of course. He raise his eyes as my heels were meeting the ground. He watched me go downstairs and stood up. I approached the couches and watched him eyebrow frowned

« Why are you sitting up ? » i asked sitting down « Mh I don't know, mmh you look stunning « he said putting his hand on the back of his neck and sitting down to « Thank you, you look great to »

He had a set with a short burgundy sleeve shirt, a chino and a white t-shirt. I was wondering witch colour do not fit him. More over his skin was starting to became golder with the tan. I was scrolling my screen when he told me

« I didn't take a picture with you today » « It's true » I mumbled

I finally looked at him seeing him with an arm reached to me. I watched it and stepped closer to him, trying not to look upset. Why the fuck should I be upset, get yourself together Robyn. I stayed on his side eying his phone trying to look cute on selfies

« Did I do something wrong ? « he questioned watching me « No why «  I bitted my lips « I don't know, I felt like you were avoiding me today » « No » I lied « Look if it is because of what I did in the kitchen this morning, I'm so sorry I didn't want to embarrassed you, really I would never »

I looked at him not understanding what the hell he was talking about

« This morning ? In the kitchen ? You feeling my dick ?»

My eye grew wide open and turned back to regular. I laughed softly and said

« Oh my god. That ? No. No. No. don't worry I almost already forgot. We were playing I know that. And I will tell you and you will feel it if I'm not confortable with something you say or you do. »

He nodded his head, I felt like he was going to tell me something when Michael screamed

« Ok we're out of this bitch ! Let's go »

We looked at each other, laughed and stood up, ready for our second night. It was wild like we wanted it. Thanks god this night I wasn't on ride duty so I drank. Maybe more than I should. During all the night I didn't talk that much with Florian, still trying to not overthink about how I felt. But every time we were close, our hand couldn't help but touch each other. An hand on a arm, a hand on one thigh, an arm behind a back, a thumb on a hand...

It was near 3am when I set back to our table finding Florian on his phone. I approached him and tell him

« Can you drop this phone a minute and enjoy your night »

He looked at me and touched is beard laying back on his chair. He is so damn hot. ROBYN STAY FOCUSED.

« Liking asses on Ig like a teen » I said rolling my eyes « I was talking with my brothers » « Yea for sure » « I swear «  he said raising his right hand

I looked at him and nodding my head. We stared at each other few moment when he told me to come closer. The music was loud so he stepped close to my ear and asked me if I wanted to play. I stepped back and frowned my eyebrows. He told me to come closer and asked me if I wanted a drink. I accepted and saw him went to the bar. I waited few minutes and watched him set back without no drink in his hands. I made a hand move to ask him were was my drink and he winked at me, grabbing back his phone. I crossed my arms and my legs. What game was he playing. He putted his phone back on the table and looked with a wide smile. I was lost at this point. I was ready to get my own drink since it was too much to ask when a waiter put a roulette drink game on our table.

I don't know what kind of face I did but Florian started to laughed hard. When he caught his breath he came back to my ear and asked me

« What colour do you pick ? »

I stepped back and look at him with a smirk

« Black of course » I replied

—-

🎧 Backseat - Little Simz

I woke up feeling muddy. The sunlight attacked my poor eyes, again. I whined softly trying to put my face on my pillow so I can have a little bit of darkness. All my body was feeling heavy. Ok i did drink last night but it wasn't that bad. I didn't find the strength to look for my phone. I just wanted to lay down all day. Oh it's gon be my day off I can feel it. I eared noise downstairs so I think that everyone is probably up. I didn't feel socializing today. I know I shouldn't be thinking like that I enjoy behind alone sometimes. It made me overthink but it doesn't matter. I tried to fall back asleep (sleeping is the best fix I think) but someone knocked at the door. I didn't answer because I just didn't want to when the door started to open slowly. I didn't turn back to see who it was. I just felt a large hand on my thigh who was out of the sheet. I think it was Florian. I start to recognized how his touch feels.

« Robyn » he whispered

I kept my eyes closed, put my hand on his and start to rubbed it with my thumb.

« Wake up sleeping beauty » he said keeping his hand on me an sitting on the bed

I finally turned around, rubbed my eyes and looked k at him. This man is so handsome. It's like I keep being surprise about how gorgeous he is every time I see him. I chuckled a little being decepointed that he wasn't shirtless

« What makes you laugh ? » he said smiling « You finally have some clothes on »

He laughed and squeezed my thighs a little harder (Mhhh don't do that you're goin to make me wet)

« Whatever you need to wake up, we leaving in two hours, I save you a plate for breakfast then you need to get ready, we goin to visit cenotes ! »

It was funny to see him excited like a kid. But I still wasn't goin.

« Thank you but I'm staying home today » I said raising up a little « What do you mean you staying home today ? » he said a little preoccupied « What part did you not understand ? » « The part when you said « I'm staying home today » » he said twisting his face « I'm just not in the mood I need a day off but don't worry I be fine » I said shaking his hand « oh you feeling sick ? Because I got pills-« he said in a hurry « Floooooooo, Im fine, I just want to rest for the day »

He looked at me and stood up

« You do not deserve the plate I saved you » he said in a deep tone, faking to be hurted « I'm sorry » I said smiling a little « but I'm sure you will enjoy your day » « Don't think it will be that easy, I'm goin to tell Alexandra » he said leaving determined.

I layed back in my bed, knowing that Alexandra will arrive soon. But she knows me. She knows that sometimes I just need space. She entered in the room few moments later and came sit next to me

« Good morning sunshine » she hugged me « Hi Love » « You dont want to come today ? » I shook my head « Day off ? » she questioned « Yup » I said softly She nodded her head « We're goin to visit cenotes, I think we will be back for the tea time » I nobbed my head « and we're staying home tonight» « Yea sure »

—-

They finally left the house. I went downstairs to the kitchen area finding the plate Florian saved me. I ate slowly enjoying the calm of the villa. After a quick shower I put on my bikini and went for a swim. I exited the pool 30 minutes later and layed down on a chair to enjoy the sun.

Suddenly I was wondering what Leo was doing. It kills me to know that I still wonder those types of things about him. Visiting Tulum was on our bucket list. It's just weird that I'm there without him.

Leo is my ex fiancé. We been together for 3 years. He was my everything. One of my closest and dearest. I could had done anything for him. First true love no doubt. We grew together and I couldn't wait to become his wife, finally founding my own dream family. More than my boyfriend he also was the only person I was able to talk free, show the vulnerable me. It was so pleasing to have someone I care about and who cares about me back.

It was kind of new for me. I have a complicated family. My father ? I didn't really know him, he left us when I was like 14. The little part that I remember of him is that he used to cheat and hit my mum. It was a relief when he left. But few months later my older brother also left without saying nothing. Leaving me with a depressed mum. His departure hurted me. Because we used to be a team. His friends usually said that I was his woman version. We were like twins actually. I thought it will be him and me forever against the world. But he left. Leaving a huge gap in me. When I think about it, it's been more than 10 years that I haven't seen him.

This observation made me feel dumb and uncomfortable.

My mum ? I tried to be there for her. I mean at the end of the day it was me and her. But she kind of turned her back on me too. We had an argument one day and she turned crazy. I never saw her that way. She put my stuff out side and asked me to leave her house. I was 16. I was just so lost. I couldn't tell my friend I was so ashamed. It was already akward, not to have daddy, do not know where my brother was and now being in the streets ? Naaa. I slept outside two weeks before finding a shelter. Most striking weeks in my life. When you have no where to go and have to sleep outside, you just don't see life the same way. I never eared about my mum after that. It's kind of sad. I met Theo in the shelter. He was making donations with his dad. He was really the light who helps me through the darkness I was leaving.

Then I met Leo and as I told you it was like a blessing for me. Pure fairytale. Helped me with self esteem and trust issues. But all of that work was destroyed on our wedding day.

We left each other the day before so we can meet the following day to say « I do ». But he was late and everyone started to worry. I knew there was a problem when his best man came find me in the room I was waiting, far from wondering guests. When Alexandra saw him she attacked him with a thousands question. Everyone was just tense. But all I could see was this letter with my name on it. I could recognize Leo writing. I always told him that he had a good one for a man.

I read it. Seven times to be correct. I looked at Alexandra and ask her to free the guests.

It was the most humiliating moment of my entire life. Everyone would come and check on me to see if I was ok. But the fact was that the pain was so tough that I couldn't cry. It was just tiresome. I thought that it was the the highest level of pain. And it was already very hard to handle. At least that what I thought.

Until I saw him few months later. Proposing to an another woman. I passed out. Like my body couldn't fake it anymore.

I opened my eyes and look at the view. Life is surprising don't you think ? I'm glad to have friends who try to support me the best that they can. I'm greatful to have a job and have a roof above my head. I am overjoyed to be able to provide for my needs and be able to afford such vacations. Sometimes I look over the sky and wonder what's god plan for me.

I raise up. Blowing all theses painful thoughts. I need to relax a little. I took my towel and took the stairs knowing exactly what I was going to do.

—-

I put only one AirPod so I can be able to ear if someone come. We never know if guys came back earlier. I grabbed my phone and layed down on my bed. I switched in private session and went to my favorite links. I clicked on the one I was looking for

Hot man moaning and dirty talk

As I tapped play on the video, put my phone to my side, I turned on my toys and let it play on my bare pussy. I soft gasp came out of my mouth as I closed my eyes focusing on the feeling. Listening to the man whispering dirty words straight to my ear I couldn't help but think about Florian

Feel his large hands grabbing my ass cheek, his warm mouth and tongue ruining my weak neck and telling that he wants to feel me, as bad as I want it.

I could feel my skin warming up and my breath getting a little heavier. I pushed the fabric from my left nipple and rubbed my skin playin with the jewelry of my piercing. Feeling the wetness between my thighs I finally pushed the vibring toy between my lips

« Mhhhh fuck » I whispered

He could be just in front of me. Stroking his cock while watching me play with my pussy. Asking me if I want to feel him with the same tone that what he told me in the kitchen. Telling me to beg for him and to face down ass up

« God » I shooted

I could feel his tongue slowly licked every part of my womanhood while jiggling my ass and then spank it hard. He grabbed my hips any put the tip-

« Fuuuuuck, oh shittttttttt » I mumbled feeling my body shake out an orgasm by the only thought of him penetrating me.

After taking back my breath I slowly removed my toy from my pussy, turned it off and put it to my side. I took a little time touching my body while the sunlight was messing with him again. Leo was the only man I knew. It was kind of hard with man since I was oversized when I was younger and not really confortable with my body. I always was Robyn the good friend. Leo pushed me to work out if I wanted to fell better in my skin and in my head. So it helped a lot. And I lost a lot of pound after he left me 🙃Moreover masturbation was a great way to accept and know my body better, so thank Leo for pushing me that way.

I finally stood up, went take a shower, put something confortable and took a sit in the living room. Couches were so soft, I found myself falling asleep again. I told you, sleep is my best fix.

—-

Noises filled the room as I started discern voices

« She basically slept all day » Alexandra said « She such a sleeper » Michael added

I felt a presence near me and finally tried to open my eyes and saw Florian squatting in front me. I never saw the different shades of his eyes color. It was like dark green, light green and light brown. Damn boy, God took his time creating you.

« Are you a panda ? » he asked flipping his head to his right side

I stretched, arm opened and let a sound out my mouth. I saw his face pouted as he said « Ow baby ». He stood up and hugged me kissing my forehead. How can he be so sweet. I tightened my arm around his torso and told him

« Im not letting you go now » « This is what happen when you abandon your mate for a entire day » he said kissing my temple

He finally set by my side as the others came sit with us and told me about their days. They showed me awesome pictures and told me all the goofy stories. The conversation splited in few groups as we kept talking. Florian was on his phone, his arm behind my back while my head was on his chest.

I found myself weird being so close of someone I didn't know few days ago. Like it is the total opposite of my regular version. But you know what ? Fuck that let me enjoy that man. So far he was nothing but kind and respectful. I felt his hand going under the fabric of my shirt and let his fingered run through my skin. That feeling made me just hungry. Hungry of a him gripping me harder. I looked up at him and enjoyed his face while thinking of what I have done earlier this day thinking about him. Don't blame me, how can you not think about him in those type of situation. I think my stare lasted more longer that I thought because he finally raise his eyes at me and asked me with a raised eyebrow if he could help me. I stayed silent for a minute and finally asked him if he wanted a milkshake. A large smile appeared on his face.

« Robyn, you know how to talk to me »

I stood up laughing and took his hand before asking louder

« Someone is down for milkshake ? » « You know what, you are lucky because I eared you asking that to big boy only, and I was like, oh ok so now it's like that ? But I see that there is still some good in you » Raymond said clapping his hands and acting like a girl. I laughed I headed to the kitchen with people who wanted milkshakes.

We spend a adorable evening. We didn't felt like goin out tonight. We played different games and bet that the team who loose have to cook dinner. We decided to split guys and girls. Guys are such bad looser, they lost anyway. They cooked us dinner and it wasn't that bad actually.

We improvised a pool party. I was making stories with Alexandra. I spent the evening close to her since I hadn't really enjoyed her today. We were taking thousands pictures when I caught Florian watching us, his drink in his hand. I looked at him like don't judge us. He stepped closer and asked me if we wanted him to take pictures of us, putting his free hands on my waist. Boooooooy stop touching me like that 🥵. I gave him my phone and went close to Alexandra.

Few seconds later, Alexander joined us, then David, Eve and in a minute the entire crew was in front of the camera doing goofy faces and enjoying the moment. It was almost midnight when everyone wanted to go to bed. My babies were tired. For my part I slept all day so 🤷🏾‍♀️ it will be a little complicated. But I could manage it. Everyone went to their room.

I was laying down, fighting for sleep. When my phone buzzed. I grabbed it and saw « @bignasty send you a message ». I smiled softly tapping on the notification.

It was a post of Kanye West sprinting while rapping during a concert. It was just hilarious. I softly laughed reading his text « Talk to your boy 🙄💀 »

We kept sending funny meme and videos since we couldn't sleep.

« Im bored » he texted me « Put your phone down and try to sleep, you're the one saying that you were tired earlier 🙄 » « I'm not anymore » « 😒 » « Jacuzzi ? «

I frowned my eyebrows not totally suuuuuure of what he ment

« 🤨? » « Do you want to go in the Jacuzzi with me ? I haven't test it since we're here »

It's was near 1am. Did you know that it's dangerous to talk with men at night. Because you're more vulnerable. That's shit was true. This kind of proposal, in the middle of the night, surely came from hell. And I'm going to take it. God why play with fire is so pleasing. And moreover I hadn't test the jacuzzi to so 🤷🏾‍♀️

« Let me put my swimsuit 😛 » I replied

I stood up and looked for one bikini and found the red one. Mhhh the color of evil 🤣 Jesus I'm not totally sure of what I'm going to do so please keep an eye on me.

I switched my clothes, took a towel and wrapped it around my body. I opened my door and saw Florian on his phone leaned on the wall, wearing a red swim trunk. I looked at him twisting my face.

« What ? » he asked « First of all you have no personality wearing same colours as me » he chuckled looking like if I was crazy « and secondly stop being on this damn phone you look like me, we goin in a jacuzzi »

He grabbed my shoulder and pushed it so i can start walking downstairs

« Since when do you got an attitude ? » he said

I turned back and pull out my tongue

« Put this away before I take it »

I turned straight and twisted my tongue in my mouth. Oh it was definitely game time.

We settled in the warm water as the bubbles met our skin. He sat at my opposite side. It was certainly more careful that way. He grabbed his phone and aimed it to me. I raise an eyebrow and asked him

« Are you taking pictures of me ? » « Exactly. » « Well that a kind of thing you warned me before so I can look good » I say starting posing « Oh you look good dont worry about that » he said in a husky voice

His last sentence made me blush so my face started twisting

« Oh I embarrassed you baby » he said stepping closer to me, rubbing my arm with his free hand

I put my hands on my face, trying to hide my large smile. He made me feel like an high school baby girl that so ridiculous. He put his phone behind me and grabbed my wrists putting kisses on my nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. I swear I felt something in my stomach. As I moved my head because his kisses tickled my face, he put my hands on his shoulders and put his head on the crook of my neck. I felt his beard tickling my skin and his mouth didn't even touch my neck that a moan get out my mouth

« Oh god. » i said

I eared him chuckled as I pushed him away put my hands on his abs. If he didn't knew the effect he had on me now he knows. I let my hand slide down his abs when I started focus on them. He questioned me what was the matter since I looked confused. I asked him how many does he have because I really didn't know we had so much muscles hided inside. We told me that it depends on how much he worked out. He step closer and raise my right thigh putting his hand on my inked snake.

« How many tattoos do you have ? » he said softly

I showed him my tattoos, i have seven on my skin. His eyes were traveling every part of my body when I found him staring at my chest. I pushed his shoulder slightly and put my hands on my tits so he don't watch them. I'm sure they were pointing out since he was standing so close. He pushed my left hand and nodded at me.

« I didn't know you were pierced » he said touching his beard « Well now you know » « Drop that attitude and stop pushing me away » he said grabing the back of my neck in a serious tone and looking at me in the eyes

This action made me have chicken skin. He turned back and settled between my thighs. Instinctively I put my hand on his shoulder and start to rubbed it. His back was so broad. I could feel him put his head back and caressing the outside of my thighs. Hopefully we were in the water so I could not feel how wet I was right now. My body felt just so right near his.

« I know it can sound weird but I really missed you today Rob »

I did not answered. I just wrapped my hand on his chest and placed few kisses behind his ear.

I wasn't the only one fucked up. ——

Wassup guys

How do you feel about chapter three ?

Do not hesitate to give me feedbacks, react and all that stuff

Take care

NEXT PART

[matt0044]

Some say Jane’s still riding that bus to this very day...

Ladies and Gentlemen, our Bulk and Skull for the series. :P

Zayto is sporting his new civilian attire while reminiscing about his mother with the pendant she gave her once he received his Knighthood, telling Amelia about how he worries for his people after the first Sporix invasion. It’s basically a lot like Super Megaforce’s Orion except that they actually seem to be going somewhere with it. This is interrupt by Solon announcing a very strange signal.

The signal is traced back to Rafkon’s general quadrant with chances of survivors exciting Zayto until the communication module goes bust. Sixty-five million years without maintenance will do that. Hunter Deno does feel a bit stiff in some shots but it does feel like he’s not one to get too emotional rather than a socially awkward character trying to be passed off as a badass. Right, Troy?

Amelia and Ollie butt heads over seeing a psychic to have Zayto reach out spiritually as opposed to checking Dr. Akana’s observatory for any data on what they might’ve intercepted. Zayto agrees to try out both starting with Amelia’s before she realizes that she’s broke. Who says Power Rangers can’t be relatable? I’m honestly enjoying the comedic duo the team already has here.

On that note, the trio arrive at Madame Indigo’s tent where Jane and J-Borg are making a new video for their site. Needless to say, the madame has her put the scarf around her eyes because of its “strong psychic energy.” Jane buys it hook, line and sinker even as she walks out without any sight. J-Borg films the whole thing in what I assume will be a study on white people falling for anything.

Yep, our comic relief duo appears to be the head of a social media platform and her robotic assistant. There’s a YouTube algorithm joke in here somewhere but I’m sure it’ll come to me. Their bit isn’t too long as Jane ends up on a school bus in trying out her “psychic abilities” while J-Borg’s foot ends up in a bucket of quick drying cement. They’re not Victor and Monty but they’re no Burkes either.

Madame Indigo reads Zayto’s pendant and assesses accurately his general situation until Ollie decides to do an experiment. He actually claims that Amelia and him are in love with each other, even calling her “honey muffin” to sell the act. The madame reads them and claims that they’ll have a long relationship with many years ahead of them. Why do I get the sense that she’s not too off?

Before they can get to the observatory, Solon alerted the Rangers of Vipeera’s hatching and gets them to teleport onto the scene. Mucus beats them to it as Void Knight’s official second-in-command, observing from afar when she finds J-Borg’s camcorder. Vipeera doesn’t waste time right out the gate freezing Zayto with the eyes on her chest with Amelia and Ollie rushing in to cover him.

The two catch on that they can’t look directly at her which makes for a very hard battle. Luckily, Vipeera is more than honorable enough to allow Amelia and Ollie to take the time to morph. Seriously, she’s right there looking back and forth at them while they link to the grid. I know it’s joked about how the villains let the Rangers morph aside from when they don’t but this is ridiculous.

Amelia and Ollie manage to hang in there but can’t fight close-range with their eyes closed. Thankfully, Mucus cuts in to drag Vipeera off with her own evil plan and teleports out. I honestly like how Mucus is show to be left to her own devices without having to always bow to Void Knight. So long as he can get a powered up Sporix, she can just mess around and see what happens. Neato. :)

Zayto is unfrozen before Amelia and Ollie take him to the observatory. They sadly report that they couldn’t make out most of it, meaning they can’t relay a message to him. Zayto goes back to base for some time alone before Amelia gets a call from Buzzblast about their live feed going on the fritz. Vipeera takes ASMR to another level by broadcasting her eyes and freezing all of Pine Ridge.

I feel as though there was suppose to be a scene of Jane trying to navigate the city of petrified people with J-Borg trying to keep her from knocking over the living mannequins. It would help that Solon’s cybernetic eyes are unaffected by the stream and keeps Zayto from being frozen again. She then figures out that his pendent is exactly what they need to restore the interstellar communication.

Zayto takes a page from Daredevil and uses the Sonic Key to enhance his hearing while blindfolded, allowing him to even the playing field. Vipeera’s stream is taken offline while Mucus is, as she puts it, outsies. Seriously, I just love how she’s pretty much a far more adorable Scrozzle to Void Knight’s Evox.

Vipeera goes giant after taking plenty of damage just as Amelia and Ollie jump into the fray. Zayto zords up but doesn’t have a giant blindfold for his mech, leaving him back at square zero. Thankfully, the Tricera Blade and Ankylo Hammer Zord rush into the fray just in time with a damn good strategy in mind.

Amelia has her Zord smash up the street so she can levitate the debris with the Hover Dino Key before Ollie reconstructs the street with the Reverse Dino Key onto Vipeera’s eyes in a move straight out of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Seriously, I hope that we don’t get less of Rangers fighting giant monsters outside their Zords. This is the kind of outside-the-box thinking I love in a fight.

Of course, Dino Fury delivers Megazord after two whole episodes with Amelia suggesting a victory selfie ala Levi Weston. Void Knight attempts to take the dormant Sporix after the damage it absorbed only for the Rangers to beat him to the punch this time. Once again, there’s a real unpredictability to who will snatch the real victory in the end. Something villain fetch-quests before lacked.

Solon restores the message but finds that it’s either encrypted or in a language too advanced after millions of years. She’s also bad at French. Okay. Zayto decides to put out his own message to whoever survived the war on his planet. I’m hoping that this comes into play in the first season finale or the next. A real cavalry moment straight out of Star Wars. Yes, that includes the Sequel Trilogy.

Next time, the trio becomes a five man band at last.

[just-random-obsessions]

Funny Moments In Thor Ragnarök

Thor 1

Thor 2

Avengers 1

I know I said I was gonna do Avengers Age of Ultron too, but because it didn’t have Loki in it, I decided to scrap that idea because this series is mostly focused on the relationship between Loki and Thor. So without further ado, all the funny moments in Thor Ragnarök. Side note: This accounts for all the moments were SUPPOSED to be funny. However these are mostly toilet humor, so whether or not it was actually funny to the viewer just depends on that person’s taste in humor. Funny moments listed below cut line which is underneath the tag list.

Edit for clarification: This is not a post supporting Thor Ragnarok. This is an anti post. In another post (that I’m too lazy to write right now) I will be explaining the difference in humor tones between this movie and the previous three. I will also be explaining why this tonal change is hated by anti Ragnarok people.

Tag List: @fyrecrafted @lokijiro @nikkoliferous @miskiett @icyxmischief @iamanartichoke @juliabohemian @official-and-unstable-satan @darthxerik @melodylnoelle @just-another-human-2019 @fandomsandfanfictions @mentallydatingahotcelebrity @cateyes315 @burningarbiterheart @imnotacreepijustlikeyou @usedtobegoodfriend96 @alexakeyloveloki

~ “Where I met you :)” *skeleton’s jaw drops*

~ “Surtr. Son of...a bitch you’re still alive?!”

~ *The chain keeps spinning Thor around and interrupting Surtr

~ “And you’ll grow as big as a house-?” “A mOuNtAiN” 

~ “Oh that’s a crown. I thought it was a big eyebrow”

~ *Thor’s timing being wrong when he says “that’s what heroes do”

~ “oh I make grave mistakes all the time. Everything seems- *shit that’s a bg dragon* -to work out”

~ “Behold!!! My stuff!

~ *Pronounces Texas wrong*

~ “I call them Des and Troy. Together, they Destroy”

~ *Thor drops the hammer in the dragon’s mouth* “Stay!”

~ *The entire Asgardian play*

~ *The woman in the audience emotionally grabbing Thor’s arm*

~ *Thor being all wtf???*

~ “Father” “Oh shit”

~ *that smile!!!* 

~ *Out of breath* “Behold!! Thor! Odinso-” “You had one job”

~ “I swear I left him right here” “right here on the sidewalk or right here where the building’s being demolished?”

~ “Can’t see into the future. I’m not a witch” “No? Then why do you dress like one?” “hEy!!!1!!!1!!”

~ “I can’t believe you’re alive. I mourned you! I cried for you!” “I’m honored??”

~ *the two girls who approach Thor to take a selfie*

~ “Sorry to hear that Jane dumped you” “She didn’t dump me. I dumped her. It was a mutual dumping”

~ *Thor poking the piece of paper cause he thinks it’s Loki*

~ “You can put down the umbrella”

~ “So Earth has wizards now” “The preferred term is Master of the Mystic Arts” “Alright wizard”

~ *Thor fumbling with the cool spikey things*

~ “I don’t drink tea” “Well what do you drink?” “Not tea”

~*the self-refilling beer*

~ “No I don’t have a phone but you could’ve sent an electronic letter. It’s called an email” “Right do you have a computer?” “No what for?” *confusion*

~ “My hair is not to be meddled with-OW!!!!”

~ “We could’ve just walked”

~ “Don’t forget your umbrella” *the awkwardness between them as everything crashes*

~ “I hAvE bEeN fAlLiNg FoR tHiRtY mInUtEs!!!!1!!1!!!!”

~ I’m pretty sure Odin’s death scene was the only scene to not have any humor in it.

~ “Who are you?” “I’m just the janitor”

~ *Valkyrie tries to do the Badass Walk but falls off the edge*

~ *Val keeps stumbling*

~ “But we’ve already got him” “Alright then. I guess I go through you”

~ *The guns not working at first*

~ *Val’s smirk*

~ *Thor’s mashed up face on the window of the ship*

~ “Whoever you are.” “Whoever I am?! Did you listen to a word I said?!”

~ *Thor’s scared screaming turned into a confused and awkward screaming as he is introduced to the Grandmaster*

~ “He’s wonderful. It is a he?” “It is a he”

~ “She is the- and it starts with a b” “Trash” “Were you just waiting to call her that? It doesn’t start with a b” “Booze-head”

~ “You’ll pay for this” “No I got payed for this”

~ “I am the god of THUNDER” *sparkles*

~ “OH MY GOD I’m stepping in it!!!”

~ “I’m going back to Asgard.” “Assgard?”

~ “Loki!” “Shhh!”

~ *Loki and Thor start arguing*

~ “Get me out!” “I can’t!” “Get me out!” “I can’t!”

~ “I’ve never met this man in my life” “He’s my brother” “Adopted”

~ “Let me introduce myself my name is Korg. I’m kinda like the leader in here”

~ “I tried to start a revolutions but I didn’t print enough pamphlets”

~ “Oh no. Doug’s dead”

~ “That’s exactly what Doug used to say. See you later New Doug”

~ Infinity Gauntlet: “Fake!!”

~ Casket: “Weak!”

~ Surtr’s Crown: “Smaller than I though it would be”

~ *Thor throwing rocks at Loki*

~ “Piss off ghost!!”

~ “It would pull me off-” “Oh my god. The hammer pulled you off?” 

~ *Thor fumbling with talkin to Val and doing the thumbs up*

~ “By Odin’s beard you shall not cut my hair” *2 seconds later* “Please kind sir do not cut my hair”

~ “I have to get off this planet” 

~ “Loki! Look who it is!” *NOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENO

PENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPENOPE

NOPENOPENOPENOPE

~ *Thor gets whacked around like Loki did in Avengers* “YES!!! THATS HOW IT FEELS*

~ “Not just to execute people, but also to execute their vision. But mainly to execute people”

~ *Hulk being naked in the hot tub* “That’s in my brain now”

~ “What are you crazy?!” “YES”

~  “Hulk like fire. Thor like water”

~ *Thor stumbling around Val again*

~ “Because that’s what heroes-” *gets bonked in the head with the ball*

~ *the voice activation being “Point Break”*

~ “What happened to your hair?” “Some creepy old man cut it off” “It looks good”

~ “Banner” “Welcom strongest Avenger” “Uhhh what?”

~ “You and I had a fight “ “Did I win?” “No I won” “That doesn’t sound right”

~ *Topaz trying to hand the Grandmaster the meltsick*

~ “I don’t wanna fight your sister that’s a family issue”

~ *Thor and Bruce arguing like children*

~ “It’s my disguise” “I can see your face” “Not when I do this”

~ *Bruce complimenting Valkyrie*

~ *Thor stealing the name Revengers from the Avengers*

~ “Where are you at these days?” “It varies from moment to moment” *NOPE*

~ “We are going through the big one” “The Devil’s Anus?!”

~ “I’m asking for safe passage. Through the Anus”

~ *The snake story* 

~ “You guys have a beast :D?!!!!”

~ *”I’ll explain later”*

~ “I don’t like that word” “Mainframe?”

~ *Thor and Loki step out of the elevator* “Hello” “Hi”

~ *get help*

~ “Alright I can figure this out it’s just another spaceship”

~ “Did she just say the Grandmaster uses it for orgies?!!” “Yeah. Don’t touch anything”

~ “Use one of your PhD’s” “None of them aRe FoR FLYING ALIEN SPACESHIPS”

~ “Well you do seem like you’re in desperate need of leadership” “Why thank you” 

~ “Not that [Asgard’s] not nice it’s just that it’s on fire”

~ “I love what you’ve done with the place. Redecorating I see”

~ *heroic music plays* *Bruce falls flat on his face*

~ “I’m Korg. This is Miek. We’re gonna jump on that spaceship. Wanna come?”

~ “Your savior is here!!! Did you miss me?”

~ “You’re late” “You’re missing an eye” 

~ “I think we should disband the Revengers”

~ “Hit her with a lightning blast” “I just hit her with the biggest lightning blast in the history of lightning”

~ “So what do we do?” “I’m not doing Get Help”

~ “You can’t defeat me” “I know. But he can”

~ “We’re fulfilling the prophecy” “I hate this prophecy”

~ “For once in your life! Don’t smash!” “Big monster?!” 

~ “It will become a haven-” *Asgard explodes* “Yeah no sorry”

~ “Oh Mieks dead. Yeah I stomped on him on the bridge. I felt so guilty I’ve been carrying him around all day.” *2 seconds later* “Oh Miek you’re alive!! He;s alive guys!! What was your question?”

~ “Do you really think it’s a good idea to go back to earth?” “Yes of course, the people of Earth love me”

I FINALLY FINISHED IT!!!!!

[almfineartandphotography]

#HappyBirthdayToMe & #HappyMothersDay: Happy 32nd Birthday to me & Happy Mother’s Day to my Mother and my friends & family who are mothers!! Hope you are having a great day today!!! I’m thankful to celebrate my 32nd Birthday at Riverfront Park in Troy,NY with my Mom & a few friends who were at Sunday’s “Make It Up State” @makeitupstate festival!! My friend, Jenny @balloongaljenny made me a “Happy Birthday” balloon crown, made Mom’s Mother’s Day wand, and treated me to a piece of cheesecake, Kenny & Lori of “Closet Classics” sung Happy Birthday to me & played some good tunes, brought Mom to The Whistling Tea Kettle for crepes for her first visit there to eat, and got our $0.50 cent ice cream cones for Mother’s Day on my way home!!! It was a nice afternoon well spent with Mom!! Thank you Jenny for the cheesecake & your balloon art, thank you “Closet Classics” for your song, & thank you Mom for a great afternoon!! Thank you everyone for the texts, messages, photo posts, and birthday greetings on social media!! I really appreciate the love!! Love you all!! Happy Sunday!! Happy Birthday to me!! Happy Mother’s Day!! (Select photos taken by Mom, Amy L. Modesti, & Jen Jenny using my Apple IPhone 11 on Sunday, May 9,2021.) #ALMFineArtAndPhotography, #My32ndBirthday, #HappyMothersDay, #RiverfrontParkTroyNY, #TroyNY, #EnjoyTroyNY, #BirthdayQueen, #BirthdaySelfie, #BalloonGalJenny, @stewartsshops , #MakeItUpState, #RensselaerCountyNY, #ThingsToDoInRensCo, #SundayMay92021, #May2021, #Spring2021, #ClosetClassics, #MothersDayOuting, #BirthdayOuting, @gal4riday, @thewhistlingkettle , #MomAndDaughter, #IceCreamSelfie, #PhotoByJenJenny, #PhotoByMom, #PhotosByAmyModesti, #IPhone11, #EventPhotography, #HappyBirthday, #SundayFunday, #Selfie, #SaveOurStages, (at Troy, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/COq9FjYp_Jg/?igshid=1b7m3cioi07p9