#mafia chanyeol

[ff-rtp]

Soft spot

Helllooooo! This is going to be by far my biggest story . Please suport me !

Chapter1 Chapter2

Three women: an ambitious rookie cop, a rebellious ER doctor, and a quiet dance student, find themselves entangled in the dark, seductive world of Seoul’s Mafia.

On the other side: a brilliant Mafia boss, a cold-hearted enforcer, and a dangerously charming manipulator.

When their worlds collide, love and loyalty blur, and crossing the line may cost them everything.

Count :8.8k

Genre: Mafia AU | Angst | Romance | Drama

Pairings: Suho x Min | Chanyeol x Nari | Baekhyun x Sunny

Warning ⚠️: Violence and physical altercations, mentions of death/murder, weapons use (guns, knives, etc.), swearing, mild suggestive themes or sexual tension , mentions of blood/injury (e.g., medical descriptions or violence-related wounds), morally gray characters/actions.

Exo Ot12 !!!

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The office was a whirlwind of chaos as the mafia prepared to make another bold move, eliminating Police Chief Kang Hyu-cheol, the trusted right hand of Chief Im Dong-hyun. The air was thick with frustration and fear, tension mounting with each passing second.

Inside Chief Dong-hyun’s office, the phone on his desk rang incessantly, its shrill tone cutting through the suffocating silence. But Dong-hyun didn’t move. He sat frozen, his hands trembling slightly as the devastating news sunk in.

That was when his daughter, Min, burst into the office. Hyu-cheol had been more than her father’s right hand—he had been like an uncle to her, a steady and familiar presence throughout her life. But there was no time for grief, no space for weakness. Min forced herself to push aside the growing ache in her chest. She had to be strong. For her father.

“Dad…” she said softly, her voice laced with sadness, trying to mask the cracks threatening to form.

Her father didn’t respond. The only sound in the room was the muffled sobs he tried—and failed—to contain. As the cries turned into heavy, unrelenting weeping, Min’s heart clenched. She had never seen her father cry, not once in her life. The sight left her unmoored, unsure of how to react.

Slowly, she approached him, crouching beside his chair and gently taking hold of his arm, forcing him to meet her gaze.

“Dad,” she repeated, firmer this time, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. “I promise you, we’re going to stop them. They won’t kill anyone else. Not on my watch.”

Her father’s tear-streaked face twisted with anguish. He knew better than anyone that this was a promise far beyond her control. And the thought of her being the mafia’s next target wrenched his heart painfully.

“You are not getting involved in this case,” he said, his voice hoarse but resolute as he fixed her with a desperate look. “Do you hear me?”

His words carried a weight that even his sobs couldn’t undermine. They were not a request—they were an order. An order born of fear, love, and the unbearable thought of losing the only family he had left.

Nestled in the secluded, impenetrable depths of Gwanmok Forest, the mansion stood like a phantom of power and wealth. It was a four-story architectural masterpiece, hidden from the world by twisted, unlit roads and signal-dead zones. Its modern façade exuded luxury—glass, steel, and stone fused seamlessly under the faint glow of the evening sky. Outside, an elegant cascading waterfall dominated the courtyard, flanked by well-manicured gardens. Gigantic gates guarded the property, reinforced with cutting-edge security.

Inside, the mansion was a labyrinth of purpose. The underground basements housed an expansive training facility and an arsenal of weapons and vehicles. The ground floor featured a state-of-the-art casino, a lavish bar, and a sprawling living room. Offices filled the first floor, equipped with high-tech surveillance and hacking equipment. The third floor was reserved for the minions and staff quarters, while the fourth was strictly for the core eight members—the Mafia’s elite. This uppermost level hosted their bedrooms and an ultra-private meeting room where only they gathered to decide the fate of their empire.

The core members sat around a sleek glass table in the dimly lit meeting room. Suho leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze scanning the room. A glass of whiskey rested in his hand, the amber liquid catching the light from the digital screens that lined the walls.

“So, I’m assuming you’ve heard already,” Suho began, his voice calm yet cold. “Someone killed Hyu-cheol. But now the police are sniffing around.”

Sehun slouched in his chair, twirling a blade between his fingers. His irritation was palpable. “We’ve got too many businesses running right now to deal with this. The last thing we need is the cops breathing down our necks.”

“What’s the plan, then?” Xiumin asked, his tone steady as he folded his arms. Ever the reliable one, he was always ready for action but measured in his approach.

Suho’s expression remained unreadable as he replied, “They’ll probably send someone after us. We need to stay vigilant.”

Baekhyun smirked, leaning forward with his usual mischievous air. “And who’s going to come for us now that Hyu-cheol is out of the picture?”

D.O., seated at the far end, didn’t lift his eyes from his laptop as he tapped away. “From my sources, Hyu-cheol’s superior is Im Dong-hyun. Chief of Police in the Violent Crimes Division. He’s been in his position for over 12 years but has never touched a case involving the Mafia. Until now.”

Suho swirled the whiskey in his glass, his sharp eyes narrowing. “What else do we know about him?”

D.O. connected his laptop to the large screen at the front of the room. “Plenty,” he replied, his tone even. As the screen flickered to life, a profile of Dong-hyun appeared. “He’s 52. Solved dozens of high-profile cases, with a success rate of 97%. Widowed. Has diabetes, mild form. But here’s the interesting part—he has a daughter. An only child. His weakness.”

The room went silent for a moment, the implication sinking in.

“Should I give you more details about her?” D.O. asked, his voice cutting through the silence.

Suho gave a curt nod.

D.O. clicked through the files. “She’s 25. A junior officer in the Violent Crimes Division. However, she’s been kept on low-risk cases—probably her father’s doing. She’s green but ambitious.”

The screen shifted to live surveillance footage, showing Min with two women walking inside of a café.

“Is this live?” Chen asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned forward.

“Yes,” D.O. confirmed.

“Who are those two with her?” Chanyeol asked, his deep voice breaking his usual silence.

D.O. pulled up their profiles. “Kim Nari, 24, a dancer at the Korean National Opera. And Han So-yeon, also known as Sunny, 25, a resident ER doctor.”

Baekhyun’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he leaned back in his chair. “A cop, a doctor, and a dancer. Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke.”

Kai, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. “What’s their relevance to us?”

“They’re not involved in anything… yet,” D.O. said. “But they’re close to her. If we want leverage against Im Dong-hyun, they might be the key.”

Kai’s jaw tightened as he glanced at the screen. “Leverage is one thing, but dragging innocent people into this?” His rebellious streak was always at odds with his sense of loyalty to their moral code.

“They’re not innocent if they’re in our way,” Sehun said coldly, his eyes fixed on the screen. “If they want to protect her, they’ll become collateral damage.”

Suho raised his hand, silencing the room. “We’re not making any moves yet. Dong-hyun hasn’t come for us directly. But keep watching. If he does, we’ll use whatever means necessary to protect our empire. Understood?”

A collective murmur of agreement echoed through the room.

As the meeting adjourned, the tension lingered in the air, each member retreating to their thoughts, knowing that the storm brewing outside was just the beginning.

“However…” Suho’s voice cut through the air, halting the members who were halfway out of their seats. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing with a faint smirk. “I’ll need you to keep an eye on them.”

Chanyeol let out an arrogant laugh, crossing his arms. “That’s newbie work. Why don’t we send lower ranked staff ? They got time to waste.”

Suho raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. His smirk deepened. “So, we have a volunteer?” he asked, looking straight at Chanyeol. The room chuckled lightly, Suho’s mockery evident.

Chanyeol rolled his eyes. “This is bullshit.”

“You think so?” Suho said with a teasing laugh. “Then maybe you’re not as elite as you claim to be.”

Baekhyun sighed dramatically, tossing his head back. “Enough of this. We’ve got the China export to handle. Don’t tell me you expect us to babysit on top of everything else.”

Suho’s tone turned sharp, commanding the room’s attention. “That’s why you’re here, Baekhyun. Because you’re elite. You’re not just muscles and charm, you can multitask.”

Baekhyun groaned but didn’t argue further.

“I’ll keep tabs on Dong-hyun and his daughter,” Suho continued, his gaze shifting across the table. “Chanyeol and Baekhyun, you’ll keep an eye on the other two—Nari and Sunny. D.O., keep digging into their backgrounds. Report everything to me.”

D.O. gave a subtle nod, already processing the assignment in his head.

Chen, leaning casually against the wall, spoke up. “Who do you think killed Hyu-cheol? Was it the China Mafia?”

“Probably,” Suho admitted, his voice laced with frustration. “But we don’t have proof yet.” His fingers tapped rhythmically against the table as he continued. “They’ve been waiting for an opening since they betrayed us years ago. They’ve grown fast, too fast. But let’s be clear: they’re still not on our level.”

The room grew quiet as Suho’s words sank in. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation. Betrayal wasn’t something Suho, or the EXO Mafia would forgive easily.

The café buzzed softly with the hum of casual chatter and the clinking of cups against saucers. Nari, Min, and Sunny had just stepped inside, their presence turning a few heads—not that they noticed. Min chose a cozy table near the back, away from prying ears.

“Thanks for coming,” Min said after they sat down, her tone heavy with unspoken tension. She rubbed her temples as if trying to massage away the weight of her thoughts.

“Is it true?” Nari asked carefully. “About the Chief of Police being murdered?”

Sunny leaned back in her chair, her expression serious for once. “Yeah,” she said, her tone low. “The ER was a mess when his body came in for the autopsy. You wouldn’t believe the chaos.”

Nari blinked, her curiosity piqued. “Wait, so you saw him?”

Sunny shook her head quickly. “No. I didn’t see him. It’s just… bad news spreads fast, you know?”

Min exhaled sharply, frustration evident in the way she clenched her fists. “I swear I’ll catch them one day,” she muttered, her voice filled with determination.

Sunny, ever the chaotic one, leaned forward with a playful grin. “And what if they catch you instead?” she teased. “Imagine being kidnapped by a mafia boss. How thrilling would that be?” Her laugh rang out, light and carefree.

Nari rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Why am I not even surprised you’d find something like that exciting?”

The three of them laughed, the tension momentarily easing. Still, Min’s eyes kept darting to the security cameras positioned around the café.

“Min, are you okay?” Nari asked, noticing her distraction.

“Yeah…” Min said, forcing a smile. But the crease between her brows told a different story.

Sunny clapped her hands together suddenly, snapping them out of the moment. “Anyway! Are you guys coming with me this weekend to the casino? I got invited by this guy who came to the ER, someone cut off one of his fingers. Poor guy.”

Nari’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? Are you sure it’s a good idea to go to a place like that with everything happening? The Mafia’s all over the city right now!”

Sunny waved her hand dismissively. “That’s why we’re taking Miss Police Officer over here.” She pointed dramatically at Min. “If anything happens, she can arrest them or something.”

Min’s lips quirked into a faint smile. “That might actually help me find some clues. Could be useful.”

Sunny grinned, victorious. “See? Even Min thinks it’s a good idea.”

Nari hesitated but finally sighed in resignation. “Fine. But if we end up in trouble, you’re the one explaining it to the authorities, Sunny.”

Sunny laughed, clapping her hands. “Deal. So it’s official, we’re going!”

As they continued talking, Min’s eyes lingered on the cameras once more, that nagging feeling of being watched refusing to leave her.

Next day , the ER was loud and chaotic, exactly like Sunny herself. The constant buzz of ringing phones, nurses barking orders, and patients crying out in pain seemed to mirror her personality. She fit perfectly there, like chaos personified in a white coat.

From kids with appendicitis to car crash victims, births to toddlers with high fevers, Sunny had seen it all in just one day. Yet, amidst the overwhelming energy of her job, her mind kept circling back to the conversation she’d had with Nari and Min the day before.

Mafia. The word held an allure she couldn’t quite resist. It wasn’t fear that gnawed at her, fear rarely fazed Sunny. No, it was curiosity, a deep itch she couldn’t ignore. And that curiosity was about to lead her somewhere she’d never ventured before.

The morgue.

The cold, sterile basement of the hospital wasn’t a place Sunny frequented. She’d avoided it thus far, preferring the chaos of the ER to the stillness of death. But now, her curiosity had gotten the best of her.

When she pushed open the heavy metal door, the temperature dropped immediately, sending a chill down her spine. The faint hum of the fluorescent lights echoed in the empty space.

“Of course, it’s freezing down here,” she muttered under her breath, rubbing her arms.

“Sunny?” came a voice from across the room.

She turned to see Jayhun, another resident doctor, standing by a desk piled with papers. He looked up, slightly surprised to see her there.

“Hello, Jay!” Sunny said brightly, masking her discomfort. She walked over to him, her usual confident stride intact. “Can I ask you a few questions?”

Jayhun nodded, setting down his pen. “Sure. What’s up?”

Sunny leaned slightly against the desk. “Were you here when they brought in Hyu-cheol? The police chief?”

Jayhun’s brows furrowed, his focus shifting to her fully. “Yeah,” he said slowly, almost cautiously. “Do you want to know about him?”

Sunny nodded eagerly, but Jayhun was already flipping through some documents. He handed her a report, his expression unreadable.

Sunny scanned the page, her eyes widening. “Wow… was he stabbed? I was expecting something a bit more, what’s the word, classy from the Mafia. Guns or something, you know?”

Jayhun stiffened, his gaze narrowing. “How do you know it was the Mafia?”

Sunny, always quick with her tongue, shrugged nonchalantly. “Who else? He was working on Mafia cases, wasn’t he? Seems logical.”

Jayhun’s tone turned sharp, almost defensive. “You don’t know that.”

Sensing the tension, Sunny decided not to push further. “Right, right. Just speculation,” she said lightly, setting the report back on his desk. “Thanks for this.”

Jayhun didn’t respond immediately, his eyes still on her as she turned and left.

By the time Sunny returned to her floor, the usual chaos had resumed. Nurses rushed by with clipboards, and a patient’s groan echoed faintly from a nearby room. She headed straight to her locker, where she pulled out her phone and dialed Min.

Min answered on the second ring. “Sunny? What’s up?”

Sunny didn’t waste time. “I just came from the morgue. Hyu-cheol was stabbed, Min. Not shot, not poisoned—stabbed. Doesn’t that seem… off?”

Min’s voice was calm but laced with tension. “I already know. I got the autopsy report earlier today.”

Sunny leaned against her locker, frowning. “Oh. Well, doesn’t that strike you as weird? I thought the was all about guns these days.”

“They are,” Min admitted. “That’s what’s bothering me. They haven’t used knives in years, and the location where Hyu-cheol’s body was found, it’s not one of their usual spots. Something doesn’t add up.”

Sunny could hear the frustration in her friend’s voice. “So… what now?”

“I keep digging,” Min said firmly. “And I keep my father from finding out how involved I am. He’s already trying to push me off this case.”

Sunny smirked. “Good luck with that. We both know you’re as stubborn as they come.”

Chanyeol wasn’t happy. In fact, he was downright pissed.

Sitting in the shadows of the opera’s vast auditorium, he leaned back in the creaky wooden chair, arms crossed tightly over his chest. The rehearsal was in full swing, with dancers moving fluidly across the stage. But his eyes were glued to one figure: Nari.

She stood out effortlessly, not just because of her beauty but because of the way she moved. Graceful yet powerful, she commanded attention without even trying. Chanyeol hated to admit it, but she was captivating.

Still, that didn’t make this assignment any less irritating.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Baekhyun.

“What?” Baekhyun’s voice came through, annoyed.

“This is pure bullshit,” Chanyeol hissed. “Is Suho testing us or what?”

Baekhyun chuckled dryly. “I agree. We’ve got a billion better things to worry about than babysitting some girls.”

“At least yours is a little interesting,” Chanyeol shot back. “I have to sit here watching Miss Little Swan do pirouettes.” His tone was dripping with disdain.

Baekhyun laughed outright, clearly enjoying Chanyeol’s misery. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous of her talent.”

Chanyeol growled into the phone. “Shut up. Have you found out anything about Sunny yet?”

Baekhyun sobered slightly. “Yeah. My guy inside, Jayhun, told me she went to the morgue asking questions about Hyu-cheol.”

Chanyeol’s jaw tightened. “She’s nosy. That could be a problem.”

“No kidding,” Baekhyun replied. “But if she keeps poking around, it might actually help us figure out who killed Hyu-cheol.”

Chanyeol sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I swear, if this turns into more of a headache, I’m done.”

Baekhyun snorted. “Yeah, sure. Like Suho’s going to let you off the hook that easily.”

Chanyeol hung up, his eyes drifting back to the stage. Nari was in the middle of a complicated routine, her movements so precise they seemed almost effortless.

The rehearsal had finally wrapped up after what felt like an eternity to Chanyeol. The dancers filed out of the auditorium, their tired chatter echoing through the space. But, of course, Miss Little Swan had to stay behind.

From his hidden corner, Chanyeol watched as Nari moved across the stage, repeating the same spin over and over again. Her brows were furrowed in concentration, her movements sharp yet fluid. She seemed completely unaware of the emptiness around her, completely focused on getting every detail right.

“Perfectionist,” Chanyeol muttered under his breath, tapping his finger against the armrest of his chair.

Just then, movement near the stage caught his eye. Yoomi, one of the cleaning staff, appeared, struggling to carry a basket loaded with cleaning supplies and brooms that looked far too heavy for her.

Before Chanyeol could even consider stepping in—though, realistically, he had no intention of doing so—Nari noticed the older woman. She stopped mid-spin, her expression instantly softening. Without hesitation, she jogged over to Minji and took the basket from her hands.

“Oh, Minji! You should’ve called someone to help you,” Nari scolded gently, her voice warm and full of concern.

Minji smiled gratefully, brushing her hands off on her apron. “Ah, you’re too kind, Nari. Thank you, dear.”

Nari set the basket down and straightened up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “It’s nothing. You shouldn’t be carrying something so heavy by yourself.”

As they spoke, their laughter filled the otherwise quiet auditorium. Chanyeol’s brows furrowed slightly.

“You were amazing today,” Minji said, her eyes lighting up. “I was watching from the back. You’re more and more perfect every day.”

Nari waved a hand dismissively, her cheeks flushing faintly. “You’re too kind, Yoomi. I’m far from perfect. There’s still so much I need to work on.”

“Nonsense,” Minji said firmly. “You shine brighter than anyone else on that stage.”

Nari tried to laugh off the compliment, changing the subject. “How’s your husband? He was sick last week, wasn’t he?”

Minji's face softened at the mention of her husband. “He’s much better, thanks to those medicines you sent us. I don’t know how to thank you, Nari.”

Nari reached out and hugged Yoomi, her genuine warmth practically radiating from her. “Please don’t mention it. I was happy to help. I’m just glad he’s feeling better.”

Chanyeol’s eyes narrowed as he watched the interaction. There was something almost unnerving about how kind she was. That kind of kindness could easily get her in trouble. People like her, soft-hearted, selfless, were easy targets.

He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. He used to be like that once, before life beat it out of him. Nari didn’t seem like someone who’d been through that kind of hardship. She had no idea how cruel the world could be.

Too naive, he thought grimly. She won’t survive like that.

Just as he was starting to get lost in his own thoughts, a ringtone broke the silence, snapping him back to reality.

Nari fished her phone out of her bag and answered it, her voice light and cheerful. “Sunny? Hey! How was your shift?”

Chanyeol sat up slightly, straining to catch snippets of the conversation.

“Yeah, I’m done here… No, I stayed a little longer. You know how it is,” Nari said, laughing softly.

Her tone shifted slightly, a mix of excitement and nervousness creeping in. “Wait, where did you say? The casino? At the periphery of Seoul?”

Chanyeol’s interest was piqued. A casino?

Nari paused, biting her lip. “I don’t know, Sunny. That sounds… well, a little sketchy.”

Chanyeol smirked faintly. At least she’s got some sense.

But then she sighed. “Fine, fine. I’ll go. But if anything weird happens, you’re buying me lunch for the rest of the month.”

She hung up, shaking her head with a small smile.

Chanyeol’s smirk faded. A casino on the outskirts of Seoul? That was dangerous territory—too dangerous for someone like her.

Pulling out his phone, he dialed Baekhyun.

“Now what?” Baekhyun answered, his tone exasperated.

“They’re going to a casino tonight,” Chanyeol said flatly, his jaw tightening.

“A casino?” Baekhyun echoed, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Well, that’s… unexpected.”

“Yeah, and it’s one of those casinos. The ones Suho told us to stay clear of unless absolutely necessary.”

Baekhyun let out a low whistle. “Guess you’ll be working overtime tonight, huh?”

Chanyeol ignored the jab. “Just keep an eye on Sunny from your end. I’ll handle this.”

“Good luck with that,” Baekhyun said with a chuckle. “Sounds like your Little Swan is going to be a handful.”

Chanyeol hung up without replying, his eyes narrowing as he watched Nari gather her things and leave the stage.

“Handful doesn’t even begin to cover it,” he muttered, rising from his seat and disappearing into the shadows.

The Paradise Casino exuded a level of luxury and exclusivity that instantly caught their attention. Warm, golden lighting cascaded through shimmering metallic curtains that hung like drapes over sections of the vast room. Tables with sleek, polished finishes were surrounded by plush, leather chairs. The patterned carpets in deep shades of black and gold gave the space an air of sophistication, while the soft hum of conversations, clinking glasses, and the occasional cheer from a winning hand filled the air. Private rooms were tucked away on an upper level, accessible only by a staircase with glowing railings, reserved for the wealthiest or most dangerous guests.

Sunny parked the Mini Cooper, and the three of them stepped out, adjusting their outfits to shield themselves from the cold. Nari tugged at her dress uncomfortably as they approached the entrance.

“This place looks… a little too fancy for us,” Nari muttered, glancing at the extravagant decor visible through the grand glass doors.

“It’s perfect,” Sunny said confidently, adjusting her blonde bangs and flashing a mischievous grin. “A little glamour never hurt anyone. Plus, it’s not like we’re here to gamble our life savings—just to look around.”

“You’ve never been to a casino before, though, right?” Nari asked, frowning.

“Nope, but how hard can it be?” Sunny replied nonchalantly. “Besides, if anything goes wrong, Min’s got her cop badge, right?”

Min laughed as they stepped inside. “Yeah, sure, that’ll help. Too bad I couldn’t smuggle my gun in here. Don’t worry, though—I’ve got my intimidating glare.” She winked at Nari, who groaned softly.

“This feels like a terrible idea,” Nari whispered under her breath, but neither of her friends seemed to hear her over the upbeat jazz music playing in the background.

They found a cozy booth near the center of the room and ordered a round of cocktails. Sunny pouted when her virgin mojito arrived. “This sucks—I can’t even have a real drink.”

“You don’t need alcohol to cause chaos,” Nari teased, finally relaxing enough to join in the banter. “You’re a walking hurricane.”

Sunny laughed, raising her glass. “Cheers to that!”

As they laughed and sipped their drinks, they were completely unaware of the three pairs of watchful eyes tracking their every move from a shadowed corner of the casino. Chanyeol, Baekhyun, and Sehun sat at a private booth, blending seamlessly into the opulent surroundings. All three were dressed in sharp, tailored suits that screamed power and authority, their weapons concealed but easily accessible.

“This is ridiculous,” Chanyeol muttered, his eyes narrowing as he observed the girls. “Why are we babysitting?”

“Maybe Suho wanted to see if you’d finally develop a soft spot for someone,” Baekhyun teased, smirking as he swirled his drink. “Look at you, playing bodyguard.”

Chanyeol scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “At least your target has some spice. I’m stuck watching a ballerina who thinks the world’s all sunshine and rainbows.”

“You sound jealous,” Baekhyun quipped. “I, for one, am enjoying this. Who knows? Maybe something interesting will happen.”

As if on cue, a tall blonde man approached the girls’ table. All three of the men stiffened slightly when they recognized him.

“Luhan,” Baekhyun said under his breath, rolling his eyes. “What are the odds?”

Sehun smirked. “This might actually get entertaining. Luhan’s probably got a pocketful of drugs ready to spike their drinks.”

“We’re not letting that happen,” Chanyeol said sharply. His voice was low but commanding, leaving no room for argument. He gestured to one of the casino’s staff—a man loyal to their mafia—and whispered instructions. Within minutes, the waitress carrying the girls’ drinks accidentally stumbled, spilling the contents before they could take a sip.

“Crisis averted,” Baekhyun said, watching the scene unfold. “Luhan must be fuming.”

Back at the girls’ table, Luhan had introduced himself as one of the casino’s owners, sliding smoothly into the seat beside Nari. His charming smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, and Min immediately felt her guard go up.

“Are you ladies having fun?” he asked, his voice dripping with charisma. “I hope the Paradise Casino is treating you well.”

“It’s nice,” Sunny said, shrugging. “But it could be more exciting.”

Luhan chuckled, leaning in slightly. “Well, let me know if there’s anything I can do to make your evening more… memorable.”

“Actually, we’re waiting for some friends to join us,” Min said quickly, her instincts telling her to lie. She met Luhan’s gaze with practiced calm, but she wasn’t sure if he believed her.

Luhan’s smile widened. “Of course. I hope you enjoy your time here.” With that, he stood and walked away, leaving a faint trace of expensive cologne in his wake.

“Creepy,” Nari whispered, shivering slightly.

Meanwhile, back at the corner booth, Sehun laughed quietly. “Luhan and his old tricks. Think he’ll try again?”

“Probably,” Baekhyun said, already losing interest. “He can’t help himself.”

Chanyeol’s expression darkened. “We need to keep them out of trouble. I’ll handle it if Luhan tries anything else.”

As Min decided to approach Luhan for more information, Sunny and Nari wandered over to the gaming tables. Sunny, with her usual confidence, tried her hand at a slot machine, while Nari stayed close by, clearly uncomfortable but putting on a brave face.

“Relax,” Sunny said, nudging her friend playfully. “It’s just for fun. Who knows? Maybe you’ll hit the jackpot.”

Nari forced a smile but couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. Little did she know, Chanyeol’s sharp eyes were locked on her every move, his protective instincts kicking in despite himself.

Nari’s head felt heavy as the overwhelming glitz of the casino grew too much to bear. The loud chatter, the relentless lights, and the haze of cigarette smoke pressed down on her chest. She needed air. Spotting a side door near the back, she slipped away unnoticed by her friends.

The cool night air greeted her as she stepped outside into a dimly lit alley behind the casino. She exhaled deeply, trying to clear her mind, but her relief was short-lived.

“Lost, sweetheart?”

Nari froze. Two men emerged from the shadows, their grins wide and uninviting. Their suits were cheap, their demeanor cocky, and their intentions unmistakable.

“I was just leaving,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt.

But they didn’t move aside. One of them stepped closer, his eyes shamelessly trailing down her sparkling black dress. “Leaving? Not so fast. Stay a while. Let’s chat.”

Nari’s stomach churned as panic began to set in. She instinctively took a step back, but there was nowhere to go.

“Don’t be shy,” the other one chimed in. “We don’t bite.

When the first man reached out, his hand brushing against her lower back, Nari felt as though ice had suddenly gripped her spine. Before she could react, a deep, commanding voice echoed from the darkness.

“I’d remove that hand if I were you.”

The air turned frigid, as if winter had arrived in that alley alone. Nari shivered, her dress doing little to protect her from the sudden chill. She turned her head toward the source of the voice and froze.

He stepped into the faint light, his towering figure dominating the space. Nari was tall, but he was taller—a striking man with fiery red hair that seemed to glow even in the dimness. His dark suit was pristine, tailored perfectly to his lean but powerful frame.

The two men immediately paled, their bravado vanishing. One of them stammered, “W-We didn’t mean any harm—”

Chanyeol didn’t let him finish. His piercing gaze bore into them, his voice low and menacing. “Leave her alone. Now. Unless you want to leave here in pieces.”

The menace in his tone was undeniable. The men didn’t need a second warning. They scurried away like rats, throwing fearful glances over their shoulders as they disappeared into the night.

Nari was rooted in place, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Was he dangerous? Probably. But he had just saved her, and for some reason, that thought was oddly comforting.

“You okay?” his voice was softer now, breaking through her haze.

She nodded mutely, unable to find her voice.

Satisfied, he turned to leave, but just as he was about to disappear into the shadows, she finally managed to speak. “Thank you.”

He paused for a moment before glancing over his shoulder. His lips twitched upward, barely forming the shadow of a smile, but he said nothing as he walked away.

As she watched him disappear into the night, her thoughts raced. He was polished, expensive-looking, and dangerously handsome. But there was something about his cold aura that unsettled her. Who was he?

Chanyeol, meanwhile, felt equally distracted. He hadn’t planned to intervene, but seeing her there—vulnerable and out of place—something in him snapped. And then he remembered her from the opera. That kind smile she had given the cleaning lady. That softness. That light. It was a stark contrast to the world he lived in.

Something was wrong, and he knew it.

Nari returned to the casino, weaving through the crowd until she spotted Min and Sunny at a table. The two were playing some game she had only ever seen in movies, laughing and teasing each other like they didn’t have a care in the world.

Min immediately noticed her friend’s tense demeanor. “What happened?” she asked, her tone low and concerned.

“Nothing,” Nari lied, shaking her head. But she couldn’t hide the distracted way her eyes scanned the room, searching for a flash of red hair.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was thick with tension. Suho sat at the head of the table, his expression thunderous. Everyone else remained silent, knowing better than to speak when their leader was in this mood.

“I have information,” Suho began, his voice sharp and controlled, “that the Chinese mafia might be here in Korea.”

“‘Might’?” Baekhyun scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “Do you mean ‘definitely,’ or are we just guessing?”

Chanyeol cut in, his voice calm but firm. “It’s confirmed. We saw Luhan earlier tonight at the casino.”

A murmur spread through the group.

“That means they’re responsible for Hyucheol,” Xiumin said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

“It’s not just about him,” Baekhyun muttered, swearing under his breath. “If they’re here, they’re not just sending hitmen. They’re here for us.”

“There’s another problem,” Chanyeol added, his tone darkening. “We saw Luhan talking to someone. The police chief’s daughter.”

The room went silent. Suho’s expression didn’t change, but the way his eyes darkened made everyone uneasy. He stared down at the reports in front of him, deep in thought.

“D.O.?” Suho finally asked, breaking the silence.

D.O. pushed his laptop forward, his tone calm but precise. “I hacked into the airport arrivals data and CCTV footage. It’s confirmed—they’re here. But they arranged to avoid all customs and registration checks.”

He clicked a button, and a grainy video played on the screen. Four men were seen leaving a private jet.

“They didn’t even try to hide,” Chen muttered, recognizing their faces immediately.

“So, all of them are here,” Xiumin said, his voice grim. “They’re up to something big.”

“That’s why we need to stay vigilant,” Suho said sharply. His eyes swept across the room, landing on each member in turn. “No distractions.” He put heavy emphasis on the last word.

The tension in the room was palpable. Everyone knew the storm was coming—they just didn’t know when it would hit.

The meeting room fell into a tense silence after Suho’s final declaration. Everyone exchanged heavy glances. They all knew the reputation of the China mafia—their cruelty, their resources, and their mastery of manipulation. It wasn’t just another gang. It was an organization that thrived on fear and annihilation.

“For now,” Suho broke the silence, his voice sharp and authoritative, “we stick to our assignments and routines. Nothing changes. I’ll assign more guards to the house and our bases. Stay vigilant.”

His gaze shifted to Sehun and Kai. “You two will find them. Track their movements, figure out what they’re planning. Report directly to me. No screw-ups.”

Kai nodded curtly, already processing the task at hand. Sehun, however, smirked as he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.

“And while we’re out there doing the real work,” Sehun drawled, looking straight at Chanyeol and Baekhyun, “you two can keep babysitting.”

Chanyeol narrowed his eyes, his irritation visible, but it was Baekhyun who immediately fired back, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Aw, Sehun. Don’t be jealous that Suho doesn’t trust you with important tasks like babysitting. It requires tact, charm, and brains—three things you seriously lack.���

Sehun laughed mockingly, leaning forward. “Say that again after you’ve had your first successful mission in, what, a decade?”

Baekhyun opened his mouth to retort, but Suho slammed his palm on the table. “Enough!” His sharp tone sliced through the room, silencing them instantly. “This isn’t a game. Act like the professionals you’re supposed to be, or I’ll find people who can.”

The tension thickened as both Sehun and Baekhyun sat back in silence, their glares still burning.

Suho turned to D.O. with a slight nod, his voice measured but firm. “D.O., any progress on the police chief’s daughter?”

D.O. smirked faintly, sliding a folder across the table toward Suho. It was thicker than any of them expected. “A little,” he said, his tone smug.

Suho opened the folder, and his brows furrowed in surprise at the sheer volume of information. The others couldn’t help but glance curiously as Suho flipped through the pages—her academic records, family history, career achievements, and even candid photographs.

“Impressive,” Suho murmured, still scanning through the file. His tone was calm, but there was an edge of satisfaction.

When the meeting adjourned, the others filtered out of the room. Suho stayed behind, seated at the head of the table with the folder open in front of him. His eyes lingered on a photograph of Min at the police academy. There was something about her—a spark of determination in her eyes that caught his attention. “This girl…” he muttered to himself, tapping the edge of the photo absentmindedly.

The next day at the violent crimes office was as chaotic as usual—phones ringing, detectives arguing, and paperwork scattered across desks. Min entered her father’s office to find him pacing furiously, yelling into the phone.

“This is unacceptable! You’ve had this information for weeks, and you’re telling me now?!” Chief Im’s voice boomed, his face red with anger. When the call ended, he slammed the phone down, the sound echoing through the room.

“Wow,” Min said with a soft chuckle, closing the door behind her. “I haven’t seen you this mad in a while. What’s going on?”

Her father sighed heavily, running a hand through his graying hair. “This damn mafia… They’re causing problems again. Every lead is a dead end, and now this.”

“Well,” Min said brightly, leaning against his desk, “I might have some good news. But first, you have to promise to let me get involved.”

Her father shot her a sharp look. “Yoon-min, no. Absolutely not. This is dangerous work—too dangerous for you.”

“Dad, come on,” she said, exasperated. “You know I’ve been training for this my entire career. Trust me. I can handle it.”

Chief Im rubbed his temples, clearly torn. After a long pause, he sighed in defeat. “Fine. But listen to me—if anything happens, even the smallest thing, you’re out. Do you understand me?”

Min rolled her eyes but nodded. “Got it, Dad. Now, let me show you what I found.”

She placed a set of papers on his desk and began explaining. “I’ve been looking into the Guan-mok forest on the outskirts of Seoul. The satellite maps of the area have been tampered with—likely hacked. There’s no other explanation for the discrepancies I found. It looks like someone erased key details from the system, possibly to hide something. If my theory is correct, this forest is being used as a base or meeting point.”

Chief Im’s brows furrowed as he leaned over the papers, clearly impressed.

“But there’s a downside,” Min continued. “The forest is huge. There’s no signal out there, which means any search would be difficult and dangerous. And if they’re hiding something, there’s bound to be security—probably armed.”

Her father stared at her, a mix of disbelief and pride on his face. “How… How did you even find all of this?”

Min smirked and crossed her arms. “I have my ways. Maybe you should trust me more often.”

Chief Im sighed again, sitting heavily in his chair. “You’re just like your mother,” he muttered, shaking his head.

Min smiled softly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Be careful, Yoon-min,” he said, his tone serious. “This isn’t a game. These people don’t play fair, and they don’t give second chances.”

“I know,” she said firmly. “But I’m ready.”

As she left the office, Min couldn’t shake the feeling that her father was holding something back—something that made him more anxious than usual. She resolved to get to the bottom of it, no matter the risk.

It was late, and the fluorescent streetlights cast long shadows over the empty parking lot as Sunny finally clocked out from her grueling shift at the hospital. She stifled a yawn, her legs aching from the endless hours on her feet. Her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since lunch. Cooking was out of the question—she was far too tired—so she decided to stop at a small convenience store on her way home to grab something quick.

Sliding into her car, she sighed deeply, cranking the engine to life. The short drive to the store felt like a blur, her exhaustion making every second drag. When she arrived, she parked near the front of the shop, noting how deserted the parking lot looked. A chill ran down her spine, but she brushed it off, blaming her overworked nerves.

Baekhyun was leaning against a car near the edge of the lot, a cigarette between his fingers. The soft glow of the ember illuminated his sharp features in the dark, his gaze distant as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. Tonight had been another headache—Suho’s warnings about the Chinese mafia lingered in his mind, but Baekhyun wasn’t the type to stress outwardly. His moment of solitude didn’t last long, though.

A man emerged from the shadows. Baekhyun noticed him too late; the stranger lunged at him, catching him off guard. A punch landed squarely on Baekhyun’s jaw, splitting his lip and sending blood dripping down his chin. The taste of iron filled his mouth as pain radiated through his face, but Baekhyun quickly regained his composure.

“You really picked the wrong guy,” Baekhyun muttered, his voice low and dangerous.

The man didn’t have time to react before Baekhyun grabbed him by the collar, slamming him to the ground with a force that made the concrete echo. The stranger scrambled to his feet, realizing his mistake as he caught the cold, murderous glint in Baekhyun’s eyes. Without another word, he turned and ran, disappearing into the night like a coward.

Baekhyun wiped the blood from his face with the back of his hand, muttering a curse under his breath. He leaned against his car, trying to gather himself when he heard the faint sound of heels clicking on the pavement.

Sunny emerged from the store, a small bag of groceries in hand. She was heading to her car when her eyes landed on Baekhyun. Her jaw dropped at the sight of his bloodied face, and the bag slipped from her hands, its contents spilling across the asphalt.

“Wait here!” she called out, rushing to her car to grab the first aid kit she always kept in her trunk.

Baekhyun straightened, surprised by her sudden urgency. Before he could say anything, she was back, gloves on her hands and a determined look in her eyes.

“Let me help you,” Sunny said firmly, her usual playful tone replaced by the authoritative voice of a doctor.

“It’s just blood,” Baekhyun replied dismissively, turning his face away. “I’m not dying.”

“Stop being difficult,” she snapped, moving closer. Her hands were steady, and her focus was sharp. “Sit still, or this will hurt more than it already does.”

Baekhyun froze, caught off guard by her no-nonsense attitude. He allowed her to clean the blood off his face and examine the cut on his lip. As her fingers brushed against his skin, he found himself staring at her. Her concentration was unyielding, her brow slightly furrowed, and her lips pressed into a thin line.

“There,” she said softly after a moment, stepping back and handing him an ice pack. “It’s not too bad, but you should keep this on for a while to stop the swelling.”

Baekhyun smirked faintly. “You’re pretty bossy for someone I just met.”

Sunny rolled her eyes. “And you’re pretty stubborn for someone bleeding all over the place.”

She packed up her kit, but her concern lingered. “What happened? Did someone just randomly attack you? If you want, I can call my friend—she’s with the police. She could help you file a report.”

Baekhyun let out a dry laugh. “A report? For some idiot who doesn’t even know how to throw a punch?” He wiped at the dried blood on his jaw. “Trust me, he’s not worth the trouble.”

Sunny frowned at his harsh tone but didn’t press further. “Well, with the mafia out there, you really should be more careful,” she said, half-joking but still somewhat serious.

Her words struck a chord, but Baekhyun hid his reaction behind a cold expression. “You’re one to talk. It’s late. You should go home.”

Sunny hesitated for a moment but nodded, realizing she wasn’t going to get much more out of him. “Alright. Take care of yourself,” she said, offering a small wave as she got into her car.

Baekhyun watched her drive away, her taillights disappearing into the distance. He touched the bandage on his lip, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “The mafia’s out there,” he muttered to himself, shaking his head. Something about her amused him, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

He flicked the spent cigarette to the ground, stepping on it before getting into his car. As he drove off, he couldn’t stop thinking about the strange girl who’d patched him up without a second thought. Maybe the night wasn’t so bad after all.

Baekhyun lay on his bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake off the memory of the interaction in the parking lot. The way Sunny’s hands moved so delicately, yet with determination, while treating his wound. Her serious tone, so unlike her usual playful nature, had stirred something deep inside him.

“Damn it,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. The thought of her concerned face kept replaying in his mind, and it annoyed him that she had this kind of effect on him. He wasn’t supposed to care.

The next evening, Chanyeol found himself in the opera house, a place he never thought he’d willingly go to. The grandeur of the venue was almost suffocating, and he felt out of place in the first row among elegantly dressed patrons. But he didn’t care—his attention was solely on the stage.

The performance began, and as soon as Nari appeared, he felt the air in his lungs catch. Her costume was a deep red, adorned with intricate gold details that shimmered under the lights. A glittering tiara rested on her head, completing her regal appearance. Her long dark hair was perfectly swept back into a bun, emphasizing her graceful neck and delicate features.

She moved like she owned the stage—powerful and precise yet ethereal. Every leap and turn was executed with perfection, her slender frame defying gravity. Chanyeol couldn’t take his eyes off her. She looked fearless, unstoppable, and yet, in her quieter movements, there was a fragility that tugged at something in him.

When their eyes met during her solo, it was as if time froze. Her steps faltered ever so slightly, but she recovered quickly, resuming her choreography with an elegance that masked the momentary lapse. For Chanyeol, however, that brief connection lingered like an echo in his mind. Without thinking, he pulled out his phone and snapped a photo. He stared at the image for a second, frowning, unsure why he had even taken it.

When the show ended, the applause was thunderous, echoing through the grand hall. As the crowd began to disperse, Chanyeol stayed in his seat, watching the dancers congratulate one another. His sharp eyes scanned the room, noting how Nari stood off to the side, her smile radiant but solitary. No family. No friends.

As the room emptied, he approached the stage. She noticed him, her expression shifting into one of faint surprise before she stepped closer.

“Congratulations,” he said softly, his deep voice cutting through the quiet space.

Her smile widened, though he caught a glimmer of something else in her eyes. “Thank you. Did you enjoy the performance? Are you a fan of ballet?”

“I’m not,” he replied bluntly. “I was here by mistake.” His tone was cold, sharp, and he immediately regretted it when her smile wavered for a split second.

Nari tilted her head, studying him with quiet curiosity. “Then I suppose I should feel honored to have accidentally gained your attention.”

He didn’t respond, instead glancing around the now-empty theater. “No one’s here for you? You’re the lead, though.”

Her smile remained, but the sadness in her aura was unmistakable. “I don’t have anybody,” she said simply, her voice light, as if the statement was a fact she’d long accepted. Before he could respond, a voice called her name from backstage.

“Excuse me,” she said, stepping back. Then, as if compelled by something, he added, “You were amazing.”

She paused, meeting his gaze one last time, her smile softening. “Thank you.” And with that, she disappeared backstage, leaving Chanyeol standing there, his thoughts in disarray.

The atmosphere in Gwanmok Forest was tense, the dense canopy of trees blocking out most of the evening light. Min adjusted her flashlight, leading the team deeper into the woods.

“Are we ready?” she asked, her voice brisk and authoritative as she scanned the group of officers.

Her father, Chief Im Dong-hyun, shot her a stern look. “Min, don’t stray too far from me.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied, though her excitement was palpable. She had a hunch about this place, and she was determined to prove herself right.

As the team trudged through the underbrush, Min’s sharp eyes caught something—faint tire tracks embedded in the dirt. She grinned triumphantly. “We’re on the right track,” she whispered to herself.

But as they ventured deeper, the forest grew eerily quiet, and the fading light made the shadows seem alive. Suddenly, the distant rumble of an engine broke the silence. Min’s heart raced as she and her father ducked into the bushes, switching off their flashlights.

A sleek black SUV came into view, its headlights slicing through the darkness. Behind the wheel was a tall man with striking red hair. He exuded an aura of danger, his sharp eyes scanning the forest as if he sensed he was being watched.

“Recognize him?” Min whispered.

Her father shook his head. “No, but he’s not in any of our reports. We’ve got confirmation—there’s mafia activity here.”

Min’s pulse quickened, a mix of fear and exhilaration coursing through her veins. But her father placed a firm hand on her arm. “It’s getting dark. We should regroup and come back tomorrow.”

Min hesitated, her instincts urging her to push forward. “Just a little further,” she pleaded. Without waiting for his approval, she moved ahead.

Soon, the forest opened up, revealing a massive, ominous castle-like structure. Min’s breath hitched. “This is it,” she whispered, barely containing her excitement.

Before they could approach, the other officers joined them. But their victory was short-lived. Out of the shadows, armed figures emerged, encircling the group.

“Drop your weapons,” a deep voice commanded.

The red-haired man from the SUV stepped forward, a smug grin on his face. “Well, well, what do we have here? A little lost police party?”

Min clenched her fists, her mind racing as her father stepped protectively in front of her. The tension crackled in the air, the standoff on the verge of exploding.

[an-annyeoing-writer]

TW: mafia!Reader & hints of violence

Life was easier when you could always return to him.

Chanyeol was your comfort, your safe space. No matter what trouble you got yourself into, no matter what dangerous people you messed up with, he was here, protecting you – not from the guns and powder, not from the steel, but from your own dark thoughts. He was precious to you, especially given he, despite being from an entirely different world, knew the kind of job you worked and the deeds you’ve done to maintain it.

And, against what would seem obvious given the circumstances, he was the one to take care of you, to calm your storm within, to give you the strength you needed to go from one day to another.

Which was exactly why you couldn’t stay with him.

Your heart ached as you stood behind the door, knowing this was the last time you saw his small, cozy apartment. The last time you rested in his bed, still feeling the ghosting sensation of the softness of his pillows on your cheek.

But you had made your mind, and made it very clear that it was definite.

Life would be difficult, but at least he would be safe.

[tinymintygarland]

The Nightshift

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Pairing: OT6 Mafia! Exo x Janitor! Reader

Summary: One day  Song Y/n switches her day shifts with her best friend Nari . Who knew her Employers were fond of her?

Genre: Angst, Mafia Au, Fluff

Trigger Warnings; Mentions of Blood, Dark hallways, Kidnapping, Wounds, Needles, Alcohol, Drugs, Sex, Cat-Calling, Sharp Objects. 

Exo Masterlist

Main Masterlist

A/n:

This is also taking place in their Lotto/Louder era :)

I also included what i think Chen’s IRL wife would be like based on assumptions. As much as I adore Jong-dae but my guy has a whole wife AND kids!!

 Lmao this is based on a fic on my other blog and a dream so i wanted to write what had happened after if i continued dreaming. I would write what actually happened but omg it’s crazy lol. 

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                      _______________DAY 1__________________

The city of Seoul was bustling. people taking phone calls. Others taking down orders. As well as some bussing tables, some cooking, some simply showing off that they had gotten promoted to a higher position. 

However our story begins with a friendly janitor who was getting ready for her day shift. Down the road a bus that was meant for the company called SM was coming up a few seconds. the sun illuminating the shiny bus filled with SM employees. These were the highest and most hardworking employees. there were sections of the bus that had designated spots for the employees positions. as well as those that were disabled and were going through their maternity. 

There stood a woman in her Mid 20′s. She had mid length H/c colored hair that was tied back into a ponytail a few strand finding their way out, her head also had a soft baby blue bandana. She had smooth S/c skin, her evenly toned lips smiled, her eyes shone in happiness at the conversation she held with the woman beside her. Her figure was hidden by her baby blue uniform that was a little loose fitting, her hands being hidden by the white rubber gloves. 

“Oh y/n! I’m so glad you were finally able to stand next to me!” The pregnant woman smiled at the blue clad woman. This woman was the wife of one of the CEO’s. She worked at her husbands company before becoming his wife. She also had just come back from her vacation with him and opted to be with her friend rather than her husband. she cherished the small friendship she had with Y/n despite their different positions in the company. 

“Oh yeah? I thought you would’ve ditched me for your husband hehe” The young woman giggled teasing her friend. This prompted a surprised expression from her friend and she giggled. 

“Oh Y/n don’t worry I’ll set you up with someone too!” she teased her single friend. The janitor whined at her friends teasing. This continued for the rest of the ride and after a while the bus had come to a stop. The bus doors had opened signaling the employees of the company to step out and head to the elevators or the cafeteria to have some breakfast provided by the company. A benefit of working for the company. 

The young woman helped her pregnant friend up from her seat and walked towards the cafeteria as they chatted. Y/n’s other friend had waved her over. It was Nari. Nari worked the night shifts and had made sure the company building had stayed clean for the employees in the morning. 

“Hey! Y/n! Mrs.CEO! OVER HERE! I SAVED YOU THE BEST THINGS!” Nari shouted from a table with an excited smile. The two friends that had arrived gave each other a strange look and giggled at their energetic friend. The trio had greeted each other. 

Nari is a good friend of Y/n’s. Her full name being Kim Eun Nari. She liked to be called Nari. Her long hair being tied into one single three strand braid, as well as the baby blue bandana. her porcelain skin contrasting her best friend Y/n’s. her hazel brown eyes shone under the florescent lights of the building. As the trio ate and caught Nari upon what happens when she goes home to rest. 

The building doors opened and walked in one of the CEO’s of the company. His name was Kim Jong-dae. or as his employees had nicknamed ‘Chen’. He smiled as he made his way towards the table of the three women. The blue clad females teased their pregnant friend as they whispered to her that her husband was looking for her. 

“Ladies and My lovely wife good morning” He greeted the trio with a smile. The Two single females greeted their boss with a smile while the wife smiled warmly at his husband. He sat down next to his wife coffee in hand as well as a pumpkin porridge. 

“So Nari? how was your shift earlier? any gnarly clean-ups?” Y/n had teased her friend. To this the female rolled her eyes at her friends comment which had caused a laugh from the three. 

“No but thankfully it was an easy night! wasn’t too bad after all I have you! you make my job way easier!~” Nari chirped as she took a spoonful of her Vegetable soup. 

“Oh! while I have you here Y/n would you mind switching shifts with Nari tonight? As much as I love both of your cleaning methods the other guys want to see how you’ll both do if you switched. you’ll both get paid extra for the trouble” Chen chimed in with a bashful smile. I looked at Nari who grinned, I nodded my head and agreed. 

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt. why not?” I gave a nod and ate a bit of rice from the tray that Nari had saved for me. 

“Then It’s settled. You can go home early today to rest up and then come back with Nari for the night” Chen added with a smile. I looked at Nari who was day dreaming and nodded when she was caught. To this she gave Y/n a look and they both stood up from their seats as their meals were completed.

 “We’ll see you later Mrs.Kim!! Chen..” the two women teased their friends as they left the cafeteria with a smile and walked towards the janitor’s closet. One leaving her items and the other gathering her items for the day.  

The female had begun her journey of cleaning the windows, taking out the trash and dusting the small areas of the building as well as opening the windows to air out the building. 

--

I opened the window letting out the dusty air and took in a breath of fresh air with a smile. I felt a shadow loom over me and I opened my eyes to find a pair of brown eyes staring into mine. I rolled my eyes as I found Mark staring into mine. 

“Hey! why the glaring? hehe you’re cute when your at peace” He laughed as he stayed in close proximity. 

“Oh whatever don’t you have to get back to work Mr. Security guard?” I teased the male as I left my spot from the window and back into the building. The male followed behind me with a smile. 

“Actually I am Y/n besides I’m making sure whoever comes in is not a threat to the building” He laughed as I sweeped the floor. 

“Oh haha Mark at least I don’t get distracted easily” I laughed and watched his face flush at my comment. The doors opened at the entrance and walked in Taeyoung with a small smile. 

“Hey Ms.Janitor!” The male smiled at the smaller female who gave a smile. 

“Hey Taeyoung!” I greeted him with a shy smile. Mark gave a shocked look as the two interacted happily. 

“Hey! why don’t you ever smile at me like that!” He cried out dramatically. I rolled my eyes at his comment. Taeyoung just laughed at his Co-workers attitude. 

“Maybe when you’re less hyperactive she’ll take you seriously haha..” Taeyoung laughed. Mark looked in my direction as I laughed and huffed. 

“Oh! speaking of which I heard you switched with Nari?” Taeyoung looked at me with a small smile. I looked in his direction and sighed. 

“Sadly yes so now I don’t think I’ll be able to entertain your friend here for awhile” I groaned knowing that I would be in this building at late at night. and alone. 

“Hey hey it’ll be okay besides I think Haechan and Johnny are working those shifts..Don’t worry!” He said with a small smile. I knew that my other friends did work at night but still made me nervous. 

“Alright Alright..Thanks just makes me nervous of the building at night haha” The two males smiled at me and sighed. I smiled and waved them off as I continued my way up the building as I was called to the Second floor. 

This floor was the most that needed extra care as they frequently spilled things onto the floors and didn’t care to clean it up and left it a sticky mess for me to clean. I sighed as I grabbed my scrubbers and bucket and made my way towards the area that had the spill carrying as well as the wet floor sign.

The day carried on as usual as I cleaned the spills, changed trashcans and dusted areas that needed to be tended to. As the day came to a close I made my way towards the elevator and pressed the button as I sighed waiting for the elevator to be called upon.I took one of my earbuds that was attached to my phone out of my ear as I looked up at the sign watching how much time was left for the elevator to make its way towards me. The doors made a ding sound as the doors opened. I made my way inside with my duster and rags that were in the loop of my pants and I reached over to press the first floor button but halted at the sound of someone calling out “Hold the door!”

I stopped and held my hand out to stop the doors from closing allowing the person to come in to the elevator. The male was much taller than me. I looked up at him, he had his hair dyed a bright red, his brown eyes gave a thankful smile. He had rather than a suit a grey plaid button up, black slacks as well as black dress shoes. He looked like any other employee but as soon as I took in his lanyard that was a Bright white it sunk in He was one of The CEO’s. 

“Hey thanks for holding open the door haha” The red headed male smiled at me. His smile was nice. I gave a shy smile and nodded. I reached for my earbud ready to give the male some space but he did the opposite and began to talk. 

“So...You’re Y/n? Chen’s wife talks highly about you during coffee breaks” he spoke with a smile as he stood across from me on the empty elevator. I looked at him and smiled at the mention of my friend 

“Oh? she does? that’s nice” I smiled not knowing what to say. 

“Sorry my name is Kim Chanyeol..I’m assuming you saw the lanyard.. don’t worry I don’t bite!” He gave a gentle smile. 

“Its alright I just didn’t think anyone would be here considering I’m usually the last one that leaves..” I gave my honest response to him and gave a small laugh. He smiled at my response and nodded. 

“So you’re our janitor for the switch? hehe well its nice to finally put a face to that name!” He said excitedly. 

we continued our small conversation down the building we stepped closer now comfortable with each other the more we talked as friends rather than business.

“So? is it fun you know cleaning up our mess?” Chanyeol joked as he stood infront of me with his arms crossed. I rolled my eyes with a smile. 

“Mhm~ definitely fun cleaning your-” I was cut off by the red head male reaching over me our bodies extrremely close as he pressed a button to a floor. our faces close and then he jumped away realizing how close we were. I blushed at the close proximity from when he pressed a button.

“Oh! sorry I forgot that I was supposed to meet the rest of them on the seventh floor but we’re now on the..third floor!” Chanyeol admitted with an embarrassed smile. I smiled at his cuteness and smiled. 

“It’s alright I understand!” I smiled at the tall male that I had befriended. He gave a sigh of relief. 

“So I’ll see you tomorrow?” He asked with a big smile wanting to know what I had to say and I nodded at his words. 

The elevator doors gave a small ding and I walked out the doors and turned to wave at him with a shy smile. To which he waved and smiled as the doors closed behind him.Once The doors closed I blushed heavily and pressed my hands on my face knowing that I had met one of my other CEO’s and had a friendly conversation and had gotten close to him on accident. 

 I waited for the elevator to leave and quickly made my way to my janitor’s office and closed the door behind me so I could react to what had just happened in secret.

“Get it together Y/n! you’re here to work! besides.. this is the last time I get to see the sunset from the big windows..” I sighed as I had began putting away my items that I had used for the day.I grabbed my phone plugging in my earbuds sticking them in my ears and playing music as I finished my routine. I finished putting my things away on a shelf I had begun filling the items that the company that would clean this month would need. I refilled spray bottles, I put the dirty rags into a bin that was reserved for the ones that would be cleaned in the morning and grabbed the clean ones as well as other items that would help them. 

 Once I had finished my restock One by one I had left a spare key for the company and hung it by the door so they could gain access to the office if they needed anything else extra for the night and smiled at my work. Whistling the tune of This is love. 

Who knew My real shift began the night I started?

___________________________NIGHT 1____________________________

The female was on her way to the SM building. However she was used to the daylight that shone brightly. The female sat on the bus for once as she was all alone. Her earbuds playing music calming her nerves as she watched through the windows watching as she neared the building. Her nerves getting more and more anxious as the bus finally stopped and she got up from her seat and made her way to the front of the building. 

She was determined to finish cleaning this building as quickly as she could and wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. She took a breath and bumped into Johnny who gave her a raised eyebrow. 

“Y/n? I thought you worked during the da- oh wait I thing Haechan already told me that you both switched..don’t worry you’ll be fine besides! If anything just radio us and we’ll be there!” Johnny reassured her with a smile. 

“Thanks I just want this done as quickly as possible..” I groaned and made my way into the building beginning to clean as quickly as humanly possible with the help of anyone else that was on staff for the nightly clean as I was the one to lead. I had cleared the top four floors as they were the smallest of the 12 floors and continued for the rest of the night. 

I finally had finished cleaning all 12 floors of the building as quickly and as clean as humanely possible and made it down to the first floor that was the last of them and breathed heavily. 

“Jesus christ Y/n! you did all that in 8 hours?!” Haechan gaped at the sweaty state I was in. I was sitting on one of the couches and nodded. 

“You would too if you were up there with a bunch people who were lazy at their job!!!” I whined and was finally able to breathe normally. The two nodded but were still shocked that I was able to clear all 12 floors by myself. 

I stood up taking the final sips of water from my water bottle. My hand wiping the sweat from my forehead. I stretched my limbs finally walking to my small office again and took out what I needed and began to sweep the floors quickly not wanting to be here despite knowing that My friends were here. 

I finally got finished with sweeping and finally began to scrub the dirty floors that seemed to be covered in muddy footprints despite the outside of the building to have concrete, I shrugged it off and continued to scrub the floors on all fours. This continued for another hour as I didn’t want to go up the stairs for another mop knowing that would make this quicker but didn’t want to up the dark floors. 

Finally admiring my clean work I had gotten done. I had tied my long-sleeve blue shirt around my waist, showing off my figure that was hidden by the soft colored uniform. I took out an earbud and heard the elevator ding as the floors dried and watched seven men walk out of the doors. I looked away as I continued my work, grabbing my bucket and scrubbers. I knew that I had to walk past them to put away my things to be done with work.

“Y/n? what are you doing here? I thought you worked during the day?” I looked and saw Chanyeol among the seven faces. I smiled and walked up to him and Chen ignoring the stares from the other Five men. 

“Hey Channie. Oh I thought you knew that Nari and I switched our shifts?” I said confused to why he had asked that. He shook his head as he kept eye contact with me. I looked over at Chen and smiled. 

“I hope you’re treating my friend right Chen, and looks like to me they weren’t aware of the switch” I teased him to which he laughed. 

“Dont worry I-” He was cut off by one of the other men. The three of us looked at the male who cut him off. 

“Chen! Chanyeol! I didn’t know you guys were friendly with our cutie here!” The male with puppy eyes and dark hair cried out. I raised a brow at his comment. 

“Excuse me? I have a name you know?” I shot at the male crossing my arms as the males chuckled. 

“Hey! You realize I am one of your Boss’ right? The Names Byun Baekhyun but you can call me Baek~” He smirked and I rolled my eyes unphased by him.

“No way? So I’m Assuming you all are as well?” I looked at them all who grinned and nodded. I sighed. 

“Dissapointed?” Baekhyun grinned

“No I knew Chen And Channie were but all of you? that’s a little insane don’t you think?” 

“Well we do have the most sales besides these guys won’t give you trouble maybe except for Baekyun and Kai ” Chen laughed.

“Anyways let me introduce you guys! Since you already know Chen and I This is Baekhyun, Suho, D.O, Kai, Sehun and Xiumin!” Chanyeol introduced the other CEO’s. 

I finally got a good look at them all. I couldn’t deny that they were all as good looking. 

“Interesting.. well its nice to meet you I’m-” 

“Y/n. we know I’m the one that hired you” The male named Suho cut me off. They all elbowed their friend who had cut me off and gave smiles. 

“mhm whatever anyways I have to put this all away.” I made my way past them all feeling them all stare at me as I made my way towards my office. I opened the door and closed it behind me as I began the routine that was left to me and finished in less than 10 minutes. I swiped my card finally clocking out.  I walked out of the office and found the others standing there Chen being an exception as he probably went off to meet with his wife. 

When I had left the office I saw that they had all left. 

what an interesting night that had been. 

[jayniks]

hi, a exo mafia reaction where he takes her on the run from some enemies and confesses he's mafia. sorry for my english and thank u <3

Due to some problems, I changed the plot of some of them, sorry TT

(none of these gifs are mine)

»»————-　★　————-««

🦋﹒⟢﹒Xiumin

You two were on a date at a restaurant you loved until some people walked in, he saw them and grabbed your hand and they started running. Finally reached an alley and you couldn't help but ask him what the hell was going on, so he looked into your eyes and simply confessed everything to you. Then he grabbed your hand and started running.

⏆﹒﹒🐰-⊧﹒Suho

It was a really elegant dinner on a luxurious beach, they were toasting but you saw suho really nervous. "is something wrong honey?" "No my dear, but I think it's better that we go, I'll explain it to you later" he said this as he dragged you to another place.

⍟﹒⁂﹒🐶﹐Baekhyun

You two were in the car when suddenly it began to accelerate. "baek baby? what's up?" "Um, I think we have to get there earlier, I'll tell you everything at home"

﹒✢🦖﹒﹒Chen

You were taking a walk in the park when you saw some guys approach you. They started shooting so you had to hid. Some men came out to defend them and shot the other guys. "DAE, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" "I need you to calm down and listen to me carefully, I won't repeat it twice"

♩（✿ᴗᴗ）﹒Chanyeol

You were having a nice date at the zoo when someone grabbed you from behind and put you in a car. Chanyeol didn't have time to tell you since his enemies did. Now he had another matter to attend to.

🐧﹚﹒，D.O_！

You were asleep when you heard some noises coming from below. It was kyungsoo yelling at someone on the phone about something, everything was normal until he yelled; "LISTEN TO ME, IF YOU DON'T DO WHAT I ASKED YOU, I WILL GO FOR YOUR FAMILY AND KILL THEM" "k-kyung?.."

•🐻• ᗣ ꒷ : Kai

Kai was asleep when you saw a notification on his phone that talked about how they had already captured the family of a guy named Jeremy as he requested. " oh bae, you shouldn't have read that"

！♡﹒🐣﹐Sehun﹒％

You two were at home watching netflix and chill when some trucks parked in front of the house, sehun quickly took you and went into the basement very well hidden. "hun, can you explain to me what the fuck is going on?" "I'll tell you everything, please don't get upset, okay?"

[rancidtae]

ARCADIA'S LULLABY / the reboot

Genre: Mafia AU. Vigilante AU. Sci-fi (AI).

Warnings: Graphic violence, Strong language, Mature content.

Pairing: exo & Original Female Character (Jung Jiah/Kang Rina)

meet the characters

A/N: aaaaaand we're back! it's been a while. motivated by this exo comeback and a rewatch of the show that originally inspired this, I've decided to bring this blog back to life. This is a rewrite of a story i posted here a few years back. new scenes, flashbacks, plot improvements and easter eggs for part two are being added. (yes that is still in the works because this was always meant to be Part One of a series, including a bts centered prequel )

So, here it is:

If there’s one thing tenacious investigative journalist Jung Jiah knows about this city, is that trust is scarce and truth is a commodity. Forced to face a haunting past and reunited with the men she once considered family, instinct tells her to run and hide.

But when she finds that her childhood friends might be hiding the key to the one story she could never solve, she’s thrust into a web of complex relationships and blurred lines between guilt, trust, and betrayal. The quest for the truth takes center stage, and it reveals a world where neon lights cast long shadows, and nothing is as it seems.

CHAPTER 1: NIGHTCALL (OUT NOW)

CHAPTER 2: AFTERHOURS (OUT NOW)

[jetaimais]

SOME NIGHTS YOU DANCE WITH TEARS IN YOUR EYES

CHAPTER THREE

pairing: baekhyun x reader, (in future chapters) ot9!exo x reader

genre: mafia, fluff, (in future chapters) smut

warnings overall: gang shit, cursing, violence, mature scenes, drugs, blood

warnings in this chapter: drugs, slight daddy kink, oral (f!receiving).

word count: 3k+

It’s three o’clock in the morning, and you’ve been in the club for two hours. Nothing is interesting enough to catch your attention and you start getting bored. You consider leaving when you suddenly catch sight of a tall lean man in the middle of the dance floor.

He is surrounded by women and men seemingly younger than him, all not immune to his charm. He’s dressed in a dark uniform that matches the dim lighting perfectly. He’s wearing what looks like normal dress pants and as a top he wears a black shirt that opened up, showing off his amazing abs. All of the black brings out the blue of his eyes that seem to light up at every movement of the lasers in the room— lasers that flicker and reflect on his perfectly smooth skin.

You continue to stare at him as you play with the drink in your left hand until you make eye contact with him. Your eyes never stop moving even when he turns around and starts walking to reach the other side of the club, he positions himself up against the wall and seems to be waiting for you to come over.

You grin to yourself because of the confused-looking women who were dancing around him who just happen to notice that he’s gone.

You graciously jump out of your seat and before taking a step, you leave your drink on the counter and plunge your hand in your black Chanel bag (that Baekhyun obviously bought for you).

You pull out a blunt and light it up. You bring the tip to your lips and inhale slowly. You let the smoke infiltrate your lungs before turning slightly your chin to meet the eyes of the beautiful stranger who’s still looking at you. As you exhale, his right eyebrow raises up at the sight and he smirks.

When Baekhyun asked you if you ever smoked you simply told him that you’ve never touched a cigarette, it wasn’t really a lie. You considered telling him about your nasty habitude of rolling up joints but the content he expressed when you told him that you “didn’t smoke” made you stop in your tracks. He obviously had a thing for innocent girls, so you decided to fully play the role just to please him.

But tonight, you were unapologetically you. You raise your head and take long strides towards him. Your black latex skirt rides up and you instinctively reach to tug at the hem but stop midway letting it crawl up to the middle of your tanned thighs.

You finally arrive in front of him, and the first thing you notice about him is not the huge scar on his face but how extremely tall he is. Even with your high heels you still feel dwarfed as he looms over you.

You don’t say anything as you take a big mouthful of smoke and purse your lips in a pout. You bring your hands to his jawline and he takes the hint, lowering himself to allow you to bring him into a kiss. You raise your tongue to push the smoke out in his mouth letting him inhale it. He separates himself from you just for a little bit and exhales on your face, making you scrunch your nose cutely. He stares at you blankly, but you recognize a certain pinch of softness in his orbs just like you do with Baekhyun. You tilt your head and look at him questionably as he continues to stare at you, studying your features. You entwine your arms around his neck, faintly listening to the booming bass playing in the back. He takes advantage of your new position to press his lips against yours. Deepening the kiss, he opens his mouth to yours. You follow suit, allowing him to take control. His tongue tentatively seeking entrance and he is rapidly met with your tongue fighting against his. In and out he plays with your mouth, leaving you breathless and weak. You grasp hold of his neck so you would not fall, giving him the opportunity to slip his arms around you. A contented sigh escapes your lips as he places butterfly kisses all over your neck up to your jaw. You moan slowly and bring the blunt to your lips once again.

He backs away, lips puffy, and looks at you as you give him a lovely smile, the smoke around you, making you look ethereal. He grunts softly and you feel your pussy clench at the sound.

He brings a hand to your head and curls a strand of your hair around the tip of his index finger, then slowly releases it, watching you as he uncurls his finger very, very slowly and lets it fall.

“So now, do you want me to fuck you here or do you want me to bring you somewhere calmer” He questions you. His voice is so deep and delicious that one word shakes you down to your toes. You force yourself to look away, take a few deep breaths, and lust returns as you look back at him.

“I have this beautiful place, but it is quite expensive” You flutter your eyelashes at him. At the mention of the last adjective, he shrugs. It’s an elegant, altogether disarming gesture. Without a moment of hesitation, he adds, “Tell me the address. I’ll drive us there.” He was truly magnificent, with those big eyes and sharp cheekbones.

He grabs your free hand, and you end up in a seemingly brand-new purple McLaren 720S. You put your seatbelt on as he starts the car. He asks you to put the address in the GPS. As you struggle to type the last numbers because of your acrylics, he takes the joint from you and takes a puff. He connects his phone to the Bluetooth station of his car and SZA’s new album starts playing from the console. Surprising taste of music, but nonetheless, very fucking attractive. Finally done, he slams his foot on the accelerator. You ride in companionable silence that reminds you of Baekhyun.

You take the opportunity to examine him once again. You look at his side profile. He’s handsome in an almost supernatural way. He has a nice build for his six-foot frame, not too bulky, yet not too skinny. His body is not the only good thing about him as you take notes about his face. Sharp lines of a strong jawline, with an equally strong nose set above pursed lips. His long lashes were enhanced by the kohl he put before going out. Another thing that reminds you of Baekhyun, you can’t wait to start living with him. You can’t see the scar from where you are and this only makes you want him to drive faster, not being able to wait to look at him properly.

After using a simple black card to pay for the 3 000 000₩ (about 2.8k dollars) room, you finally find yourself on the highest floor, not that you expected less from him. You always had a good intuition when it came to find rich men.

Not even letting you undress, he roughly pushes you onto the bed. You feel his warmth as he presses his fingers to your breast, touching you through your silk shirt. Your nipple hardens. He kisses your neck, but he doesn’t go further, leaving you wet and agitated. He stands back up and starts unbuttoning his shirt. You take advantage of the moment to take off your crop top and your skirt, leaving you in red-laced matching underwear. You lift your hand, only to be met with a slender waist. His body was beautiful, his skin as white as polished alabaster was littered with light pink scars. He slowly grabs your face with his left hand, thumb going in your mouth. You catch it with your teeth and lick it the tip. Slow, taunting, the way you’d lick his cock if he’d ask you nicely enough. He takes out his hand with a pop and lays you down on the mattress.

“I quite like the red panties” He hums appreciatively “They make your skin colour pop.” You gasp as he caresses the inside of your thighs, and you try to close them instinctively. “Shhh,” he murmurs. “I’m just going to touch these lacy underpants with the tips of my fingers. Like this.”

The light, teasing circles against the dampening silk of your panties are sweet little flames. Heavy, aching desperation begins to grow out of pleasure. The bed is soft. You curl your toes against the silkiest sheets you’ve ever felt and turn your face into the pillow. He presses himself on your body to kiss you and you feel his hard dick beneath the thin layers of fabric. His erection feels enormous. Unforgiving. Every soft, sleepy fantasy you had in the car comes roaring back, prickling over your skin and waking nerves gone numb from neglect.

He arches down, grinding his hips against yours, and a tiny shudder wracks you. “You’re getting wet.” You gasp as his next rock puts pressure on your clit.

He leans in and slowly draws his tongue over the ridge of your collarbone, from your shoulder to the center of your chest.

Oh, God

Your nipples tighten to aching points and getting that bra off yourself suddenly seems like the most important thing in the world. You bring your hands behind your back to unclip it, but the stranger stops you with a muttered warning. “Don’t move.”

You freeze.

His growl melts into an approving hum, and he uses his free hand to get rid of it. He throws it on the floor, and you struggle to breathe as his gaze rakes over you, hot and intense.

It was nothing like Baekhyun. You always had the habitude to compare your one-night stands with him. The stranger was the opposite; rough where Baekhyun has been civilized, raw in all the ways Baekhyun has been polished. But for a moment those differences don’t matter, because Baekhyun has stared at you with the same intensity, too. Intensity laced with hunger and lust.

Your thoughts about Baekhyun are interrupted when you feel his breath caress your skin. “Soft.” He licks you again, tracing his tongue down the curve of one breast. “Sweet.” He sucks your nipple into his mouth with a grown.

You gasp and sink your finger into his short hair, clutching at the back of his head as your tips back. Sharp and bright points of pleasure flare every time he laps his tongue.

You open your mouth — to ask, plead, something — and his hand shifts, his finger slipping through your wet folds. He finds your clit with a firm, circling touch that never seems to cease, only recede, and come rushing back as each rough fingertip slides over you in turn.

“Oh—” It’s all you can say, the same noise over and over again. You’re gasping, panting on his fingers without grace or thought.

He wounds a hand in your hair and tugs your head back. “Your name.” He bares your throat, his fingers twisting tight enough in your hair to trip the line between pleasure and pain. You lift your chin higher with a shaky moan, offering him the vulnerable line of your throat in silent trust. You whisper your name softly as he closes his teeth on your skin with a groan. His fingers push deeper, curling into you as he presses the heel of his palm against your clit.

Your body seizes. The bite is deliciously painful, the kind of pain that burns into pleasure, but his fingers— You knew it would sting, his fingers are so long and there are three of them, and you are so far past deception. You can’t bite back the hiss of pain or hide your flinch as you struggle to relax, to adjust—

It’s his turn to freeze.

You take a careful breath and squeeze your eyes shut. “I’m sorry. I just— I need a second—”

“Shh” He doesn’t stop, only eases back until the blunt tip of one finger remains inside her. “Like this.”

The discomfort has already faded. One finger is enough to stretch gently as you rock onto it pushing him deeper on the soft spot inside you, and you shudder as that need builds, slower this time.

Another finger joins that one as the stranger licks the bitten spot on your neck and he makes another low noise “That’s it, baby. Take it. So good for me.” Approving words, and God, you haven’t realized how bad your praise kink is until you almost come on the spot. Discomfort doesn’t matter. You clutch at his hair and pant, willing your body to relax, to accept him, to welcome the way he strokes deep and fills you. “I’ll take more for you daddy,” you whisper shakily.

“Oh fuck.” He rests his forehead on yours, obviously affected by the name you just called him. You meet his eyes, beautiful brown irises swimming in a pink sea. The drugs obviously overtaking as the white of his eyes as been replaced with a beautiful light pink. And even though the world feels hazy, he’s sharp. All perfect lines, strong jawbone, and full lips. His brows lower over intense, commanding eyes, and your heart pounds.

“You’re pretty.” You blurt out and he only chuckles at that before kissing you. His fingers curl inside you and he rotates his hand against your clit in slow circles of pressure, each one harder than the last, each one sparking along your nerves until you’re on fire.

Your body clenches. All of it, but nothing as fast and hard as your pussy, and even the throbbing pleasure can’t wipe away the awareness of how exposed you are. He can feel every shuddering pulse as you squeeze tight around his fingers, the proof that you want more. Your limbs are liquid. You nuzzle your head in his neck, huddling close to his warm skin. You suck a hickey on his skin as he frees himself from his pants.

With low eyelids, you glance at how his Celine boxers hugs his powerful thighs, without missing the huge pink scar that seems to go from his knee to under his briefs. Not only that, but you let your eyes wander over his bulge, noticing how his rod curves to the left, so long that your mouth starts to water. Already licking your lips from anticipation, you miss how the handsome man in front of you lowers himself onto you to drop a kiss to your shoulder.

As he kisses his way down to your pussy, he caresses your thighs, slowly prying them open. You're so caught up in how good he makes you feel that it takes you a moment to realize that he subtly spread your legs.

He finally stops in front of your heat and before you can open your mouth to beg him to do something, you feel his tongue connecting with your clit. Tongue flat against it, you let out a string of curses. You arch your back against the mattress as continues flicking his wet tongue against your bud.

He holds you down firmly, as the rhythm of his tongue on your pussy is exploratory and eager. He hums, the vibrations sending tremors through your whole body, leaving you shaking on the bed. Pushing two fingers in you, slowly stretching you out, he continues lapping at your juices, savoring the taste before he picks up the pace. He nestles in, forcing your legs wider apart with his strong shoulders. The combination of the two different sources of pleasure making you dizzy, his husky whisper so close yet so far. He moans and adds "You taste better than anything that I've ever tasted."

The gasps you make as you finally cum nearly make him cum in his pants. He nips softly at your clit, letting you go down from your high softly as you can't stop yourself from shaking.

As you finally relax from all the shaking, you let your eyes close. The handsome stranger smiles sarcastically and grabs your chin gently.

"Did I already tire you out? I guess I'll have to take care of myself alone this time."

You immediately open your eyes and grab his arm, bringing him into the bed with you. "This is all you've got?", you reply with a coy smirk.

At that, he skillfully grabs you by the waist and lifts you up to pin you down under him. You don't miss how his biceps bulge, only making you want to bite them. You and your oral fixation...

He threads his fingers into your hair before pulling quite harshly to lift your head up. When he's sure that your eyes are onto him, he crashes his lips with yours and kisses you. The small taste of you leaving him wanting more as his kiss becomes more demanding. His need drives and he presses his tongue against your lips, begging for entrance. You comply, opening your lips and allowing his wet tongue to slip into your mouth. He caresses your tongue with his and you moan into the kiss, tasting yourself. The night goes on with him finally entering you and making you scream all night long.

The next morning, you wake up with the rays of the sun faintly grazing your face. You sit up in the bed finally taking notice of how the view is breathtaking. The city seeming alive as it is working hour. You shift your gaze to the man sleeping soundly next to you. You chuckle at the sight of the big man seeming so cute despite his features being set in a resting frown. You dare not disturb him, too lazy to speak at a such early hour, so you smoothly stand up and make your way out of bed. You dress up quietly before catching sight of your panties in a corner of the room. You giggle as you grab it and place it in the pocket of the man's pants that were laying on the ground a bit far from where the bed is placed. A little surprise for him, you think to yourself.

As you're done preparing yourself, you leave the room and the beautiful stranger on the bed, phone in hands as you text Baekhyun a simple “Good morning ^^”

[sparklingchim]

Darly would you ever write for exo

i do write for them!! but i don't intend to post it anywhere </3

[euphoriacafe]

It’s like a cuteness overload when it comes to Kyungsoo

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: LOEY

[jongbross]

• masterlist

☆ (personal fave) | ♤ (fluff) | ♡ (mature) | ♧ (angst)

exo ot9 🪐

▪︎ exo hard hours ♡ (link to everything that has been tagged as ehh) ▪︎ exo headcanons ☆ (link to every exo headcanon i may have shared on this blog) ▪︎ exo reacting to you fangirling over 4th gen group ♤ ▪︎ exo love language ♤ ▪︎ exo + couple matching items ♤ ▪︎ exo making you cry ♧ ▪︎ exo kinktober 2023 ♡ ▪︎ mafia!exo reuniting with you ♤♧ ▪︎ exo reacting to a negative pregnancy test ♧ ▪︎ exo reacting to reader being turned on in public ♡ ▪︎ exo reacting to shy reader meeting their parents ♤ ▪︎ exo reacting to reader being close to their mom/sisters ♤ ▪︎ how exo members would like to receive love ♤ ▪︎ what exo would like to hear from their partners ♤ ▪︎ exo as boyfriends ♤

kim minseok 🐱

▪︎ do not touch ♤♡ (dancer!kim minseok x reader) - 100 celebration

kim junmyeon 🐰

▪︎ notifications ☆♤ (kim junmyeon x reader) ▪︎ mirage of flower ♧ (kim junmyeon x reader) - 100 celebration ▪︎ lotto ♡ (mafia!kim junmyeon x f!reader) ▪︎ our leader is now a dad ♤ (kim junmyeon headcanons) ▪︎ new beginnings ♤♧ (kim junmyeon x reader)

zhang yixing 🐏

▪︎ break my heart ♧ (zhang yixing x reader) - 100 celebration ▪︎ oh, you're so funny... ♤ (zhang yixing x reader)

byun baekhyun 🍓

▪︎ sweet lies ♧ (byun baekhyun x reader) ▪︎ all i got ♤ (bodyguard!byun baekhyun x pregnant!reader) ▪︎ red flag ♤ (byun baekhyun x f!reader) ▪︎ beautiful, beautiful dream ♧♤ (byun baekhyun x reader) ▪︎ say you love me ♡♧ (byun baekhyun x reader) - 100 celebration ▪︎ my first kiss was a little like this... ♤ (byun baekhyun x reader) ▪︎ get you alone ☆♡ (sub!byun baekhyun x reader) ▪︎ so i devout myself ♧ (byun baekhyun x reader) ▪︎ the ballad ☆♤ (byun baekhyun x reader) ▪︎ you make me glow ♤♧ (byun baekhyun x reader) ▪︎ [21:03pm] ♧ (byun baekhyun x reader)

kim jongdae 🦖

▪︎ breaking up with chen ♧ (kim jongdae x reader) ▪︎ i don't even mind ☆♤ (kim jongdae x reader) - 100 celebration

park chanyeol 🍒

▪︎ reckless behaviour ☆♡ (park chanyeol x reader) ▪︎ mad? ☆♡ (park chanyeol x f!reader) ▪︎ chanyeol + breeding kink ♡ (park chanyeol x reader) ▪︎ lilith ♤♧ (demon!park chanyeol x reader) - 100 celebration ▪︎ hey, she's mine! ☆♤ (park chanyeol x reader) ▪︎ good enough ♧♤ (park chanyeol x reader) ▪︎ a damn good feeling ♡ (sub!park chanyeol x reader) ▪︎ the ruler ♤ (park chanyeol x reader) ▪︎ just one more minute ♤ (park chanyeol x reader)

do kyungsoo 🐧

▪︎ fine. ♤ (do kyungsoo x reader) ▪︎ first anniversary ♤ (do kyungsoo x reader) ▪︎ the ring ☆♧ (do kyungsoo x reader) - 100 celebration ▪︎ family dinner ♤ (kim jongin x f!reader x do kyungsoo) ▪︎ bickering, fighting, loving ♤ (do kyungsoo x reader) ▪︎ the store is closed ♤ (do kyungsoo x reader) ▪︎ [untitled] ♡ (do kyungsoo x reader) ▪︎ birthday boy ♤ (do kyungsoo x reader)

kim jongin 🐻

▪︎ dating kim jongin would include... ☆♤ (kim jongin x reader) ▪︎ don't even think about other things ♡ (kim jongin x f!reader) ▪︎ hold me close ☆♤ (kim jongin x f!reader) ▪︎ bite me ♤ (kim jongin x vampire!reader) - 100 celebration ▪︎ family dinner ♤ (kim jongin x f!reader x do kyungsoo) ▪︎ an open letter to jongin... (my personal feelings towards kim jongin) ▪︎ i got you, boo ♤ (kim jongin x reader) ▪︎ really? ♤ (kim jongin x reader) ▪︎ picture perfect ♤ (kim jongin x f!reader) ▪︎ do you love me? ♤ (kim jongin x reader) ▪︎ baby fever ♤ (kim jongin x reader) ▪︎ that was an order ♡ (kim jongin x reader)

oh sehun 🐥

▪︎ you got me so crazy ♡♧ (oh sehun x f!reader) ▪︎ btbt ♡ (oh sehun x reader) - 100 celebration ▪︎ comeback ♤ (oh sehun x idol!reader) ▪︎ the one with the first big fight ♤ (oh sehun x reader) ▪︎ lustful eyes ♡ (oh sehun x reader) ▪︎ falling asleep on sehun's chest ☆♤ (oh sehun x reader)

[itstheoneshot]

Relief

request

Summary: Although you don’t get involved in any of the real business, you serve a purpose to your gang leader husband that nobody else could.

Word Count: 1.8k

Pairing: Chanyeol x Reader

Warnings: 18+, NSFW, Oral, Praise Kink, Mafia AU.

You feel bad for thinking it, but you like it when your husband has a bad day. Not because you want him to be miserable, not at all, but because of the way he treats you when that is the case.

He is a leader of one of the city's biggest gangs. Underground, but with power above ground, giving you a life of luxury. Cars, clothes, jewellery, and all he ever wants is for you to be happy, comfortable, and know that you are his number one, ride or die, the love of his life.

That is why you like it when a fight breaks out, or a deal falls through. You know that it will resolve, Chanyeol never lets anybody down, just like his father before him he is unstoppable and intelligent enough to fix any problem, but he always reacts the same way before a resolution is found.

He loves you. That is one thing that he feels he has complete control over, a situation that he can always predict and because he knows that he comes home to you after any shitty situation, the story repeats itself and you know exactly what to expect.

“Jagiya!” He calls out to you, and you hear the front door slam behind him, “Where are you?”

You don’t miss the trace of whining in his voice. You were expecting him, and aware of how today went down. He had been keeping you up to date, though without the finer details, as he likes to keep you separate because it’s safer that way, my love, you know it wasn’t good.

“Daddy!” You giggle, skipping down the marble staircase to greet him, watching his expression soften as you meet at the foot of the stairs, “I missed you.”

Chanyeol picks you up off the floor and you cross your ankles around his waist, kissing him all over his face before colliding your lips together. The kiss is deep and slow, passionate, a reminder to him that you are here and ready for him to relax and restore the sanity lost from today's earlier event. His hands settle on your ass to help keep you steady, and he steps back to press you up against the wall. It is hot and heavy so quickly, Chanyeol’s desire for you is insatiable, it has been this way ever since you met, only growing stronger as the years go by.

“I missed you too, baby,” He purrs, “I wanted nothing more than to come home to you all day, I’m so happy to be back.”

You never get enough of Chanyeol’s praises, loving the way that he always builds you up and makes you feel like the most important person in the world. You nuzzle your nose with his before kissing him again, moaning into his mouth as he grinds into you against the wall. You drag your nails up his back, tickling his neck and then tugging on his ears when you reach them, knowing full well that this makes him fold. Now it is his time to moan, and you are carried away from the wall and down the hallway towards the living room. Chanyeol tries to mix it up, taking you in every room in the house, and not always just the bedroom. It is fun, finding new positions and new things that you both like, keeping it fresh after all these years is so easy with him.

He stops at the sofa where he places you down, and he quickly begins to undress you. You playfully try to stop him, pushing him back with your feet, but this only makes it easier for him to pull your leggings down. You whine in want for him as he tugs his t-shirt up over his head, and he responds by moving forward to take your shirt off, too. He palms your breasts with one hand as the other unfastens your bra to take it off, and he kisses down your neck, your chest, now moving to kiss your breasts, nibbling softly on your sensitive buds, your back arches for him, begging for more.

When you are nice and marked up, he guides you to turn around, half hanging over the back of the couch, staring into the mirror on the wall behind it. Chanyeol looks insane behind you, fully taken over by desire as he catches you staring. He trails his fingers down your back to your panties before removing them too. You are now naked, and he is in only his underwear after he desperately pulls his jeans down, you can see how hard he is and you try to grind back into him, but he is not close enough. He leans down again to kiss the back of your neck, and you are transfixed as you watch his reflection, feeling the way he kisses each vertebrae as he moves down your back, past your waist, down to your ass. He moans against your skin as he kisses the plump flesh, and he guides you to spread your legs for him, which you do with no complaints, finally realising what he is going to do to you.

He finds the perfect position and wastes no time diving in, the feeling is electric as his tongue hits your clit. You push back into him, wanting more, chasing the pleasure he so effortlessly provides. He moans into you, the vibrations travel through your body and have you gasping for air. You aren’t sure whether you or Chanyeol are enjoying this more, but from the look on your face in the mirror in front of you, it is pretty clear that you are loving it. Chanyeol’s tongue presses easily between your folds, lapping up your juices, he is obsessed with the way that you taste. You feel goosebumps cover your skin as you ascend to your high, your legs begin to shake but Chanyeol holds them still, not letting you close them on his head like you are involuntarily threatening to do.

“Daddy,” You whimper, biting your lip to try and centre yourself, “Gonna cum, can I cum, pretty please?”

Chanyeol pulls away for only a second to utter his reply, “Cum for Daddy, baby girl.” before he moves back down, suckling on your clit to help you get there, thrusting into you with two fingers because Daddy always has to feel you sucking him in and then it happens.

Your orgasm is intense, your cries are loud but strangled, caught in your throat from the overwhelming pleasure. You can barely hear Chanyeol’s own moans over the sound of yours, he doesn't slow down until you try to clamber away from him, overstimulated but wanting more, wanting him to fill you up instead, knowing that he needs to get his fix too.

He retraces his steps, kissing up your back to your neck, his lips slicked with your arousal, he looks so hot when he leans back to take off his underwear. His cock is hard, red and leaky, but that won’t be for too long, as you push your ass out, wiggling it to tease him, and he resumes position behind you, guiding the tip to your oversensitive cunt. You cry out as he thrusts into you, not giving you any reprieve he fills you straight away. He stares at you in the mirror, his eyelids heavy, siren eyes while yours are more that of a doe, innocent and empty, lost and needing guidance, and that is what he is there for.

He thrusts into you fast, sweat beading on his brow bone, fingers tangled in your hair to keep you conscious, keep you watching the way that he fucks you in your reflection. This is hotter than you would have thought, watching him take you, feeling the way that his cock hits that sensitive bundle of nerves inside you, knowing the best positions to get you reeling.

“So perfect, baby,” He murmurs, “Look at you, so sexy, taking all of me.”

You admire the picture of you two, knowing that he is right. You two are the perfect match in appearance and personality, soulmates probably, definitely each other’s, other half. With a particularly hard thrust you cry out, tears pricking your eyes as the sensitivity begins to overwhelm you, and though you could tap out here, you are not sure whether Chanyeol is anywhere near done.

“Anything for you, Daddy,” You moan, using all your strength to push back into him, matching his rhythm because you can see how much this turns him on, “You feel so good inside me.”

It is unspoken, the fact that he takes you like this as a reprieve to recover from an awful day. You are sure that he knows that you know, but you never point it out, instead being warm and wet and ready to take him, pretending that it is only out of love, and not also because he needs to feel in control and in charge. You are willing and wanting, feeding into your praise kink, loving the way that he worships you and has to prove that he can do well, always getting you to orgasm as many times as he can.

You can barely hold yourself up now, slumped over the back of the sofa, as Chanyeol continues to fuck you, one hand in your hair, holding your head up so that you can watch, the other hand at your core, touching your clit in time with his thrusts into you. As one orgasm ends, another starts, you can barely breathe anymore and it feels so fucking incredible.

“Daddy’s gonna cum,” He growls, and you feel it, his movements faltering, “Fuck.”

He pulls out just in time, grabbing his cock and stroking only two more times before he releases in hot spurts all up your back, the feeling familiar, but strange every time. His breathing is heavy, and you admire the way his face contorts, overcome with pleasure and in pure bliss. He falls forward to kiss you, as both of you try to catch your breath, unmoving and not wanting to be anywhere else. You feel so lucky, to live the life that you do with the person that you do, enamoured and obsessed in exactly the same way that he is.

Chanyeol repositions you, he sits himself on the sofa and pulls you onto his lap with your knees either side of his hips. You feel his cum dripping down your back and it makes you shiver, but you are soon distracted as he guides your arms over his shoulders and pulls you in to kiss him again. He is insatiable, and you think that his day must have been worse than he had told you, but you are loving the attention too, it has been a few days since you have had this much from him, so you’ll take it.

“I love you,” He murmurs when he breaks for air, “You know that, right?”

“Of course I do,” You giggle, kissing the tip of his nose, “I love you too.”

[byuntrash101]

exo masterlist

disclaimer: everything is smut, mdni. everything is idol x fem!reader

✲ byun baekhyun

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M U L T I P L E M E M B E R S

ＺＯＤＩＡＣ ＳＰＥＣＩＡＬ － ３５０ ＦＯＬＬＯＷＥＲＳ

Collection of requested drabbles revolving around zodiac dynamics to celebrate the 350 follower milestone (i luv u guys) ↳ SMUT; FLUFF | ZodiacSign!Exo x ZodiacSign!Reader | Domestic!AU, slice of life, drabble collection

[ff-rtp]

Ballet in blood

Part1 , Part2 , Part3, Part4, Part5, Part6,

Disclaimer : hello guys ! I finally got brave and find the courage to post . Please be patient with me and also excuse any texting mistakes! 💕 hope you will like it !

Summary: N/a, a brilliant and determined ballet dancer, has spent her life focused on her dream of performing on the grandest stages, earning a prestigious scholarship to the Korean National Ballet Academy. But her world collides with Chanyeol, a ruthless and powerful figure in Seoul’s underworld. Cold, calculated, and violent, Chanyeol is a man feared by many, yet inexplicably drawn to N/a’s purity and grace. Despite knowing she doesn’t belong in his dangerous world, Chanyeol becomes obsessed with protecting her, even as enemies close in, threatening to tear them apart.

Genre : angst ,fluff , some smut? Mafia!AU

Pairing : Chanyeol x fem!reader

Warnings⚠️: mentions of violence ,shouting,guns ,drugs alcool and some spicy scenes .

Count :2.2k

Chapter 1

The night was alive with the pulse of neon lights, the darkened streets of Seoul hiding the sins of the powerful and the weak alike. Hidden behind tinted windows, in a sleek black car, Chanyeol watched the city with eyes that missed nothing. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his gaze cold and unfeeling as he surveyed the streets that belonged to him. His business dealings had made him wealthy beyond imagination, but his heart—if it existed—was encased in ice.

Tonight, a new shipment had arrived, one that required his personal touch. He ran the city’s underworld with precision, and any threat to his empire was swiftly and brutally eliminated. His phone buzzed.

"It's done, boss. The new line is moving fast," Sehun’s voice came through, calm but carrying the weight of the underground dealings.

"Good," Chanyeol replied, his tone as chilling as the night air. "Make sure no one screws it up."

Meanwhile, on the other side of Seoul, n/a was living in a completely different world. She was focused, her body moving with elegance and grace as she rehearsed in the empty ballet studio. Her dedication to her craft had always been her way of escaping the chaos around her. Tonight was no different. The strains of classical music echoed in the dimly lit room as she practiced, her mind far from the dangers of the city. She had no idea that her world was about to collide with Chanyeol’s.

Outside, Sunny waited, her foot tapping impatiently as she checked her phone for the time. "Hurry up, we’re going to be late for the party!" she called from the door, a grin spreading across her face. She had always been the spontaneous one, dragging n/a into the wildest situations, parties with shady figures and unknown guests.

"I'm coming," n/a replied, wiping the sweat from her brow, finishing her final pirouette. She was the complete opposite of her best friend—calm, poised, and always in control. But tonight, she would step outside her world of ballet into a life she knew nothing about.

The party, hosted in a luxurious penthouse, was filled with the elite of Seoul. The air was thick with tension and danger, but that didn’t scare Sunny. It was her playground. As they entered, Sunny greeted people with ease, but n/a kept to herself, feeling out of place in the glamorous crowd.

Chanyeol was already there, standing at the top of a private staircase overlooking the main floor. He didn’t attend events like these for fun—he came for business, connections, and control. His cold eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on a figure that didn’t belong.

Her.

The penthouse was a display of opulence—floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of Seoul’s glittering skyline, while chandeliers cast a soft glow over the room. The crowd moved like a slow tide, expensive perfumes mixing with the scent of alcohol. Conversations hummed, laughter echoed, but behind it all was an unspoken tension. These weren’t just the wealthy and the elite,these were people with influence, people who moved in the shadows.

Chanyeol leaned against the railing, one hand resting on the glass of whiskey he hadn’t yet touched, the other casually tucked into the pocket of his tailored suit. His broad shoulders and tall frame made him impossible to miss, and though he wasn’t looking for attention, it naturally followed him. Whispers followed in his wake some in awe, others in fear but he never paid them any mind. He had worked hard to maintain his reputation: ruthless, untouchable, and cold.

From his vantage point, he watched as guests mingled below, his sharp eyes noticing everything, the way alliances formed and broke with a simple conversation, the way secrets were traded like currency. He thrived in this world. But just as he was about to turn away, something, or rather someone, caught his eye.

A girl.

She stood out not because of her beauty,though that was undeniable but because she didn’t seem to fit the mold of the people who surrounded her. She wasn’t flaunting her wealth or power. Her simple but elegant black dress clung to her graceful frame, her posture poised in a way that only someone trained in the art of movement could possess. There was something about her… something calm, controlled, like the eye of a storm in the chaos of the room.

She stood beside another girl, a lively one who was clearly more comfortable in this environment, chatting and laughing with people they both seemed to barely know. But this quiet girl… she was different.

Chanyeol’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her, a frown tugging at the corner of his lips. He had seen countless women in these circles, some drawn to his wealth, others to his power. But this one… she didn’t seem like she belonged here. She looked more like someone who should be performing on stage, not mingling with the corrupt.

N/a could feel the weight of someone’s gaze on her, and it unsettled her. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention. Her life had been a carefully crafted routine: ballet, studies, and nothing else. Tonight, Sunny had begged her to come out, promising it would be fun. But n/a wasn’t so sure anymore. She didn’t belong in a place like this, surrounded by people who spoke in low voices about things she didn’t understand.

“Hey, you okay?” Sunny’s voice cut through her thoughts, her tone light and teasing. “You look like you’re about to bolt.”

N/a forced a smile. “I’m fine. It’s just… I don’t think this is my kind of scene.”

Sunny rolled her eyes, a playful grin on her lips. “Come on, loosen up! You’ve been cooped up in the studio all week. You need this.”

Before n/a could respond, someone approached them. It was a tall man, his suit impeccably tailored, his smile just a bit too charming. “Ladies, care for a drink?”

Sunny’s eyes sparkled with interest, but n/a immediately shook her head. “No, thank you.”

The man’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than she liked, and it made her stomach twist. There was something about the way these people looked at her, like they saw something they could take advantage of. It made her uncomfortable. She shifted on her feet, wishing she had stayed home. But Sunny was already chatting with the man, completely at ease, leaving n/a feeling more isolated by the second.

From his position above, Chanyeol watched the exchange with an unreadable expression. He didn’t know her, but something about the way she reacted to the men around her intrigued him. She wasn’t easily swayed by charm or power. She was different.

“Who is that?” Chanyeol’s attention was drawn away by a voice at his side—Baekhyun, ever the curious one, with a mischievous grin on his face. His eyes followed Chanyeol’s line of sight to where n/a stood. “You’ve been staring for a while now.”

“No one,” Chanyeol replied coolly, though his eyes betrayed his interest.

Baekhyun chuckled. “Sure. No one.” He clapped Chanyeol on the back before moving off to join the party, leaving Chanyeol alone with his thoughts.

Chanyeol took a slow sip of his whiskey, letting the burn of the alcohol ground him. He wasn’t the type to get distracted by women. His focus was always on his business, on maintaining control. But there was something about this girl that he couldn’t quite shake.

Down below, n/a’s discomfort was growing. The party was becoming more suffocating by the minute. She turned to Sunny, who was still engaged in conversation with the charming man, and tugged on her arm. “Sunny, I think I’m going to head out.”

Sunny blinked at her, confused. “What? Why? We just got here!”

“I just… I don’t feel right here,” n/a said softly, her eyes scanning the room nervously.

Sunny’s expression softened, and she sighed. “Okay, okay. Let me just finish this drink, and we can leave.”

N/a nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. She moved to the edge of the room, away from the crowd, trying to find a quiet corner where she could breathe.

But even there, she wasn’t alone.

“Leaving so soon?”

The voice was deep, smooth, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She turned slowly and found herself face-to-face with the man who had been watching her all night. His presence was overwhelming—tall, imposing, with eyes so dark they seemed to pierce through her.

Chanyeol.

N/a swallowed, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t know who he was, but there was something about him that both terrified and intrigued her.

“I…” She struggled for words, feeling his intense gaze on her. “I don’t belong here.”

His lips curved into the faintest of smiles, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “No, you don’t.”

Chanyeol’s presence was overwhelming, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the space around him. N/a felt her breath catch in her throat as his cold eyes stayed locked on hers. He was impossibly close, and yet there was a distance between them that felt unbridgeable. She wasn’t sure if it was the sheer intensity of his gaze or the realization that he was someone far more dangerous than the other guests. There was a chill in the air that had nothing to do with the night outside.

“I shouldn’t be here,” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chanyeol tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “You’re not wrong.” His words were blunt, and yet there was something almost… amused in his tone, as if he were toying with the idea of her discomfort.

N/a shifted her weight, feeling the tension in her body growing with every second he stood in front of her. She should walk away—no, she should run. Something about him screamed danger, and not the kind she was prepared to handle. Yet, she found herself rooted to the spot, unable to break away from his gaze.

“What’s your name?” His question caught her off guard, the smoothness of his voice sending another shiver down her spine.

“N-n/a,” she stammered, mentally kicking herself for sounding so nervous.

His eyes flickered with mild interest. “N/a.” He repeated it slowly, as if testing how it felt on his tongue. “Pretty name.”

“Thank you,” she managed, though her voice still felt small compared to the towering figure in front of her.

Before either of them could say more, there was a sudden burst of laughter from across the room. Sunny, always the social butterfly, had attracted a group of people who were now hanging onto her every word. N/a glanced over, relieved for the distraction, but when she turned back, Chanyeol’s gaze hadn’t left her.

“You should leave,” he said, his voice dropping lower. “This isn’t a place for someone like you.”

The warning in his tone was unmistakable. He wasn’t being kind or protective, he was stating a fact, and it sent a wave of unease through her. But there was also something that stirred within her, a curiosity about why he cared at all.

N/a nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I was just waiting for my friend.”

Chanyeol’s eyes flickered briefly toward Sunny, who was now the center of attention, and he exhaled sharply through his nose, almost in exasperation. “You might be waiting a while.”

N/a glanced at Sunny, who was laughing and leaning into the conversation, clearly in no hurry to leave. She sighed. “I’ll be fine.”

Chanyeol’s expression hardened slightly, his patience with this conversation thinning. “No, you won’t.” He stepped even closer, his presence a dark cloud that seemed to wrap around her. “This isn’t your world, and you don’t know the rules here.”

There was a warning hidden beneath the surface of his words, and it made n/a’s stomach churn. She didn’t know what game he was playing, but the way he was looking at her made it clear that he wasn’t someone to defy.

“Remember what I said,” Chanyeol added before turning and walking away, leaving n/a standing alone, feeling like she had just stepped into something far bigger than she could comprehend.

As soon as his back was turned, the tension that had been coiling in her chest finally eased. She exhaled shakily, her fingers brushing over her purse where the card rested. A lifeline? She wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but it was clear that this man held power—too much of it.

“N/a! There you are!” Sunny’s voice broke through her thoughts as she bounced over, a little tipsy but glowing with excitement. “Sorry, I got carried away. Are you ready to go?”

N/a forced a smile, trying to push the unease to the back of her mind. “Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”

As they left the penthouse, n/a couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted tonight. Chanyeol’s cold gaze, his cryptic words, the card he had given her, it all felt like a warning of things to come. She told herself she would never need to use it, that their lives would never cross paths again.

But deep down, she wasn’t so sure.

Part1 , Part2 , Part3, Part4, Part5, Part6, Part7.

[iridescentxstars]

ೃ⁀➷ 𝐊𝐞𝐲: [M] — mature content/warnings | 🌹 — nsfw | ✨ — rewritten | 🌸 — recommended | ✅ — completed

𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐫-𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲. 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞.

[ ༊*·˚ ] BangChan | On-Going Series | Completed Series | Drabbles | Misc | Archived

[ ✧.* ][M] Taste Of Sin— demon!jongin x reader [due to be rewritten] 🌹✨ [ ✧.* ][M] Welcome To Wonderland— mafia!jongin x immortal!reader | detective!bangchan x stripper!jangmi | bartender!san x bartender!yura [due to be rewritten] 🌹✨ [ ✧.* ][M] Āttāck Øf Thė Clønės Vs. Sėnølc Ėht Fø Kcāttā— power!jongin x reader | clone!kāi x reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ][M] No Manners— mafia!jongin x parent!reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ][M] Fate— werewolf!jongin x half breed!reader [created by @aala-13jellychocolate] [ ✧.* ] Winner Takes All— ceo!jongin x teacher!reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ][M] Dirty Little Secrets— stripper!jongin x college!alice | college!san x college!lydia [due to rewritten] 🌹🌸✨ [ ✧.* ][M] Late Night Circus— circus!various idols x reader 🌹

[ ✧.* ][M] Two Sides Of A Coin— mafia!jongin x mafia!reader [due to be rewritten] 🌹🌸✨✅ [ ✧.* ][M] Overdose— college!chanyeol x reader x fuckboy!jongin 🌹✅ [ ✧.* ][M] Wishes Come True— hybrid!jongin x reader [collab w. @oh-beyond] 🌹✅ [ ✧.* ] Money Makes Her Smile— ceo!exo x escort!reader [due to be rewritten]🌹🌸✨✅ [ ✧.* ][M] Corrupted— teleporter!jongin x telepathic!alice 🌹🌸✅ [ ✧.* ][M] Crazy In Love— yandere!jongin x reader [collab w. @mint-yooxgi] 🌹🌸✅ [ ✧.* ][M] Pretty Little Vixen— racer!jongin x racer!reader [upcoming sequel] 🌹🌸✅

[ ✧.* ][M] Opposites Attract— various!idols x various!readers [due to be rewritten] 🌹✨ [ ✧.* ][M] Single Dads Need Love Too— various!idols x various!readers [due to be rewritten] 🌹✨ [ ✧.* ][M] Supernatural Beings— various!idols x various!ocs [due to be rewritten] 🌹✨ [ ✧.* ][M] Becoming His— incubus!jongin x reader 🌹🌸 [ ✧.* ][M] Meet The Wolf Pack— werewolf!idols x various!ocs [due to be rewritten] 🌹✨ [ ✧.* ][M] Jekyll & Hyde— various!idols x various!readers [due to be rewritten] ✨ [ ✧.* ] Baby, Don't Cry [part one] [part two.1] [part two.2] — idol!jongin x stylist!reader | idol!jongin x idol!jennie [side] [ ✧.* ][M] Ménage à Trois— dancer!jongin x reader x model!kai 🌹 [ ✧.* ][M] 2022 — Year Of The Villain— various!idols x various!readers 🌹🌸

[ ✧.* ][M] His Fame — camboy!jongin x reader 🌹🌸✅ [ ✧.* ] The Fine Art Of Babysitting - EXO Version [Baekhyun][Jongin] — idol!exo vs. jongdae's son [collab w. @thesammtimes] ✅ [ ✧.* ] Film: KAI— various!jongin x reader ✅

[ ✧.* ] Mr And Mrs Claus — idol!jongin x reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ] His Baby Bear — idol!jongin x reader [ ✧.* ][M] Dr Jongin & Mr Kai — therapist!jongin x reader [due to be rewritten] 🌹✨ [ ✧.* ][M] Love Shot — mafia!jongin x reader [due to be rewritten] 🌹✨ [ ✧.* ][M] So Good At Being Bad — gang!jongin x lawyer!reader [due to be rewritten] 🌹🌸✨ [ ✧.* ] Summer Love And Ice Cream Kisses — neighbour!jongin x neighbour!reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ] When In Paris — idol!jongin x reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ][M] Pack Laws — werewolf!jongin x reader [due to be rewritten] 🌹🌸✨ [ ✧.* ][M] The Mer King — mer!jongin x pirate!reader [due to be rewritten] 🌹🌸✨ [ ✧.* ][M] Devilishly Innocent — escort!jongin x ceo!reader [due to be rewritten] 🌹✨ [ ✧.* ] Beg For It — demon!jongin x reader 🌹🌸 [ ✧.* ][M] Cupid's Arrow — god!jongin x reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ] Til Death Do Us Part — spy!jongin x spy!reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ] Our Queen — guard!jongin x queen!reader x sorcerer!kai 🌹🌸 [ ✧.* ] Picture Perfect — model!jongin x photographer!reader [due to be rewritten]🌹🌸✨ [ ✧.* ] A Little Bit Of Naughty & Nice — demon!baekhyun x reader angel!jongin 🌹 [ ✧.* ] NSFW A-Z

[ ✧.* ] Happy Accidents — fox!jongin x witch!reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ] Glad You Came — idol!jongin x reader [ ✧.* ] Strings Attached — soulmate!jongin x soulmate!reader [@danseurehonte] [ ✧.* ] It's Always You — idol!jongin x reader [@danseurehonte] [ ✧.* ] Love Is Blind — businessman!jongin x cafe owner!reader | businessman!jongin x businesswoman!jessica [side] [ ✧.* ][M] The Cursed Prince [part one] [part two] [part three] — fae prince!jongin x reader 🌹🌸 [ ✧.* ] Saudade — soulmate!jongin x soulmate!reader [ ✧.* ][M] Bittersweet Intimacy — best friend!jongin x parent!reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ] They Call Him The Heartbreak Kid — fuckboy!jongin x parent!linda [ ✧.* ] Let The World Burn — necromancer!jongin x undead!reader [ ✧.* ][M] Red Riding Hood — werewolf!jongin x vampire!unnamed oc 🌹 [ ✧.* ] My Kings — guard!jongin x queen!reader x sorcerer!kai 🌹🌸 [ ✧.* ] Seeing Double — dancer!jongin x dancer!reader x artist!kai 🌹 [ ✧.* ][M] Dark Desires — incubus!jongin x succubus!reader 🌹🌸 [ ✧.* ] Love Thy Neighbour — werewolf!jongin x reader x werewolf!kai 🌹🌸 [ ✧.* ] It's My Turn — werewolf!kai x reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ][M] Ambivalence — idol!jongin x manager!alice 🌹🌸 [ ✧.* ] Call Me Baby — ceo!jongin x wife!reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ] Twist Of Fate — adonis!jongin x aphrodite!helena x ares!kai 🌹 [ ✧.* ] The Sorcerer's Charm — sorcerer!jongin x witch!reader 🌹 [ ✧.* ][M] Experiment Z — soldier!jongin x soldier!reader [ ✧.* ] Forbidden Sweetness — co-worker!jongin x reader 🌹

[ ༊*·˚ ] check out drabbles [ here ]

[just-some-random-blogger]

kpop masterlist

🍓 = fluff themes

❄️ = angst themes

🚧 = smut themes

🤸‍♀️ = slice of life / bish idek what theme this is

🚀 = crack fic themes

🎩 = dark and/or violent themes

🏩 = genre fic, i.e. mystery, horror, fantasy, etc

🍳 = slow burn

🦕 = personal favorite

back to main masterlist

A.C.E.

Memory | 🍓❄️🦕 Kim Byeongkwan x Reader + Park Junhee x Reader (University AU) [Blurb]

Ateez

Only One | 🍓❄️❄️❄️🍳🦕 CEO!Choi San x Reader

BigBang

It’s An Act [WBU I] | ❄️ Choi Seunghyun (TOP) x Reader

Smoke | 🍓🤸‍♀️ Choi Seunghyun (TOP) x Reader

BTS

Runaway | 🍓❄️🏩 Mafia!Kim Seokjin (Jin) x Reader (Mafia AU) Preview 1 2 3 4 x

Mah Boyfriend | 🍓🍓🤸‍♀️🦕 Jung Jungkook x Idol!Reader

BTOB

Hidden Heart | 🍓🍓🍓🤸‍♀️🚀🍳 Lee Minhyuk (HUTA) x Idol!Reader [Headcanon]

Day6

A University Dilemma | 🤸‍♀️ Kang Younghyun (Young-K) x Reader (Univeristy AU)

What A Joke | ❄️ Kang Younghyun (Young K) x Reader + Park Jaehyung x Reader (University AU) [Blurb]

So... Haha... I Like You | 🍓🦕 Park Jaehyung x Reader (Fake Dating AU)

EXO

Wheel Of Fortune | 🍓🍳🚀 Park Chanyeol x Reader [Headcanon]

Welcome To The Jungle | 🚀🚀🚀🏩 Park Chanyeol & Oh Sehun (Jungle AU)

Maybe We Still Have A Shot [WBU III] | 🍓🍓🏩 CatHybid!Oh Sehun x Reader (University AU)

Unrequited Attraction | 🚧🏩🍳🦕 Mafia!Kim Jongdae (Chen) x Retail Worker!Reader

Color Palette | 🍓 Byun Baekhyun x Reader [Blurb]

Brown Leaves | 🍓 Kim Jongin (Kai) x Reader (University AU)

GOT7

One Million In One Day | 🍓🍓❄️❄️🍳 Sugar Daddy!Jackson Wang x Reader Preview ~ Alternate Moodboard ~ Moodboard Teaser  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Car Rides | 🍓 Jackson Wang x Reader [Blurb]

Juice Box | 🍓🚀🏩🦕 Kunpimook Bhuwakul Bambam x Reader [Blurb] (Pre-Schooler AU)

Somewhere In Between | ❄️❄️Civil Engineer!Park Jinyoung x Reader + Architect!Henry Lau x Reader

Trading Secrets | 🍓🍓 Kim Yugyeom x WangSis!Reader

JYJ

Winning Losses | ❄️ Kim Jaejoong x Idol!Reader

Monsta X

Introspect | 🍓🤸‍♀️ Lee Jooheon x Reader [Blurb]

Letting Off Steam | 🤸‍♀️ Lee Hoseok (Wonho) x ArtStudent!Reader (University AU)

NCT

Seventeen

December Dates | 🍓🚀 bf!Seventeen x Reader [Headcanon]

The Stroke Of Midnight | 🍓❄️🏩🦕 Mafia!Kwon Soonyoung (Hoshi) x Reader

Here's My Problem: I Can't Get You Out Of My Head | ❄️❄️❄️🎩🎩🎩🏩🍳🦕 Detective!Jeon Wonwoo x Actress!Reader

10 Ways To Get Over Gyu | 🍓❄️❄️❄️🍳🍳🦕 Kim Mingyu x Reader + others (Childhood AU)

Half Of My Heart | 🍓❄️🤸‍♀️🍳 Kim Mingyu x Reader + Jeon Wonwoo x Reader (CEO AU)

On A Thread | ❄️❄️ CEO!Joshua Hong (Hong Jisoo) x Nurse!Reader

SF9

A Final Offering | 🍓🍓❄️🏩🦕 Deity!Kim Inseong & Child!Reader + Baek Juho (Zuho) x Mom  

What Does It Mean? | 🍓❄️🤸‍♀️ Kim Inseong x Reader + Lee Jaeyoon x Reader (University AU) 

16th Floor | 🍓🤸‍♀️ Kim Seokwoo (Rowoon) x Reader (Office AU)

SHINee

Understand This |❄️ Choi Minho x Reader I Don’t Understand [Understand This II] | ❄️ Choi Minho x Reader

It’s All A Big Joke [WBU II] | ❄️ Lee Taemin x Reader

Th-that’s Not | ❄️❄️🚧🦕 Lee Taemin x Reader Regrets [Th-that’s Not II] | ❄️ Lee Taemin x Reader

Angel Bride | ❄️🚧🏩🦕 Pirate!Lee Taemin x Reader

Noona, You're So Pretty | 🍓 Lee Taemin x Noona!Reader

Stray Kids

Professional Boundaries | 🍓❄️🚧🦕 CEO!Bang Chan x Pre-School Teacher!Reader + CEO!Hwang Hyunjin x Pre-School Teacher!Reader 1 2 3 4 

Bootylicious | 🍓🚀 Bang Chan x Idol!Reader

Super Junior

The Soup | 🍓🍓🚀🚀 SuJu x SuJu Maknae!Reader [Headcanon]

Secrets Of A Maknae | 🍓🚀🚀 Kim Heechul x SuJuMaknae!Reader

The Boyz

Gentle With Me | 🍓🍓🤸‍♀️ Lee Sangyeon x Reader

TVXQ!

Pitter-Patter | 🍓 Jung Yunho (U-Know) x Reader (Pre-School Teacher AU)

The Art Of Deception | ❄️🎩🏩 Shim Changmin x Reader (Secret Agent/Spy AU)

TXT

Forget About It | 🍓❄️🤸‍♀️🍳🦕 Choi Soobin x Reader (University AU)  

WINNER

I’m Not Playing | 🍓❄️❄️ Gangster!Song Minho (Mino) x Reader 1 2 3 

[suuho]

rules: link your favorite and/or most popular post from each month this year ♡ (it’s totally fine to skip months!) and tag some CCs you love!

tagged by my beloved @bethereforme; thank you so much, my angel and @baekslight, thank you, i am so honored!!

january:

✨ most popular: kyungsoo's birthday set 💙 my favorites: yoseob's birthday set, my fiction gfx, exo winter palace, after sunset era

february:

✨ most popular: san; the real 💙 my favorites: jang hanseo gifset, chansung's birthday set, junmyeon (to all the boys i've loved before), ateez shooting star gfx

march:

✨ most popular: chancheol gose mafia 💙 my favorites: besties in wonderland junmy, highlight invisible string, jung sungil in the glory, shinee 1 and 1 photoshoot, kyungsoo in hyung

april:

✨ most popular: vernon eye drop saga 💙 my favorites: exo 11th anniversary set, exo' clock bts, gikwang predator mv

may:

✨ most popular: shinee 15th anniversary set 💙 my favorites: fearless seventeen set, junmyeon tempo first win, highlight sorry live performance, myeonzart, wedding singer junmyeon

june:

✨ most popular: minho covering jonghyun's view lines 💙 my favorites: chansoo besties, seho don't go exo' clock, sesoo let me in mv, exo the war gfx, kibum hard mv

july:

✨ most popular: chanyeol cream soda mv bts 💙 my favorites: chansoo besties pt. 2, junmyeon fixing kyungsoo's hair, exist gfx, cream soda relay dance, junmyeon in the present

august:

✨ most popular: playful chensoo 💙 my favorites: junmyeon in behind your touch, chentube, radio romance ep. 11

september:

✨ most popular: opla zosan heart eyes or whatever 💙 my favorites: iconic zoro, sanji tongue piercing gifset, kyungsoo's expectation teaser, kyungsoo 10 min live, opla!iphone gifset

october:

✨ most popular: the worst of evil final scene 💙 my favorites: hanbin waterfall gfx, chansoo good enough mv, the worst of evil junmo/gicheol, the worst of evil smoking parallel, the worst of evil ep 6

november:

✨ most popular: jordan fisher as orpheus 💙 my favorites: 2pm junho fancam, exo obsession anniversary, hospital playlist season 2, sehun for sense china

december:

✨ most popular: jonghyun 🤍 💙 my favorites: junmyeon for vogue, exo's don't mess up my tempo, taylor swift's love story eras tour, kyungsoo cream soda performance, doojoon in radio romance

tagging: @tipannies @ye-xiu @dazzlingkai @herewegobebe @mostlyfate @zyx @tzurim @jftk @dokyunqsoo @jeonwonwoo @byunbaekhyunie ♡.*･｡ﾟ

[rancidtae]

ARCADIA’S LULLABY | CHAPTER 3

Genre: Mafia AU. Vigilante AU. Sci-fi (AI). Warnings: Graphic violence, Strong language Pairing: exo & Original Female Character (Jung Jiah/Kang Rina) - Kim Minseok/Original Female Character - Zhang Yixing/Original Female Character Word count: 7k+ chapter summary: the rain pours relentlessly, but a different storm is just starting. Jiah meets Jongin at a birthday party, it's all harmless fun and magnetic sparks until it isn't, and he calls her the wrong name.

masterlist meet the characters

You wanna disappear in a crowd Just a stranger in a room Wanna change your colors just for the night With no word of it following you home

081222 - 5:43 pm

Things are quiet.

The story is still at the center of the news and online discussions. People have dissected every detail of Lee Chungjae's life to the point that he took down all his posts. In every sense of the word, he's the country's most hated man.

And candidate Lee's reassuring smile when reporters bring up the subject has started to crack.

But nothing else happens.

She's on edge. Let the storm hit already, for fuck's sake. 

Yixing finds her restlessness hilarious and texts her a screenshot of the weather app this morning. 90% chance of rain for the next three days.

It looks like Kuraokami answered your prayers.

In the midst of it all, he's been refusing to blend to the background of her mind, exploiting the fact that she's weak when it comes to a good meal. Most days he shows up to her door with takeout, and just yesterday he came with ingredients and made her eat her words about carbonara being the most overrated approach to noodle based recipes.

He’d laugh at her if he could see her now, standing outside the chronicle's building, struggling to get her buzzing phone from the inside of her bag.

A part of her hopes it's the blocked number from before.

But there's a name on the screen, and it puts a frown on her face.

“What do you want.” 

A chuckle spills through the line. “Resentment is a terrible thing, you know? It does the heart no good.”

“How would you know? You don't have one."

“I heard you paid someone a visit last night. I wanted to hear it from you.”

She scoffs up at the sky through her see-through umbrella.

"You want me to say I’m... what? Shaking in my boots? So you can rub one out to the sound of it?”

“Language, sunshine. Let’s keep things civil.”

“I tried to be civil, didn’t I? I even gave you a heads-up for old times’ sake, but then you decided to make things personal. So now I’m thinking that next time, I'll just let it blow in your face, make it surprise.” 

“Ah, there we go again with that. Why do you insist on calling it personal?”

“Why don’t you suck my dick, Namjoon?”

She hates that she can hear his poisonous smile, over so confident and collected.

“You walked into that room yourself. How is it fair to blame me for the consequences of your actions?”

He enjoyed it, he’s enjoying it even now, she knows. He denied any involvement in her encounter with a certain pair of recently debuted syndicate members, but hist hands were all over that stunt.

A blow like that, the same night she showed up to let him know she had info on his candidate’s son, and he expects her to believe destiny is just funny like that.

No fucking way.

Things may or may not have escalated to shattered wine glass and a deep burgundy stain on Jin's favorite artwork hanging on the wall.

“Can you get to the point? Some of us can’t afford to spend the day scheming, I have things to do.” she says, impatience seeping into her tone.

It's starting to rain, so her hair will start looking crazy in about three minutes.

“I was hoping you were bluffing.”

She laughs in a way that makes an older woman give her a nasty look.

“My hopes weren’t for us.”

Ah.

There it is. As grim as it is, it’s like a weight taken off her chest.

Her surroundings come back into focus. The narrow street. The stream of people walking past her, trying to get out of the rain as soon as possible. A girl brushing her shoulder, recording herself speaking in a foreign language. A taxi driver fighting with a delivery guy. A German shepherd with a yellow raincoat and little rubber boots, its nose against the side of a phone booth. 

“I see.” 

“Just now?” he has the gall to sigh, disappointed. “I thought you knew when you went to Yoongi looking for a 22. I guess you're not that good at seeing things beforehand anymore, not even when you start them.”

If she had to describe it, she’d say it’s a lot like a game of hide and seek with the kids from her street. Terrifying and exciting at the same time.

“Come to the hotel,” he suddenly says, much to her surprise “Stay here until things settle down.”

And if she had to sum Kim Namjoon up, this would be it. No one but him could give an invitation and a threat at the same time with such ease. Come, or else.

“No. I think I'll stay outside, see what comes out of it.”

Another deep sigh.

“I see. Have it your way, then. You have your fun, make sure to enjoy it.”

She hits the red button and finds that the cute dog with the rubber boots nowhere to be seen, as if it vanished off the street with its human. 

At least 13 different people stop her before reaching Kim Kibum's office. Even though her name wasn't credited, her co-workers know what it means when she disappears for weeks, and the kind of stories she chases. The vultures in her department rolling their eyes at the sight of her kind of give it away.

“I thought I told you to work from home until further notice,” he says as she locks the door behind her.

“What? I deliver the story of probably the year, and you don’t want to see my face anymore?”

"Don’t. I’ve had a long day” he huffs, pulling the blinds down. His office looks less cluttered than she remembers. Has it been that long since she clocked in? “You know there’s a reason why I asked you to lay low for a while.”

She drops her body on one of the chairs in front of his desk and grabs a heavy, fancy pen.

“Did you see? Lee Chungjae is living his best life in France pretending to care about free education. He’s out there taking pics with Rihanna.”

Her boss leans over, snatches the pen from her hands, and points it at her like a sword.

“And? What do you expect? That they lock him up as soon as the story comes out? We do our thing, the rest is up to the world. We’re a newspaper, not the league of justice.”

Earlier today she told Haneul something similar, just to calm him down. Now she knows how he felt.

“It’s been a week already.”

“No, it’s barely been a week” he corrects her, moving a storage box under his desk and stretching his waist like he just can’t wait for retirement. “You know how this is, Jiah.”

Yeah, she knows. Shitty. Working your ass off, dealing with red tape and censorship, putting everything on a plate only for the world to move on, people not give a shit, and those who are supposed to do something turn a blind eye and fill their pockets.

“Why is your stuff inside a box?" Even the fake Basquiat is missing, so she knows it's serious. "Are you quitting?”

“I’m moving to a new office,” he says, pausing before adding "Jongsuk quit today.”

The news hits her like an ice bucket.

“He turned in his resignation letter earlier."

"Fuck." she breathes. "Oh. Fuck."

"Talk about freedom of the press, huh?” he laughs bitterly, tapping his temple, shaking his head, his eyes turning red.

In terms of bad news, this is the kind that makes you very aware of the last meal you had.

The Chronicle’s had the same chief editor for nearly twelve years. It’s one of the country’s most respected newspapers, and Jung Jongsuk was a big part of the reason why. The idea of someone with enough power moving the right strings to get the man, the myth, the fucking legend fired just as means of revenge sets a chill down her spine.

It’s a petty but very clear act of revenge. A shame, considering he was damn good at his job and how much he cared about his staff.

She sucks on her teeth “What’s he gonna do?”

“No idea. He showed up earlier today and left as soon as he gave a speech. They want me to step in immediately. Can you believe it?”

She's out of words. Half wanting to congratulate him despite the sad circumstances of his promotion, half wondering what that means for her. He suddenly squints.

“You look terrible. Finals?”

“Done, I’m a free woman”

She's can't stop thinking about Chief Editor Jongsuk, how he was always like the cool stepdad that didn’t have to be too nice or too mean to get your respect, how he gave her a chance when she was just a freshman.

“Shouldn’t you be getting some sleep or, I don’t know... drinking your face off with your friends?”

Her hand slips inside her backpack. “Well, if you'd answered my calls, I would be doing one of those.”

She puts a small, puny handgun on the desk, and slides it in his direction.

“Are you—” he locks the door before lowering his voice to a hiss “Have you lost your mind? How did you get through security?”

“You said we need to be careful and this is what being careful looks like, take it.” she says, sliding it closer to him. It barely brushes the side of his keyboard.

“Are you crazy? Do not— ” he opens a drawer and pushes it inside like it burns to the touch, slamming it shut and leaning his body away, pressing one hand to his forehead. “Jiah, this is illegal”

“I’m the best investigative journalist you have, flirting with the illegal here and there is one of the many reasons why.” 

“This isn’t flirting with the illegal, for god's sake, this is raw dogging it, Jiah. This is an office. We’re a–”

“Im Haneul is about to get into witness protection, that’s why I’m giving you something to protect yourself with. Thank you, Jiah. You’re welcome, boss.”

He bites his lip, looking at the drawer with resentment before setting his eyes on her, dead serious.

“Is there something you’re not telling me? Did something happen?”

“It’s always better to be prepared. You know what they say about peace and quiet.”

“I don’t,” he deadpans “Is that some kind of gang lingo?”

She frowns. “Just what has Minho been telling you? I should pay him a little visit—”

“You’re not going anywhere near my staff.”

“Your staff? I’m your staff. He’s a sports reporter, you can walk into a bar anywhere in Itaewon and find a dozen replacements.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose, not denying it. “Did. Something. Happen.”

“I heard something. From a good source.”

“A good source.”

“Yeah, sometimes those are what we call confidential. So—” he fixes her with a look that makes her fear that his eyeballs will pop out of their sockets. “Fine, it was Kim Namjoon.”

He blinks at her. Throws his hands in the air and plops down on his seat.

“That's hilarious. If this doesn’t work for you, you can always pursue comedy. Now get the hell out of my office, I have to move my stuff to the other side of the floor.”

She stands up stretching her arms, giving him a once over and opening her mouth. He lifts a hand.

“I don't want to hear it. Go take a bath, get drunk, do drugs, get laid. You’re an undergrad student, not Chelsea Manning. Live a little.”

“Actually, I prefer Lisbeth Salander."

"Get out."

081222 - 06:55 pm

Something about the bleach fumes welcoming the moment she enters Lady’s Room is just– homely, and Wendy's threatening glare makes up for the stern mother figure she didn’t have growing up. 

“Don’t even think about it, boots off.”

She toes off her muddy boots, struggling not to spill anything on the heavy takeout bags, making her way to the back.

“How come he gets to keep them on?”

Taemin looks insane with a black cape covering his body and his hair all foiled up, Seulgi's hovering over him with the cutest concentrated frown. He wiggles is feet at her.

“Clean shoes privilege. Plus, I'm way cuter than you.”

She snaps a picture of him for future use while he's distracted explaining how he read somewhere that hair takes bleach better when you're stress-free, and that the end of his last semester is just the perfect moment.

“And of course you believed that, because it makes total sense”

“No, it’s true,” Seulgi says. “It’s also better when you’re in a good mood. That’s why I don’t like to take people fresh out of a bad breakup, the chemicals get all messed up.”

“Oh, he doesn’t need to worry about that,” she says off-handedly.

Taemin doesn’t like her tone. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Wendy answers before she can, flipping through receipts on the reception area. “It means that you need a relationship to go through a breakup. That’s usually how it works”

“I'll have you know that I have secondhand PTSD from you guys. I’m like one ride home with an angry couple away from giving up on monogamy.” 

“So, blue?”

“Silver.” He shows her a picture of a male idol with gray hair, wet styled. He's worried that if he goes too light it'll wash out his complexion.

She inspects his face in the floor to ceiling mirror “Nonsense, you’d look good in anything, buttercup.”

He smiles, always a slut for some validation. "You're coming to Sana’s party, right?”

She groans, plopping down on the chair next to him.

“Jiah, come on, it’s the last party of the semester. The last party before I graduate.”

She’s not swayed by his abuse of the last something before I graduate card. “I’m out of social battery, I'll kill the vibe.”

“We’ll pregame at my place and you’ll be good to go.”

“I can’t be bothered to go home and get changed.”

“Oh! You left the strappy shirt, you know? the one you didn’t know you were wearing backwards, and that leather skirt at my place, I threw them in the washing machine just for an occasion like this.”

“I’m seriously not feeling the vibe today.”

“Who cares, you attract people when you’re sulking.” he shrugs “Plus that’s the skirt you were wearing when you pulled that Romanian guy. We get free bottles every time you have your leg meat out.”

Seulgi slaps the side of his neck with her glove-covered hand. “Don’t pimp her out.”

“And this is why I suggested a ladies-only policy.”

“Interesting that you assume you fall in that category, but go on.” Taemin says, Jiah gasps in fabricated indignation. “And isn’t that reverse sexism?”

“It’s not like men are rushing to get in.”

Irene emerges from the office, walking past them with her all work and no fucking around face on, all her focus taken by her tablet.

“Oh, actually, we had a guy customer a few days ago and he was very happy with our services,” Seulgi says. Taemin and Jiah let out synchronized snorts.

Irene looks at them, going through the pile of papers Wendy handed her. “Grow up, you two."

Seulgi catches on, making a noise of disgust.

“So what did he want? A massage?”

Irene flips a page, scanning its contents. The warning is sharper this time. “Taemin.”

“He wanted a full-on transformation, so we went with silver,” Seulgi says, ignoring the quip, poking at his bleach covered hair with the pointy edge of her brush “It looked pretty good on him. It suited his personality.”

Taemin coos "Is that a crush I smell?"

Seulgi shrugs. "I'm just saying he fit the look, he was easy to talk to. Funny too. Asked a lot of questions about the salon, said a childhood friend of his co-owns one.”

"Huh, sounds boring to me." Taemin shrugs, not impressed. Seulgi and Jiah share a knowing look. He's platonically possessive to a fault, and being the only guy in their group only makes it worse.

Jiah smirks, spinning on the chair. "Sounds like your replacement to me."

He sticks his tongue at her “I was going to introduce you to someone tonight, traitor.”

Irene and Wendy sigh in relief, finally finding whatever it was they were looking for, high five-ing.

“I’m heartbroken.” She yawns. “I wasn’t planning on going anyway”

“You should go.“ Irene says, coming to stand behind her chair, playing with her hair. "You sure need it."

“What is it with people treating me like I’m some boring bitch lately?”

“Have you considered that you’ve been a boring bitch lately? We barely see you, you were supposed to help us look for a new place” Wendy complains, plopping on the other chair next to Taemin’s, spinning. "And you missed the anniversary party"

Nothing for her to do but take the shots. Seulgi steps in for her, an angel.

"Cut her some slack, she brought food. You know that’s sorry in her language."

"Alright, yeah.” Wendy agrees way too easily "And for the record, there's nothing wrong with being boring, Yeri can always use a boring figure in her life"

“I’m not going to a party to be on Yeri Sitting Duty.”

Taemin squints at her, walking to the washing station under Seulgi's orders, cape swooshing dramatically behind him. “But you’re coming, right?”

To be fair, she does feel bad about ghosting them for weeks.

“I swear to god, you better not ditch me for one of your Instagram famous friends."

He doesn't get a chance to reply, his calls for help fill the salon and Seulgi giggles like a sweet summer child discovering the joys of waterboarding. Irene's pleased to the point of pulling her phone out to record the scene, chortling.

081222 - 11:25 pm

One would assume that the only child of the owner of a massive Japanese architecture firm, who also happens to own several clubs in the city, can afford to throw a party with decent alcohol.

Her annoyance should be directed at Taemin for talking her into coming and proceeding to do exactly what she asked him not to.

He’s nowhere to be seen, and Party Yeri is at her peak, hands thrown in the air, dancing between a bunch of freshman girls with their phones out, the red light beams bouncing off her glittery top. 

“Not a dancer, or just not in the mood?” a voice interrupts.

She felt his presence before he approached her table. Some people are just hard to ignore, and with his simple silky shirt with a few buttons undone, pushed-back hair, and a flirty strand hanging on his forehead, he has a crowd of curious women and men alike following him with hungry eyes everywhere he goes.

“The second one.”

He smiles just like someone who's used to seeing others react to his looks.

Her first impression of him was jealousy for having better lips than her. She was too busy listening to Mina talk about her internship in Spain to pay too much attention to Taemin introducing the guy. Sitting at levels of handsomeness that don't require a personality, the man bored her without uttering a word.

But he's not hard to look at.

“So, how come we haven’t met before?”

“I don’t know, you tell me. Taemin says your presence is an exclusive experience." she sips her drink, he thinks it's funny. "Jiah, right?”

“And you’re Jongin, one of the dancing friends.” 

A guy approaches Yeri’s group, disgustingly scanning each girl like he’s trying to figure out who has the lowest standards. 

“Not a big fan of us?”

She considers her answer, watching the girls shrug him off before he can get too comfortable.

“I've learned to coexist with you people. It comes with the Taemin package.”

His little laugh is surprisingly childish for his masculine looks. The way he keeps looking at her face like he can't spare any bit of attention to their surroundings makes her feel like a bug under a microscope lens.

“Here's my theory, I think he might’ve been keeping you to himself for a bit there. But I’ve heard so many things about you that I kind of feel like I know you already."

Jiah doesn't know what to say to that, but holds his warm gaze and indulges in the view for a bit. Caramel skin, glowy under the strobe lights, painted red like a forbidden object of desire, or a character of a Japanese movie, waiting for his lover at a love hotel.

Handsome indeed. Nice jaw, soft nose, slightly arched eyebrows. 

“Good things, I hope.”

“Interesting things.” He says with a crooked grin. She cocks an eyebrow, but he beats her to it. “So, journalism. What’s that like?”

She gives him the generic answer she keeps for occasions like this; lots of reading, being on the phone, doing more with less. No one is ever satisfied. Neither the readers nor the editors nor yourself.

Ok. So maybe she assumed a lot of things. He's surprisingly great company, really easy to talk to. He owns a dance studio and teaches from time to time. Some of his students have made it to entertainment companies, and he tries not to seem cocky, but it's clear he's extremely proud of them. He’s very nonchalant about covering various styles, though he’s more interested in R&B these days. 

“Your day-to-day sounds like a lot of sitting behind a desk,” he comments. Being someone that works with his body, the idea must haunt him.

“Oh, god, no– I always feel like I’ll throw myself from the window if I spend too much time at the office. I’m on the investigation team, so I’m almost always out on the streets, harassing bureaucrats and stuff.” 

“That sounds... fun.”

“Riveting,” she promises. “It’s not bad, really. You go through the boring stuff and then when you get a good story, you remember why you do it, and… it’s a good feeling.”

“You know, usually when someone mentions journalism I think of people with thinning hair and marriage issues.” 

“Are you calling me old?”

“No. I was trying to say that you just took down a stereotype for me.” he pauses, pouting and looking up like he’s considering something “But you do give off an old soul vibe, sitting on your own, sulking like you’re here against your own will, ready to decimate anyone who dares come near you.”

She blinks at him, he’s holding back a smile, she can tell. Waiting for her reaction.

“Wow, so you’re just gonna call me a hag like that?”

He looks mildly surprised, worried, and amused all at the same time. “That’s not–”

“And if I look that scary, how come you’re here at my table?”

“Because you’re very attractive. It balances out the scary.”

She hums into her glass.

“And I’m very charming, I knew you’d be harmless.”

“Right.” He’s not entirely wrong. She’s always suspicious of extremely charming people, and the alarms are going off in her head.

“This is me hitting on you, off the record.” he continues, undeterred. She snorts. "And I say that because, as I’m sure you know, Taemin is possessive.”

She lifts and shakes a finger like an aunt at church when the pastor hits a mark. “Like a kid who doesn’t share his toys.”

Which reminds her, where’s that silver-haired menace?

“We’ll just have to ease him into it.”

“Uh-huh. This is flattering and all, I guess, but I’m married so–”

“Oh, that’s fine. I don’t get jealous” he shrugs, very serious about it. Which is unexpected, no one has ever reacted to the I'm married line like that. “I’m not gonna try to compete with your career.”

She's speechless, but in a good way, laughing at the audacity and shaking her head.

But then, just for a moment, he disappears.

There’s a quick, almost untraceable absence, even his smile falters.

Then he snaps back.

“Hey, you wanna get out for a bit? Get some fresh air? Looks like your friend’s gonna be busy for a while.”

Yeri was off her radar for a bit there, and now she’s got her arm threaded with the birthday girl herself. They’re moving away from the crowd, talking into each other's ears like they haven’t debriefed in months, probably headed to the bathroom.

Now that he mentions it, fresh air sounds nice. 

“Promise I’m all out of lines,” he adds.

It’s humid out on the street, but less stuffy and noisy. She pulls out a brand new pack of cigarettes and they get fire from a girl hanging around with her friends next to a motorcycle. Her kohl-stained eyes scan Jongin greedily while he leans over, hands cupping the flame.

She suddenly turns to look at her, right when Jongin leans back and thanks her, and winks.

If Jongin notices, he’s unbothered, much more concerned with moving around her to stand on the side of the street, wordlessly making them switch spots. The gentleman move is soon eclipsed by a sudden coughing fit.

It's so bad she feels kind of horrible about finding it amusing. He really just fucked up his smooth streak after one drag.

She offers to grab him a drink, but he shakes his head, grabbing her arm before she walks away. He swallows hard one, two, or three times, wiping the corners of his eyes.

"You good?"

"No." he rasps. “These are the kind that my grandfather used to smoke.”

“You could’ve said no.” she counters, patting his back. They’re strong, she didn’t warn him because she showed him the package.

“I was a victim of peer pressure.” he jokes after clearing his throat. “I was doing well, wasn’t I?”

“It’s ok. Choking on smoke like a high schooler makes you human.” she offers him as consolation. The coughing fit messed up his hair. he looks younger now, less of a threat. Maybe it’s just the fresh air, the relief of getting out of the crowd, and the nicotine easing her up. 

He asks if she smokes often, sounding like he doesn’t want to intrude, but a part of him will judge her if she says yes. Truthfully, she hasn’t in months, but it always hits a spot after a while, and people assume she’s too into it. 

“Work's stressing you out?”

“That’s what work is supposed to do, isn’t it?” 

He winces.

“Not to a level where you have to smoke like a war general.”

She grins at him sideways, the man who introduced her to this particular brand would have a few things to say about that sentence.

“I can deal with the stress, I only smoke when I get frustrated.”

“And does that happen often?”

“I don’t know? I guess. My boss says I’m too much of a control freak. He's a jerk, but sometimes it feels like he knows me better than I know myself.”

“Not great at teamwork, then?” he probes.

“No, I mean-- I’m not, but it’s not that.” she pauses. He’s waiting for her to elaborate. “I just wish I could do more sometimes, and not just document things from the sidelines. Does that make sense?”

“It absolutely does.” he assures. “I think I know what you mean.”

“I tried it, recently” she goes on, and she doesn’t know why she’s opening up to this guy. She’s not trying to turn him into her therapist, and she’s not even sure she wants to take him home at all. There’s too much going on in her mind at the moment, she wouldn’t be fully present anyway. It'd be a waste.

“And how did that go?”

“It was alright at the beginning. I've been helping someone– a friend who was gonna do something he'd regret. Actually, I'm not sure we're actually friends, but he's a great guy in a shitty situation.” she rambles, taking one last drag. “But then things went south in the worst way possible. It didn't even have anything to do with him, just personal baggage and terrible timing. I guess I had it coming.” 

He nods, deep in thought, letting a comfortable silence fall between them, just watching people walk past, going in and out of the club. She presses the butt against the sole of her boots, and tosses it in the trash.

“If it’s any help, I’m sure your friend is grateful. You did well helping him.” he says, and she remembers Yixing saying something similar. “And whatever happened, I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think.”

She shrugs. “It is what it is, right? Onwards and upwards.” 

He grins, pointing a finger at her. "That’s totally something my father would say.”

“So you ran out of lines and now you’re back to calling me old?”

“I only said that because I didn’t want to come off too strong, but if you insist.” He’s back on charming again, hands in the air like she’s just giving him no choice. The switch between kind to charming gives her whiplash.

A waste, really. A month ago she might’ve taken him home, let him make her coffee in the morning.

“I’m not insisting, I just asked you a question.”

He waves her off. “Bet you 5000 won I can kiss you without using my lips.”

It’s stupid. But he looks like the epitome of determination. Kohl girl behind him keeps looking at them over her shoulder, and without the meaningless rumble of the crowd to distract her, his voice turns out to be quite lovely.

So she tilts her chin at him, giving him the green light.

He takes two purposeful steps. She calls his bluff, refusing to back up against the wall. He gets close enough that he has to bend his head down to keep eye contact, and in a surprisingly smooth move, he places a short, harmless peck right on her lips. 

Then he backs up with a single step and pulls out a bill from his pocket.

“A great investment if you ask me.” he says.

She laughs despite herself. Not in the coy, flirted up way, but a full, honest, belly laugh.

The silver-haired menace himself emerges from the shadows with a cowboy hat on his head, thumbs hooked on his jeans. He’s glaring, a scowl on his lipstick-stained lips, focusing on the way Jiah bends over, hand on her tummy and all.

“What are you doing with my best friend? I’m asking both of you, by the way.” he demands.

“Where did you get that?” she asks him, fully recovered, flicking the hat.

Taemin grabs the bill from Jongin’s hand before he can put it away. Jongin raises his eyebrows at him, anticipating complaints for his actions, daring him even.

“Not that I don’t respect the hustle, but I think you’re underselling yourself, sweetie." he says, turning to Jongin like a parental figure setting limits. "A peck from our Jiah is easily worth 10000 won. Pay up.”

“Deal,” Jongin shrugs, reaching for his back pocket again, pulling out several bills, winking at her. "How many can I get for--"

“Alright, we get it, she gets it,” Taemin interrupts, putting an arm around his shoulders, and rubbing his chest distractedly. “I thought you were on Yeri Sitting Duty tonight.”

Jiah licks her thumb and wipes the lipstick marks on his jaw, much to Jongin's endless amusement

“She’s a big girl. You got some on your teeth, you harlot."

"Finally. I keep telling you girls, you baby her too much" he complains, licking his front teeth. "Someday you'll have to set her free, let her make some mistakes of her own. They build character, you know?"

"How wise of you." Jongin says. "Was that the logic behind this new look?"

"Some mistakes don't." Taemin continues, looking at her with crazy eyes, pointing at Jongin. "Some mistakes make your best friend uncomfortable and are off limits."

Jiah and Jongin look at each other. "You introduced us."

"Yes, and? I never said get chummy and explore each other's bodies, did I?"

“Nice tattoo, by the way.” She tells Jongin. She caught a glimpse when he got closer and thought it looked familiar. Then Taemin unknowingly moved the fabric on his chest out of the way and she got confirmation. “It’s the helm of awe, isn't it?”

Jongin mouth falls open, genuine shock taking over his features. Not many people know about runes or recognize them. Taemin tilts his head to the side, eyeing her curiously, suspiciously.

“How do you know that? I thought it was a snowflake.”

“I knew a girl who had one on the back of her neck. Hers was red though. Looked great when she put her hair up.”

Taemin releases Jongin from his clutches with an unconvinced hmph, taking off his hat and putting it on her head. Jongin quietly fixes his shirt.

"Oh. Oh. I think I saw Minho inside. You wanna piss him off?"

Well, that’s great. That’s just great. Super cool.

Jongin takes a look at her face and blurts out the question. "Who's that?"

"Her ex. She broke his heart, he started rumors that she's with the Yakuza." Jongin blinks in surprise, and Taemin looks like he wants to elaborate further. She stops him.

“What’s that grown man doing here?”

“You know he likes to hang around the youngsters and make people guess his age. So, you in?”

“Leave me out of it.” 

"Hear me out. I was thinking you and Jongin could walk around, right? Let him see you together, put on a little show. You know how his ears get red and his eyes bulge out when he's angry?” he's trying to contain his laugh, looking maniac. “I’ll buy you dinner, both of you. I’m serious.”

That’s her cue for a bathroom break. She puts the cowboy hat on Jongin’s head, not deterred by the way his eyes follow her on her way inside.

A sigh escapes her lips as the cold water runs over her hands. She smiles at a group of girls walking out of the door, their giggles reminding her of the task at hand—finding Yeri and making sure she's not too drunk to make semi-rational decisions.

Maybe she’ll try to talk her into ditching this place. Yixing's uncle's spot is not too far from here.

The possibility of running into her ex kind of makes her want to bolt. Not out of lingering feelings, she just doesn’t have the energy for that interaction. He has a way with sucking the like out of her.

There's only so much she can take of things beyond her control.

The bathroom door clicks. Something shifts in the air. The unsettling feeling of realizing she's not alone. She glances up at the mirror and catches a glimpse of him in the reflection.

Reacting on instinct, her hand snatches the decorative vase from the sink and hurls it at him. The man covers his face, not before grabbing her forearm and slamming her against the sink.

She puts her palms up to avoid hitting the mirror face first. It happens at once, suddenly he's grabbing her bag, and the next second the chain strap is pulling around her neck.

Her body bends back. His knee's pressed against her lower back. Either she’ll pass out or he’ll snap her in half.

She's not about to go down in a public bathroom. She pushes her shaky fingers under the chain, attempting to relieve some of the pressure.

Her vision' blurring, she's running out of oxygen and ideas. Tears well up. The muffled music starts fading.

There's a distant slam, a loud thump.

And thank fuck, release.

She catches her weight on the sink, gasps for air, almost crashes against the mirror again. She turns on wobbly legs and faces two bodies intertwined and struggling on the floor.

Her attacker’s dressed in all black, mask included, buzzcut, well built. The second man has his thighs wrapped around his head, snarling as he keeps him overpowered. A blue-grey silk shirt clings to his broad shoulders, thin black lines mark the skin on his chest.

The helm of awe.

He knocks the guy out with his thighs which... ok, impressive. With heaving breaths, his eyes land on her.

She runs. He grabs her arm before she can get through the door, and bends over when her knee finds his crotch.

Slamming the door behind her, she slaps her hands against the wall for support, still a bit dizzy, heart racing.

"Wait! Rina– please wait–"

Everything shuts down—her legs, the party, the whole city stops. She drops the plans of putting as much distance as possible between them, turns around and stomps in his direction.

Four letters, one word, a slap to the face.

“What did you just call me?” she demands, her face inches away from his. She doesn't recognize her own voice. He's pawing at his neck, pulling a chain for her to see, like that's gonna do something. "Who the fuck are you?"

"I know them. I know Yixing. You’re in danger, I’m here to help you." he sounds pained, trying to calm her down. She has no sympathy for him.

Hanging from the chain, a silver band morphs into two bony hands that hold a mint-colored ball. A ring, worn as a necklace. She recognizes it at once. She won that ring at some fair in Busan. Someone at school started a rumor that she joined the occult. Kyungsoo's mother thought she was a bad influence.

“We have to get you out of here. He has back up, they'll come soon."

Jiah exhales, relaxes her limbs. He mirrors the gesture, letting out a breath of relief.

Then she runs like her life depends on it. And it just might. She bumps into people, pushes them aside, desperately looking for an emergency exit she vaguely remembers from past situations that shouldn't be crossing her mind right now.

They come in handy, successfully leading her to the deserted alley.

But god, whatever version of it is out there, is just not letting her get away so easily. 

The years have granted him an extra couple of inches, not that he ever needed them. Maybe it's just the thick soles of his boots that scrape against the loose gravel. He stops, mirroring her shock for a fleeting second.

She grabs the closest thing available; a rusty, long, and thin metal thing that's heavy enough to give her some confidence. He’s staring at her, no traces left of the awe she saw before.

He's pointing a gun at her face.

"Drop it" he barks "Hands up, turn around and try not to be so damn difficult. In that order."

Frustrated, she snarls at herself, her jaw tightening until it hurts before throwing the stick to the ground. She turns around, facing the mold-infested wall. The last thing she sees is a torn-off poster of an underground rap collective.

His forearm presses to the back of her neck with no mercy. He searches for a weapon she's not carrying.

"That's for being so fucking stupid. Do you realize what you got yourself into?" he snaps, not giving her a chance to answer before he pulls her back by the back of her shirt and pushes her against the wall again.

"Ow– What the fuck, dude?" the rough, disgusting surface of the wall scratches the side of her face. She kicks her feet against the ground. "I wasn’t even– what the fuck was that for?"

"That's for making my mom worry about you, idiot."   

He finally lets her go, and she moves away from him, curses spilling from her mouth.

The exit door opens revealing Jongin—the impostor.

"What are you doing? We need to--"

They guards go up abruptly before her eyes. He raises his gun at her once again, this time with clear intent.

It'd be ugly, she imagines, being shot this up close. Her brains will end up on the floor, his clothes, maybe even his face. The Park Chanyeol she knew was an asshole most of the time, but he didn't have it in him to step on an ant or kill a spider even if his mother ordered him to, let alone shoot someone.

The inevitable fact is that they are strangers. She doesn't know who the time has turned him into, just like she’s no longer someone that he knows.

"Go ahead, big guy," she lifts her chin, rolls her shoulders. He’s looking at her like she's made of cellophane.

Someone takes the ground from under her. The ground is inevitable. Someone grabs her. Her shoulder feels wet, and her hands look for the source. When she looks down it, it’s stained red.

Did he just–

It can’t be. It doesn't hurt. It should hurt.

It all happens too quickly. There's a hissing sound. The impostor grips her tightly and says something.

Was her heartbeat always this loud? And did she really just get shot?

"Eyes open," The impostor orders. There's no escape with the world narrowed down to two walls. They’re closing in.

He keeps talking, telling her that it’s alright. Her heartbeat is drumming inside her head. It’s now supposed to do that, she shouldn’t feel this cold in August. A chill settles in her bones like she’s been running barefoot through deep snow in the woods, wearing nothing but a flimsy hospital gown.

Okay. Maybe she did get shot. And now they’re taking her away. But she can’t go down like this. Irene... the girls will wonder where she is, Yeri’s gonna burn the place down looking for her, Taemin’s too sensitive to deal with something like this, and Chanyeol–

He shot her.

And they keep calling her the wrong name.

"Rina, you have to...” 

thump 

“...be there...” 

thump 

“...right? C’mon...”

thump.

"Rina."

And then they kill the lights.