#maybe people will warm up to it like they did with fearless

[jksarchives]

TOO LATE

Even after all the promises he made, Jungkook was too late.

➪ PAIRING; jungkook x reader

➪ GENRE; angst, light fluff

➪ TAGS/WARNINGS; mafia au, ANGST, blood, violence, attempted sa (not in detail), use of weapons, major character death, swearing, light fluff, mingyu cameo

➪ WORDCOUNT; 12.3k

𐚁₊⊹

You sat at the dinner table alone. Again. The food that was once warm was now completely cold and untouched on your plate. The atmosphere around you felt heavy. The familiar silence continued to outstretch and the only sound that accompanied you was the soft ticking of the clock on the wall.

The bodyguards stationed in the corners of the dining hall remained expressionless as they stood like statues. You were beginning to get sick of their presence and how it constantly reminded you of the world your fiancé belonged to. A world that you had stepped into because of love, but now, you weren’t sure if love was enough to keep you there.

It was the fifth time this week that you ate dinner alone. It was becoming a routine you didn’t sign up for. On normal days, Jungkook would sit across from you and tease you about the way you always saved your favorite bite for last, or playfully steal food off your plate.

Meal times were your little escape. It was a time when Jeon Jungkook wasn’t the feared leader of a ruthless mafia gang, but just your Jungkook — the man who would hold your hand under the table and kiss you between bites when he’d get the chance.

But lately, he’d been distant. His seat was empty more often than you were used to, and his presence was fading like a dream slipping through your fingers.

Jungkook wasn’t just any ordinary man. He was a king in the underworld. He was a leader that commanded respect and instilled fear in those who considered themselves fearless. He built his empire on discipline and strategy, knowing how to put people in their place without mercy.

He never harmed the innocent though, but when it came to threats, he was quick and remorseless. Drugs, weapons, and underground dealings — he was entangled in all of it. He moved each piece like a master chess player. He lost count of the number of enemies he made along the way, men who wanted nothing more than to see him fall from his grace. But Jungkook was always one step ahead of them. He always prepared with his mind sharper than any blade.

To the world, he was cold, ruthless, and terrifying. His eyes alone were enough to make someone’s legs tremble, or in most cases, wet their pants. He was like a shadow that lingered over the city, and his name was usually whispered in fear.

But to you, he was different.

When it came to you, Jungkook’s walls would fall apart. The hardness in his gaze would melt the moment he would see you. His dark eyes would soften in a way they never did for anyone else. You were his only safe space. Only you could ground him to his senses and to gain control of himself again.

He adored you, and protected you with a devotion that sometimes felt overwhelming. The only reason he had so many bodyguards surrounding you was because of the countless threats he faced daily. Losing you was the one nightmare he couldn’t afford.

You were his world, his universe.

And yet, despite his love for you, you saw the side of him that people knew him for. The side of him that made others fear him. You saw what he was capable of and how easily he could take a life when it was necessary.

Jungkook tried not to scare you off or worry you by coming home covered in blood. But the days where he would, the scent of iron that clung to his clothes was sickening in many ways. He never let his victims go easily, and that was the scariest part of loving him. No matter how gentle he was with you, you couldn’t ignore the darkness beneath his skin.

You knew people whispered about you behind closed doors, calling you insane for staying by his side. Loving a man like Jungkook was dangerous. But despite everything, you couldn’t walk away.

Maybe they were right. Maybe you were insane.

Jungkook was always busy, but he was never too busy for you. He would make time, whether it was a quick coffee break together or late-night conversations in bed when the rest of the world was asleep.

But lately, things had changed. As his nights grew longer, his time with you became shorter. You saw that stress was wearing him down, and with each day that passed, he became more distant.

But to you, it wasn’t the lack of time — it was his attitude.

He was different now, or rather, colder. Some nights, he wouldn’t even bother coming to bed, and choose to drown himself in work instead. And when he did, he was exhausted and barely spoke a word to you before drifting off into another cycle of restless sleep.

Other times, he would lash out and let his frustration spill over onto you in sharp words and tense silences. He was never physically violent — Jungkook would rather die than hurt you that way — but his emotional distance was hurting you just as deep.

At first, you brushed it off, assuming he was stressed and had too much on his plate. He would usually come back to you when things settled down. But as the days passed, you realised the hurt was sinking in.

You missed him. You missed the version of him who would hold you in his arms and promise to keep you safe, who would kiss your lips forehead and tell you how much he loved you. You missed the way he used to smile at you like you were his entire world.

Now, it felt like he was drifting away from you, and you didn’t know how to hold on.

A part of you wanted to confront him and demand to know what was going on. But another part of you — the part that saw his darkest side — hesitated. You weren’t afraid of Jungkook, but you were afraid of pushing him further away.

So you stayed silent, and swallowed the loneliness that was slowly suffocating you.

As you sat there at the empty dinner table, staring at the untouched food, you wondered how much longer you could keep pretending that everything was okay.

And more than that. You wondered if Jungkook even noticed that you were hurting.

You were tired of Jungkook’s attitude. Tired of the way he barely spared you a glance when he was home. Tired of feeling like you were the only one holding onto this relationship while he let it slip through his fingers. You tried to be understanding, tried to be patient, but the loneliness was eating you alive.

It wasn’t just about him being busy anymore. It was about how he treated you. The hurtful words, the cold silences, the way he acted like your presence was an afterthought. You weren’t asking for much, just a little bit of his time, a moment where he could look at you like he used to, where you could feel like you mattered.

But it had been weeks since you had last felt his warmth. And you couldn’t take it anymore.

You decided that tonight, when he came home, you would talk to him. No more bottling up your emotions, no more pretending you were okay when you weren’t. You needed to know where you stood in his life.

At the same time, you prayed he wouldn’t lash out.

Your appetite was long gone at this point. You got up from the chair with your untouched plate of food and walked into the kitchen. You felt drained and your heart heavy with everything you had been suppressing for too long. You didn’t even notice Jungkook entering the house.

The moment he stepped into the kitchen, his sharp eyes landed on you just as you were dumping your food into the bin.

“Seriously, Y/n?” he spoke up. “Wasting food again? Why the hell do you even cook if you’re not going to eat?” he said in irritation.

Your body tensed at his words, and slowly, anger flared inside you. You spun around and placed the plate into the sink with more force than necessary, and the loud clatter echoed in the kitchen. Your patience finally ran out.

“You tell me, Jungkook,” you snapped as your eyes burned with unshed tears.

“Why am I doing this? Why do I sit at that damn table every night, waiting for you like a fool? Why do I keep hoping you’ll come home and actually spend time with me?” your voice cracked with frustration and hurt.

“Fuck, I’m not doing this with you anymore” Jungkook let out a long sigh, and ran his tattooed hand through his already disheveled hair before turning away, as if he had no energy to argue. But that only fueled your anger even more.

“Do what?” you snapped, “have a decent and mature conversation?”

You clenched your fists. “You know what, Jungkook? I’m tired. I’m so fucking tired of your attitude. I get that you’re busy, I get that your world is dangerous, but that doesn’t give you the right to treat me like this. I’m not your enemy. I’m not someone you can just ignore until it’s convenient for you.”

Jungkook’s jaw tightened, but you pushed forward because you were unable to stop the words spilling from your lips. “All I want is for you to spare some time for me. Just a little. Because I miss you. I miss us. Why can’t you understand that?”

Jungkook exhaled sharply, as if he was barely holding onto his patience. “Like I said, Y/n, I’m not doing this with you. I don’t have time for this. I have another mission to go to” his voice was firm and cold, but the worst part was the way he wouldn’t even look at you.

“I want you to stay in the house. Don’t go out. Understand me?” it was only then when his dark eyes finally met yours. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that made your stomach twist. A warning almost.

You swallowed the lump in your throat. “Another mission? Seriously? Again?” your voice was rising now, the pain overtaking your restraint.

“What the hell is up with you lately? We’ve been together for almost seven years, and I’ve never seen you like this!”

Jungkook’s expression hardened, but you pressed on. “Please,” your voice softened, cracking towards the end.

“I just want to spend time with you. It’s been so long, Jungkook. I miss you. I miss your kisses. I miss your warmth and your stupid little jokes” your eyes shimmered with tears while your chest ached. “I don’t need grand gestures, I just need you. Can’t you give me that?”

For a split second, something sort of guilt and regret flickered in Jungkook’s eyes. You weren’t sure. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by frustration.

“Well, I can’t fucking be there for you twenty-four-seven Y/n!” he snapped. “I have important things to take care of! I run a mafia gang, do you get that? I have responsibilities that you can’t even begin to understand!”

You flinched at the venom in his words, but he wasn’t done.

“Why can’t you just understand that? Why do you have to be so needy and clingy every single day?” his voice kept rising. “Just get over it already!”

His words hit you harder than any bullet ever could.

Needy. Clingy. As if wanting to be with him was a burden. As if your love, your presence, was nothing but an inconvenience.

You stared at him as your heart shattered into a million pieces, and in that moment, you realised something. You weren’t sure if the man standing in front of you was the same Jungkook you had fallen in love with.

And worse. You weren’t sure if you could keep waiting for him to come back.

But there’s always a second side of a story.

Two weeks ago, a small group of Jungkook’s highly skilled men were shot down by a rival gang in a brutal ambush that shook the very foundation of his organisation. Since then, he had been working tirelessly to track them down. He spent sleepless nights planning counterattacks, calling in reinforcements, and trying to ensure the safety of what remained of his team.

But with that responsibility came an unbearable level of stress, and that stress had started to take a toll on him. He became more irritable and more distant. His patience wore thinner each day, and when he wasn’t out dealing with gang matters, he spent what little time he had at home in a constant state of frustration. The worst part was that you became an unintentional victim of his temper.

You tried to be understanding. You knew his world was dangerous and the pressure he was under. But that didn’t make it any easier when he lashed out at you. That didn’t make it hurt any less when he acted like you were just another problem on his never-ending list of things to deal with.

And tonight was no different.

The moment the words left his mouth, you felt the sting of them like a slap. You flinched slightly, and your body tensed as your vision blurred with more tears.

Jungkook’s anger wavered when he saw your expression shift. He didn’t mean to raise his voice like that. He didn’t mean to let his exhaustion get the better of him. But it was too late. Your heart was already breaking.

Tears finally began to cascade down your cheeks, and the sight made Jungkook curse under his breath. He hated seeing you cry. He hated being the reason for your pain, yet lately, it felt like he was doing nothing but hurting you. That realisation made his chest twist with an ache that wasn’t just guilt but something more. Something he couldn’t quite put into words.

Sighing, he took a slow step towards you. You instinctively took a small step back, but he closed the distance before you could put any real space between you. His large hands reached out, and he hesitated for a brief second before finally cupping your face gently.

His calloused fingers brushed against your soft skin as he wiped the tears from your cheeks, his touch softer than his words had been moments ago.

“Look at me,” he murmured, his voice now quieter and gentler.

You hesitated but slowly lifted your gaze to meet his. His dark eyes, though still clouded with fatigue, now held regret. “I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered, his thumbs brushing against your damp skin.

“I didn’t mean to say any of that. You know how busy and stressed I am. It’s not that I don’t want to make time for you…” his voice trailed off for a moment before he sighed again.

“I just…don’t know how to balance everything right now.”

Jungkook let out another deep sigh as his hands moved to hold you by the waist, leaning in to rest his forehead against yours. “I know it’s not a good reason to lash out at you like that. I’m really sorry for that baby. You know I love you” his dark eyes searched yours, like he silently pleaded for your forgiveness.

“I know how much you miss me and need me,” he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. “Trust me, I do too. But once everything is settled down, you can have me all you want. I swear baby” his thumb gently brushed over your cheek, wiping away the remnants of your tears.

“But for now…I have to fix things first. You just have to wait a little longer for me.” Jungkook was beyond exhausted. It was obvious he was drowning under the pressure of his responsibilities.

“You know I want to keep you safe from all these bad people,” he mumbled, his voice breaking slightly at the end. “Because I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Before you could respond, he leaned down and closed the distance between you as his lips captured yours in a soft, lingering kiss.

It was slow and desperate, like a silent plea for you to understand his world and his burdens. The warmth of his lips, despite the cold winter outside, against yours sent shivers down your spine. But as your body melted into his embrace, you felt a tear slip down your cheek, mixing with the kiss.

A small cry escaped your mouth. You were overwhelmed with the emotions pouring out of you. Jungkook immediately pulled away, his brows furrowing as he cupped your face once more. His fingers traced over your soft skin delicately, as if you were something fragile — something he already damaged too much.

“Please don’t cry baby. I’m sorry for everything,” he pleaded with his voice strained with guilt. His hands trembled slightly as he wiped your tears away with his thumbs, and pressed gentle kisses on your damp cheeks.

“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Fuck, I’m such a dick” he shook his head, angry with himself. His own emotions were raw as his walls crumbled in front of you. And you could see it — the pain, the exhaustion, the love.

He pulled you into a tight hug and wrapped his arms around you without saying another word. You laid your head on his sturdy chest and felt the heat radiating from his body, and the soft vibrations of his heartbeat against your ear. His breathing was heavy as he tried to calm you down with his hand stroking your back soothingly.

You closed your eyes and allowed yourself to sink into the comfort of his arms. It was moments like this that reminded you why you had fallen for him in the first place. Because beneath the tough exterior, beneath the leader of a dangerous mafia gang, he was still Jungkook. The same man who loved you, the same man who would do anything to protect you.

Minutes passed in silence and the tension slowly eased between you. Your body had stopped trembling and the tears had finally stopped flowing.

When you pulled away a little, your gaze softened slightly as you took in his appearance. It was only now that you truly noticed how exhausted he looked — the slight bags under his eyes, the tension in his jaw, the way his shoulders carried the weight of the world.

That was when you saw it — a small cut on his lower lip, a bruise darkening his cheekbone.

You let out a small gasp. “You’re hurt.”

Jungkook blinked, confused for a second, before realising what you were looking at. He scoffed lightly, shaking his head. “It’s nothing. Just a scratch.”

You reached up without thinking. Your fingers ghosted over the bruise, careful not to apply too much pressure. His skin was warm beneath your fingertips, and for a moment, everything else faded — the fights, the frustration, the distance.

“You got this on your mission, didn’t you?” you asked quietly. He didn’t answer immediately, but his silence was enough of an answer.

Jungkook let out another sigh as he dropped his hands from your face, running them through his hair instead. “Some of my men were shot down by a rival gang,” he finally admitted. “And because of that, the number of people I trust has gone down. I’ve been working non-stop to recruit the right men for my team. I just want to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

He paused and glanced away for a second before looking back at you. “It’s not an easy job. I have to take care of so many things at once. The missions, the team, making sure no one else gets killed…”

He exhaled sharply. “It’s stressing me out so much.”

You could hear the exhaustion in his voice, even see it in the way his shoulders slumped slightly as if the weight of everything he carried was finally starting to crush him.

For the first time in weeks, you saw something unfiltered, something vulnerable in him. You reached for his hand and laced your fingers through his. He looked down at the small gesture as his thumb brushed absentmindedly against your skin.

“I know it’s not easy,” you murmured.

“And I know you’re under a lot of pressure. But Jungkook, I don’t want to be just another thing you have to deal with. I don’t want to feel like a burden to you. I want to be someone who you could talk to whenever you’re feeling like this.”

His eyes snapped up to yours instantly, almost in panic. “You’re not a burden baby” he said quickly. “Never.”

You swallowed hard. “Then stop treating me like one.”

For a long moment, there was silence. And then, for the first time in weeks, Jungkook let his guard down completely. He pulled you into his arms and held you tightly, as if he was afraid you would slip through away from him.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered into your hair. “I don’t mean to push you away. I just…I don’t want you to get caught up in all this. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

You closed your eyes, exhaling softly against his chest. “I just want you, Jungkook. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

And for now, that was enough.

Suddenly the silence was broken by a loud grumble from your stomach. Jungkook pulled back slightly with a small smirk playing on his lips. “Princess, you’re hungry.”

You frowned, “I don’t want to eat” you mumbled under your breath.

Jungkook sighed and shook his head. “You have to baby. You can’t go to bed with an empty stomach” he tried to be firm.

He glanced at his watch to check the time. He only had about ten minutes of spare time before he had to go back to work. “Come on, let’s eat,” he said and gently pulled you away from his chest. You hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.

Jungkook held your hand as he led you further into the kitchen. He reheated his food while making sure to put an extra portion on your plate. His movements were casual, yet there was something comforting about the way he cared for you. The two of you then sat down at the dining table and enjoyed the peaceful meal together, something that became rare due to his responsibilities.

Between bites, you couldn’t help but smile. “This is really good, babe,” he complimented as he looked at you with his dark brown eyes. His voice was soft. He wasn’t the ruthless gang leader everyone feared — he was just Jungkook. Your Jungkook.

You grinned as you chewed, feeling content. “I wish you were home more often to taste my great food,” you pouted, playfully nudging his arm. You knew he loved your cooking, and you took pride in the fact that, despite his dangerous life, he still found comfort in the meals you made for him.

“I know, I’m so—”

Before he could finish his sentence, the dining room door suddenly burst open. One of his men entered in a rush, panting as if he had run across the entire mansion. You were startled at the sudden entrance, and Jungkook noticed. His relaxed demeanour vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold, hard expression he was fearfully known for.

He hated being interrupted, especially when he was with you.

“Boss, everyone is ready to leave. The Ravenclaw gang should be there any moment,” the man reported urgently.

Jungkook’s jaw clenched while his grip on his fork tightened until his knuckles turned white. The entire room seemed to darken as his expression shifted. Without warning, he slammed his fork onto the table. You flinched once again at the sound, feeling your breath catching in your throat as you placed a hand over your chest.

He abruptly pushed his chair back and stood up, his movements swift and intimidating. Without hesitation, he grabbed the boy by the collar, yanking him forward and slamming him against the wall. The boy let out a startled gasp, his eyes widening in terror.

“You know I fucking hate when people burst through the door without knocking and interrupting me,” Jungkook growled, his voice low and dangerous. His grip tightened and knuckles turned even paler as he held the boy in place.

The boy gulped as his entire body trembled. He knew he had screwed up — badly. “I-I’m sorry, b-boss,” he stuttered.

Jungkook’s eyes flashed with unrelenting fury. “I made this rule very fucking clear when I recruited you, and you still can’t follow it?!” he barked.

You watched the scene unfold with a pounding heart. You knew Jungkook had a temper, but it was worse tonight. He was already on edge, and this interruption had only set him off further. While his anger was understandable, you could tell he was overreacting.

It wasn’t just about the boy barging in — it was everything. The stress, the pressure, the constant weight of leading an empire. He never got a moment to breathe, never got a second to just be himself. And now, he was taking it all out on this poor boy.

You saw Jungkook’s hand twitch and his fingers subtly moving toward his waistline. Your eyes widened in alarm as you realised what he was about to do.

He was reaching for his gun.

Panic surged through you as you shot up from your chair and rushed towards him. Without thinking, you grabbed his arm and held onto him tightly. “Koo, please calm down,” you pleaded, your voice gentle yet firm.

“He just made a mistake. Let him go. Please.”

Jungkook’s body was tense with barely restrained rage beneath your touch. You tightened your grip on his arm, your fingers pressing into his skin. “Please,” you repeated softly, looking up at him.

Silence filled the room. Jungkook’s chest rose and fell with each deep inhale he took. His grip on the boy’s collar slowly loosened, only slightly, but his jaw remained clenched. He looked at you before finally exhaling a sharp breath.

With one last glare he shoved the boy away, releasing him from his death grip. The boy stumbled back, visibly shaken, but he didn’t dare make a sound.

Jungkook slowly lowered his hand and slipped his gun back into place. His entire body was still rigid, but he had listened to you. He always did.

“Get out and wait in the car with the others. I’ll be there soon,” he snapped at the boy. His tone left no room for argument. The boy nodded frantically and bolted out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him as he did.

You let out a breath you didn’t realise you were holding as your grip on Jungkook’s arm loosened. He was still tense, his jaw tight, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

You frowned as you looked at Jungkook. “What was that there? He looked terrified,” you asked.

Jungkook barely spared you a glance. “Good. He should’ve knocked before coming in,” he replied sternly. His strict nature when it came to his rules wasn’t surprising, but sometimes, you wished he wouldn’t be so harsh on the people working for him.

Carefully, you reached up and cupped his face in your hands. His eyes softened as they met yours. “Koo,” you murmured, brushing your thumb along his cheek. “You need to breathe.”

He let out a slow breath as he closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, the storm inside them calmed — just a little.

“I just hate when people don’t listen,” he muttered quietly.

“I know,” you said softly. “But you can’t let it consume you.”

His shoulders slumped slightly as he leaned into your touch. For all his strength, for all his power, you were the one thing that could ground him. “Let’s just finish the food, hmm?” you tried to coax him in hopes to bring back the peaceful moment you had before the interruption.

But Jungkook sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “I can’t now baby. I have to go,” he said softly as he looked at you.

Your expression fell instantly. A deep disappointment settled in your chest, but also fear. No matter how many times he left for these missions, the worry never faded. The possibility of him not coming home lingered in your mind like a ghost that refused to stop haunting you.

He noticed the sudden change in your demeanour and reached out to gently cup your face in his warm hands. His thumbs brushed over your cheeks as he looked you into your eyes. “I promise I’ll be back soon, hmm?” he reassured you softly.

You swallowed hard and pressed your lips together as you tried to hold back the unease bubbling inside you. “But…what if something happens to you?” you whispered, your voice barely audible. Before you knew it, your arms wrapped around his torso as you held him tightly, like you could somehow keep him from leaving.

Jungkook chuckled, the deep sound reverberating through his chest. He stroked your hair soothingly. “Nothing will happen to me love. I’m a strong man,” he teased as he pressed a soft kiss to the top of your head. You knew he was trying to lighten the mood, but it didn’t help much. The anxiety in your heart was still there.

“You should go to sleep now. It’s getting late,” he murmured against your hair, pulling away slightly to look at you again. “I’ll get going.”

But you groaned and tightened your arms around him like a child refusing to let go of their favorite toy. “Babe, please,” you whined.

Jungkook sighed, shaking his head with amusement. “I’m getting late,” he whined back in a playful tone, mimicking you. “You’re acting like a baby now,” he chuckled, his usual serious demeanour cracking just a little as he poked fun at you.

Despite the comfort of the moment, you still didn’t want him to go. You buried your face into his chest for a few more seconds before reluctantly loosening your grip. Jungkook took the opportunity to finally pull away, though he lingered just a moment longer, his fingers brushing against your wrist before stepping back.

His playful expression faded as he turned serious again. He called for one of his men in a sharp and commanding tone. “What’s the position of the Ravenclaw gang?” he asked.

The man who was holding an iPad quickly updated him. “It looks like they’re at the Riverdale Bar. They should be at the abandoned warehouse in about five minutes,” he reported.

Jungkook gave a curt nod as he processed the information. The air around him shifted again. He was no longer your teasing, affectionate fiancé. He was the ruthless leader his men feared and respected. The moment he stepped into that mindset, there was no turning back.

The man hurried out of the room after receiving his silent dismissal. Jungkook turned back to you, and scanned your face. You were still standing there, watching him with those same worried eyes, and he sighed.

Without a word, he stepped forward and scooped you up into his arms. You let out a surprised yelp and instinctively wrapped your arms around his neck as he carried you out of the dining room and up the stairs.

“Jungkook, what are you doing?” you asked.

“If you’re not going to listen and go to bed yourself, then I’ll make you,” he said simply, a small smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. You pouted but didn’t argue. He was too strong to fight off anyway.

Reaching the bedroom, he stepped inside and gently laid you down on the bed. His hands carefully adjusted you to make sure you were comfortable before grabbing a nearby blanket and draping it over you.

Then, instead of leaving immediately, he sat beside you with his fingers brushing through your silky hair absentmindedly. His eyes softened. “You really worry about me that much?” he murmured after a moment.

You looked up at him, your throat tightening. “Of course I do,” you admitted. “You’re my everything Jungkook, and my heart never rests when you’re not here with me”

His lips pressed into a thin line as he let out a slow exhale. “I know,” he said, his voice quieter now. “I’ll be careful” was all he could promise.

Jungkook sighed softly as he continued to run his fingers through your hair, brushing a few strands away from your face along the way. He looked down at you with tenderness, but there was also worry in his dark eyes. He never liked leaving you, especially at night, but his duty called.

“Right, I’m going to go now,” he murmured. “And like I said, I promise to be back home soon, so just go to sleep, okay?”

You bit your lip as your stomach churned with unease. No matter how many times he reassured you, the fear never went away. Every time he stepped out of that door, there was a possibility he wouldn’t come back. The world he was a part of was dangerous and unpredictable.

“Please be careful,” you whispered, your voice barely above a breath. “Come home safe — and alive.”

Jungkook’s gaze softened as he cupped your face, his thumbs tracing small circles on your cheeks. “Hey, I’m going to be fine. I promise,” he said with a small reassuring smile before leaning down to capture your lips in a soft kiss.

He kissed you once, then again, and again, each peck lingering just a little longer than the last. It was as if he couldn’t bring himself to stop, as if he needed to memorise the feel of your lips before he walked away.

You clutched onto his hoodie to hold him close as you kissed him back, your heart aching at the same time. “I love you so much,” he murmured between kisses.

“I love you too,” you whispered, pressing your forehead against his. “Please be safe.”

Jungkook exhaled deeply and pressed one final kiss to your lips before pulling away. He stood up from the bed and ran a hand through his dark hair as he looked down at you. “You know what to do,” he reminded you with a serious tone. “Call me if anything happens, okay?”

You nodded weakly with your hands still gripping the blanket that covered you. Jungkook’s lips curled into a small affectionate smile. “Goodnight, princess.”

“Goodnight baby” you whispered. Jungkook turned off the light switch and quietly exited the room. You listened to the sound of his footsteps fading down the hall. Then, silence.

You sighed and curled up on your side. The bed felt emptier without him. Despite the lingering anxiety in your chest, tiredness soon took over, and you drifted off into a restless sleep.

But little did you know, you weren’t alone.

A figure stood motionless outside. His presence was barely noticeable because his breathing was slow and controlled. His lips curled into a sinister smirk as he listened to the soft sound of your breathing from inside the room.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a phone and dialed a number. The call was answered almost instantly. “Hello, boss?” the man spoke in a hushed voice. “Yeah, he’s gone. And his little bitch is sleeping.”

He let out a low chuckle as his fingers tapped lightly against the wall. “I’ll distract the bodyguard guarding the back area and signal you to come in,” he continued smoothly as his eyes flickered toward the entrance of the house.

There was a pause as he listened to the voice on the other end. Then, with a satisfied smirk, he nodded. “Yeah, okay, boss. See you soon.”

He ended the call and shoved the phone back into his pocket before glancing back at your closed bedroom door. His smirk widened. “Hope you spent your last day well, Miss Kim,” he muttered under his breath before leaving.

The night was supposed to be peaceful. Everything was silent, except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. But then something woke you up. A sudden noise.

Living with Jungkook and around his lifestyle, your senses have sharpened throughout the years. You were up almost immediately because it wasn’t just any noise. It was the kind that didn’t belong during quiet hours in this house.

You froze, and your heart began to pound furiously in your chest. It sounded like whispering — low murmurs from downstairs. The hairs on the back of your neck stood up as a deep, unsettling feeling crept into your gut.

Carefully, you removed the blanket, ensuring that not even the softest rustle gave away your movement. You tiptoed towards the door and pressed your ear against it. Silence. For a moment, you wondered if your mind played a trick on you, but then you heard it again — soft, hushed voices just below.

Your fingers trembled slightly as you unlocked the door. You pushed it open just enough to peek into the dimly lit hallway. There was no one in sight. But the feeling of being watched made you paranoid.

Taking a deep breath, you stepped out. Each step down the stairs was slow and calculated, while your heart thudded louder with every inch you descended. You reached the ground floor, and your eyes landed on a familiar figure. You bodyguard, standing still with his back facing you.

Relief washed over you for a brief moment, but something felt…wrong.

“Hello? Is anybody down there?” you called out.

But your bodyguard didn’t respond. He stood eerily still, and that’s when you noticed it — his posture was tense. “Who was making the noise?” you asked cautiously.

And then, when he turned, your blood ran cold. It wasn’t him.

The man before you wore the same uniform, but his face was one you had never seen before. His eyes were dark, lit with a sinister amusement. Your breath hitched. You knew every single one of Jungkook’s bodyguards, and this man was not one of them. He was an imposter.

Your heart pounded as fear took hold. “W-Who are you? A-And what are y-you doing h-here?” you stammered, taking a step back.

The man smirked, his lips curling with something close to satisfaction. Slowly, he advanced toward you. You instinctively backed away, step by step, until the cold wall met your back. Your hands clenched into fists at your sides as your mind raced for an escape.

Then, a sudden rustling filled the air. From the corner of your eyes, men emerged silently, dressed in sleek grey suits. And then, you saw it — the glint of metal. Handguns. Panic overflowed through you. You spun around, but before you could run, they surrounded you, cutting off every possible escape.

One of the men stepped forward. His presence seemed like he was the leader, commanding. His eyes burned into yours with an intensity that sent shivers down your spine. You swallowed hard and tried to mask the fear threatening to consume you.

“We’re really sorry for disturbing your sleep. But don’t worry, you’ll get plenty of sleep when we’re done with you.” His voice was a whisper against your ear, yet it held the weight of a threat. A shiver ran down your spine once again as you felt his breath against your skin.

Your throat went dry. “W-Who are you, and what do you want from me?” you demanded, though your voice trembled despite your best efforts to sound strong.

The man chuckled darkly and tilted his head to study you. “Who I am is none of your business, love. But what I want…is you. You and your blood smeared on my hands. Revenge for what your little fiancé did.”

Jungkook.

Your breath hitched again. Your mind raced to try and piece together what he meant. What did Jungkook do? Who were these men?

Your pulse thundered in your ears as you took another shaky step back, but there was nowhere to go. The men were closing in, their faces cold and merciless. You had to get out. You had to call Jungkook.

But the chances of escaping this room alive? Very, very slim.

Your eyes started to pool with tears as your body shook aggressively. “But I want to have fun before I get started with the real shit” he said, trailing his fingers along your bare shoulder.

But your instincts soon took over. You smacked his hand away and, with all your strength, drove your knee into his groin. The man let out a loud grunt as he doubled over in pain. Without hesitation, you shoved him aside and bolted for the door.

But before you could even reach it, his men blocked your path like a wall of stone. Your panic peaked as you spun around, looking for another way out.

“You little—” he snarled with rage burning in his eyes as he recovered. He lunged at you and grabbed your wrist in a bruising grip. You struggled and thrashed against him, but he was stronger.

“Let go of me!” you screamed as you twisted and turned in his hold.

But he wouldn’t budge. So you did the last thing there was to do. You reached down to his wrist and sank your teeth into his flesh with a force that was enough to break his skin. The man screamed out in pain and his grip on you loosened. You took the opportunity to shove him and move as far as you could away from him and his men.

But he was quick to recover this time too. When his head snapped to your direction, clutching onto his arm, you could see the rage in his eyes tripling.

“You bitch!” he lunged at you again and grabbed you by the hair, causing you to let out a loud painful shriek. He then pulled you in and threw you over his shoulder.

“LET GO OF ME! PUT ME DOWN” you screamed, but all fell into deaf ears.

“Move out of the way boys, I’m going to teach this slut a lesson first. She messed with the wrong guy” he said.

The men stepped aside and allowed him to walk past, while you cried and pounded your fists against his back. You were kicking wildly, but he didn't budge.

Once he reached a random guest bedroom, he threw you onto the bed with such force that you bounced against the mattress. Your pulse quickened as he removed his suit jacket and tossed it aside. His monstrous eyes locked onto you with dangerous intent.

You refused to let fear paralyse you. You refused to let him take advantage of you. Crawling backward, you pressed yourself against the headboard. “D-Don't come any closer,” you warned.

He smirked. “Or what?” he challenged, jumping on the bed and pinning you down. “You can’t do shit love, so be quiet and let me do my thing” he said leaning closer to your neck.

“NO! GET AWAY FROM ME YOU BASTARD!” you screamed, trying to push him away but failing. It only earned you a hard smack in the face that caused your head to turn sideways. You glared at him with your tearful but hateful eyes.

Just before he could do anything else, you brought your knee up and kneed him in the groin once again. Taking advantage of the brief distraction, you grabbed the nearest object — a heavy lamp — and swung it across his head with everything you had.

The impact sent him staggering back, clutching his head.

Breathing heavily, you scrambled off the bed and made a break for the door. Your hands fumbled with the lock as footsteps pounded behind you. Just as he lunged, you wrenched the door open and darted down the hallway.

Shouts erupted from the men downstairs as they realised you were escaping. Your adrenaline fueled you as you ran towards your bedroom and slammed the door shut behind you. You locked it and pressed your back against the wood as you tried to catch your breath.

Heavy footsteps soon approached. They wouldn't let you get away.

With shaky hands, you snatched your phone from the nightstand and quickly dialed Jungkook’s number. Each ring felt like an eternity. Your breaths came in short gasps as you fought the panic closing in at your throat. When he finally picked up, a wave of relief washed over you.

“Hey babe, you okay?”

Jungkook sounded a little concerned, you could tell, but you couldn’t get a word out. Your breathing was ragged and uneven, and you could feel the hot sting of tears in your eyes. Your entire body was shaking uncontrollably.

Jungkook immediately stopped what he was doing. His expression hardened as he sensed something was terribly wrong.

“Y/n, are you okay? What happened? Say something.”

You let out a broken sob, the tears rolling down your cheeks as your grip on the phone tightened. “There’s someone i-in the h-house, Jungkook…a g-group of men. I-I don’t k-know w-who they are a-and—” your voice cracked, and fear rendered you almost speechless.

Jungkook’s heart plummeted. His worst nightmare was unfolding, and he wasn’t there to protect you. His knuckles turned white as he clenched his fist. His heart was hammering in his chest in fear. His men, who were waiting for orders, noticed his sudden shift in demeanour. Without hesitation, he turned to them.

“Princess, tell me exactly what happened. I’m coming, okay? Go and hide somewhere safe.”

His words were urgent, but he tried to keep his voice steady for your sake. He signalled half of his men to follow him, while the others remained behind to finish the mission. His protective instincts had fully taken over. Nothing mattered more than getting to you.

You sobbed into the phone as you hurriedly whispered everything you had seen and heard. Your voice shook and every breath you took showed how scared you were.

Meanwhile, Jungkook’s blood boiled with uncontainable rage. He gritted his teeth, with fury and fear intertwining in his chest like a storm. He always feared something like this would happen — someone coming for you when he wasn’t there.

And now, it was real.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he sped down the road, his heart racing faster than the car itself. “Please come h-home soon Jungkook, I’m scared. I don’t want to d-die,” you choked out.

Jungkook’s jaw clenched. “Nothing will happen to you, okay? I’m on my way. Stay hidden. Stay on the call with me, don’t hang up.”

You did as he told you and hurriedly slipped into the closet in your bedroom, curling up into a ball as you tried to keep your breathing steady. Every sound in the house made your pulse skyrocket. Your body was frozen in fear, but Jungkook’s voice in your ear kept you from breaking down completely.

“I hate this, Jungkook. I hate all the guns and the violence,” you whispered. Jungkook’s heart ached at your words. He knew. He knew you never wanted to be caught up in this world, but you had become his weakness, his greatest vulnerability. And now, you were paying the price for loving him.

“I know baby. Just hold on a little longer. I swear, I’ll be there soon.” And with that, he pressed down on the accelerator harder because he was determined to get to you before it was too late.

It was then when you heard faint creaking of the floorboards which sent a violent shiver down your spine, and you curled deeper into the corner of the closet as you tried to regulate your breathing. The room outside was silent, too eerily silent, except for the slow footsteps that were approaching you. Each of them felt like a countdown to your doom. You clutched your phone tighter, but your trembling fingers barely were able to hold on.

Was this the end?

Jungkook was still on the line, still half way there, but you feared it would be too late. “I love you, Koo.” you whispered as tears continued to roll down your cheeks. “Please come quickly...I'm scared.”

Tears stung his eyes as his breathing became uneven, “I love you too baby. Just hang in there, I’m almost home.”

And then, you heard a click. It was an unmistakable sound of a gun being loaded. Your stomach dropped.

“I love you,” you whispered like they were your final words.

The closet door was soon yanked open with brutal force, and your phone nearly slipped from your grasp as you looked up, terror finally paralysing you. “There you are, you bitch,” the man sneered as a cold smirk stretched across his face.

Jungkook's blood ran cold as he heard that familiar voice. “Y/N?!” his voice cracked in fear as he heard your muffled gasp. He was still too far away.

“Hello? Y/n? Are you there?” his voice came through the phone frantically. But before you could utter a single word, a rough hand grabbed your wrist and yanked you out of the cramped closet. The force sent you stumbling, and the phone slipped from your grasp, clattering onto the cold, hard floor.

A scream tore from your throat as the man's grip tightened, his fingers tangling in your hair and yanking your head back. Pain shot through your scalp, but the terror in your chest overshadowed it. “Y/N!” your fiancé yelled.

“YOU BASTARD, LET HER GO NOW!” Jungkook desperately screamed, but there was no one to answer him — only your frantic cries and the scuffle of shoes against the ground.

Then, he heard an ear piercing scream, followed by a deafening gunshot.

The line went dead, and Jungkook's heart stopped.

“No. No, no, no. This can't be happening” his breathing grew ragged, his fingers gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned whiter than they were before. He slammed his foot on the accelerator and weaved recklessly through traffic, his mind spiraling with fear. Was that gunshot meant for you? Were you hurt?

Or worse.

The thought made him sick and his blood boiled with rage. He prayed and he begged that you were still alive, that he wasn't too late. If he found even a single scratch on you, he wouldn't rest until he made the man who took you suffer.

He was coming for you.

Reaching the mansion, Jungkook slammed the brakes and jumped out of the car before it had even come to a complete stop. His heart was pounding violently, breath ragged and vision blurred by tears streaming down his cheeks as he sprinted towards the grand entrance. The moment he stepped inside, his stomach twisted in horror.

Bodies of his men and his loyal guards lay motionless scattered across the floor in pools of red. The scent of gunpowder and death lingering in the air was compelling, and it was suffocating him.

The mansion was eerily silent. No gunfire, no voices. Just an overwhelming, deafening silence. But his mind focused on one thing only — you.

“Y/N?! BABY, WHERE ARE YOU?!” he shouted desperately, his voice cracking. He ran through the halls, kicking open each door as he searched for you frantically. But there was no answer. His hands shook as he gripped the staircase railing. His legs were moving on their own and carried him upstairs.

“Y/n, please. Where are you, honey?” his voice came out weaker this time. It was a desperate plea rather than a demand.

Then, a small, delicate voice reached his ears.

“Jungkook?”

His breath hitched, and he spun around so fast he almost lost his balance. Then, he saw you. Standing in the doorway of the guest room. Relief washed over him like a crashing wave, and for a brief moment, the chaos around him ceased to exist.

“Oh my god, there you are!” he exhaled as he closed the distance between you in a few quick strides. His hands ached to touch you, to hold you, to make sure you were real.

You took a step forward, but something about the way you moved made him a little puzzled. Your steps were slow and irregular. Your lips were quivering while tears streamed down your face.

But still, you smiled at him — a soft, tired smile, like a person who had fought too hard and was finally surrendering.

Jungkook ignored the unease curling in his stomach and pulled you into his arms, holding you so tightly. He pressed his lips against your forehead, “I was so scared, I thought they hurt you” he whispered.

You didn’t respond, only melting into his embrace with your head resting against his firm chest as if you belonged there.

For a moment, everything seemed okay.

Until it wasn’t. Because it was then when Jungkook felt it.

A wet sensation against his palm.

At first, he thought it was just sweat, maybe even tears. But when he lifted his hand, his confusion turned into gut-wrenching terror. His fingers were stained red.

His blood ran cold.

Slowly, he pulled away. His breathing became shallow as his eyes locked onto the dark patch spreading across your dark blue pyjama top. His stomach reeled.

“No…no, no, no.”

His voice was barely above a whisper, but his body screamed. His fingers trembled violently as they reached for the fabric, peeling it away just enough to reveal the truth that shattered his entire world.

Three bullet holes.

Right in your abdomen.

Jungkook’s mind blanked. His heart thumped so loudly he could barely hear anything else. His chest clenched as panic gripped at his throat.

“No, baby, stay with me, okay? Just stay with me!” he was frantic. His hands pressed against your wounds to try and stop the bleeding, but the crimson liquid seeped through his fingers too fast.

You wobbled slightly, and your body leaned against him for support. Your eyes were fluttering as you struggled to keep them open.

“Jungkook…” you murmured weakly.

“No, don’t talk like that! You’re going to be fine. I’ll get you help, I promise” his voice broke as he cradled you in his arms. He held you tight as if holding you close would somehow keep you from slipping away.

But your body was growing weaker.

Jungkook’s world was falling apart, and he was powerless to stop it.

The pain continued to spread like wildfire through your body, triggering your legs to shake uncontrollably beneath you and shredding any remaining strength. The world around you was hazy, darkness was beginning to invade the periphery of your vision, and your thoughts struggled to remain alert. But the pain was unbearable and your body could no longer bear the weight of it.

A sharp gasp escaped your lips as your legs finally gave out, and you collapsed. Jungkook moved faster than he ever had in his life. His arms shot forward and caught you just before you hit the floor. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst.

“No…no, no, no!” he mumbled desperately as he pulled you into his lap. His hands pressed against your wounds while his entire body was shaking. The warmth of your blood oozed through his fingers, and a horrifying contrast to the coldness began to creep into your skin.

A raw, desperate cry ripped from his throat. “SOMEONE CALL THE AMBULANCE!” he screamed in panic that echoed through the empty halls.

But you shook your head weakly. Your breathing laboured, and every word was a struggle now, every syllable dripping with pain.

“N-No, it’s o-okay. T-There’s n-n-no need t-to. I-It’s g-going to be t-too l-late…”

Jungkook’s heart shattered at your words. His hold on you tightened more as if he could physically hold onto your life and keep it from slipping away.

“N-No! Don’t say that! You’re going to be o-okay. I won’t let anything happen to you!” he choked out as his tears dripped onto your skin.

You tried to smile, but it came out weak and broken. “K-Koo…y-you know I-I’m n-not going to make it. L-Look at me…”

He couldn’t. He didn’t want to. Because looking at you meant accepting the truth. Looking at you meant accepting that this was happening, that he was losing you, that no matter how much he wished, begged, or prayed, he couldn’t save you.

Jungkook shook his head furiously. “No! No, don’t talk like that! You have to fight, please! Stay with me, baby, please!”

He had imagined a future with you — a lifetime together, a wedding, a home filled with joy, and your children. He promised himself that he would always protect you, that no harm would ever come to you.

And yet, here you were, bleeding out to death in his arms.

He was too late.

A sob racked his chest as his fingers traced your paling cheek. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” he whimpered, pressing his forehead against yours, his breath shaky. “This is all my fault…”

You looked up at him through hooded eyes. Eyes that were still filled with love despite the agonising pain you were in. With great effort, you lifted your hand and cupped his cheek. Your thumb grazed over his skin in an attempt to comfort him.

“I-It’s not y-your f-fault. It’s no one’s fault…” you whispered, though even as you spoke, your voice was fading, your breaths becoming shallower.

Jungkook felt his entire being fracture. His hand cradled your face while his tears mixed with the blood staining his skin. “No, no, no…baby, please…” his voice cracked as he shook his head.

The only sound between you was his broken cries and your ragged, weakening breathing.

His grief turned to fury. His hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening. He knew who did this to you, and he swore they would pay.

“I promise you, I will hunt down the bastard who did this. I swear, I will rip his head off” his voice was low with murderous intent. He spoke as if making that promise alone could keep you alive.

But deep down, he knew.

You were slipping away. And that there was little he could do to stop it.

Your fingers clutched weakly at the fabric of Jungkook’s shirt. Your grip was faltering as every ounce of strength drained from your body. The pain was unbearable now, like a fire consuming you from the inside out, but even worse than the agony was the sight of him — his face twisted with devastation, tears endlessly streaming down his bruised cheeks, his hands shaking as they cradled your dying form.

You could barely keep your eyes open, but you had to tell him. You had to make him promise.

“P-Promise me…you’ll m-move o-on and f-find someone e-else…” your voice cracked with pain, your breathing growing more ragged. “I d-don’t want y-you to be s-sad forever when I’m g-gone.”

Jungkook’s entire body stiffened. His heart clenched as if someone had reached into his chest and crushed it in their grip.

“No. No, never” his voice was firm but choked with tears. “I love you, only you. There will never be another woman I want to love. I don’t see my future with anyone else but you.”

His words made your already weak heart ache. You wanted to stay. You wanted a lifetime with him. You imagined growing old together, waking up in his arms every morning, sharing laughter, love, and the simple joys of life. But fate had different plans.

You let out a soft, broken sigh. “I-I’m tired…”

Jungkook shook his head frantically. “No! No, you’ll be fine. The ambulance is on the way, baby. Stay awake, you’re going to be okay!” he rocked you slightly, as if the motion would keep you conscious, keep you grounded to this world.

But you gave him a small, sad smile. “J-Jungkook…h-honey, you know t-that’s not true…”

He wanted to argue. He wanted to scream at the universe for being so cruel, but your voice was growing fainter, and your eyes were fluttering as if you were already halfway between this world and the next.

“You r-really were the b-best t-thing that h-has ever h-happened to m-me…” you whispered. The weight of those words was breaking him more and more. He let out a heart-wrenching sob. He had never felt so helpless in his life.

“I w-wish I was able to s-stay with you f-forever…”

Jungkook’s cries grew louder, echoing through the empty hallways, and his entire body shuddered as he held you. “No, no, please don’t do this to me. Stay with me. Just a little longer, baby. Please!”

You forced yourself to gather the last of your strength to use your fingers and brush them against his cheek. You wanted to memorise him one last time — the warmth of his skin, the love in his eyes, even the pain he carried for you.

“I-I l-love y-you…” you gasped out.

Jungkook’s entire world came crashing down. His body shook as he let out a broken wail, pressing his forehead against yours.

At that moment, he knew. He had to let you go.

He had to watch the love of his life slip away, leaving him in a world that suddenly felt far too empty, far too cold. No matter how badly he wanted to fight for you, to keep you by his side, it was too late.

The least he could do was let you go and allow you to rest forever in peace. His hands continued to tremble as he held you close. His vision was blurred by the endless stream of tears that refused to stop falling. He knew this was inevitable. He knew there was nothing more he could do to save you. And yet, the weight of reality crushed him.

“I love you too princess,” he sobbed. His fingers gently traced your pale face.

“I’m sorry,” you mumbled weakly. Every word you spoke felt like a dagger to his chest, twisting deeper and bluntly, leaving wounds that would never heal.

“Shh, there’s no reason for you to be sorry my love,” he whispered, his voice breaking as he pulled you closer, desperate to feel the warmth that was already fading from your body.

He leaned down and pressed one final, lingering kiss to your lips. It was soft, tender, and filled with all the love he could no longer express with words. You managed a small smile, tasting him one last time before your eyes fluttered shut, and the darkness swallowed you whole forever.

For a moment, there was silence. An eerie hush that made everything feel unreal. But when Jungkook felt your body go limp in his arms, when your hand slipped from his grip and fell lifelessly to the side, the world collapsed.

“No,” he gasped, his eyes wide with horror. “No, no, no — please!”

A heart-wrenching scream tore from his throat that resonated throughout the house like a ghostly wail of pain. The sound was raw and unfiltered, a cry so broken that it sent chills down the spines of those who heard it. With their leader's agony echoing louder than any gunshot they had ever heard, his men, who were positioned throughout the house, recoiled at the sound.

As though cradling you closer would somehow make you come back to life, Jungkook held on to your lifeless body, his fingers pressing into your flesh. His whole body rattled as he sobbed hysterically while burying his face in the crook of your neck. His lungs burned, his chest hurt, and he felt as though his sorrow was drowning him.

How was he supposed to live without you? How was he supposed to go on knowing that the only thing that made life worth living had been ripped away from him? You were his light in his dark life, his happiness, the only thing that kept him sane in this merciless world. And now, you were gone.

And someone was going to pay for it.

His hands trembled as he reached his hand to lightly, almost reverently, caress your cold cheek. His anguish turned into something more sinister, something lethal, and his jaw tightened.

“I will make them pay baby, I swear” he murmured, his voice hoarse, filled with quiet fury. “I will not spare them.”

He heard a rustling sound from behind that made his body stiffen. They were light footsteps. A presence. And he recognised it before he even turned around.

“Jungkook.” It was gentle, but hesitant.

Jungkook turned his head slowly, his tear-streaked face contorted in anguish once again. Mingyu stood a short distance away with his eyes reflecting their sorrow of watching his friend's broken state and his face brimming with grief.

“H-Hyung,” Jungkook stammered, his lips quivering, his entire body shaking. His throat was tight, as if words would never come out properly again.

Mingyu approached him cautiously, moving slowly and mindfully so as not to disturb him in his vulnerable position. With a mournful heart from the unimaginable scene in front of him, he knelt next to Jungkook and lowered himself to his level.

With his body jerking with sobs, Jungkook held onto Mingyu like an aid and leaned against his chest. He was shaking, his pain so overwhelming that it consumed him entirely.

“S-She’s g-gone Mingyu,” Jungkook choked out. “They killed her.”

Mingyu shut his eyes for a moment, letting the weight of Jungkook’s grief settle in his chest. He saw Jungkook in many states before — angry, ruthless, untouchable — but never like this. Never so utterly shattered.

“I’m sorry, Jungkook,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. It was all he could say, all he could offer, knowing that no words would ever be enough.

Jungkook’s cries filled the large empty space, his body curling into itself as he mourned the love of his life. And amidst his heartbreak, amidst the unbearable grief that threatened to consume him, there was one thing he knew for certain.

He would not rest until the people responsible for this paid the price in blood.

“S-She was crying…she was so s-scared…but I was too l-late,” he choked out, his breath hitching with every word. “I f-failed. I failed to keep the p-promise I made to her, I f-failed to protect her.”

His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms as if the pain would wake him from this nightmare. But this was real. Too real.

“She h-hated all this… she h-hated guns and v-violence because it s-scared her.” His body convulsed with another sob, his shoulders shaking as he struggled to continue. “S-She was s-scared to die.”

Mingyu watched helplessly as Jungkook completely broke before him. He never saw him like this — not even in their darkest moments, not even in the bloodiest wars they fought together. Jungkook had always been the strongest among them, the one who never let his emotions show, the one who kept his heart guarded behind walls of steel.

But now, those walls crumbled. He was no longer the ruthless, fearless leader Mingyu knew. He was just a broken man, holding onto the only person who had ever made him feel whole.

“B-But she still chose to s-stay with me,” Jungkook continued. “And I p-promised to protect her.” His grip on your lifeless body tightened.

“But I f-failed her…I was too l-late.” His words ended in a heartbreaking wail as he buried his face into your shoulder.

Mingyu felt his own heart break at the sight. The room was filled with Jungkook’s agonising cries that echoed off the walls. No one, not even Mingyu himself, had ever seen him cry like this before. The man who was feared by so many, the one who stood unshaken in the face of death, was now completely undone.

When his eyes traveled to your body, his breath hitched. The sight of the bullet wounds on your abdomen made his stomach churn. The blood that had soaked through your clothes, staining Jungkook’s hands as he held you, was a reminder of the brutality of it all.

Mingyu swallowed hard, knowing that once Jungkook moved past his grief, all that would remain was rage. And that was what terrified him. The moment Jungkook decided to go rogue, there would be no stopping him.

He stayed with him for what felt like an eternity, allowing Jungkook to cry until his sobs dulled into quiet whimpers, his tears still flowing freely. Even as the silence grew heavier between them, Jungkook refused to let go of you. His arms remained wrapped around you, his face still pressed against your cold skin, unwilling to accept that you were no longer breathing.

Then, finally, his voice returned — hoarse and cold.

“Call Namjoon,” he ordered, his voice still as a whisper but there was authority. “And get—” his throat constricted as he forced himself to swallow the lump forming there. His eyes that were swollen and bloodshot, flickered back to your body as his fingers brushed over your face gently.

“Get her body to the hospital” his voice cracked on the last word, clenching his jaw to try to hold himself together. But Mingyu could see it — the war waging inside him, the battle between grief and fury, between the part of him that wanted to fall apart and the part that demanded vengeance.

Mingyu hesitated for a moment. But then he nodded, knowing there was nothing he could say to ease Jungkook’s pain. He pulled out his phone and dialled Namjoon.

As he spoke, he glanced back at Jungkook, who still didn’t move. He remained frozen, clutching you tightly, as if he could somehow bring you back to life if he just held you close enough. His lips were trembling still, while his breathing remained uneven, but there was something else in his expression now.

A destructive storm was brewing inside him.

Mingyu had seen Jungkook angry before. He had seen him furious, livid, merciless. But this? This was different. This was something deeper, darker. This wasn’t just anger.

This was war. On everything and anything that came his way.

Each time Jungkook looked at the bullet holes in your abdomen, his fury only grew hotter. His breathing turned heavier, his fists clenched tighter, his entire body coiled like a predator ready to strike. Things were going to be a bloody mess after this. And Jungkook would make sure of it.

When Namjoon and the others eventually showed up, the air was heavy with melancholy and tension.

Their footsteps grew heavy as they took in the tragic sight in front of them, and their faces turned grim. As if he couldn't let go, Jungkook remained kneeling on the ground with his arms encircling your limp body and his face pressed against your cold skin. In an instant, his entire world had fallen apart, and he was unsure of how to put himself back together.

Namjoon approached the man carefully, and his usual composed demeanor faltered as he watched the agony in Jungkook’s bloodshot eyes. He placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. “Jungkook,” he murmured.

Jungkook inhaled shakily, his chest rising and falling unevenly. He didn’t look up, didn’t acknowledge the others standing around him. Instead, he leaned down, pressing one last, lingering kiss on your forehead, and then your pale chapped lips.

“I love you,” he whispered. “Things won’t be the same without you…but I promise I will learn to live. For you.” A tear slipped down his cheek, landing on yours.

Then, as if something inside him had snapped, he finally released you. His body felt heavier than ever as he let Namjoon and the others take you from his arms. The absence of your warmth sent a sharp pain through his chest, but he forced himself to sit still as his eyes fixated on the blood staining his hands. Your blood.

His fingers twitched before slowly curling into a tight fist. His breathing grew steadier, but the warmth that once filled his eyes was gone, replaced by something darker. When he finally rose to his feet, there was no trace of the broken man who had been sobbing moments ago.

Instead, there stood a man prepared for a blood smearing war.

His voice was low and cold, void of all the emotions that had consumed him before. “Call up everyone. Everyone with their weapons. Meet me at the main base,” he commanded, his tone sharp as a blade.

His gaze shifted towards Mingyu, who flinched slightly at the newfound steel in his voice. “Tell the boys at the abandoned warehouse to finish off those bastards and get to the base immediately” there was no hesitation, no room for argument. This was an order.

“We’re gonna end this bastard and his gang once and for all” his words dripped with venom, his jaw clenched so tightly that the veins in his neck were visible. The pure hatred radiating off him sent chills down Mingyu’s spine.

Jungkook bent down and picked up his gun, his fingers gripping the cold metal as if it was the only thing anchoring him. Without another word, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the house, his movements fueled by vengeance.

Mingyu remained frozen in place, his throat dry as he swallowed hard. He knew things were about to get very, very ugly. Jungkook wasn’t just seeking revenge — he was out for blood, and nothing was going to stop him.

Your death had left a scar so deep that even wiping out an entire gang wouldn’t be enough to heal it. No amount of bloodshed would bring you back. But even knowing that, Jungkook was willing to burn everything down to make them pay.

And Mingyu knew that once the battle started, there would be no stopping him.

[pucksandpower]

To the Moon and Back

Lando Norris x astronaut!Reader

Summary: not many people can say “I love you to the moon and back” literally … but you’re the exception

Based on this request

Happy Valentine’s Day, my loves 🫶

The roar of the engine echoes through the car as Lando revs the McLaren 720S Spider. You glance over at your boyfriend and can’t help but smile. His eyes are bright with excitement beneath his helmet.

“You ready for this, love?” He asks, giving your hand a quick squeeze.

You nod, adrenaline already pumping through your veins. “Let’s do it.”

As an astronaut, you’re no stranger to G-force. But taking a hot lap around the race track with Lando is a different kind of thrill. The track marshall gives a thumbs up and Lando eases the car out of the pit lane. He takes it easy for the first few turns, warming up the tires.

“How’s it feel?” He asks.

“Smooth,” you reply. “Can’t even tell we’re going 200.”

Lando grins. “Oh just wait.”

He floors it down the back straight, pinning you back against the seat as the speedometer climbs towards 320 kilometers per hour. The G-force builds as he brakes hard into the next corner, expertly controlling the slide.

You let out an exhilarated whoop. “Now that’s more like it!”

Lando chuckles. “Barely getting started, babe.”

The next few laps are a blur of adrenaline and speed. Lando dances the McLaren through the corners, braking impossibly late before powering out in a controlled slide. You relish the forces pressing you back into your seat, so similar yet so different from a rocket launch.

As you pull back into the pits, crowds of fans erupt into cheers. Lando parks the car and hops out, pausing to take off his helmet and run a hand through his curly hair before coming over to help you out.

“So, what did the astronaut think?” He asks with a playful grin.

You’re still catching your breath, heart pounding. "That was insane! What a rush."

Lando looks pleased, keeping an arm wrapped around you as you’re swarmed by fans seeking autographs and photos. Most want a moment with their favorite driver, but a few recognize you as well.

“She’s the astronaut girlfriend, right?” Someone asks.

You nod, giving a little wave. “Yep, that’s me!”

The fans seem impressed that you were able to handle Lando’s hot lap so easily.

“Wow, you took those Gs no problem!” A teenage girl remarks.

You laugh. “Well, I have some practice from launch and re-entry.”

“You must be fearless to be an astronaut,” adds an awe-struck boy.

“It’s intense for sure,” you agree. “But so rewarding.”

Lando smiles proudly, giving you an affectionate squeeze. “My girl’s a badass. Takes a lot more than some high-G corners to phase her!”

You laugh and pose for a few more photos before Lando regrettably has to head in to prep for free practice. After a quick kiss goodbye, you wander through the bustling paddock, enjoying the infectious excitement in the air on race day.

You’ve just grabbed a water bottle when you hear rapid footsteps behind you.

“Y/N, wait up!”

Turning, you see Lando’s performance coach approaching. He gives you a polite smile. “Got a minute?”

You nod. “For you, always. What’s up?”

He falls into step beside you. “I wanted to run something by you. Lando seems distracted lately during training and physio. Have you noticed anything off with him?”

You frown, thinking back over the last few weeks. Now that he mentions it, Lando has seemed a little distant at times.

“I have noticed he’s been quieter than usual,” you admit. “But I figured it was just nerves or fatigue going into the season.”

Jon nods thoughtfully. “Could be. I know he really wants to impress this year. But as his girlfriend, I thought maybe you’d have a better sense of if anything else is on his mind.”

“I’ll try to talk to him,” you promise.

“Appreciate it,” Jon says. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

You part ways and head out to the pit wall to watch the start of the race. But your mind is only partially on the action, thoughts preoccupied with concern for Lando. He’s normally so upbeat and energetic, but thinking back, you realize there has been a muted quality to him lately that is unusual. You wrack your brain trying to pinpoint if there was a specific incident that triggered this change, but come up empty.

After the podium, you pull Lando. “P3! What a freaking drive," you give him a quick kiss.

His eyes brighten momentarily. “Thanks, love. Feels good to start the season off strong.”

You study his face, wishing you could read his thoughts. “So … can we talk later? Maybe grab dinner in the city before heading back to the hotel?”

Lando shrugs. "Sure, I guess so."

You frown slightly. His response is lacking his normal enthusiasm. But the paddock is too crowded to dive deeper now. “Great, it’s a date!” You say brightly, taking his hand as you both head out to spray champagne. You’ll get to the bottom of this tonight.

After a flurry of post-race obligations, the two of you finally slip away to a quiet restaurant downtown. When the waiter steps away with your orders, you reach across the table to take Lando’s hand.

“So, what’s really going on?” You ask gently. “And don’t say nothing. Everyone can tell something’s been off lately.”

Lando sighs, avoiding your eyes. He runs his free hand through his curls. “It’s stupid, really …”

You squeeze his hand reassuringly. “If it’s bothering you this much, it’s not stupid. Talk to me, babe.”

He’s quiet for a long moment before responding softly. “I’m worried I don’t deserve you.”

You rock back slightly, caught off guard. “What? Where is this coming from?”

Lando keeps his gaze down. “It’s just … you’re this badass astronaut. You literally go to space! And I’m just a guy who drives cars in circles.”

Your heart aches for the vulnerability in his voice. You give his hand another supportive squeeze. “Lando, you’re so much more than that. Yes, I love space. But racing is your passion and you’re incredible at it. You bring joy to so many people. That matters.”

‘I know, but …” Lando trails off uncertainly.

You lean forward, gently tipping his chin up. “No buts. You deserve the world. I’m the lucky one here.”

He finally meets your eyes. “Really?” The doubt is clear on his face.

“Really,” you confirm. “I fell for you, Lando. Not your job or your fame. Your kindness, your humor, your giant heart … that’s what I love.”

A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “When you put it like that …”

“It’s the truth,” you say firmly.

Lando lets out a long breath, his shoulders dropping as the tension eases. “I’ve been in my own head about this for weeks. Should have just talked to you sooner.”

“Well, you have me now,” you remind him. “No more keeping worries bottled up, deal?”

“Deal,” he agrees, lifting your hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. “Have I mentioned lately how amazing you are?”

You laugh. “It’s always nice to hear.” Your heart swells with happiness to see the sparkle back in his eyes.

Just then your food arrives, and Lando insists you try a bite of his pasta. The conversation flows easily again as you trade stories and banter. With the worry lifted from his shoulders, Lando’s charm and humor are on full display. By the time you meander hand in hand back to the hotel, the moon is high in the sky.

Lando pauses outside your door. “Thank you for tonight. And just … for everything. You’re my whole world.”

“I love you to the moon and back.” You gaze at him adoringly for a moment before adding, “Now, I believe a celebration is in order for that podium today …”

You open the door and pull him inside by his collar as he laughs. As you kiss him deeply, you make a silent promise to always be the safe space he can turn to when doubts creep in.

You’re the luckiest girl in the world to be loved by this incredible man. And you plan to spend every day proving he’s worthy of the same boundless love … to the moon and back.

***

You take a deep breath as you stare out the small window of the shuttle, watching the Earth get smaller and smaller as you ascend into the sky.

This is it. Your first mission to the moon.

You’ve dreamed of this moment since you were a little girl, gazing up at the glowing orb in the night sky and imagining yourself walking across its cratered surface.

As an astronaut with NASA, you’ve completed years of intense training to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the rigors of space travel. But nothing can fully ready you for the surge of emotions that hits you now as your childhood fantasy becomes reality.

Excitement.

Awe.

A twinge of nervousness.

And above all, gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity to push the boundaries of human exploration. To boldly go where only a handful of people have gone before.

You think of Lando. How his eyes lit up when you got the call informing you that you had been selected for this mission. How he immediately started planning a big celebratory dinner, inviting all your friends and family. How he held you tight before you left for quarantine and launch preparations, whispering “I’m so proud of you” and “I love you to the moon and back.”

Your relationship with Lando has always been anchored in mutual love, trust and encouragement. As a Formula 1 driver, he understands the demands and dangers of your job, the laser focus it requires. When he races, you’re trackside or glued to the TV, cheering him on. When it’s your turn to take the spotlight, he’s equally in your corner, hyping you up and telling anyone who’ll listen that his girl is an astronaut headed to space.

You chuckle thinking back to when you first met Lando at an Engineering for the Next Generation event. Him in his McLaren gear, standing out like a beacon in bright papaya. You in your crisp blue flight suit, NASA insignia shining. Sparks didn’t just fly, they erupted into fireworks.

Fast forward five years and here you both are, thriving in your dream careers, happily together and each other’s biggest fans.

Your daydreaming is interrupted by the voice of the commander crackling over your headset. “Prepare for trans-lunar injection burn.”

It’s time.

You watch attentively as the burn commences, adjusting the shuttle’s trajectory until you’ve escaped Earth’s gravity and are hurtling towards the moon.

The next few days pass in a blur of course corrections, equipment checks, meals, sleep, and anticipation. Then finally, the moment arrives. You feel the shuttle tremble as the engines fire, slowing you down until you achieve lunar orbit insertion.

For the first time, you’re gazing upon the entirety of the moon’s pockmarked surface rather than just a slice of it in the night sky. It’s simultaneously familiar and foreign, a world both near and far.

“We are go for powered descent,” comes the voice of Mission Control. The shuttle shudders as the lander separates, ferrying you and your crewmates down to the awaiting surface. Through the window you watch the grey, dusty terrain rise up to meet you. A perfect landing kicks up plumes of powder.

You’ve arrived.

Stepping outside in your bulky space suit, you marvel at the stark beauty surrounding you. The pitch black sky, dotted more vividly with blazing stars than you could have ever imagined. The rolling plains and hills in muted grays. The unfiltered rays of the sun overhead. And above all, the profoundly silence, unlike anything you’ve experienced on noisy Earth.

You bend down and scoop up some lunar soil, letting it sift through your gloved fingers.

The next two days pass swiftly, filled with collecting samples, setting up experiments, and traversing the alien landscape. Too soon, it’s time to depart. As the shuttle lifts off in a spray of dust, you take one last look at the moon’s cratered face, etching it into your memory.

Returning to Earth, you’re met with great fanfare. Lando wraps you in an enormous bear hug, his relief and elation at having you home safe and sound is infectious. “I’ve missed you so much! Can’t wait to hear all about it,” he holds you tight and refuses to let go.

At the dinner he’s arranged, surrounded by your closest friends and family, you regale everyone with stories about your lunar experience.

Walking in spaces so silent your own heartbeat sounded thunderous. The inexplicable lightness in your limbs from the reduced gravity. Seeing Earth hover above the horizon, a blue and white marble in the void. The sense of wonder at walking upon a heavenly sphere humans have gazed upon for millennia but few have ever touched.

“I’ve always loved you to the moon and back,” you tell Lando, taking his hand. “Now I can say I’ve literally loved you to the moon and back.”

You see his eyes widen as you pull out a small pouch and tip glittering gray dust into his palm — a moon rock. “A little piece of the moon, just for you,” you close his fingers around it.

Lando is momentarily speechless, touched beyond words by your gesture. Then a grin spreads across his face. “You are simply out of this world,” he laughs. “This is going in my trophy case for sure!”

Over the next year, Lando has the moon rock fashioned into a ring, which he wears on race days for good luck. Sure enough, he scores his first ever victory that season, a thrilling achievement after years of near misses and podium finishes.

Standing on top of the podium, Lando whoops and thrusts his trophy high. Then he gazes straight into your eyes and says words meant only for you. “This one’s for the person who has always loved me to the moon and back.”

You beam with joy, pride surging through you. In that moment, all the years of supporting each other through the highs and lows to follow your passions feel profoundly worth it. Because at the end of the day, whether it’s launching into space or racing on Earth, you’re always each other’s biggest fans, connected by a love deeper than any distance — even 768,800 kilometers to the moon and back.

[goblin-jr]

And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like I love you.

Synopsis: Y/N has loved JJ for as long as she can remember. Now, as JJ falls for someone new, Y/N’s heart is pulled in a million different directions. 

Pairing: JJ x Reader x Rafe

masterlist

---

The sun was setting, casting warm amber light across the Outer Banks, painting the world in hues Y/N had come to know by heart. She’d watched these sunsets with JJ more times than she could count, usually from the old dock or one of their secret hideaways. This place, the marshes and beaches, had been their world since they were six years old. They’d grown up as each other’s shadow—two kids with wayward parents and a shared sense of adventure.

JJ had always been the loud one, fearless in the way he took on the world, while Y/N found herself quietly filling the spaces beside him, standing steady when life went off course. But somewhere along the line, her feelings had slipped past friendship. Now, at sixteen, Y/N’s heart raced just seeing JJ flash that mischievous grin she’d memorized years ago.

She wasn’t sure when it had happened—maybe during the late-night talks under starlit skies or after he’d shown up at her house that one terrible night when her parents' shouts rattled the windows. He was the only one who could chase away the dark. She wanted to tell him, but there was always something in the way. Mostly, lately, it was Kie.

Kie, with her bright laugh and easy charm. Y/N loved her, she really did, but there were moments when she wished she could be just a bit more like her: braver, more outgoing, effortless. JJ followed Kie with a starry-eyed devotion that broke Y/N’s heart, but she could never resent Kie for it. Besides, wasn’t it enough just to have JJ as a friend? To be by his side, even if she couldn’t hold his hand the way she wanted to?

This particular day at the country club was supposed to be different.

Y/N clocked in and picked up a tray, weaving her way around tables of tourists and regulars, her smile polite but practiced. Working alongside JJ made the shifts easier, though today her nerves twisted every time she thought about what she wanted to say. She’d decided that today was the day she’d finally tell him.

But as she scanned the room, she caught sight of JJ across the dining area, trailing Kie with that familiar, hopeful look on his face. Y/N’s heart sank, but she tried to shake it off. So what if JJ had a crush on Kie? It didn’t change what she had to say. It would just… complicate things.

She was so lost in thought that she barely noticed Rafe Cameron standing by his family’s usual table until he cleared his throat.

“Y/N, right?” he said, giving her a nod that was polite but impersonal, the sort of acknowledgment he probably reserved for the people who worked at his family’s club. “Is there someone I can talk to about the dinner reservations? There’s been some confusion.”

“Oh—yeah, sure,” she stammered, mentally kicking herself for spacing out. “I can take care of it.”

“Great,” he said, offering her a polite, reserved smile. “Appreciate it.”

He was cordial enough, but Y/N knew his reputation. He was practically crowned king of the Kooks, and though he hadn’t done anything wrong, she felt that familiar, instinctual distrust rise up. She turned and made her way to the reservation counter, Rafe already forgotten as her eyes found JJ again.

She could see him chatting with Kie across the terrace, his eyes following her with a soft look Y/N knew too well. JJ looked at Kie like she was a sunrise, something bright and untouchable. Kie was laughing, carefree as always, and Y/N had to look away. She couldn’t help but wish she could be like that—just a little more confident, a little more magnetic.

She took a deep breath. She’d tell JJ anyway. She’d waited too long already, right? They were best friends; he’d understand, even if he didn’t feel the same way.

But when her shift finally ended, she found JJ out by the clubhouse steps, pacing back and forth with that jittery energy he got whenever he was excited. Before she could say a word, he looked up, grinning.

“Hey! Guess what?” he said, his face lit up like he was about to burst. “Kie just invited me out on the boat tomorrow. It’s like, not a date or anything, but… y’know, she wants me there.”

The words she’d been holding in all day lodged in her throat. She forced a smile, trying to swallow the ache that suddenly felt so heavy. “That’s… that’s great, JJ. I know you’ve been hoping she’d notice you.”

“Right? I mean, it’s probably nothing, but it’s a start, you know?” He ran a hand through his hair, practically bouncing with anticipation. “You should come too. She’d love it if you came. We’ll all hang out like old times.”

“Yeah… maybe,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

JJ didn’t seem to notice the way her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, and she was grateful for it. She didn’t want him to see the hurt she was holding back. All she wanted was to be close to him, and if that meant staying quiet, being his best friend even when her heart was breaking, then that was what she’d do.

“See you later, then?” JJ asked, giving her a quick hug before jogging off, probably already daydreaming about tomorrow.

Y/N stood there, watching him disappear, feeling her resolve crumble. She’d come so close, but maybe today just wasn’t the right time. There would be other days, right? Other moments when JJ wasn’t looking at someone else with that same hopeful gleam in his eyes.

She walked home slowly, the sunset painting everything in soft pastels, the familiar landscape feeling just a little emptier. She thought about JJ, the way his laugh sounded like home, the way he’d always been her anchor. Even if she could never tell him, she’d stay by his side.

Maybe tomorrow, or the day after that. She’d tell him someday. But for now, loving him quietly was enough. It had to be.

--

this is a short and sweet intro to what is (hopefully) a new series! Hope you enjoy, and let me know what you think!

[wonyonwoo]

The Mistake We Keep Making ~ P.SH

warnings: angst, suggestive, depressed reader, infidelity, cheating, self hatred, toxic hwa.

wc: 1.5k

Just a little drabble.. I hope you enjoy!

How did you end up here? Naked. Vulnerable. Sticky.

It’s a tale you’re all too familiar with, a story that should have ended long ago—one that should have never begun. You know it’s wrong, but you can’t help it. Not when he smiles at you like you’ve made his day, not when he brings you lunch during your grueling study sessions, not when he’s between your legs, devouring you like you’re his last meal, whispering how beautiful you are, how sweet you taste, how good you feel. Not when he looks up at you with hooded eyes, bottom lip quivering as he spills into you. Not when you collapse into each other, bodies tangled, drowning in a high you were never meant to share.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. You weren’t supposed to be with him.

You both knew it.

--------

“Y/N.”

Your name pulls you back, snapping you out of your daze. You’ve been zoning out more lately—a side effect of exhaustion, of self-inflicted chaos. The weight of your last year in university, the pressures of grad school applications, a demanding internship, moving out of your old apartment before the lease expires. You’re barely holding it together, and maybe that’s why you keep making the same mistakes. Why you keep letting him in.

“Huh—oh, yes?” you blink, refocusing on Lara, her golden nose ring glinting under the soft apartment lighting. Gorgeous as ever, her warm brown skin flawless, her long red curls framing a face too symmetrical to be real.

“You’re scaring me,” she says, eyes scanning you with concern. “You keep zoning out. I think you have too much on your plate.”

She knows you too well. She always has. You’re a chronic overachiever, running yourself into the ground without ever leaving space to breathe. The difference is, Lara has balance. She’s just as busy—final year, business major, yet somehow her life is seamless. Perfect boyfriend, a family with money, an apartment that isn’t suffocating under the weight of bad decisions.

Meanwhile, you trick yourself into thinking that 5am gym sessions compensate for the disorder of your life, that productivity masks your wreckage. You can’t even remember a time when you weren’t a mess.

“I think so too,” you admit, sighing. “But I’m too deep in. I worked so hard for that internship, I can’t screw it up now. Maybe once I finish moving, things will settle.” You take a sip of your hot chocolate, hoping the warmth will calm your nerves.

“I literally offered to hire movers for you.”

“Okay, but who’s going to unpack all my shit?”

“I said I’d help you.”

You shake your head. “I don’t like people touching my things.”

Lara scoffs. “Why do you make things so hard for yourself?”

You don’t know. You really don’t. But it’s a pattern—one you can’t seem to break.

“You know I like doing things myself, Lara. If I can’t handle it alone, then what’s the point?” It’s a mindset etched into your bones.

She exhales sharply, rolling her eyes. “I don’t understand you.”

“Me neither.” You chuckle, but it’s hollow.

She convinces you to let her help with the move, and though you resist, you’re relieved. You’re grateful to have her, even if a small, ugly part of you resents how effortlessly put-together she is.

You’ve known Lara since third grade, since you found her beating up the class bully, Seth. You were inseparable after that. Her 4’9, 60-pound eight-year-old self had taken on the biggest guy in the grade and won. She was fearless, independent, kind—all the things you pretend to be. Maybe that’s why you push away her help. Accepting it feels like pity. It’s cruel to feel that way about your best friend, but you can’t help it.

She’s perfect without trying. And you…

You’re crying. Alone. In your car. In the parking garage of Lara’s apartment.

Pathetic.

You slam your forehead against the steering wheel, frustration bubbling up in your throat. You’re so sick of crying. Sick of feeling. Sick of yourself. The weight of everything—the past, the present, the future—presses down on your chest, suffocating.

Your phone vibrates.

A name you should’ve erased long ago lights up your screen.

Hwa: I want to see you.

You exhale sharply, fingers tightening around your phone. He always seems to find you when you’re at your lowest. As if he has a sixth sense for your weakness. But the truth is, you wouldn’t have said no even if he’d texted at any other time.

You: I need you, Hwa.

And that’s the worst part.

Because it’s not just loneliness. It’s not just sex. It’s something much darker, much deeper. A sickness rooted in your bones, in your mind, in the way you let yourself believe that this—this—is the only way you can feel anything at all.

Maybe that’s why you always end up in his bed.

Even though you know that’s not where you’re supposed to be.

-------

Seonghwa’s fingers trace the curve of your jaw, tilting your face toward his. The warmth of his touch sends a slow burn through your veins, igniting something reckless inside you.

“Angel,” he murmurs, voice smooth, coaxing. “Look at me.”

You do, blinking up at him from where you rest in his lap, curled into him on the couch. He smells like cedarwood and sin, his presence intoxicating. The movie playing on the screen is long forgotten, drowned out by the steady drum of your pulse.

It’s always the same routine—he comes over, you eat, you talk, you fuck. Repeat. Some nights feel different. Some nights, he lingers. Holds you a little longer. Whispers things in the dark that make your chest ache. Tonight is one of those nights.

His wife and daughter are away for the weekend, visiting family. He couldn’t go because of work.

You don’t know who you hate more. Him. His wife. Or yourself.

You hum softly, lashes fluttering as you meet his gaze. His thumb brushes against your lower lip, eyes darkening.

“You’re so quiet tonight,” he muses. “What’s on your mind?”

Everything. Nothing. You.

Instead of answering, you shift in his lap, pressing your thighs together. The movement doesn’t go unnoticed. His hand tightens on your jaw, the other gripping your waist. His tongue darts out to wet his lips, eyes locked onto yours, heavy with intent.

He leans in, breath warm against your skin.

“Tell me what you need.”

You swallow, heart hammering. You shouldn’t. You shouldn’t. But your body betrays you, melting into him, chasing his warmth.

You whisper the words you always do, the ones that keep you bound to him in this cycle of ruin.

“You.”

Without hesitation, Hwa leans down, his lips meeting yours with a tenderness that should not belong to you. It is slow, deliberate—loving. The kind of kiss a man gives his wife, the kind of kiss a man should give his wife. And yet, here he is, pressing that devotion into you, stealing what was never yours to have.

"Hwa," you breathe between his kisses, your voice barely a whisper, more of a plea than a protest. 

"Hm?" He hums, lost in you, unaware—or perhaps too aware—of how he unravels you piece by piece. 

"You're so gentle tonight," you murmur, tilting your head to grant him access, surrendering before you can think twice. His lips trail down your jaw, onto the delicate skin of your neck, his breath warm against your pulse. 

"I finally have as much time with you as I want," he says, each word pressing into you like a brand. "I'm going to take my time. Savor you. Every part of you."

The words hit deep, sinking into the hollow spaces you pretend don’t exist. He wants to savor you. To be with you. To consume you slowly, as if you are something precious, something worth lingering over. But are you? Is this self-destruction or indulgence? Is this a wound or a reward?

"I missed you so much, angel. Your smell, your face, your taste. Always so pretty for me. You know that?" 

Here he goes again, whispering the words he knows will break you apart, dissolving the fragile pieces of your restraint. He knows you too well. Maybe that’s why he chose you. He knew you were empty, a void waiting to be filled, so he poured himself into you—made you whole in the only way he knew how. Physical love, fleeting love, the kind that fades with the morning light. Because there’s no way he could truly love you, right?

Hwa strips away his shirt, then yours, discarding them like the last remnants of reason. His hands are firm yet reverent as he lifts you, carrying you toward your empty, half-packed room. He stumbles over a box, nearly losing balance, and you let out a quiet laugh. 

He silences you with a kiss, deep and claiming, before laying you tenderly onto the mattress. 

Tonight, you are his. 

Tonight, he is yours. 

And when the morning comes, reality will take him back. 

But for now—for now, he lingers.

[tnt-kokoo]

Best friend

Alexis Ness × fem!reader

summary: After befriending Ness even after getting warned that he was 'weird', he started to develop feelings and a slight obsession.

warnings: a little stalking, obsession, bullying, MANGA SPOILER (kinda but still), No kaiser in this

"Leave him alone?!" A small spoke as the German boy got bullied by his classmates again. The voice belonged to the new girl in school, you. You were around 6 and yet so brave.

Ness looked up and saw you walking towards the little group that formed around the poor boy. He was amazed by how fearless you were. While you were arguing to the bullys his eyes couldn't help but widen as they finally decided to leave Ness alone to avoid having to argue further.

The boy was looking at you like you were his hero, what you clearly were. He really wanted to repay your kindness to help him. So that's why, after all these years after you saved him, he stood by your side.

Ness liked to look back at the day you two met. He thought of it as some sort of fate. And you saving him bonded your twos souls together, so how could he ever leave you after that? It's not like he ever thought of leaving either. He enjoyed his life to the fullest with you. You were always there to listen to his problems about his strict family and how he should stop liking all that 'childish fantasy stuff'. He was alwady there for you, as you were for him and nothing could change that and even when the two of you parted, Ness somehow managed to convince (threatened) people to either change with him to partner with you, or just simply went to you before anyone else could.

He was always with you.

Growing up you came to see how much football means for Ness and that it's something that his family can't take away from him. You couldn't help but feel sad when he was doubting himself, but after you looked into his eyes and told him that you'd be his number one fan he was over the moon and felt his heart beat faster (something he only ever experienced with you).

Today was the day where his school football team went against another school. You could feel how anxious Ness got. He didn't wanted to disappoint his team, school and especially not you. So when the students were all seated down and the players got changed into their school match uniform, you went down to where your best friend hid.

Putting a hand on top of his shoulder pulled the purple eyed boy out of his self doubt as he looked up into your warm eyes. He could feel himself fall for you every time he looked into your eyes whole you gave him that smile that said 'don't worry, I will be here'. Oh man, he loved you.

With new motivation he stood up and walked towards the field.

____________________________________________

After the game, Ness couldn't wait to talk to you again, maybe you woudk hug him, maybe even kiss. He was so sure you were proud of him. After all, all the goals he made were only for you.

You must know that, right?

Ofcourse he couldn't go back to his beloved still smelling like sweat so he choose to take a quick shower.

After getting out of the shower, he practically ran to find you like a dog searching its owner and when he did find you, he saw a player from the other school trying to flirt with you.

'Who does he think he is??'

Walking closer he started to hear him talk to you.

"....honestly think you deserve better." The guy said smirking when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around he saw the German boy and his smirk grew, "Just who I was talking about. Why would you willingly stay with that lose-" Ness pushed him away and he stumbled. Your old friend held your hand and pulled you with him away from that guy. He really wanted to hurt him but he couldn't...not with you here atleast. He would never want to ruin your view on him. He wanted to stay forever your favorite and only boyfriend bestfriend.

"Are you okay, y/n?? He didn't do anything right?? RIGHT??" He looked like he would lose it in just seconds if you wouldn't answer him.

"Don't worry Alexis, nothing happened." You calmed him down by putting both of your hands on his shoulder and pulled him closer to embrace him. "You did so well I the game by the way." You smiled at him as he could feel his heart explode. His head fell on your own shoulder as he could smell your perfume that he just so loved.

____________________________________________

Hours later when the sun went down and the moon took over the sky, Ness was still outside walking... and following.

He wouldn't have done this if the guy earlier wasn't so stupid to try something with you. He knew that Ness liked you so why even try.

Following behind the player, he got slowly closer and closer to him as he finally was close enough to pull him into an ally and hold him up against a wall. "Leave Y/n alone." The guy finally nodded at Ness as a way to show that he understood.

With the threat and the slight choking the player, Ness walked away and made his way to a house he knew all too well. Yours.

____________________________________________

ᯓᝰ Okokk that's the chapter

-I will also update the chigiri file a bit later, I I thinking about tmmr (Hopefully) 😭 also, I had my communication exam in French today and got a 2 lol

[anamelessfool]

Terzo (born Arsenio Moretti, 20 Oct 1965)

Terzo was always thought of as Nihil's son. Secondo was Rebecca's son and she kept him as far from his bohemian father's influence as possible. Primo lived in suburbia with his own mother by the time Terzo showed up. Terzo's existence was a total surprise-- he arrived one morning in 1969, a four year old from the Milan Ministry location with a cardboard suitcase, happy smile, and not a word of English.

His mother was gone and so he was Nihil's. A surprise souvenir from the Italian tour that Rebecca made sure Papa Emeritus paid for every moment for the rest of his life. Nihil considered it accrued interest on the other fuckups. At a certain point debts become holes too large to ever get filled. Might as well...keep on going at that point.

Terzo was a very agreeable young boy and loved to perform. Singing, dancing, random stunts and showing off was how he warmed people up to him, especially early on when he couldn't understand the language. He understood applause and smiles and laughter first. The Siblings at the Ministry enjoyed his company and he was in part raised by a whole group. He was so easy-going and interested in the world that Nihil ended up taking him on tour a few times. The ghouls enjoyed his antics and he loved spending time with the whimsical yet silent beings. He spent a lot of his early years in hotel rooms and backstage watching performances, meeting various friends of friends who would pat his head and tell him how charming he was. Early on he was an aficionado of music, like his father. Nihil would take him out to nightclubs and performance spaces when he could. Terzo lived for the feathers and glitter and drama and music. Yes, nightclubs after midnight were definitely not places for young kids to really be but he was charming enough that no one really cared.

When Terzo was old enough to fend for himself he really did fend for himself-- alone, wandering the woods or an attic or the catacombs. It wasn't solely because Nihil had no parenting skills whatsoever, but Nihil himself was left to his own devices at that age. To Nihil it seemed natural for boys to wander around, and at the very least Terzo would come home to a group of friendly faces happy to see him, unlike his own upbringing.

Despite his fearless nature, Terzo never liked the dark. Bedtime was the worst-- nothing to do, no one to see. Left to your own thoughts while you waited for sleep. He didn't know why he would get angry when he was alone, not for a long time. The truth was Terzo was always liked but never really felt loved. Maybe Nihil cared for him, but his father never expressed it in a way that ever felt real. The affection always came from what he could do, his talent, his art but never just him for him. Terzo, standing there without a prop or a line or a skill to show off never felt more exposed in his whole life. He felt he needed to hide something, but never knew exactly what that something really was. So in the dark before bed his heart pounded. In the silence of the forest without the birdcalls to distract he felt like he needed to run away. When conversation drifted back to adult matters while he sat there at the kid's table his mind raced with what to do next. Please, please, please but he was never sure what he was begging for.

My "Scenes from the Void" AU

[sku11s1asher]

hi! i loved what you wrote for my request 😭 it was so cute, i didn't really specify it bc i forgot but yeah u did it amazing <33

and yeah u can totally make a part 2! actually i was thinking about it bc i can imagine a meeting between furina and the natlan archon while neuvi and reader are just giving glances to eachother 😭 reader looking like a total meanace but in his mind like "damn he's handsome" almost burning his cheeks and the seat lmao

neuvillette x m! reader (part 1)

note: ngl i feel like i do good at posting then smth with school pops up and i don’t post for like a month.. sorry y’all. also please tell me im not the only one who’s been on and off sick for the past month, rn i have a runny nose and a sore throat AGAIN. i just got over that like, barely 2 weeks ago.

tw: y/n is a bit of a weirdo with his thoughts since he doesn’t understand anything w/ love, internal homophobia (not really but kinda?), y/n is all over the place

After centuries of fighting, killing, and not showing emotions to anyone, all that can end because of a guy with beautiful long hair. The more y/n thinks about it, the more embarrassed he gets. He’s known for being a fearless and intimidating warrior, just for that whole facade to disappear just over a man out of all things.

This whole scenario came into place because his nation archon just had to have a meeting with Fontaine's archon, Furina, at least y/n thinks that’s her name. The meeting consisted of figuring out how to make the justice system within Natlan better and a way to make transportation easier between the two nations. y/n didn’t pay attention to the little details, he was only there to ‘protect’ his archon and make sure things went smoothly.

However, he didn’t realize that the other archon would be bringing a guest with her until a day before the meeting. It did tick y/n off a little bit that he would get notified so late but does it really matter? All y/n is doing is protecting and making sure everything doesn’t go south.

Well, it did go a bit south, as soon as Furina's guest arrived, y/n's mouth went dry. That man did things to him that he didn’t even know could happen. Maybe it was the long hair on the other man that made y/n feel warm inside, it definitely couldn’t have been the slight scent he had. No, definitely not.

Okay, y/n takes that back, he feels like he’s getting intoxicated by the proximity of the other male. It wasn’t hard to figure out that the guest, was a dragon, all it took was a quick look and a secret deep breath to figure it out. He had it figured out, his body wasn’t used to being by another dragon, and he hadn’t seen one in what, centuries? This feeling would go away in maybe 20 minutes, hopefully.

20 minutes later and y/n feels like he’s going to light the whole place on fire. His whole body feels like it’s melting, and to no one’s surprise, it’s all due to the long-haired man in front of him. The stranger might genuinely be the hottest person y/n has ever seen in his entire life. That long hair makes y/n want to run his fingers through it, maybe brush it, but that might be a bit too much to think about.

Once y/n saw the man look at him, he quickly looked away, how embarrassing.. he got caught staring hardcore. He took a deep breath before listening back into the conversation, “Ah, yes, I suppose it would do both nations good to do something like that. Maybe combining a bit of power.” the lovey talk of archons, always talking about power; like it’s the only thing that matters to them.

Power is important though, y/n is in the position he’s in right now because of how powerful he is. In complete honesty, he’s probably too powerful for his own good, only knowing how to use it to protect his nation from people deemed as enemies; even if they aren’t in the public eye. Power rules everything at the end of the day, nothing can function without power.

The more he listens into the conversation, the more he realizes he was glad he was never born as an archon; he’s been around one most of his life and it’s always been boring. Listening in did provide small details though, like the mysterious man’s name.

While y/n was somewhat able to keep his focus off of the other dragon in the room, he managed to not burn anything. But, he had a feeling his archon caught on as they gave him a questionable look; it was a very subtle one that only he could catch onto but it was obvious they knew something. Nothing is going on though, right? The man can’t help it if he gets a bit flustered whenever he remembers Neuvillette is near him.

Gosh, y/n probably looks like a blushed teenager who just confessed to his crush. Well, he at least thought he did. To everyone else though, he looked like he was on guard and was going to fight anyone who even took a step too close to his and the Natlan archon's bubble. y/ns hand accidentally gazed at the chair near him, which caused the leather to burn where his touch was. Good thing no one was looking, right?

y/n couldn’t wait any longer for this meeting to be over, his brain was thinking too many things while he was focusing on every single move everyone else did. It would be overwhelming for anyone who wasn’t trained and as skilled as he was, but that tiny overwhelming feeling didn’t compare to how fast his heart was beating. y/n hoped the other male couldn’t pick up how he was feeling, thankfully Fontaine's archon seemed to be happy with the deal she and the other archon came up with.

In Neuvillette's mind, he could tell that the fire dragon was on edge. He could also tell how much the dragon was staring at him, it was a little nerve-racking. Once Neuvillette caught a glance at the chair that was touched, it made him a bit surprised but he didn’t show it. Maybe he would talk to the other male after the meeting, for work-related things of course!

[ruru195]

The Campfire Confessions

The flames crackled quietly. The questers, after being able to reach their next stop, met the circus and decided to rest with them, finally taking a break from what they had to go through. It was late, long after training, but none of them could sleep.

Felix sat apart, sharpening a worn blade, back straight, eyes distant.

One by one, the others joined him in silence… until the stillness became something more sacred.

A place for truths.

🖤 BENDY – Restless Heart

Bendy plopped beside Felix, arms resting on his knees, bouncing slightly.

“I ever tell you I wanted to be a dancer when I was a kid?” he muttered suddenly.

Felix raised a brow. “No.”

Bendy chuckled. “Thought it was dumb. Thought people’d laugh.”

He looked at his hands, scarred and calloused.

“I fight with these now. But… sometimes I miss just moving because it felt good. Not ‘cause I had to survive.”

Felix put down the blade.

“You’re not dumb,” he said softly. “You were alive. And you still can be. Fighting and feeling aren't opposites.”

Bendy blinked at him, eyes wide. “...You really think so?”

“I know so,” Felix replied. “You don’t have to lose the dream just because life got heavy. Dance again. Even if it’s alone.”

Bendy smiled, barely. “Maybe I will.”

🌙 MUGMAN – Quiet Storm

Later, Mugman took Felix’s place by the fire, eyes flicking to the stars.

“I hate that I get scared so easy,” he said suddenly, voice shaky.

Felix didn’t interrupt.

“I get scared I’ll mess up. Scared they’ll get hurt. Scared I’ll get hurt. And I hate it, but… I don’t know how to stop.”

He looked at Felix, like it was a secret he’d buried for years.

“I wanna protect people. But I feel like I don’t deserve to be the one doing it.”

Felix inhaled through his nose and let the silence stretch.

“Courage,” he said, “isn’t being fearless. It’s being terrified and still showing up.”

Mugman sniffed.

“You’re one of the most loyal, thoughtful people I’ve ever trained,” Felix added. “Don’t ever think fear makes you weak. It makes you human.”

Mugman nodded, wiping his eyes.

“Thanks, Felix.”

💧 BORIS – Heavy Shoulders

When the fire dimmed and stars overtook the sky, Boris finally spoke.

“I never thought I’d survive this long,” he said.

Felix glanced over.

Boris swallowed. “Back then… when things got real bad, I just figured I’d be gone before I was seventeen.”

Felix’s chest ached.

“But now I’m still here. And I got people who love me. And sometimes that scares me more than anything. ‘Cause what if I can’t keep ‘em safe?”

Felix moved closer and placed a hand over Boris’s.

“You don’t have to carry the world,” he whispered. “You just have to carry your piece. And that’s enough.”

Boris didn’t respond for a while.

Then he whispered, “I love ‘em so much, Felix.”

Felix squeezed his hand. “That’s your greatest strength.”

🍂CUPHEAD – The Shadow and the Light

The fire had almost died when Cuphead leaned in beside Felix, knees pulled to his chest.

“My mother made me believe I was a monster,” he said quietly.

Felix looked at him gently.

“I started thinking… maybe I was. After what I did. What I became. All the stuff inside me.”

The silence thickened.

“But I want to protect people now. I want to be someone who matters. Not because of power. Because of me. Just me.”

Felix turned fully to him. “You already are.”

Cuphead looked at him, lips trembling.

“You have a heart bigger than most people I’ve met. Don’t ever let anyone, especially yourself, convince you that you’re just darkness.”

Cuphead bit his lip, shaking a little.

“You’re not who raised you,” Felix whispered. “You’re who you choose to be.”

Cuphead nodded, hugging his knees. “...I want to be good.”

“You are,” Felix said. “And I’m proud of you.”

🌌 DAWN – THE WILDCAT AND HIS WARDS

The sun peeked over the hills, golden light washing through the trees.

All four lay dozing in a ring around the fire, curled together, finally at peace.

Felix sat quietly, sipping a warm drink, watching them.

“They’ve come so far,” he whispered to himself.

Oswald appeared beside him, leaning down to kiss his temple.

“And they have you to thank,” Oswald murmured, resting his chin on Felix’s shoulder.

Felix smiled faintly. “They did the hard part. I just reminded them who they were.”

“And who are you?”

Felix tilted his head toward the fire. “A guide. A father. A husband. A mentor.”

He chuckled. “And apparently... a walking therapy session.”

Oswald laughed softly. “They needed you.”

Felix looked at them one last time before whispering:

“And I needed them.”

[artificialnightmare]

Fukuzawa Yukichi

w/ adult soulmate who loves to read.

— fluff, x readers, gender neutral, sfw

— you love books he loves cats.

suggestion : listen to “twilight time (single version) by the platters” while reading

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊

Fukuzawa hummed quitely to notice his appearance in your room. Lately, he’s been out all day-night due to the elevation of current crimes up in the city, “what have you been reading? I see that you’ve been really dwelled inside the book on your hands?”

“ah, good afternoon, dear.” you welcomed him with a delightful tone; you did actually enjoy seeing him within his rarely seen presence. though, you both engaged and about to get married at the end of the year, “new book. I purchased this yesterday on the new bookstore down the street, next to the cafe where we first met.”

“oh, right. that cafe. i remember it vividly.” Fukuzawa walked closer to you. He put his hand on your shoulder and leaned closer to see the book in your hands, “newest bookstore? still, it’s rather having the same stuffs with the others, right?”

“perhaps, yes.” you said, “and so does all the cats and kittens you kept and took care of.”

“it’s really not a fair comparison.”

“for me, it does.”

He seemed irritated. You heard from others he always the fearless, determined, and stern man of authority. For you, it was rather amusing to see him getting agitated for simple matters. As the scary man people feared, the perception of your own towards him shunned to the winsome and warm-hearted fiance.

“my dear, I was joking,” you kissed him on the cheek, “i appreciate your care towards those kitties. i love having them around the house.”

When he felt the kiss on his cheek, he glanced at you solely to see how serious you took this, “really?”

“yes, of course.”

The truth, you did love cats and kitten, but solely adored their cuteness. Though taking care of them was rather not your virtue—if you wanted to compare it with how Fukuzawa handled each of them with utmost care, you were ashamed as it was an inapproriate comparison.

Known him as a perceptive man, thus he said, “I might troubled you on this matter,” he shyly kissed you back on your cheek, “you must learn more how to take care of them, don’t you think? if you really love them around.”

You wished he was home more often to take care of the kittens, “so, when i’m going to have times to read these books i owned if i constantly taking care of them?”

He giggled, looking at how you sighed he thought it was adorable, “you will have the time.” he took the book in your hands, flipped it to each sides several times, “i will accompany you, either to read or buy them.”

Astonished by his offer, you glanced at him with pleasant eyes, “you? really?”

“yes, of course.”

“But…” you hummed, thinking about how busy he was being lately, and to rushed such a dangerous work would not be safe for him.

Astuted by your worries, he rather took the initiative, “I valued my works and you, to forget about one will make me miserable.” a gentleman like Fukuzawa would never want to see his loving fiancé grew weary over what he did, “give it a rest, my dear. i supposed you should have known i’m a professional of my own matters.”

“I hear you, my dear, Fukuzawa.” you heard them, though worries would not leave your heart. maybe you’ve been blinded by the love that fills your heart, even with him boasted about his proficient ways of doing his matters.

“my dear,” he kissed you softly on the lips,” do not ever be worry, i am never alone in this. the children had been of a tremendous help. we all have each other hands notably in dangerous situation we might face forward.”

You chuckled, with a composure of an unconcerned sight to him, “you’re correct. they are there with you.”

“so…?” he asked.

“so…?”

Fukuzawa smiled, “should we pick a time for us to go to the bookstore, my dearest?”

.

forward rendezvous might—as you thought recollecting his words— felt like a dream of heaven. of which stars and moon combined as a marvelous scenery of countless nights.

.

waiting for you two kiss beneath its delicate rays.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊

a/n : finally i went back to writing again (after 2 years lol). i read several books so i thought my competence of writing had been elevated even just by bit. i hope you enjoy this fluff. <3

[ma3-author2]

Campfire Cooking In Another World x Reader

Finally, I got the chance to post this! Take note that this chapter is between chapters 3 and 4 in the manga. (For reference.)

What I really like about this chapter, not only that it took me days (4 days) to complete it as I always got sidetracked, is that it mainly focuses on the development.

I've never really tried tonkatsu, but I would like to try some. (I'm planning on making it with bread cramps as I don't have any Japanese ponka.)

Chapter 3: "The Kingdom of Feeneen” A new place, a new discovery, or perhaps a new blush?"

____________________ Previous Chapter ---> Part 1 /// Part 2

"There it is. The border of the kingdom of Feeneen."

You heard Werner say it, and seeing it from afar, you couldn't help but gape your mouth in excitement and curiosity for what you would discover upon entering it. The only problem was that the group couldn't easily enter without the guards who were guarding the border and were now asking some questions.

You didn’t find it a problem, as it’s their job to know who will enter first before letting them in. What you find a problem with is how Mukoda doesn’t really have any common sense, but hey. He's just a human; he's not perfect. But he's been doing it since you two arrived in that world.

‘Or maybe not. He also acts like this at work.’

"How about I go first and explain?" Werner volunteered to go first to try and sweet talk the guards.

-L/N-san. Do you think everything will go well? -

-Let’s hope it will. I don’t want to pay any fines. This gluttonous beast almost took it all.-

Mukoda sheepishly chuckled at your remark. I mean, he could give you some of his money, but knowing you, You will refuse it. After the group arrived at the front of the gate, it wasn’t long before you received a very warm welcome, and that was by them pointing their many spears. (A: Oh? Lol)

Maybe it was instinct, as you and Mukoda had raised your hands to show that you were not a threat or going to commit any sort of crime.

"Is that the legendary Fenrir, who is really your familiar?" Edgar, who calls himself the captain of the fourth knight squad, asks you two to explain it to him.

-Legendary? Huh! Don’t make me laugh! He’s more of a gluttony legend.

-...Really L/N-san…?-

Mukoda sighs, introducing Fenrir and confirming that it is what they think. "Yes, we have formed a contract with this Fenrir." As soon as he let out those sentences, every guard stood with caution and shock visible in their faces.

This is their first time facing one, and they fear that with one wrong move, they will wake up in the afterlife.

Seeing their faces, it was your turn to talk. "Don’t worry. He will not harm even a single hair. If he ever did so. Take him." You explained that you were pointing your palm at Mukoda, who has a face of betrayal.

"L/N-san! Are you serious?!" in which you simply smiled at him.

-Don’t worry, I will visit you-

-L/N-SAN!!-

"...Hmm, even so. He’s still a legendary beast that can destroy a country; is he really not going to do any harm to this kingdom and its people?" Edgar is figuring out if it’s really safe to let Fenrir in.

"He won't, and he would already have done so if he wanted to, yet he didn’t, which means we came in peace. I know you're worried, but this glutto- *Cough* Fel will not touch anything or destroy the country. Right?" You glared at Fel, who was now snarling at you.

He definitely heard that you were going to call him gluttonous. Oh, how he wanted to refuse any request you made, but seeing how you gave him a look, The look of ‘If you don’t cooperate, you won’t eat anything for a whole week.’ With a wide eye looking at him.

Even if he's the legendary beast that people or any beast should fear, he's fearless. For the first time, he felt it.

"J-just like she said, I won’t cause any problems, and D-don’t compare me to dumb monsters. If they don’t mean any harm to me, then I won’t do anything to them."

Edgar, who hummed, is still debating if he would risk letting this legendary beast inside, but upon hearing the others telling them how Fenrir even hunts for their food and hasn’t done anything bad,

In the end, you and Mukoda can celebrate as he lets the group in. The only thing that stops you from celebrating is:

"Those with no guild card have to pay 5 silver coins for each person and also 2 silver coins for the beast," the guard said, pointing at Fel.

You could only clinch your palm, as this gluttony beast is not only a food addict but a money eater as well. Mukoda, who saw your expression, had volunteered to pay Fel, but you stopped him by telling him that you were also responsible for it.

This is the thing he really likes about you: you may look like a selfish person who doesn’t want to pay for someone's dinner, which in fact you should if you’re the one who invited them. (Like a first date rule.) For Mukoda, it was the opposite.

"We’re in!"

"It was really scary when we were surrounded." Rita and Vincent exclaimed, followed by Mukoda and you thanking them. If it weren’t for them, you two might be dead.

"...But it seems Mukoda-san and Y/N-san are going to get busy from now on."  Once you two heard Werner, leaving only Mukoda confused and you sighing at his airheadedness,

"Eh? What do you mean?" Mukoda asked only to choke on his saliva when his eyes landed on yours. It's really not a big deal to react that way; it's just you deadpanly looking at him.

‘Really?’

‘Ha-ha..’

Werner then continued telling Mukoda that the captain looks like he’s thinking about writing a report, and this, of course, will get to the ears of the Marquess of the area; furthermore, the king will also know about it.

"You two don’t plan on staying?"

"Yeah, we talk about it and are still thinking about going around lots of places," you replied to Werner, who nodded at what you said.

"So you’re two going on a trip again?"

"Yup, if you have any places that you want us to go to, that would be great."

"Hey, how long are we going to stand here?" Fel jumped in, only for his irritation to be replaced by a sudden cough when you eyed him. You sigh at Fel not only does he need to diet but to have patience as well.

And beside, who wouldn’t want to go sight-seeing and sell the stuff from the online supermarket you and Mukoda have? In this world, that stuff might be dangerous, but it’s a good way to get instant money after all, since you're in a different world where the ‘stuff’ you two have doesn’t exist in that world.

Or you two can open a restaurant.

"Then, Mukoda-san, Y/N-san, I think you should register at the adventure guild."

"The adventure guild?" Mukoda ask. He first glanced at you, but seeing your clueless look, he clinched his palm. Finally, you're also clueless and won’t judge him.

"You two paid for the fee to enter the kingdom, right?" Werner continued as he saw you two nod. "If you can prove that you’re from either the adventure guild or the merchant guild, you won’t have to pay that fee; this is really necessary for traveling."

"Ah, so like a train card!"

"W-what she meant to say is like a ticket to enter a kingdom," Mukoda immediately said as Werner and the others looked at you confused. He then sheepishly chuckled as he shared that you two are more suitable to be merchants than adventurers, which you agreed with.

Werner, hum seeing what you two are pointing out, but even so, "But still… Mukoda-san, Y/N-san. Let me ask you something. Fel-sama hunts for his own food, right?"

"He better be." Werner dryly chuckles at your remark and then continues, "Then what about dismantling the beast for its meat? For us, it’s not a problem, but after we have finished our quest,"

You nodded, seeing his point. With them, it wasn’t a problem, but with them gone, you don’t want to dismantle a dead beast; you don’t even know how to dismantle a fish. What more to an unknown species?

Your ears immediately perked; did you hear him right? You can sell the part that can’t be eaten. And being an adventurer would bring more? You would gladly take that opportunity, even if you could only earn bronze coins. Hey, money is money.

You're not stealing from Fel; he's just paying you two for the food he keeps asking for. So it’s fair and square.

Mukoda doesn’t know if it’s right to be an adventurer, as he hardly sees himself as one, and he can’t picture how he would be on a real battle field, but for you? He could only sweat-drop as you were busy smiling at the thought of the benefit.

This was hard for him, but when he heard Vincent tell him that if he's still unsure of which one to become, he can register for both.

"Huh…? Is that allowed?"

"Well, there aren't that many, but it’s not like it’s never been done before, for example, by a wandering merchant or ingredient store owner."

Soon the group arrives in front of the town near the border, which is called Fariell. Instead of getting hyped like Rita, you and Mukoda could hug the money bag that was now getting thinner by the second you entered, as even the town has an entrance fee.

‘We should really register for a guild soon.’

‘Agree.’

Vincent, who nagged you two mutteringly to look upfront and at the view of it, just seeing this person's joyful look leaves a trace of bitter taste. The look he gave you two is like, ‘Oh, this person has a legendary beast! I can get some advantage of it!’ or maybe this person reminds you of those fake friends and co-workers.

"You two must be Mukoda-sama and Y/N-sama, right? I am the marquess Rindel’s servant, Edmon. I am pleased to be your acquaintance! Actually, the Marquess Rindel-sama has been waiting to meet with you two!"

As he kept going and going, trying to sweet talk you two out of getting what he wanted, it helped by leaving a more irked image above your forehead. Mukoda on the other side dryly chuckles at your expression; if he wouldn’t stop this guy from talking, you would.

Oh, how he reminds him that you only have a few sweet talks.

"No, no, a common traveler like us shouldn’t be meeting with the marquess," Mukoda explained, but even when he tried to politely decline this fuck- this guy still continued. You were about to join in when Fel went first, and he is now glaring at this person.

He already knew what this marquee aimed for, and he doesn't like it even a bit. "Hey you, you still don’t get it, do you?! My master and mistress don't want to meet you."

"This-this is Fe…Fenrir-sama!" The marquess was surprised at Fenrir's appearance, and just like he heard, this magnificent beast is really special. He then stumbled forward only a little inch for Fel to hear him say, "Fenrir-sama, please go with us to..."

"He won’t go with you, and neither will we. Didn’t you just hear that my companion here has already declined? Why are you still pursuing us? That’s harrasment. If you keep going, I will let this gluttony eat you instead. Are we clear?" Cutting his words and threatening him, looking at him and saying that you will do it if he won’t leave soon.

And seeing him run off to who knows where, almost stumbling down, the group who was watching and listening felt a sudden cold running down their spines. In their mind, ‘She is really Fel-sama master all right.’ Pointing out that if Fel was just a pup and growing by your side, Yup.

"L-L/N-san, isn’t that a bit too much?" Mukoda asked, but instead of answering him, Fel did it for you.

"No, she did the right thing. Idiots like that can’t understand if you don’t do that much... " Fel then quickly looked at you, eyes expressing an irritation look, and said, "You dare continue to call me GLUTTONY!? you!"

Mukoda and the group could only watch as the two of you started to bark at one another. While you two are busy, Werner asks Mukoda if it’s alright to decline that marquess, as those nobles are really uptight when it comes to keeping their appearance.

"I haven’t thought about that yet…" Mukoda is more worried about the two who still continued. At this point, you two are gaining a lot of attention.

"I don’t think the noble’s private soldiers can go up against Fel-sama to begin with." Franka mentions, followed by Vincent, that if it’s against Fenrir, a worthy foe would be an ancient dragon.

"An ancient dragon, huh? yeah that is the only enemy that can match my power." Fel said he stopped his barking to tell this to the group, even if it ruined his ego and pride that someone could match him, but was replaced by an irk when he heard you cough.

-Are you laughing at me?!-

-No, but really? Any beast or human can’t match your hunger. At least I saved your pride. Right?-

-Shut up!- Fel's face was covered in red; was it anger? Or embarrassment... at least he's still number one, and as he told this to the group who asked him if he fought one, oh, how he wanted to lie and tell them that he won. He's not really a beast who likes to lie, but because of you, he's thinking about it.

But hey, even if he's a prideful and now gluttony beast based on his mistress description, He would never lie. (Lol)

You really did see him as a gluttonous beast rather than a scary beast, but maybe that is much better than fearing him. It’s still early to say it, but for you, Fel is not that bad. Maybe because you only have 2 gold coins and 5 silver coins, you saw Fel and decided, that ‘Hey, I’m running out of money. Is it my fault? Or him? Hmm, why not both? So it’s fair?’

Okay, maybe that’s too much and not a good reason to act like a bitch. After all, sooner or later, you'll get the feeling that Fel will be the companion who will help you and Mukoda survive this new place.

It saddens you to see the group leaving as they complete their mission, even if you only met them for a short time. You felt that closeness.

"We’re going to go turn in the report about this," Werner said as he retracted the paper that you and Mukoda signed.

"Guess that means we’re parting ways here." Mukoda also felt sad; after all, this group is the first to join you two on your first journey.

"Please keep the meat left from the red boar, and if you feel your split on the parts from the rock bird is not enough, then..." Werner wanted to say that the group could give the rest back, but you and Mukoda stopped him.

"No, we have already troubled you guys too much, thank you for escorting us here."

"And here to replenish your energy on your way back, think of it as a thank you basket." You added Mukoda sentence by giving them a basket full of freshly baked bread that you bought, or rather, free stuff from your skills.

You've got to thank Fel; if it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t get this free stuff. Just seeing the group exclaim in happiness as you took it out of your item box and they can’t wait to eat it at the same time as thanking you continuously.

"Wouldn’t they get suspicious as to where you got it?" Mukoda whispered next to you, and in return, you smiled at him, and that smile almost made him flustered. Is it because the sun is shining at you, making the atmosphere warm?

"No, they won’t. They will be too busy eating it to think of it."

No, it’s not the sun or the warmth, because that warmth has already been on him from the beginning. (A: If it’s cold, I could warm it for him. Hehe. *Oven sound when the food is finish* what are you thinking? (--)

As the group waves farewell, they thank you two again, sharing how it was a fun and memorable trip, mostly because of the food, on which you also agreed.

"What should we do next, L/N-san? We managed to get out of the Rayseer kingdom, and we don’t plan on staying in the town for long. Should we register at the guild first?"

"To be honest, I need to find a job first."

"Eh? Why?"

"I… don’t have enough money to get a guild card, and I don’t know how much the fee is…" You sheepishly chuckled. It wasn’t the first time that you did this, and Mukoda already knows that look.

"Don’t worry, it’s on me."

"But you don’t have to; I can just find a quick job to earn money."

"No, I can't let you, and beside, even if I’m an airhead sometimes, you're also one; you’re in a new place, and we don’t know what they will give you... so just to make sure and keep things safe, I will handle the fee."

You don’t know if you will be grateful or offended by him. Now you feel what he felt when you gave him a side eye.

"Please bring the air-headed Mukoda-san back."

He could only snort at your remark, and seeing him like this... Is it just the heat? As you felt your cheeks burning?

"Are you okay?"

"A-ah! Yes! Should we go?"

Maybe it’s not, or maybe it is. You don’t know; you're still thinking about it. Fel, who was watching, scoffed at it. Already knowing where this would lead in the end, all of a sudden he felt this unease.

Hmm, maybe because if you two got a child together, all your attention would be on that little bean, and the food he got might be reduced! Or, in the worst case, he won’t get anymore of that delicious food. No, that can’t happen!

"I can’t let that happen! You two better be safe, understand?!" In translation, he meant

-You two better use protection!

But for you and Mukoda, it meant that he was worried that you two would get killed in an accident and that his food would stop coming. Kind of sweet and selfish of him.

"Understood?!" Fel repeated that, as you two didn’t give him the answer, he could finally huff out when he heard it.

"Yes"

"Yeah"

‘Are we really the masters or him? Should I just sell him rather than the item?’

‘Patient L/N-san. I’m starting to think like you if you keep going’

But really, what kind of legendary beast drools whenever he thinks of food? Wait, that's kind of funny, but any living being would too if they were really gluttons or simply very hungry people.

You don’t blame him because you also drool at Mukoda food (A; himself *when he's cooking the delicious food* but yeah, him). That is when you are too lazy to stand up and cook real food.

THE GUILD

After you arrived in front of the guild without waiting and immediately got in, the first thing you noticed was how busy the people are, and for the first time, you felt like you were about to get your first interview in this world.

It may not be a modern job, but inside this guild, it is not different when it comes to an interview room; this guild also has a job, and the advantage of it is that you can pick any sort of job you want, not only taking a mission every day with a different kind, taking a quest out of the board, and going back to get the reward.

In short, you're just inside a game, playing it in reality rather than on Windows.

"Sorry for making you wait... My name is Michaela. I will take care of you two today. Thank you for choosing our guild."

You swore that this world is unique not only for its uniqueness and the many beasts, but also because the people here are hella fine. You wonder what soap they use to have that shiny skin. You should check later only to brush off that thought, as you don’t have any money to buy one.

"About earlier, we’re sorry for the ruckus." You said that 10 minutes ago, when you three walked in, the people got scared and screamed because of the sudden appearance of Fenrir.

"Oh no. It’s my fault for being inconsiderate. Well then, let me introduce these to you two first."

Michaela has begun telling you about the guild, and you must remember that every guild has its own symbols and name. The guild you three are in is a cross-continental organization.

A picture of a scale You don’t know what that means, but whoever decided to name this guild just crossed the board and thought, "Hey. Let’s go with this.

After Michaela shared the brief introduction, she continued by saying that the merchants are divided into five levels.

"Annual taxes and fees are based on their ranks. The taxes collected by the guild will be paid to each kingdom as a tariff" Of course, you should have seen this coming. Just like any job out there, taxes are a thing.

She then shared that depending on the fees, the entrance fees will be reduced or voided, which makes traveling between kingdoms or cities more swift. That's why you're there because of the entrance fee.

"However, if you conduct illegal businesses, you will be punished and your membership will be revoked. What level do Mukoda-sama and L/N-sama want to register for?"

"Hmm, let's see... For the moment, I don’t have any plans to open a stall or a store, so I think I will go with the iron rank. What about you, L/N-san? Didn’t you plan to open a store?" Mukoda asks, eyes averting at you.

"Yeah, but you know me. That store won’t last a month, so... I will go with the iron rank as well."

"Okay then, I will be back to give you your membership card. Please wait." And before Michaela could walk away, you called her, asking if there were any fees that you two needed to pay to get the membership card.

And to your relief, "It’s free for a first timer, but if you lose it, you will have to pay to have it remade. So please be careful with it."

Soon she came back with a two-silver card, and seeing your name on it, somehow you two have the ability to write and read their language, and it's a good thing that you don’t need to study for it.

"Oh, by the way, do you have a buying service here?" You ask, "We collected some stuff on the way here, so..."

Mukoda was about to ask what you meant by that, as the stuff was all at the Iron Will group. Only to shut his lips when you mention that he should be quiet.

"Oh, if it’s something that can be legally traded, then we can take them all"

"Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Michaela-san. We will bring the stuff here."

Thanks to Michaela's sharing where you can find an inn that also accepts monster companions, you are now at the barn near the inn, as the owner didn’t expect that the monster companion would be that big.

You also didn’t expect that Fel would cost that much for one night.

"L/N-san, what do you mean that we have some stuff to sell?"

"Oh, that, I’m planning to sell the item we can buy at the online store. Now I know what you're thinking; it’s not illegal to do, as it’s like selling the item you no longer use. And I will only sell an ingredient that already exists here."

Mukoda, hum seeing your point. He too plans to do it as the money he has is getting shorter, hoping that 1 or 5 golds will be enough.

"Hey, I’ve been starving since noon. My stomach is rumbling hard. Can you cook now?" Fel interfered, and he was right as you heard the rumbling, or maybe yours as well.

Thanks to the Iron Will group, there’s still some pork left. Now, what you really like about this world, aside from the skills you get, is the item box. A summoned warrior’s skill can contain a limitless amount, and the items that are stored in it are not affected by time.

You wonder if the tree student knows about it.

"What will you cook, L/N-san?"

"Hmm.. I’m craving for white rice."

"Oh, me too. Should we cook it?"

"Sure, but, if we wanted to cook some rice, we needed a gas stove and some other stuff for the rice to cook. "The problem is I’m short right now, so I will simply cook a tonkatsu or kakuni."

"Well, it's a good thing that there are no fees on the card, so I can buy those things." L/N-san, can you cut the meat and season it while I handle the rice?"

You really wanted to decline, but who are you to refuse it? Plus, tomorrow you can earn money and give Mukoda his money back. You just hope you can at least get six gold coins from it.

While Mukoda is busy handling the rice, here you are at your very own cooking show. If he gets the chance, you will also have yours.

The first thing you did to make the tonkatsu was moisten the panko, which is basically panko that has a little more moisture. (Picture it as a fluffy part of bread.) You then sprayed a little water on the panko to moisten it. (The spray that you got at the store only cost 1 bronze, while the panko cost 5 bronze.)

You then slice the meat and fat. For you, having more fat on the meat gives it more flavor as it produces its own oil when it is placed in a warm pot, but in this case, more meat is much more enjoyable.

Using the knife, you pounded the pork to expand the texture. Satisfied with the result, you then continued it by adding the black pepper and salt. While waiting to let the pork observe the season.

You went to put the eggs in the bowl, mixing the egg yolks until they settled to a plain yellow. Afterward, you went to buy flour and bread cramps. (The bread cramps are for you, as you like yours crispy, and it added more flavor to it.) It cost you around 4 bronze.

Fel was quietly watching you as you placed the meat on the egg yolks, coated it with flour, went back to dip it in the egg yolks, and finally coated it with a rough flour. (Panko.)

He continued to watch you as you repeated the process, and he couldn't help but ask as to why you have a different coating and only a small portion of the other coating (bread cramps).

"This one is mine; I’m making a tonkatsu, and the common thing to use for coating is panko. I just like mine with bread cramps."

"Uh, what?"

You dryly chuckle if you let him eat one; you fear he will ask for more, and you already coated all the meat (with panko) except yours that you were just coating, and it was enough for just two people as you plan to give Mukoda some.

"I’ll let you taste it tomorrow."

"I don’t know why you don’t want to tell me, but make sure you will cook it tomorrow."

"That is, if you hunt for the meat, and is it hard for you to ask nicely?"

If it weren’t for Fel titling his head and acting cute, oh, how you wanted to pet him. Fel on the other side wasn’t sure what you meant by that; this is always how he speaks. Is it just you, or are your cooking skills getting better?

As you gently place the meat in the hot oil and see it shimmer, followed by a tasty smell, and feel yourself drooling at it,

"That smells good, L/N-san; oh, is that Tonkatsu?" Mukoda commented, sniffing the air as it left a good aroma. His eyes then landed on the separate bowl. He almost forgot that you like yours crispy.

"Yup, and you know how I like mine crispier; I also made one for you."

"Oh, thank you. The rice is almost ready. but you should have asked me to buy the ponka and bread cramps. I wouldn’t mind." He said this, sweating at the ingredients laying on the table and the wrapper on the empty box.

"It’s fine, and you already handled the rice, so let me handle this one."

"Oi! Is it ready yet? I’m starving!"

Mukoda snorted at Fel's eagerness to taste the food you made. Well, for starters, he too can’t wait to taste your food. (You)  Just seeing it cook and neatly placed it on the plate.

If you ever continue to open a restaurant, he won’t get tired of going and eating there every day. He will be your number-one regular customer. It really satisfied you to see their reaction as they took a bite. Cooking can be a very hard and tiring thing to do, but hearing and seeing them this happy is enough to replace your hard work.

"This is so good!! One more, please! Though I really want to taste that other one, I will wait tomorrow." You chuckled at Fel's bluntness, yet it left you with a big smile that he wasn’t lying about your food being good.

"L/N-san, this is really good!" Mukoda compliment taking another bite, pausing for a bit as he looked like he was thinking of something. "L/N-san, this will be better with ‘That!’"

He doesn’t need to say more, as you already knew what he meant. As for Fel, who looks confused, "What was what?"

"This!" As you showed the soy sauce, you were not waiting for anything and immediately poured the garlic soy sauce and radish-flavored soy sauce. You've got to thank Mukoda for mentioning it, as it just adds more spark to the food.

"It’s the same red pork, but the taste keeps changing. This is really miraculous!" Fel said, licking the sauce at the corner of his mouth.

"Right! Whoever invented this is a genius!" You replied, taking a big bite at the tonkatsu, followed by a mouthful of rice. Imagine it as you're riding a bus home with music in the background or on your headphones.

Thinking of a scenario as you view the outside world Either looking for the best comeback for the person who fought with you or just the story that you want to be in and changing some plot

What you didn’t know while you were busy enjoying the food was that Mukoda, who was eyeing you, couldn’t help but also think of a scenario. It was very different from what you were thinking.

The thought of going home with you and how you welcome him with a big warm hug served with a big warm meal, or a k-kiss?

‘N-no, no. That’s impossible—why am I thinking of this? I- *Sigh*’ Still, he smiled at the thought of it and hoped that one day he would have enough courage to tell you. The only thing stopping him from continuing it is that he fears that once he says it, your friendship will be ruined.

He heard many stories about how friendship can be ruined if one party confesses, and the person who confesses with them often sees them only as a friend.

Fel, who was watching at the back, shook his head, even though Mukoda didn’t say it in words. Fel already knew by the way Mukoda was eyeing you. Fel then huffed. He must do what he needs to do, and with his help, even if he gets his food reduced, that will be a long time before it happens.

-Kid, I will help you, so don’t worry!-

-W-what? Er… Fel, what do you mean--

-Foolish human, even if I will get less food. I will help you tell her how you feel. So don’t worry, as I will handle it for you--- mmph!!!-

It's sad to say Fel didn’t get the chance to stand up as Mukoda had shoved him away, causing both of them to fall down. As for you, you only look at them in such confusion that you soon laugh as the sauce gets all over their faces.

"What are you two doing anyway?" You ask, holding out your hand for him.

"N-nothing! I thought I saw a spider, so-- hehe" Mukoda lied, eyeing Fel to be quiet, and as he took your hand, oh, how he loved his instinct, which cost him, or rather you, to explode.

He sweetly took the left rice at the corner of your lips, rather than taking it like a lost coin. He brushes his thumbs across those lips of yours.

Fel, who huffs proudly -My work here is done!" but - He could only cry silently at the thought of the food reducing.

*Sob Sob*

[diavolo-is-babygirl]

Halloween Fic with Diavolo & Mammon: Comfort and Flame (can be either Diavolo x Mammon or Dia & Mams friendship)

The grand hall was alive with the spirit of Halloween, filled with warm candlelight, cobwebs spun with precision, and a gentle fog that clung to the floor like ghostly mist. Pumpkins carved with all manner of devilish grins lined the tables, and laughter echoed against the high, vaulted ceilings. But amid the flickering lights and endless stream of guests in elaborate costumes, Diavolo felt a familiar hollowness pressing against his chest, a quiet, unsettling ache.

He leaned against one of the towering marble pillars, his gaze distant as he watched his subjects revel in the festivities. Tonight, he was dressed as a grand, dark knight, the kind of ruler he imagined he should be: commanding, fearless, unshakeable. Yet, inside, he felt none of that. The weight of the past year—the mistakes, the losses, the doubt—clung to him like the cloak he wore.

“Oi, what’s with the brooding? You look like a ghost who forgot to haunt anyone,” came a familiar, brash voice. Diavolo blinked, glancing over to see Mammon grinning up at him, his fangs catching the candlelight in that mischievous way they always did. Tonight, Mammon wore a half-mask and a vampire’s cape, but even in costume, he was unmistakable.

“Mammon,” Diavolo managed, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I didn’t think you’d notice.”

Mammon raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms with a huff. “Course I noticed. You look like ya’d rather be anywhere but here.” He jabbed a thumb toward the crowd. “Come on, this party’s supposed to be for you. MC ‘n Asmo even got ya some o’ those candied apples you kept yammerin’ about. Don’t ya think ya should enjoy it a little?”

Diavolo let out a sigh, his gaze falling back to the crowd. “I just… it’s been a hard year, Mammon. Some days, I wonder if I’m truly fit to be king. What if I’m not strong enough for this? What if…” His voice trailed off, the words heavy in his chest.

Mammon’s usual cocky grin softened, and for a moment, he was quiet. Then he took a step closer, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening. “Ya know somethin’, big guy? Bein’ king doesn’t mean ya have to be perfect all the time. And ya sure as hell don’t have to do it alone.” He jabbed Diavolo’s arm lightly, a spark of encouragement in his eyes. “Ya got people who got yer back, even when ya think yer screwin’ things up. That’s what makes ya a good leader, Diavolo. ‘Cause ya actually care.”

Diavolo felt a warmth spread through him, loosening some of the tightness that had been gripping his chest. “But what if caring isn’t enough?” he asked, his voice soft.

Mammon’s grin widened, and he threw an arm over Diavolo’s shoulder with surprising gentleness. “Trust me, ya big sap, it’s more than enough. Heck, look at us—me and my brothers. We’re a mess half the time, but ya still care about us, don’t ya? And we still wanna be around ya.”

Diavolo let out a small chuckle, the sound surprising even himself. He looked down at Mammon, his eyes grateful. “Thank you, Mammon. I don’t know what I’d do without friends like you.”

“Yeah, yeah, enough with the mushy stuff,” Mammon replied, but his cheeks were tinged with a faint blush. “Now, let’s get ya outta this gloomy corner. MC said Halloween’s only once a year, ya know. Besides, I heard there’s a haunted maze out back, and I need someone to help me scare the pants off of with Lucifer,” His grin turned sly. “Or are ya too chicken?”

Diavolo laughed, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. “A challenge, Mammon? You really think I’d back down?”

With that, Mammon gave him a cheeky grin and led him toward the festivities, his arm still draped over Diavolo’s shoulder, an anchor of warmth and encouragement. And for the first time that night, Diavolo felt a spark of joy flicker in his chest, a reminder that he wasn’t alone in his doubts—that maybe, just maybe, he was exactly where he was meant to be.

[burnwater13]

Peli Motto speaking with Din Djarin near his ship, where it was parked in her repair bay, in Mos Eisley, on Tatooine. Image from The Mandalorian, Season 2, Episode 2, The Passenger. Calendar by DateWorks.

Grogu didn’t really know if Peli Motto was an excellent judge of character or not. She didn’t seem to care even the least little bit that his guardian was a Mandalorian Bounty Hunter. It seemed absurd to Grogu to think that a person like Peli didn’t have at least a couple bounty fobs active, given her razor sharp business practices. Or maybe she blamed Treadwell and the Pit Droids for that? Whatever she did, Grogu was always expecting someone to bring a fob to her and say something about being warm or cold. But she was fearless.

Even when that obnoxious, wannabe bounty hunter, held her at blaster point, Peli still had sharp words for him as well as for Din Djarin when he came back and saved them both. Now she was right back at it convincing them that she knew someone who knew someone who knew someone who would help them for the right price. It sounded like a game show. Or a trick that Grogu’s friend Ian played on some of the more gullible Jedi Knights when they were on Coruscant. 

Given what both Ian and Peli were like, Grogu wouldn’t have been a bit surprised to find out that she was Ian’s long lost sister, or cousin, or aunt, or mother. They were two people who were cut from the same bulkhead. Tough as beskar and twice as useful… for a price. 

Ian would charge people chores and snacks, and sometimes, if the ‘job’ was particularly onerous, he would find a way to get a day off from lessons. Grogu wondered about that, but considering how hard it was for some of the masters to even see him in a room full of younglings, he had no cause to worry about being present or not. The few times he was with Ian on some sort of secret mission, the affected instructor just took it for granted that he/she simply failed to notice him.

He could well imagine that Peli had been the same way when she had been that age. Haggling with vendors over a black melon while she was surreptitiously filling her pockets with cava nuts. If Ian had been with her, Grogu had no doubt that the cart would get knocked over by an ‘unseen’ force and they would have both ‘helped’ that vendor put everything back in place, all the while filling their pockets with whatever thing(s) they valued most. Ian was a sucker for cava nuts and Grogu was certain that Peli would have been able to sweep up all the loose credits. That poor vendor would never know what hit them when the two of them then used those swept up credits to buy things that were too big to just walk away with. 

Knowing that they both had that streak of independence, as Ian had called it, made missing Ian a little easier, because any time Grogu saw Peli, he would immediately think of his friend and feel certain that if anyone could get away from Coruscant with all of the Emperor’s forces chasing them, Ian was that one person. Just the thought of that made Grogu laugh. 

He’d helped Ian leave the Jedi Temple because his friend had a bad feeling about something that day. He’d told Grogu not to worry. He’d be fine. 

“Listen, Kid. Those guys will confuse you for Master Yoda more times than there are planets in this galaxy. That means they’ll be twice as afraid of you as they would be of me. I gotta go now, while the odds are in my favor.”

Grogu remembered nodding his head and being sad. Ian was his best friend and if he was leaving, Grogu didn’t want to stay behind.

“Naw, you gotta stay. Master Beq will know something’s up if we’re both gone. I just need a good head start. No one here will ever let anything bad happen to you. You aren’t just special, you’re unique. Now hand me that blaster that you lifted from Master Drallig. I’ll need where I’m goin’.”

Grogu had handed Ian the blaster and then opened the roof hatch to the arboretum and closed it after Ian was racing across the roof to the  mini-air taxi that Ian had obtained somewhere, somehow. Grogu hadn’t asked because he really never thought he had enough time for the whole story. Much like Peli, Ian was always happy to spin a yarn out if he thought that would impress someone. Grogu was rarely the person that Ian cared to impress. It was usually the other way around.

He remembered going back to their room and sighing. He went over to his sleeping couch and found a flimsy covered with neat printing that laid out exactly how many credits, snacks, and chores Grogu had owed Ian with a note at the bottom of the page that said ‘Paid in Full’. A small set of dice rested in the flimsy. Grogu smiled at them. They were Ian’s favorite possession. Now they were his. He slipped them into his pocket and promised himself that the next time he saw his friend he’d give them back. He was happy that in his own case he was an excellent judge of character. Just like Peli. 

[streetkid-named-desire]

3, 5, and 9 for batsheva and vincent! i’d like to learn about both :3

hiiii thank yoou

from this list

3. weapon of choice? any particular reason they chose their weapon?

Oooh hoo this one is juicy in the whump department. Bea uses the HJKE Yukimura because it's the gun she stole from the first job she was able to go on with her family.

Once upon a time, a little nomad girl lived in the Badlands. Every night, she would go as far from camp as her parents allowed. "Not too far!" her mammeleh would say. "Lest the raffen getcha," the little girl would reply. With a flourish, she unrolled her favorite red tartan blanket and carefully smoothed it out onto the desert floor. Half awash in the warm light of the camp's industrial lamps, half darkened by the night. She sat on the farthest dark edge and stared at the lights beyond. Three pillars of colorful neon burst upwards into the night sky. She liked to imagine they were some kind of science fiction transporter, carrying people to and from the Crystal Palace. When she was old enough, maybe one of them would take her up into space to explore new worlds. As far away from the desert as she could get. She hugged her bony knees to her chest and imagined herself as the princess in the fairy tale her mother read for her every night. A glorious woman with long, curly yellow and green hair riding a pony made of blue flame. She wore flowing silk dresses and always carried a sword. She was strong, fearless, confident and beautiful. Everything the little nomad girl wished to be. This night, the princess was riding into the city, blazing a trail of courage for the little girl to follow. Because tomorrow, the little girl was finally going into the city with her family on a job. - The little nomad girl rode in the back of the van, bouncing in her makeshift seat atop a wooden crate filled with shiny guns. She wondered, did the princess ever use guns? They would be more efficient than the sword she carried, but not nearly as cool looking. The little nomad girl knew the princess was clever and would use whatever was at her disposal, guns included. She wanted to be like the princess, so badly. The van lurched as the dirt road met smooth pavement and the top of the crate next to the girl slid open. She regarded the dark silver and red objects, stacked neatly in layers, black foam padding cushioning them from any scratches. If the princess would use one, why couldn't she? The little nomad girl knew these were worth a lot of money. Surely, the corporation would neither care nor notice that one item was missing. She could sell it and get a new throttle body for her bike and finally beat the boys when they raced around the dunes. She quietly plucked a gun from the crate and pocketed it inside her vest.

V doesn't really have a signature weapon besides his netrunning/netrunning deck!

5. how do they typically dress? does their wardrobe lean more towards practicality or aesthetics?

I've described Bea's aesthetic as "slutty goth/punk" before. She 100% trends towards practicality when it comes to merc workwear but never turns down a little slutty twist, especially if she and V are on a job together. She has a shopping addiction though so her actual closet is about 75% shit she never wears and 25% her actual clothes.

V wears what is comfy, practical, and he thinks looks cool. Emphasis on the "he thinks". Lots of t-shirt and jeans with the occasionally dress shirt and slacks. Bea makes him dress up when they go out.

9. favorite food? least favorite? are they a picky eater? do they have any dietary restrictions?

I don't remember what I had said their favorites were before so I'll just talk about their dietary habits lol

Bea's FlexxSys requires high protein to supplement her collagen system and how fucked the mod makes it so she's always eating meat and other protein-rich foods from EEZYBEEF to tofu. She's not very picky and she's a pretty solid cook. She loves Jewish food and sushi.

V is a walking talking garbage disposal. He'll eat whatever, whenever, no matter when it expired. He is partial to Mexican food and Jewish food.

[thebluestbluewords]

Teeth are overrated anyway

+

"Congrats." Mal says quietly. She does, in fact, know how to have some tact, sometimes. "Heard you made the team." 

Carlos rolls his head to the side so he can talk to something that's not the tightly curled space between his own knees. "I punched a kid so hard he threw up." he says softly. Like it's a confession. 

"And? I bet that fucker deserved it." 

"Not really."

In Mal’s expert opinion, they all deserve it. Every kid who shoulder checks them in the hall just because they're there, every girl who won't look at Evie while she crushes their test scores, everyone who comes to Mal when they want something and ices her out when they don't, they all deserve it. Every kid who's ever taken a sharpie to their doors to tell them how worthless they are, they deserve it tenfold, and if one of them took a punch to the gut while wearing practice armor, it's nothing compared to what Mal would do to them given half the chance. 

"I promise you, they really did," Mal says. "You punched one kid. I've punched how many now?" 

Carlos laughs. It's not funny.  "Fourteen." 

Right. Out of all the ways their families fucked them up, he got the obsessive kind of guilt tracking. Preventative evidence, because the adults who want them gone will totally listen to a timestamped, cross-referenced spreadsheet of all the times they've actually fucked up, instead of whatever imagined crimes they're actually going to get sent back over. The spreadsheet's very existence is incriminating, and it could be bad if it gets into the wrong hands, but anybody who's able to get into three layers of password-protected sub-folders deserves the hex they'll get for snooping, and will probably feel too guilty (hopefully) to use it properly against them anyway. It won’t matter. The adults who care about them won't be able to override the ones who fabricate crimes they didn't even do, and one spreadsheet, even with locked timestamps for every edit, won't do much against a royal word. 

Whatever. Everyone has their own coping mechanisms. 

"Fourteen," Mal echoes back. "That's a lot fucking more than one, and I'm still here." 

His head makes a solid noise against the wood. "You're different. People like you." 

Mal can't stop the scornful noise she makes at that one, but she can pick her next words wisely. 

Tread carefully, fearless leader. There's no coming back from this one. 

"I think," she says slowly, inching her way closer. "That you are severely overestimating how much people like me, fleabrain." 

Carlos makes a soft noise. He's listening, which is score one for Mal. 

"I'm not some perfect princess who never does anything wrong. Obviously." Fourteen classmates with black eyes and bloody noses. Fourteen people who won't speak ill of her crew again.  "I just keep trying, and I guess the Auradonians here are too stupid to realize that we're a bunch of lost causes. Their mistake, right?" 

"Right," Carlos whispers. "They're the ones who keep making mistakes." 

Hm. It's the right energy, but maybe not quite the right words.

"We deserve better than their scraps," Mal says, low and serious and warming to her cause now. "We deserve at least as much as they give their own stupid children, and if their noble-born brats can keep fucking up over and over, then we deserve at least as many chances as they get. We deserve our place here, and if they haven't kicked me out after punching fourteen people. they're sure as shit not going to kick you out over punching one." 

"Right." 

Mal can feel the heat of Carlos's body next to hers now, so close they could be touching. "Of course I'm right. And besides, why would they let you on the team if they're going to kick you off right after? It'd be a drain on their time and resources, and they're not gonna waste energy on us if they don't need to. You're stuck on that team whether you like it or not, dumbass." 

Carlos laughs. It's not exactly a happy sound, but it's closer than before. "I didn't want to join. I fuckin' hate organized sports." 

"Ah, like how I didn't want to join the equestrian club, and Evie dragged me to the meeting under false premises and wouldn't let me leave without petting a horse?" 

"Like that," he agrees, and finally tips his head onto Mal's shoulder. "I didn't want to do the second round of tryouts, but they're down a man since Aza broke his ankle, so Coach called everyone on the backup rotation in for a test scrimmage." 

"Let me guess, some shithead tried to pull shit because you're tiny, and you rage slammed him into the fuckin' dust?" 

Mal can feel the warm gust of his sigh on her neck this time, and it feels like what home must be for other people. "Yup. Pretty much." 

Weird. 

“I thought coach was all about controlling your power," Mal says, thinking out loud from a half-remembered conversation she’d had with Jay a few nights ago. “Guess he's some sort of filthy hypocrite who only means that for the big guys, huh." 

Carlos shakes his head. His hair is a soft, static-y mess that sticks to her cheek from the friction. She's going to be pulling handfuls out of her mouth later, but it's fine for now.  "Nah. He wants people who aren't afraid of full contact. Apparently he's playing some sort of psych-out game with one of the other teams, and he's pretty sure I'm unassuming enough that they'll never see it coming." 

"So he wants you to punch more people?" Mal asks incredulously. She may be bad at teams, and organized sports, and anything that involves running for more than a few minutes at a time, but a school-sanctioned chance to punch people might be worth making a stink about starting a girl's team over. "Sounds like a fuckin' sweet deal to me." 

“I—“ Carlos starts. 

Somebody pounds on the closet door, and his mouth snaps shut so fast Mal can hear the click. 

"Hey, if you two are done having a heart-to-heart in there, some of us wanna get to dinner on time!" Jay calls through the door. "Toss me out some shoes if you're skipping and I'll tell Verne you're both sick." 

Mal shoves open the door without waiting, and is rewarded with a satisfying 'oof' as the handle hits Jay in the stomach. "We were almost done, dumbass. You can't wait five minutes for us to strategize the best way for me to get in on this school-sanctioned hitting people shit?" 

Jay grins down at her, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Nope." he says brightly, popping the 'p'. "Dinner waits for no man, and I'm not missing out on bread just cause you two decided it was the right time to have a gossip sesh in my closet."

"Ow," Mal grumbles, unfolding herself from the floor. "Fuck you, who told you that gossip sesh was a word people actually use?" 

Jay steps back to let her out, still grinning infuriatingly. "Lonnie." 

Mal's going to sneak into that girl's room and dye all her clothes pink. 

No, she'd probably like that. Purple, then. An unflattering purple. One of those periwinkles that's so blue it doesn't deserve to share a name with the perfect purples that Mal herself wears. Perfect. 

"I'm going to make you both suffer," Mal informs him. "I'll dye all your clothes black." 

"Ooh, you think I'd look hot goth?" Jay shoots back, reaching past Mal to give Carlos a hand up. "Do your worst, killer. I already bribed your girlfriend. She said I'm her favorite model now." 

"You did not." 

"Did so." 

"Nobody bribed me with anything!" Evie calls from the boy's bathroom. "Jay's a better model than you because he knows how to hold still, M." 

"Nobody ever asks me to model," Carlos grumbles. Unlike Mal, he looks like he's comfortable standing upright, which is deeply unfair. "I'd be great at it." 

Evie sticks her head out of the bathroom. She's holding a hot curling wand to her hair, but her makeup is already on and impeccable for their teacher-student dinner tonight. "That's because you're already my favorite, baby. No matter how many people you've punched." 

Carlos flashes her a tiny, blink-and-you've-missed-it smile. It’s worth it. All the time in the world would be worth it to see that smile again. “Thanks, E." 

"Yeah, for nothing," Mal grumbles, twisting back and forth until her back pops. "What am I, moldy fish heads? I just spent half an hour twisted up in a closet, I want good girlfriend credit too." 

Evie laughs. "The fact that you call it girlfriend credit means you could never really stay in that closet, babe. You get all the girlfriend points." 

[after-nine-at-the-oasis]

Jacob's face 😭🥺

Wrong spot xD

AWWW 😭😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺

Right into it oh gosh 😭 I'm gonna lose it x'd :')))))

Awww yeah 🥺🥺🥺🥹

And a drone pilot lol

Awwww :'))

"Jacob's honestly the most fearless person I've ever met" 😭😭😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺🥹🥹🥹❤️❤️ I am actually going to lose it

Yk we may not be getting Jacob traum and he may be pushing his brother away but we're also getting Jacob appreciation :')))

Are we about to get angsty lore now 👉👈

Probably the prom bit now?

Still angsty lore but xD

Hold up that's me lol (though I had a group) (and I mean about prom)

Goshhh 😭😭😭😭🥺🥺 I'm not okay <33

Icon <333

STOPPP I'm not okay 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥹❤️😭

And it does probably hurt Jacob to be reminded of stuff like that because he feels like it was a failing when in reality his brother saw it as a victory :')

I know that feeling and sometimes it's hard to- I can't think of the word but mesh that with what you feel, but it can be true <3

I knew I wasn't gonna be ready to hear Jacob on the recording but 😭😭😭

Swear he was not yelling that much in real life 😭 xdd :((

Okay barely everyone but yeeah Gregory xD

Okay glad we don't have to sit in that any longer 😭🥺🥹

I would've died xdd

GOSHHH I'm not okay 😭😭😭🥺

Gonna lose it over him <3

My gosh my poor damaged boy who hurts the people who love him 😭 :'(( x'd

Anyway :')) it'll be alright <3

Lolll the warm up

So did we not switch it or?

LOL mentioning O'Shaun too xD

Nahh I bet we did change it back

AYY go off Janine :D!

I do think they changed it but xD

Girl you are also part of that club lol

:O he's here!!

Guess he hadn't left yet xd?

Ope nope :'o

STOP LOL

Iconic xD

Oh okay yesterday

Not today I kinda assumed but makes more sense :)

And given the songs timelines

But aww yeah saying sorry :')))

If there's one thing Jacob's good at (he's good at a lot of things btw but yk) it's owning his mistakes 🥺

UAGH EVERYTHING BACK HOME :OO ANGST TIME ANGST TIME ANGST TIME???

Ik it's all these crumbs but xD

NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BUFFER!!

Anyway 😭😭😭😭😭🥺🥺💔❤️

"And I've been working really hard to move past all of that" UAAAGHHHHH 😭😭😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺🥺

"I don't wanna take you back to that place, bro" and he KNOWS 😭😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺 and hear me out. . . Also that mental health place, like place mentally 👉👈. . .

Also ik people are like no siblings say little bro and whatever but I gotta say I've been calling my sister bro for 8 years 😌😔😌 xD

So, real is my point lol

Goshhh 😭😭😭

UAAGHHHH

"I'm proud of you for leaving" I. AM. NOT. OKAY 😭😭😭🥺!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

The way it's that bad too :(( <333

"I'm not mom and dad" UAAAHHHHHH I'M NOT OKAYYYY 😭😭😭😭🥺🥺❤️

I feel like he also dealt with their pressure in a different way and you two could really bond over that

No not like them :(( ❤️ a different way I'd think but just associated with them yk

Also the apology 😭😭😭🥺 I'm not okay <333

IS HE ABOUT TO ADMIT WHAT I SAID!!! THAT HE SEES STUFF LIKE THAT AS A FAILURE

Or it could be a lighthearted joke one of the too but he sounds emotional

See you get these quality pauses every two seconds liveblogs when I don't watch actually live xD

Ohh gosh 😭😭😭😭🥺❤️💔 I'm not okay

Also I WAS RIGHT

"Really?" the way he doesn't even know 😭😭😭🥺 because he looks up to you so much

HONEYYYY the self worth issues are self worthing 😭😭😭😭🥺💔

UAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH HE'S JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭🥺🥺🥺❤️🥹🥹❤️

Emotional over this I hope they can have a great besties relationship now <333

Maybe I'm biased as a certified siblings besties lover but lol

Anyway again I totally feel both Jacob and Caleb like personally and I just 😭 why must this show destroy me like this xdd

Gosh I love it though lol

[zmediaoutlet]

ww: letters (5)

for the @wincestwednesdays prompt: withdrawal

I spent two hours at a coffee shop talking to a woman. Complete accident. I asked to read her paper if she was done with it and she wondered if I had a phone charger she could borrow. She was eating a chocolate muffin and said she was an addict and smiled in that way people do when they know the joke is lame but they’re also not really joking. She said then that she was going to a meeting in the church across the park but she didn’t like that it was in a church. The whole higher power thing isn’t for her. I asked if the steps really helped or if it was just the talking and she said mostly it was the really shitty coffee that kept her coming back. She was cute. She missed her meeting and gave me her number. You’d be proud.

I actually looked at the steps, once. Higher power, fearless moral inventory, making amends. Turns out I was hitting them all pretty spot-on, for a few years there. But there was this thing that they insisted on, with the language—that you’re never recovered, you’re always in recovery; that you always are, and never were. Maybe that fits with the sort of stuff people go to meetings for. They never exactly formed a group for what I had. I mean, can you imagine. Hi, I’m Sam Winchester, and I—

Not a drop in fifteen years, nor a craving for one. That’s not denial. It really did carve out of me clean. Like someone cored a hole right through the middle and cauterized it and the skin grew over without a scar. Even versions of me that only wanted power or answers or to fix everything with a snap of my fingers—going back to that really never was an option. No meetings necessary.

I left the coffee shop and sat in the park. Sunset and then dusk. Cold still but spring’s starting to creep through. The sky to the east a thin deep blue. I watched it get dark and got that old second wind. Still half-expecting to get a call and start running. Still, despite everything, despite this whole year, expecting that I’ll hear that monster engine turn the corner and I’ll hear the horn and I’ll turn and even if I can’t see through the window in the dark I’ll get up and I’ll get in the passenger seat and we’ll go—to a graveyard, to a bar, to a drive-in playing a shitty zombie double feature, to a motel on the outskirts of town with ugly wallpaper and a shower in contention for worst in the country and there’ll be two beds because despite everything there were always two beds, whether we were fighting or whether we were good, and there’ll be the TV on the news muted and there’ll be a twelve-pack on the table and the heater rattling under the window and the smell like smoke, grease, and the warm salt there at the back of your neck where you’d tip your head forward when I came up behind you and you let me—when you let me get away with a lot. You let me get away with a lot.

The keys are in my pocket. I’ve balled my hands into a knot between my knees and my heart’s pounding sick and high in my throat. Across the park the church has people pouring out a side-door. Holding styrofoam coffee cups, cigarettes little orange flares in the dark. I tip my face up at the dark sky and feel my cold lips and nose and ears and let the adrenaline drain through my skin, dropping to the bare dirt below.

There’s no admission to a higher power. No moral inventory to account for and no amends to make because there’s nothing I’d apologize for, now, and nothing I’d change. I will practice this principle in all my affairs.

It’s never going to be were. We are. And, Dean—