#me: *feels like shit* 'why must this happen'

[puck-luck]

hey andy, congrats on your one year :) i’d like to order a cappuccino with cold foam for jack hughes please! i’d love if you could write sexting or phone sex while he is recovering from surgery in michigan and his gf is in jersey! thank you <3

i did something new on this one! it's meant to be read like a text thread. jack's messages are in italics and the reader's are in bold AND italics. enjoy!!

You up?

ofc. how did the surgery go?

Good. I’m back at the hotel

what time is it there?

Almost 9.

what else did you do today?

Watched the boys play the Stars. Lukie had 2 assists

that’s so awesome!! i’m sorry you missed it j i know you wanted to be there

I don’t really want to think about it.

i get that. did you get room service again this time

Haha I did actually

My season’s over so I went crazy and got the Ranch Wagyu Burger

It was really good

omg that sounds yum

what did it have on it

Normal burger toppings with a chipotle aioli

jack that sounds sooo good

can you bring me one when you get back to jersey?

Idk if it travels well but I’ll try

Why are you up so late?

i was polishing up a report due tomorrow and lost track of time 

now you’re texting me soooo

You don’t have to stay up just for me

j. i missed you today. ofc i’m staying up to talk to you.

I’m sorry I have to be away for longer

I wish I was in NJ with you

it’s not your fault, babe. injuries happen. i want you to be healthy

i wish you were here too but i can wait

i’m excited to play nurse when you get back

That sounds nice

Should we get you an outfit?

Sexy nurse

i’m one step ahead of you

[image sent: sexy nurse outfit from amazon, complete with stockings and hat]

You’re kidding

Put it on

lmao ok j one sec

[image sent: a mirror picture of you, wearing the sexy nurse outfit. the dress is sheer enough that jack can see your white panties through it.]

Holy shit

You look fucking good baby

i thought you’d like it

Like it? Y/N I’m hard just looking at you

I’ll die if I see you wear that at home

noooo you can’t die on my watch

save that for luke’s shift

No way Luke is going to take care of me

Not when you look like that

[image sent: a mirror picture showing the back side of your outfit. you’re slightly bent over so jack can see your ass cheeks and panties.]

Baby…

need to take your blood pressure after that pic huh

Want you to sit on my cock wearing that

now that doesn’t feel very professional :(

That dress isn’t professional

Tit pic?

omg.

[image sent: you, kneeling in front of the full length mirror with your boobs on display, like you’re about to crawl towards him]

[minutes later] are you there?

Sorry

You look so good

Can’t type at the same time

I only have one hand

ohhh i get it

fucking your fist to your pretty nurse huh

imagining it’s my tits? or my cunt? which one do you want j

Both

tits first i think

you can come all over them and clean me up with your tongue while you fuck me

gonna pull your hair while you do it

i should probably ride you

i’ll come on your cock and clean you up with my mouth too

Yes I want that

i bet you do

lick all my cum off your cock and moan bc it tastes so good

should sit on your face and ride your tongue

Want you to finger yourself

now?

Yeah

whatever makes my patient feel better

[video sent: you, still kneeling in front of the mirror, licking your middle two fingers and trailing them down to your core. you pull your panties to the side and slip your fingers inside, whimpering audibly.]

Fuck

[video received: jack’s lower half, filmed from a different angle. his phone must be resting against the lamp on his bedside table. one of his arms is slinged, but the other is flying over his cock, hips jumping into the tight grip. a choked groan, then a shaky moan leaves him just before white strips spurt from his tip and drip down his knuckles. jack’s hand slows and he milks his length, rubbing the tip of his finger over his slit to clear it of any lingering cum. “Fuck,” he whispers, wiping his hand on the sheets before grabbing his phone and giving you a closeup of his softening cock, laying across his hips. you get a good view of his thighs and stomach, spotted with his delectable white seed.]

[outgoing facetime call with jack – 11:24pm]

[vsa-pieldepapel]

But alas it was not programmed

or an honest to god can't believe i am doing this, is this real life holy shit i am so excited ralsus analysis of chapters 3 and 4

Contains spoilers for both chapters, both main route and secret boss so unless you want everything thoroughly spoiled don't read. Also contains details of chapter 2.

The script dictates the play

Chapter 4 was VERY VERY INTERESTING. I will return to 3 when it comes to minor details on the development of the ralsei/susie relationship, but 4 was what cemented my view on this.

extremely shortly before the new chapters released I did snowgrave for the first time and discovered I am a weenie who can't cope with doing any bad route in toby fox games (i do want to see what happens if you make the fusion item of the thorn ring, so I will let noelle slap me and take it like a champ. im sorry kris). But it also brought forth details I had previously not considered, specifically when Susie goes into Noelle's room.

In chapter 2, if you return to the banner with the ferris wheel once ral and susie are in your party, Ral comments on how Susie must be thinking about her ride with Noelle, and he says this even if you refused to watch the scene take place (which I know because I did exactly that). Susie is not thinking about her ride with Noelle. She's thinking about the etymology of the word Ferris. Ralsei knew this event was going to happen even if he can't send the player to witness it.

When I did Snowgrave, Susie exits the same door she entered. This means there probably was no Ferris Wheel, since it does transport the two of them from a Point A to a Point B in the normal route. Ralsei seems very agitated about this and this is one of the hints we get that was thoroughly reinforced in the new chapters that he knows what events are supposed to take place and he can notice the actions of the player have made the prophecy go off course. He specifically asks Susie what she did with Noelle. My personal take is that since the weird route is you faux-emboldening Noelle by using Kris as a conduit to brainwash her into "taking what she wants" even through aggressive means, that thinking it was all a dream she took what she wanted and kissed Susie. Her refusal to tell Ralsei and then telling Kris she'll let them know later indicates to me that she's probably trying to protect his innocence and/or his feelings. I think Susie felt very cool in that moment and liked that kiss, because it's a boost to her poor self confidence to feel wanted by a pretty girl like Noelle.

Notably in chapter 4 we learn that the prophecy can get incredibly specific with the events that happen within it, down to details like Lancer calling Ralsei "toothpaste boy". Given Ralsei instinctually knows so much about how events are supposed to play out, he absolutely knows about how the relationships between the heroes will develop... which I am convinced is the reason he says "Susie must be thinking about her ride with Noelle".

And then you enter the second temple and find out

LOVE FINDS ITS WAY TO THE GIRL.

Suselle is a foretold event of the prophecy. It's scripted. He is worried about what Susie and Noelle were doing because there was a possibility one of the events that are supposed to happen isn't happening, and susie being vague about it leaves that question unanswered. Love finds its way to the girl, so after the Ferris Wheel he checks that off the To Do List of prophecy events.

Even the way that is phrased, Love finds its Way to the Girl, sets the girl as a passive receiver. I already saw someone say it as Ssuie finding love, but that's not what the prophecy says! The prophecy phrases it as "Love finds its way to the girl"!

That is the reason all of the scenes with Susie and Noelle are so saccharine and inoffensive, they have no conflict or development other than a cutesy but bland hangout. That is why you can simply speed your way past them both times they happen, once by outright skipping the scene, which has no consequences, and one by just touching the breaker and the guitar quickly (you only get all the dialogue if you stay still and wait for a long long fucking time). It is events playing out like they're supposed to play out. It is the trains following the track. I have seen people phrase the ferris wheel and this hangout as evidence that "susie and noelle are obviously intended to be shipped", and it's like, yes, exactly. That is what the prophecy says. That is what the game wants you to think.

But there is a problem

Dragon-shaped wrench

Susie does not do prophecies.

The guts stat is accepted fandomwise to be an indicator of how much the party member is up to defy the player. Susie has always had the highest Guts stat. You have never been able to tell Susie what to do. Susie doesn't do the prophecy the way it is expected.

She recognises the girl with her heart crossed with hope as herself, and she doesnt recognise the statue noelle had in her room as herself. But that Susie is using a sword, and our Susie uses axes because it's cooler. When Ralsei and her argue and make it out of the argument and he promises to be more honest, he states outright that the bows and ribbons are meant to be worn by her, which fits with the fact that she was put into bows as a kid. But Susie is gnc, she doesn't want to do bows, and so she doesn't. She is a hero, and embodies the core features of one, caring and bravery and perseverance, but she's also messy, aggressive, and loud. She is still the Hero of the Girl with her heart crossed with Hope, but she does that her own way.

She does follow the core beats of the prophecy, but at every step there is a twist to it, a subversion, because her will is just that strong.

Even if you explicitly tell Susie to flirt with Noelle in the Ferris Wheel (say something romantic), she doesn't.

Even if you tell Susie that Kris will take Ralsei to the Festival so she can invite Noelle, Ralsei is her first choice. She starts considering Noelle after it is abundantly clear that he cannot be there. She even brings this up in the susie noelle hangout in chapter 4, mentioning explicitly that there's this boy from another school she invited and he couldn't go.

Even then, she only takes Noelle as an affront to Carol, that is the last straw, what convinces her to invite her.

So love finds its way to the girl. But does the girl want it?

Boom Boom get out the way

The ghost of Gerson Boom is the secret boss fight of Chapter 4, a fight you do with Susie and ONLY susie. Considering Gerson is the first character we see shatter the prophecy holograms, which is very clear symbolism for taking things in your own hands, I'm convinced the reason he tests her and the weapon being for her is because Gerson can see that she's the one who has the strongest Guts. That she is the one that can show the gumption to do what he wants the youth to do: Take up the pen and write their own stories. Take fate into their own hands.

The dialogue in the Gerson fight is quite bluntly parallel to the major beats of the chapters, with specific turns of phrase and subversions. Obviously, the heroes don't "stop the dragon" by slaying it; they "stop the dragon" by befriending her and showing her the value of connections with others. Considering that, the fifth chapter onwards is really interesting.

Field of Pink and Gold... Pink and yellow are the colors susie's and Noelle's names and attack numbers show in the Dark World. The garden is burnt by the flames of jealousy. There is so much going on here. You have Kris there, seeing their childhood friend be gooey with their new friend. You have Noelle seeing Kris and Susie bond fast. You have Susie, insecure about the history Kris and Noelle have... You have Susie mentioning "the boy from another school". Often, perhaps. We can't know yet, of course. None of this may be true lol. But it gives me a gut feeling. And after the fifth chapter... Nothing! An open end! And Gerson asks Susie... What does she want? You have the controller, choose what to do

Going back to Susie and Ralsei.

All the way in Chapter 1-2 we have Ralsei being shocked and interested in Susie's impressive will. In the latter though there is an interesting thing he says, admiring her "selfish" tendencies, her just doing what she wants. And now we are seeing--- repeatedly--- that that's not just a seed planted in his head from observing her, but that Susie wants him to exert his will, to be "selfish". She gives him cake, and tells him to eat it all, that he deserves, at the very least, a slice. That he deserves a nice room, like the ones he has given them. Interacting with her across chapter 4 you do see her considering furniture to put in his room.

In chapter 3, if you ask her how she's doing rather than Ralsei, she's still anxious about the dark world not being real, but then she says: I wish Ralsei understood that doesn't matter that much to me. If you ask Ralsei how he's doing, he compels you to buy her some ice cream in his name, because he worries about being insufficient for her, though she desperately wants to have him around to the point she is willing to shatter the Last Prophecy to make it happen.

Contrary to the susie noelle hangout and the ferris wheel, you cannot skip these things, other than the "normal" skip of making text go by really fast. You get to see them argue, you get to see them fight for each other, you get to see Susie telling Ralsei that he can be player one; you see her promise to him that she won't let the Last Prophecy happen, filling him with wanting to live, with wanting to hope!!!, you get to see her invite him to the festival, initiating herself, regardless of what answer you gave her in ch2. Optionally, you can see them playing videogames together, you can see her giving him the cake, though she's very food motivated, you can see her deciding that he needs proper furniture, calling bullshit on his self deprecation, and all the way in chapter 2 you can see her cornered because she finds his face cute...

But Ralsei is not yet selfish.

I think he feels quite tortured. She is so nice "it makes his heart hurt". And I think on some level, this is because he knows that it's not what says in the script. That Susie should be with Noelle, because Love Finds Its Way To The Girl. But now he has all these new ideas... He feels like he can have his own opinions, be his own person. He's told it's okay to be sad. He now has to be, at least, conflicted about his own role versus his wants. And the game is very, very clear that Susie and Ralsei influence each other, often for the betterment of both of them.

Now, has anything explicitly romantic happened yet? No, there is no kiss, and no i love you. But is all that not love? Holding your bloodied hand to the face of someone you care for, an intimate touch to boot, telling him that it will be alright, that you're willing to break fate for his sake? That he will never be left behind? Admitting to finding him attractive and being taken aback by it? Learning his magic and wanting to perfect it? Finding things to make his home a little warmer because you know what it is like to be somewhere empty and sad? Is it not love to want to get someone else to do something nice for her, because you can't do it, as much as you want to? Is it not love to feel your mindset change because this person you care about introduces so many new ideas it makes you feel alive again?

Stories get boring with repetition

Tenna and Gerson actually touch on narratives growing boring and dull when you can predict them. Brother, fucking NO ONE saw ralsei and susie coming because everyone was so fixated on the predictable. Oh, it's alphys and undyne again. Oh, it's definitely gonna happen, just look at the ferris wheel. Meanwhile the story itself states emphatically that you should look beyond what you can initially see. Search, analyse. It was so subtle that I thought it was serendipitous, that toby was too dumb to realise what he was writing. I am beginning to think otherwise, and the wider reaction to it tells me so. It was unpredictable. It was not the story that gets old because it's so repetitive.

And with that I close this rant.

[kirain]

Part twenty-six of my appreciation project.

@velvettsage A fic based on their wonderful art piece here and here. Thank you for feeding the fandom!

A dizzying sense of disorientation—that's what Emmrich felt as he curled inwards, arms tucked to his chest, a low groan escaping his lips. Everything around him rocked gently—wood creaked, water sloshed, straw poked at his back. The air was damp and musty, and golden slivers of light pierced through gaps in the cover above. He blinked, slow and groggy, adjusting to the gloom. Then, a weight pressed against him.

A warm weight.

As his vision sharpened, he looked up—only to be snared by what he saw.

Kaelus was wedged between his legs, bent awkwardly over his torso—one arm braced above his head, the other pinned at his side. Their eyes met: Kaelus', heavy and garnet; Emmrich's, wide and hazel.

Both of them flushed scarlet at once.

"P-Professor, are you all right?" Kaelus asked hastily. "I mean, I'm not—I wasn't trying to—this isn't—I think we're in a crate."

"Yes, I've gathered that," Emmrich said, his eyes darting anywhere but the elf's face. His hips tingled where Kaelus' thighs squeezed them, and he swallowed, desperate to ignore it. "What happened?"

"Your gift. The gemstone," Kaelus assumed. "When I handed it to you, there was a blinding flash, and then... this." He gestured vaguely at their predicament.

Emmrich, recalling the strange event, unfurled his hand and gasped. There, resting in his palm, lay the smooth lilac gemstone Kaelus had given him—still glowing faintly.

"Of course," he said, donnishly. "Smuggling. This must be an enchantment keyed to discreetly relocate contraband—likely triggered when it comes into contact with something valuable. Such as my rings."

Kaelus winced, guilt gnawing at his chest. "I knew I shouldn't have trusted that shady merchant!"

"Then why did you?"

"Well... he wasn't all bad. I just thought—he had such nice teeth."

Emmrich tittered. "Yes. Charming dentistry is always a mark of trustworthiness."

He flipped the gem in his hand, muttering an incantation under his breath. Almost immediately, runes shimmered across its surface, and Kaelus felt it forge a link with the Fade.

"What are you—?"

"I can reverse it," Emmrich explained. "But it needs time—it's recalibrating, calculating the spatial tether between our current position and the Lighthouse."

"So until then, we're stuck," Kaelus mumbled, his voice strained. "Like this."

There was a long, unbearable silence, their bodies still huddled together. Emmrich's breath began to quicken despite his efforts to compose himself. He hadn't had someone this close to him in ages—and of all people, it was the elf who'd been shamelessly flirting with him for months.

"Professor?" Kaelus shifted, attempting to readjust without jostling the older man. "Professor, I... I'm sorry. This is my fault—we ended up here because of me."

"I-it's all right, Rook. Just... let's not move too much."

"Hold on. Let me see if I can get us out. I might be able to—"

As Kaelus pushed upward, searching for leverage on the lid, his pelvis pressed hard against Emmrich's—a sudden, heated connection that stole the breath from them both.

"Stop!" Emmrich yelped, the sensation far too intimate. "Please... stop moving."

"Shit." Kaelus stilled, shaken by his blunder. "Sorry, Professor."

Emmrich stifled a moan, feeling like a wanton fool. He had believed himself beyond such urges, but having Kaelus so inappropriately close was unravelling him—leaving him aching and unmoored, at the mercy of his own treacherous body.

Then he couldn't help but chuckle, hoping to distract himself.

"At this point," he murmured, "I think we can dispense with the formalities. 'Emmrich' is just fine, Rook."

The younger man flinched, then smiled. "'In that case, I'd prefer if you called me Kaelus."

There was another moment—quieter, calmer—before Emmrich looked at the gem in his hand once more.

"Why did you think to give this to me?" he asked—not accusing, only curious. "All things considered, it was incredibly kind, and most unexpected."

Kaelus hesitated, his blush deepening. "Ever since you joined the Veilguard, you've been good to me—always checking in, offering help, worrying about my wellbeing. I'm not used to that." He paused, his nails scratching the grain of the wood beneath him. "I just... wanted to give you something to show my appreciation."

Emmrich glanced up, touched by the raw honesty in his voice.

"It's my pleasure," he said, but his breath hitched when he saw the expression on Kaelus' face: desire. Severity.

Confidence.

Slowly, the elf leaned in, his breath hot against Emmrich's face, lips barely skimming the space between them. Emmrich's pulse raced—not with certainty, but with a tentative fire. He was older, so much older, and the weight of years loomed over him like a shadow.

This was wrong. This was reckless.

Yet, despite every caution warring inside him, a carnal longing stirred—a need impossible to ignore. He tilted his head upward, drawn irresistibly closer to Kaelus, unsure if what was about to happen was a mistake—or the very thing he'd been yearning for.

Then, suddenly, the gem shone, and they were teleported back to the Lighthouse—to the study they'd been whisked away from.

As clarity hit him like a battle axe, Emmrich averted his gaze, the gem still humming in his palm. His features tightened in shame. Kaelus sought his attention, trying to hold onto the moment, but the older man refused—and that refusal hurt.

For a while, neither spoke.

"Thank you," Emmrich eventually said, trying to bring levity to the tension, "for the gift. It certainly made for an interesting morning."

"It wasn't supposed to—!" Kaelus bit his tongue, then offered a humble bow. "I'm sorry. I should've been more careful when buying back alley runestones. It won't happen again."

Then he turned and fled the room, utterly mortified.

"Wait!" Emmrich reached out, but it was too late.

He stared at the door long after it had slammed shut, wondering what, precisely, he would have done had the teleportation taken a second longer.

-----

Evening fell like a plague, and Emmrich paced the halls, his mind a cacophony of regret. Since their jarring return—since their almost-kiss—Kaelus had spent the rest of the day avoiding him, leaving the weight of unspoken feelings to hang between them like fog.

Ignoring it hadn't helped.

It clawed at Emmrich now, tormenting him. He hadn't meant to humiliate the younger man, nor spurn his advances, and he certainly hadn't meant to make him bolt from the room as though he'd been scalded. But he couldn't blame Kaelus—especially since he'd recoiled as though the very idea of his kiss was repulsive.

Determined to make amends, he seized his coat, hurried down to the basement, and disappeared through the eluvian.

-----

The Rivaini night air wrapped around Emmrich like a balm—mild, soft, laced with the sound of waves and the scent of salt and stone. The moon hung low over the horizon, half-veiled in clouds, and the beach stretched before him, silvered and still.

Footprints broke the surface of the sand—light, measured, familiar.

Emmrich followed.

They led him past the dunes, through the scattered palms, to an oasis nestled at the edge of the cove; the breeze waned, quieting as if out of respect—and there, shirtless, barely more than a silhouette, stood Kaelus.

His bow was drawn, elegant and effortless, his body taut with focus as he loosed an arrow into the tree ahead. It struck with a satisfying thunk, followed by another. Then another.

Emmrich stopped just short of the clearing, his heart pounding.

Say something.

But words stuck in his throat. All the rehearsed apologies, the explanations, slipped like sand through his fingers. He managed to say only one thing: "Excellent form."

Before Kaelus could turn, the clouds shifted. The moon emerged, bathing the clearing in pale light—and Emmrich's breath caught.

Dozens of scars ran down Kaelus' back—harsh, ragged lines etched deep into his skin like history carved in flesh. Some long-healed, some fresher. They crisscrossed his spine, shoulders, sides. Each one a story he hadn't told aloud.

"Professor?" The elf faced him with a tender smile, as if the unpleasantness from that morning never occurred. "What are you doing out here so late? You're usually asleep by now."

Emmrich didn't reply. His eyes were locked on Kaelus' body, wide with sorrow. It took a moment before his voice returned.

"Those scars..."

Kaelus blinked, then peered over his shoulder. His brow furrowed, but he let out a dry laugh. "Ah. That. Comes with the life of a Crow, I'm afraid."

"Lucanis doesn't look that—" Emmrich trailed off, struggling to find a word that wouldn't offend.

"Bad? Marred? Unsightly?"

"Seasoned," he insisted.

Kaelus' jaw clenched, his smile faltering. "No, Lucanis wouldn't. He wasn't an orphaned mage boy raised in a house full of initiates who loathed his very existence."

Emmrich stepped forward, his hand clutching his chest as if he could soothe the ache inside. "That must have been... Maker, Kaelus. That must have been awful."

The elf lifted a hand, fingers brushing the scar that ran along his cheek. "It was," he whispered. "Until this one. Most of my scars came from combat training. But this one..." His gaze dropped to the ground. "Do you know how hard it is to train with weapons when your mana is constantly begging to be used instead?"

"I can only imagine," Emmrich said with a wince. "A young boy, in the throes of puberty, coming into his powers—at an age when instinct rules everything."

"It was brutal," Kaelus admitted. "My senses fought me at every turn, often leading to a failed parry or a weak defense. So... sometimes, I let instinct take over. The other boys didn't like that very much."

He paused, drawing a breath. He wasn't sure why he was telling Emmrich all this—only that, for some reason, he wanted to.

"They decided to brand me," he continued. "Make sure I'd never forget my place. As if I ever thought I was above them. I was just... eager to hone my magic. To grow stronger. I never saw myself as superior."

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"That day... I lost control. It's all a blur—electricity, fire, shouting. One of them, the boy who led the assault... he died. After that, no one ever touched me again."

Emmrich didn't speak. He saw the pride Kaelus tried to force into his expression—the defiance, the attempt to convince himself the boy had deserved it. But beneath it, plain as day, was pain.

The silence lingered, filled only by the soft lapping of waves.

"Why are you here, anyway?" Kaelus asked, glancing up at him. "Surely not to admire my archery. Although, if that's the case, I'm not opposed to you watching—"

Before he could finish, Emmrich closed the distance between them and pulled him into a tight embrace.

Kaelus froze.

The sudden warmth of Emmrich's arms around him, the firm pressure, the gentle tracing of fingers over his back—over those scars—undid something inside him. Slowly, almost hesitantly, he melted into it, burying his head in the crook of Emmrich's neck.

"I'm sorry," he choked. "I'm sorry for how you were treated. I'm sorry for embarrassing you in my study. And most of all, I'm sorry I didn't do this sooner."

He pulled back, cupping Kaelus' cheeks, his thumb caressing his scar. For a fragile moment, he simply held him, searching his face—not for permission, but for the courage to act.

Then he kissed him.

Kaelus stiffened, his eyes widening—but the shock lasted barely a beat before it broke. His bow slipped from his grasp, forgotten as he grabbed Emmrich's coat, clinging to him as though the sea might pull him under, and Emmrich was the shore. He kissed him back fiercely, with a kind of hunger that wasn't merely want, but a plea—to be seen, to be heard, to belong.

Emmrich let him take the lead—until he felt Kaelus stumble, overwhelmed by the passion. Then he moved in, claiming control, his lips teasing the elf's jaw, then his throat, then the bare skin of his chest, savouring the taste of sweat and ocean air.

Delicious.

Kaelus gasped, the pleasure edging towards something too intense to bear—then shuddered as Emmrich sank lower, unfastening his trousers with a reverence that made the whole encounter feel like a dream.

"E-Emmrich," he stammered, giving him a chance to reflect, to reconsider. "Are you sure you want to—? Agh!"

He cried out—loud and breathless, stunned by the heat and conviction, by Emmrich's mouth, his hands, all of it. His back arched, his knees buckled—but Emmrich caught him before he collapsed, arms steady as he laid him on the sand.

"What do you say, my dear?" Emmrich grinned. "Shall we pick up where we left off?"

"Where we left off?" Kaelus wheezed, his chest heaving.

Emmrich nodded, wedging himself between Kaelus' legs and bending comfortably over his torso—one arm braced above his head, the other pinned at his side. Their eyes met: Kaelus', wide and garnet; Emmrich's, heavy and hazel.

Both of them flushed scarlet at once.

[spaceinmyhead13]

Chapter 266

Im going to say this out of the gate: I totally fucking forgot this chapter happens lmao. It's been so long since I read this part of the novel that the whole spanking bit hit me like a truck going 55 in a school zone...

First off, lets start off with the obligatory simping:

GOD I LOVE WOMEN HOLY FUCKING SHIT I WANT HER TO HOLD ME LIKE THAT HOOOOOOOO BOY. I'm so fucking in love with her holy goddamn shit. She's so damn cool and strong and I feel like she'd make the best goddamn pancakes.

Anywho...

Absolute funniest part of this chapter has to be, as I would describe as; "Get Scuffed Idiot"

He legit weighs as much as a cat to her and I think that's so fucking funny. Girly really went "This man is a wild animal so I must treat him as such" and she's right.

Of course, we cant have a chapter with out inflicting Yoo Joonghyuk with emotional damage, and of course he tries to run away from his problems to much failure.

He's so cute when he's tied up

And WOW did I forget this scene existed. Holy shit did the artist not have to go this hard with showing him get his literal ass beat (not that I'm complaining). Really gives me some great ideas for fic nonsense but that's for another time.

And Yoo Joonghyuk, darling, why are you thinking about Dokja while you're getting you ass smacked? Is there something you'd like to tell us????

My god he's so fucking hot. I'd never say this about real men but holy smokes did they not have to write him looking so fucking good while being pounded (literally!). I swear to god this frame justifies my entire head cannon that YJH acts tough and mighty but in reality he does not wear the pants in any relationships. Motherfucker looks like he's straight out of an erotica with that goddamn waist curve goddamn.

All in all this chapter hits like a truck and I'm so happy to have it in my ever growing arsenal of "situations I can put YJH in for fan fictions", new addition: spanking!

Not a lot of lore going on in this chapter other than the look into the 2nd turn during the first few panels, but that was already pretty well established last chapter so I didn't feel the need to go over it again here. I do love that we keep getting hints that Jang Hayoung is indeed a female (since Namgung Minyoung directly says that "this one is my type") but Dokja is just a fucking idiot. I do like that this is subtle though, since readers who haven't read the novel wont really understand why it's so important that she's a female until a bit later. I'm really looking forward to this entire arc since it starts to develop YJH and KDJ a bit better while they're apart from the rest of the company, and it starts the deep dive we'll get into later about the sheer amount of emotional trauma YJH carries with him (which will later be expanded on in the 1864 arc in 2 arcs from now).

[laursdomain]

oh oh oh or maybe you know he's left behind in a lot of things in onyx storm like hes not part of quest squad maybe or he's being dumped with the idea of being the next duke but something comforting ? or something cute and fluffy please!!

team bodhi

pairing: bodhi durran x fem!reader

genre: fluff

synopsis: Bodhi Durran can endure many things his cousin makes him endure. Being the next Duke is where he draws the line. He’s not the type of person to put himself in the spotlight, especially when that spotlight meant ignoring every piece of training he’s received throughout his childhood. He can’t help but blow up in Xaden’s face, before retreating to his solace—you.

warnings: cursing, angst at the beginning, reader is lowkey not specified

w/c: 1.5k

a/n: chat i got sick </3

ྀིbodhi durran masterlist

𓇢𓆸

There’s only so much Bodhi Durran can handle in his lifetime.

Watch his parents burn when he was sixteen? Sure. Be sentenced to endure the riders quadrant in exchange for his life? He was going to go there anyways. Become his older cousins shadow, and basically be a nobody to practically everyone? Check. Not be apart of “quest squad”? He knew Garrick had to be there.

But this? This is the cherry on top.

“Fuck that,” Bodhi seethes, glaring at his cousin.

Out of all the things he was expecting Xaden to tell him when he was called to his room, he was not expecting to be told that he has to prepare to be the next duke. It was a stupid idea, really. Bodhi? The Seventeenth Duke of Tyrrendor? What a joke, Bodhi thought.

“Bodhi, listen to me,” Xaden’s voice is cold as it always is, though Bodhi has become accustomed to it. Instead of it striking fear as it does for others, it’s comforting to Bodhi. Surely, people would think he’s weird for feeling that, but it must be because they’re family. “She has to stay with us when I don’t make it.”

“If you don’t make it,” Bodhi corrects, ignoring the obvious fact that Xaden is now an Initiate. Bodhi refused to believe that Xaden would fully turn, he’s the strongest person to ever walk the Continent. If there’s any person who can overcome being venin, it’s Xaden fucking Riorson.

Xaden rolls his eyes, “fine, if I don’t make it. But the point still stands, we only just got Tyrrendor back, we can’t lose it.”

“And you’re relying on me to make sure that doesn’t happen?” Bodhi raises a brow, already fed up with his cousin. 

Memories of his childhood flood to the forefront of his mind, specifically of all the trainings he had with his father. If there’s one thing his father engraved in his mind—it’s that Xaden is meant to rule the province, just like he was taught, while Bodhi is his right-hand. He loved his father too much to throw all of his hard work away.

“You and I both know that I don’t know the first thing on politics, or how to lead a province.”

“That’s why I would train you,” Xaden points out.

“No,” Bodhi’s voice is firm and steady, “you were taught our entire childhood on how to be the next Duke. I was taught how to be your right-hand man. That is how it’s been planned since birth, and it’ll be that way until death. Get your shit together and be the leader you were taught to be.”

Bodhi doesn’t give Xaden a chance to retort, he’s already spinning on his heel, storming to his room. He knows Xaden or his shadows aren’t following him, he’s become too accustomed to the feeling of them and knowing when they are nearby. No, Xaden knows his younger cousin needs space to cool off, so he backs off. For now.

Bodhi swings his door open, kicking it behind him as he begins pacing the length of his room. It’s a nice upgrade to his room in Basgiath, but everyone knows it’s only because of his blood. Your figure sitting on the edge of the bed you two shared every night goes unnoticed by him, your worried eyes carefully following his frame. 

“Bodhi?” You gently ask, your voice alone enough to make him stop. 

He stops in place, facing you, though his eyes are distant. With his hands on his hips, you notice the way he still fidgets in place, an indication something was wrong. You knew your boyfriend that well.

“What’s wrong?” You follow up, watching as he sits next to you on the bed. He’s no longer looking at you, his head hanging as his gaze stays glued to the carpet. His arms rest against his thighs, while his hands grip his knees.

“Xaden wants to train me,” he mutters out, though his words lack context for you to understand what is upsetting him.

“Train you in what?” You scoot an inch closer to your boyfriend, your shoulder brushing his.

“If he fully turns, he wants me to be Duke,” he spits out, venom lacing his words. 

Your own eyes widened, shocked Xaden would ever take that route. In all honesty, you thought he would find a way to marry Sorrengail and have her be Duchess in his absence. If there’s one thing you knew, it was that Bodhi would never willingly accept being Duke. It’s not because of his body language from right next to you, it’s from years of knowing him. He’s always been Xaden’s shadow, he’d never willingly go into the spotlight. You never thought he’d willingly get into a relationship before his older cousin, but here you two were.

“That’s absurd,” you finally speak, noticing the way Bodhi ever-so-slightly loosens. “If anything, it should be Violet.”

“What makes him think I have what it takes to be Duke?” Bodhi questions, appalled at the absurdity of the situation.

“I don’t know,” you mumble, placing your hand on his relic-clad forearm, “maybe because you have the looks for it.”

He scoffs, a chuckle following soon after, “can you go five minutes without flirting with me?”

You giggle, “you know I can’t help it. But in all seriousness, you did do a good job handling the Assembly while he was on the Isles.”

“Now I wish I hadn’t,” he mumbles, shaking his head.

“Hey,” you turn your body to face him, pressing yourself closer to him. “Don’t say that. You did what you felt was right for your province. Blame Xaden for thinking he’s weak.”

He chuckles, “that’s what I told him. He didn’t seem too happy about it.”

You raise a brow, “what’d he say?”

He shrugs, “I walked away.”

You shake your head, giggling, “you’re ridiculous.”

His head snaps up, finally looking at you. He feigns shock, quickly tackling you on the bed and tickling your sides. Your laughs fill the room, quickly easing away the tension that lingered from Bodhi. He swings one of his legs around your hips, keeping you in place as he continues his torturous ministrations. 

“Stop—“ you giggle, tears forming in your eyes from how hard you’re laughing.

He relents, slowing down his fingers before stilling completely. His hands go from your sides to wrapping around your waist, laying his entire body weight on top of you. You sigh out in content, welcoming his embrace as you wrap your arms around his body. One hand tangles in his soft curls, messing around with the strands as he nuzzles closer to your neck. The other trails up and down his spine, your touch almost featherlight. 

“Thank you,” he mumbles into the skin of your neck, lightly tickling you in the process.

“For what?” You question, still slightly out of breath from your intense tickle battle.

He hesitates for a moment, maybe to find his words or maybe because he didn’t want to tell you just yet. “For always being on my side.”

Your heart warms at his words, and you have the sudden urge to kiss him. The hand that’s been caressing his spine finds it’s way to his jaw, pulling his face out of your neck to face you. 

“I’ll always be on your side,” you confess, smiling at him. 

A smile finds it’s way to his face, tugging the corners of his lips up as his eyes crinkle. With a hand still on his jaw, you slightly pull him towards you until your lips touch. You both smile into the kiss, before you tilt your head in an effort to deepen the kiss. Bodhi pushes his lips against yours harder, pushing you even further into the pillows. When he pulls away, his lips are swollen and he’s demanding air. You mimic his actions, though a lazy smile is still plastered on your face. 

Bodhi rests his forehead against yours, breathing in your scent, “can we stay like this forever?”

“I wish,” you mumble, closing your eyes.

Bodhi finds himself nuzzling his head into your neck again, placing a gentle kiss on your beauty mark before resting his head completely. Your hands resume their original positions, continuing their ministrations on his back and hair, slowly lulling him to sleep. Bodhi’s hands sneak under your shirt, rubbing his calloused thumbs back and forth on your skin before those ministrations slow, an indication he’s almost asleep. 

“I love you,” Bodhi sleepily whispers into your neck, loud enough for you to hear.

A smile stretches onto your face, one that makes you look and feel giddy. Bodhi makes you feel giddy. “I love you too.”

In these four walls, Bodhi can be himself with nothing weighing onto him. No war, no venin, and most certainly no need to have to be the backup Duke.

𓇢𓆸

[peoniesnro]

In Another Universe

#15. Changed!

Synopsis – When you are just another iteration of Park Jimin’s girlfriend in a different universe.

Park Jimin × Reader

Genre – parallel universe / kind of fantasy/ strangers to ??/ SMUT/ maybe romance/ angst/ fluff /Infidelity

Warnings- Language/ Angst / INFIDELITY /SMUT- Semi public sex (of course)/ Unprotected sex/ Oral (M. recieving)/ Oral (F. recieving)/ Cum eating/ Risky sex/ Dirty talking/ They are being little nasty shits/ They are doing very questionable, not good, desrve to be slapped things/

Word count- 25K

a/n- First, I guess these few last chapters will be pretty long since I don't want to rush the ending. So I'll be writing around 20- 30K per a chapter before I bring it to the long awaited ending. For now, I guess the story is back on the track and it'll be angst, angst, and angst from now on until the end. Anyway, thank you for reading like always lovelies. I love you all ❤��

Taglist?

Chapter Index

Previous - Next

Coffee?

Jungkook never liked Liya. Maybe it isn’t fair to say that since he thought you were Liya. But then if it was Liya who he met that day at the club, the story could’ve been a lot different. 

See now, Jungkook knows the person who’s doing something wrong here is you, not Liya. Yet he can’t find it in himself to sympathise with her. Call him biased, inhuman, or an asshole but something about Liya doesn’t sit right with him. Just like how it doesn’t sit right with him at the moment. 

He doesn’t like how restless she looks. Doesn’t like how she’s been mumbling with Seoyeon. Absolutely doesn’t like how distressed Seoyeon looks. Something is fishy. Something is definitely happening. Something bad. Jungkook isn’t an idiot, he can tell the jealousy apart. That— the way Liya is acting— definitely is not jealousy. 

And you haven’t returned yet. Of course, you haven’t. Why would he ever expect you to return so fast when you just got that little get away with the man you love? Fuck, even the thought makes Jungkook’s heart clench painfully. He must’ve agreed when you asked him to move on and not make a fuss about that night. Consider it a mistake that happened under the influence. But God, how it hurts.

It wasn’t much to be honest. But it was everything to Jungkook. He was a little fool that let himself get carried on and allowed to taste the forbidden fruit. It only made him want more. More and more. The only thing that did was make him fall for you a little more. The thing is, you were so worried. So worried about ruining your friendship. Worried about Jimin. You were blaming yourself for using Jungkook when that wasn’t what happened. Jungkook was the one who used you. 

He is a fucking idiot!

And he wanted to ease your burden. It was much easier to agree on your terms. Who knows what would’ve happened if he’d disagreed—if he’d told you he actually has feelings for you? For one, he knows you won’t reciprocate them. Then it would’ve made you run away from him. Well, fuck that. Jungkook can’t let that happen. No. You’re too precious for that. But this is the price for that. Now he has to be the silent lover who watches his girl fall for someone else and walks away in front of his eyes. 

Fuck his life!

How unfortunate that he can’t do anything about it. Because he is a coward. 

“Don’t tell me you have a crush on her?” Taehyung’s voice brings Jungkook back to earth, forcing him to snap his gaze away from the two distressed friends in the distance.

“On who?” He scowls. 

Taehyung gasps. “Yah! Man, mine and Seoyeon’s relationship can be very rocky and we must be very fucked up but I don’t like to think that you have a crush on my girlfriend,” He throws an incredulous look at Jungkook. “Even if it’s just by name.” Adds. “Besides, trust me man, she’s fucking exhausting.” 

Jungkook grimaces. “Eww… what the fuck, Tae!”

“Exactly!” Taehyung says with a serious voice, leaving Jungkook to figure out what he meant. This time Jungkook grimaces even harder. 

“Fuck no…” He turns around abandoning his task at hand. Preparing the barbeque pit. 

“Then why are you looking at her like that?” Taehyung doesn’t let Jungkook walk away, peacefully. 

“Because… she and your- namely- girlfriend, look like they are planning to bomb the damn world.” Jungkook gives Taehyung a look. That makes Taehyung stop and take a good look at the duo on the topic. A small crease appears between his eyebrows. 

“Oh shit! That’s not good.” After a long second of staring, Taehyung says. 

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“But that can be business, you know. She’s a CEO, Kookie.” Taehyung pats Jungkook’s shoulder, shaking his head nonchalantly. Jungkook tries to protest when Taehyung already changes the topic. “Anyway, you don’t have to look so repulsed when I say you have a crush on Kim Liya.” He does a cheeky bob in his shoulder, then a wiggle in his brows. Jungkook groans. 

“No…”

“Why not? You can have a crush on her sister, but not on her? They are basically the same person, dude.” Taheyung gestures at Liya. Jungkook turns his head so fast toward him. His attempt at talking once again got stolen by Taehyung. “Oh, c’mon, whole fucking universe knows you like, Li.” 

Jungkook almost declines before deciding against it. What’s the point of disagreeing anyway? 

“Yeah? Is that why you made her go with your friend?” So, instead he asks with a little scoff. He doesn’t want bad blood with Taehyung. He swore it wouldn’t happen, but sometimes it’s just... hard. It’s hard when he’s jealous. Taehyung sighs. 

“I didn’t do such a thing. Her name was on the paper, it was a fair game.”

“You made everyone awkward. That was so—”

“You’re jealous!” Taehyung cuts Jungkook off with an amused smile. For a minute. Then his smile drops. “I like you, Kookie. And I really don’t want to take sides but—”

“Then don’t take sides. Nobody asked you to take sides.” It’s Jungkook’s time to interrupt this uncomfortable conversation. He has no idea why Taehyung brought it up in the first place. “We’re good, Tae. I mean, let’s just pretend everything’s fine and honestly, I’m more worried about Noona’s health at the moment.” He pats Taehyung’s back, just like he did earlier. “And let’s please pretend this convo never happened and do me a favor and keep an eye on your just- for- the- name- girlfriend. She scares me.” Jungkook shudders visibly.

Turns around, heading for Namjoon and leaving Taehyung behind.

……………………

The moment you got back from your little trip to the nearest supermarket, an hour and thirty minutes later, it had been super awkward. For a minute, it felt like the whole trip was ruined. But of course, Taehyung and Jungkook took matters into their own hands. Just with a banter that made no sense, they managed to break the ice. 

And for your pleasure, no one has made it awkward for you, except Seoyeon and Liya. But in turn, it made you feel awfully guilty too. The thing is, the giddiness inside you—the butterflies, the warmth, the happiness that makes your chest feel like it's ten times too big—doesn't leave much room for guilt.

“I think I love you.”

An uncontrollable grin spreads across your face as the memories flood your mind. Not even in your wildest dreams  did you expect the day to unfold like this. 

That had been so unexpected. But what’s there to be surprised about? It’s Park Jimin. He’s unpredictable. He always amazes you. No wonder he chose a random ass time to confess. 

“I love you.”

Oh God, you want to jump up and down like a crazy school girl. 

Jimin loves you!

Park Jimin is in love! With you!

You wander your eyes to the man plaguing your mind completely. He’s helping Taehyung put the barbecue grill on. That was supposed to be on Jungkook, but the guy is otherwise occupied with you. Helping you to prepare dinner with Yoongi. Jimin’s attention is fully on the task but just as your eyes land on him, he raises his head. Eyes catching yours directly. As if he has an invisible line connecting to your mind. You bite on the inside of your cheeks to contain the cheeky smile. This is embarrassing on one hand. You two are acting like two teenagers. As if to prove your point, Jimin cocks his head to the side, eyes glinting. You blush furiously. 

Ridiculous.

“I’m telling you, we need to run.” Jungkook, luckily, grabs your attention. You break eye contact with Jimin. Jungkook has been talking about how Liya and Seoyoen are going to bomb South Korea. 

“If they’re doing that, then I’m staying. That is going to be a one helluva video.” Yoongi rejects Jungkook’s pre advice. 

“And who’s going to upload the video, when you die?” Jungkook argues. Not ‘if’ but ‘when’. The guy is serious about his theories. 

“Oh, c’mon…” You roll your eyes. “She’s just a CEO, she can’t bomb a country.” It even feels ridiculous to entertain his idea. 

“Uh huh,” Jungkook nods. “And her father is The Kim so, I’m saying she can bomb the world if she wants.”

“And where would she go after destroying the world?” You question. 

“To space, obviously. I bet she already has it planned.” Jungkook squints his eyes suspiciously at the said woman. You follow his gaze to find Liya hunched up over the pile of logs that would turn into a camp fire within a few minutes. She’s working with Namjoon, Yoona, and Seoyoen. 

“Yah! Will you stop talking nonsense? We have to get the dinner ready in time for dinner, not breakfast.” Yoongi interrupts yours and Jungkook’s keen inspection. 

“Why the hell it’s always us three who end up in cooking duties?” You look down at the makeshift kitchen you’ve made under a tent. You’re not  really cooking per say. Just getting the things prepped for the grill. Still, it’s you three who are doing it. 

“Take that as a compliment, Noona. That’s because our food is delicious.” Jungkook gives you a cocky smile. “And let’s make sure we prepare the best last meal for us.” His smile drops as he goes back to squinting at Liya. 

“You watch too many films, kid? Do you even have time for college? What are they teaching you these days?” Yoongi hands you a bowl of mushrooms. Jungkook sighs. 

“Bunch of stuff that won’t be of help if an evil woman decides to bomb the country.” Jungkook sadly answers Yoongi’s question, making you snort. Jungkook is so far gone in his fantasy that there’s no bringing him back now. It’s just like when he was super interested in finding your antennas those days. 

“Just let him, Yoongi.” You say to Yoongi as Jungkook starts describing how exactly Liya is about to destroy the world. With a gentle shake of your head and smiling to yourself,  you avert your gaze back to Jimin. This time, however, you do it at the wrong time. 

Poor timing and bad luck!

Just as you avert your gaze, you catch Liya has changed his earlier position. She’s now walking over to Jimin and Taehyung, slowly. Her arms crossed and her long hair flows behind her like a silk scarf. Just like that, your stomach drops. So does your smile.

Fuck!

Oh, for God’s sake, you can’t be like that. What are you? Freaking fifteen? You can’t act like an obsessive girlfriend. You know Jimin loves you and you know the situation with Liya. Then what the hell do you need more? You need to grow up and get your shit together. 

You try your best to shift your eyes away. Into what you’re doing. You do your best not to feel bitter. Only to fail miserably. A flash of green crosses your eyes as you keep staring at the way Liya slowly approaches Jimin. It’s like your eyes are literally glued to the scene and you’ve no option but to watch. You keep watching as Liya stands next to Jimin. She says something to him that gets him to bend down to her height and listen properly. 

Your stomach churns awfully. 

They’re standing too far away for you to be able to listen. And you’re bad at reading lips. So, you have no idea what passes between them when Jimin gently nods. Then much to your horror Jimin mutters something to Taehyung and starts walking away, followed by Liya. He throws a brief glance at your way but that’s not enough to understand anything. They walk away from the campsite. Your eyes follow the figures until they disappear in the darkness. 

Where did they go?

Why?

Oh, God, this is ridiculous!

Why are you being so paranoid anyway? You don’t know where they went?

Exactly! That’s the problem here. You don’t know where she took Jimin. But there’s nothing to be so worked up about. Maybe they walked down to the vehicles. Maybe Liya forgot to bring something. Or maybe she needed to use the bathroom. The bathhouse and the other facilities are located a bit farther from the campsite and it’s getting dark. It’s understandable if Liya doesn’t want to go there alone or with Seoyoen. 

This is totally not a big deal and you’re definitely not being a bitch. It doesn’t matter who he’s helping, you can understand Jimin helping a woman in need. Liya or not. 

“Where is my damn cousin?” Fortunately for you, Yoongi breaks your stupor as he looks around him. Noticing the obvious lack of a certain sun shine. Yet as in cue, just as the words leave Yoongi’s mouth a scream startle you all out of your bodies. 

“Fuck!” Jungkook and Yoongi curse aloud in unison. You all turn your head to where the sound came when Hoseok appears from behind a tent. 

“Fuck, what happened?” Yoongi asks him, wearing an expression torn between worry and confusion. Then as Hoseok answers in a pant, Yoongi’s expression completely morphed into something frustrated. 

“A freaking bug,” Hoseok points his finger back toward where he just appeared. “It was this big.” He brings his hands closer to imitate the bugs size, which is as he shows, the size of a coconut. 

“Are you sure that’s a bug?” Jungkook snorts. “Looks like a fucking scorpion or something to me.” 

At his words Hoseok’s face drains of color. “You think?” He takes a cautious glance back. 

“Oh my God! No, Hoseok!” You throw a glare at Jungkook. He shrugs. “There are no scorpions here, I’m sure. Fuck you Kook.” You nudge Jungkook’s ribs. 

“What? He’s the one who—”

“Enough!” Yoongi interrupts Jungkook. “Get the dinner done, kids. Yah! Hoseok-ah, help with this?” He shows a bowl across the table to Hoseok. Hoseok takes one look at it. 

“You know what? I’m no longer afraid of any bugs,” He states with a nod and turns around like a flash. “Or scorpions. In fact,” He holds a finger up. Doesn’t look at any of you as he starts walking away. “I’m going to get a pet scorpion.”

“That fucking…” Yoongi mumbles under his breath.

…………………………

It’s been twenty minutes since Jimin disappeared with Liya. Not that you’ve been counting the minutes… You’ve been counting every second. And every second feels like an eon. You don’t want to be like this, but you can’t help letting your mind spiral. They definitely didn’t go to the bathrooms. Who the hell spends this much time in a common bathhouse? Everyone has decided to park the vehicles from a little distance from the campsite. That would take five minutes to go and return. They clearly didn’t go to any of those places and you’re becoming restless. 

You eye Taehyung apprehensively. He knows where Jimin went. Should you ask him? It wouldn’t be weird either, since Taehyung knows about you. Yet at the same time you’d look like a possessive bitch. Why would you ask other people anyway? Why can’t you ask Jimin himself? You might not be in a standard relationship but the guy admits he loves you. And you love him in return. What more of a right do you want to shoot him a text and ask where he is? 

You grab your phone from the foldable chair next to you. Unlock it quickly and almost shoot the text when you notice the ‘sos’ on the top corner of the screen. No fucking connection. You groan internally before throwing the useless device away. Taehyung and J had to find a place that has no proper connections, didn't they? What if an emergency comes up? This is how people get slaughtered in movies. 

“Oh my God, Tae! This is ridiculous. You had no other ideas for a game than this?” Seoyeon whines, grabbing your attention. You might not like her much, but you can’t agree with her anymore. 

Taehyung is busy setting up the table for a game of spin the bottle.

“I did, but this was the best one.” Taehyung disregards his girlfriend. 

“How old are you?” Seoyeon rolls her eyes. 

“Just a year younger than you.” Taehyung yet again answers nonchalantly. Everything has been prepared. Food is ready. The grill is going. The camp fire is up. All you have to do is start the night. But the case is, two people are missing. You throw another hasty glance to where they disappeared earlier. 

Should you ask Taehyung or should you not? 

“And what? You want us to kiss each other?" Jin butts in, sporting a bottle of beer, J casually attached to his side. 

Taehyung pays his elder friend full attention. His eyes gleaming. “I like the idea of it very much,” he states happily, making half the table scrunch up their faces in repulse. “I mean, there are bunch of gorgeous women here—”

“Men too.” Jungkook quips. Looks a bit offended that Taehyung didn’t notice that. Taehyung blinks at Jungkook for half a second before picking up from where he left. 

“Yes, men too… So, it would be such a fun idea, but looking at all of your horrified faces, I guess that none of you want to kiss each other—except for me—”

“In your dreams Tae…” Namjoon grumbles. 

“You don’t have to admit it, Hyung.” Taehyung waves a casual hand in front of his face. “Anyway, considering this—”

“Oh for fuck’s sake! We decided to change the game.” J cuts Taehyung’s unnecessary speech. “Where the hell is Park Jimin?” Then she voices out the exact question in your mind. “Do we have to wait until it’s next year?” She glances around as if she can find a clue. 

Someone tries to answer that question. But before they could, a soft sound of approaching footsteps disturbed everyone. 

“Sorry.”

You snap your eyes to Jimin as he walks over to the table. A little breathless. Your eyes first land on his face, then travels across his body and stops where Liya’s hand is resting on his wrist. 

For God’s sake!

You have to bite the grimace back physically and swallow it down to keep your face neutral. You can’t cause a scene. You have no right to cause a scene. Besides, she's holding his wrist. 

Why’s she holding his wrist? 

Why the fuck is he allowing that?

The flash of green that slashes across your sight earlier slowly starts to engulf you whole. Travelling down your body through your veins. You clench your fists over your sweats, turning your gaze back to Jimin’s face. To find him already glancing at you. You force a smile into your lips. 

You can’t be a bitch. You can’t be a bitch. 

You’re an understanding matured woman!

You’re positive your smile came across as a sneer. Yet you don’t get to dwell on that issue when J sighs in immense relief. 

“Thank God!” She exclaims. “Thought you’d take fucking years. Sit down please, we have a game to play and food to eat.”

Jimin keeps his gaze on you. Doesn’t break eye contact as he gently free his hand from Liya’s hold. You almost feel happy but just as he takes his hand away, Liya hooks her arm through his. And you fail to keep your eyes on Jimin and shift it to Liya. Mistake. She’s glancing at you too. 

A tiny smirk appears on her lips before she starts dragging Jimin toward the table.

………………………….

“Why would I have to start this?” You grumble, holding the empty beer bottle in your hand. 

“Because you lost in the rock-paper-scissors.” Taehyung lets you know matter of factly. “Now, please spin the bottle, Li.” He taps the table. You sigh heavily. Like they promised, the game isn’t going to contain any kissing. Taehyung’s genius mind— as he says— has come up with the idea of combining it with the truth or dare. Truth or dare minus the truth because there’ll be no choices.

The rules are simple. You’ll now spin the bottle and when it stops, the person who’s behind the top end of the bottle will have to do the dare given by the person behind the bottom end of the bottle. It’s either doing the dare or chugging down a monstrous blast mixed by Yoongi, which he himself doesn’t know includes what. All he knows is that he mixed every type of alcohol in it. You’re positive that one of you is going to die tonight. Death can happen while trying to complete a stupid dare or drinking Yoongi’s drinks. 

With another heavy sigh you place the bottle on the table and spin it. Everyone falls silent as the bottle starts to spin, and spin, and spin. Then eventually stops. The mouth of the bottle pointing to Taehyung and the back pointing to Jungkook. 

Tangled noises of satisfaction flow across the table. Taehyung, however, doesn’t even look concerned at the fact that he got selected. He gives Jungkook an excited glance. 

“Bring it in, boy.” he squares his shoulders. You turn your head to look at equally elated Jungkook. God, this is going to be fun. Despite your skepticism, even you can’t help but grin. And it says a lot since you’re in an awful mood having to see Liya causally leaning against Jimin. 

“Please give him something impossible.” Yoona says to Jungkook with a straight face. Jungkook nods. 

“Okay, I… dare you to…” He purses his lips in contemplation. Then after a second of thinking he yells. “Do a body shot.” Clasps his hands. 

“On who?” Taehyung looks discouraged for a minute. 

“On anyone you want. You agreed we’re all a bunch of gorgeous women and men.” Jungkook shrugs. Scrunching up his nose adorably. 

“Okay…” Taehyung drags, scowling. His eyes jump from each person on the table. Now, Taehyung is a fucking meal himself but you’d die out of embarrassment if he tries to lick a drink up from your body. That’d be so weird. 

Taehyung’s eyes sweep over you and to Seoyoen. That would be the best, least weird and wise choice. Yet before anything, Seoeyoen lets out a horrified gasp. “Hell no!” Even shakes her head. 

If it was someone else, this would’ve turned into an uncomfortable silence. But fortunately it’s Taehyung and he just clicks his tongue. 

“Don’t worry I’m not going to embarrass you highness,” He stretches his hand toward Yoongi, silently requesting a shot. It’s just a normal shot of tequila instead of a monstrous blast. That one is reserved for losers. “Jimin-ah, do me the honor, please?” Taehyung gets to his feet after Yoongi hands him over the drink. The table breaks into a unified applaud and cheers. 

Jimin, however, chokes on his own spit. Does a comical failed motion of trying to push back in his chair with wide eyes as Taehyung reaches him. 

“No. No. No! What?” He shouts. “Why me?” His unexpected movements cause Liya to pull away from him. 

At least a good thing.

“Beacuse you’re my best friend?” Taehyung smiles cheekily at him. 

“We’re all your friends.” Jimin reasons. 

“Yeah and you wouldn’t mind if I….” Taehyung raises a brow. His expression is smug. And for a second you think he briefly glances over at you. Just for second, though and it’s over even before you can register it. Jimin’s face turns serious immediately.  “Oh, c’mon, Jiminie, we’ve done worse in college.” Taehyung kicks Jimin’s leg. Abandoning what he said earlier completely. 

J gasps. “I’m very interested in knowing what the worst is?” She leans forward over the table. “What did you do?” Questions. 

“I assure you…” Jimin looks at her over his shoulder. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing—”

“What do you mean, Jimin-ah?” Taehyung cuts Jimin off with a gasp. Offended. Then turns to J. “Trust me when I tell you, there’s nothing in this world we haven’t done—”

“Tae…” Jimin groans. Now you’re interested in knowing the story too. 

“Once we brought this girl to the dorm and—”

“Okay, do your fucking body shot.” Jimin snaps, interrupting Taehyung immediately. His face is the color of a tomato. Even Liya has turned red. Several noises of disappointment mixed in the air. 

“That’s ma boy!” Taehyung grins. Grabs a slice of lime and holds it for Jimin to take between his lips. 

“Can we just do the shot?” Jimin sighs. “C’mon that counts.” He looks at Jungkook. For a second Jungkook looks like he wouldn’t let Jimin go that easily. The dare was supposed to be Taehyung’s but Jimin’s the one who’s obviously suffering. And Jungkook is enjoying it to the fullest. Yet,much to Jimin’s relief Jungkook shrugs. 

“Yeah… can do that.” Jungkook nods. “You’ll take the whole year to do this, otherwise. Be quick, will you?” 

“Okay, fuck, okay… so, uh- how- um- can you do it on my palm?” Jimin innocently and adorably holds his palm out. Noises of disagreement break down again. 

“That’s not a fucking body shot!” Yoona is the first to protest, to your surprise. Then making it nothing, even Yoongi disagrees. 

“I thought you went to college. You don’t know how to do a body shot?” He raises a brow. 

“Why not? My palm is a part of my body?” Jimin argues. Everyone starts to put their two cents on the table. 

“No it’s not.”

“Be quick!”

“Abs, do it on your abs.”

“Oh my God, I’m embarrassed, I can’t even look at this.”

“This is fun!”

You don’t know if it’s fun or not. But despite your knowledge you’re currently cackling up. So hard  you have to use Jungkook as leverage. Everyone is laughing hard. Even Jin is laughing disregarding his flushed face. J and Yoona have joined the battle field on the other side of the table and are convincing Jimin to lift his shirt up. 

“This is freaking assault you know? I’m not drunk enough to do this.” Poor guy practically cries as his best friend kneels in front of him. Yoona holds the shot glass slightly above Taehyung’s mouth, aligned with Jimin’s defined abs. Somewhere between the chaos everyone has come to a compromise that Taehyung doesn’t have to lick the shot over Jimin’s body. Instead of that, Yoona pours the shot across Jimin’s abs and the drink would pool in Taehyung’s mouth. 

You do a half scream and half squeak as Yoona starts pouring. Cheers, yells, and laughter fill the air as the liquid disappears from the glass. When it’s completely gone Yoona takes the glass away, and walks over to her flush- faced boyfriend. Sits on his lap. Taehyung rushes to his feet. A proud and smug look on his face. He doesn’t even bite the slice of lime as he gives a look to Jungkook. 

It takes everyone at least five minutes to sober up and pay attention to the game again while paying eating as well. In the course of five minutes the bottle is on Taehyung’s hand. As the target of the previous round, he gets to spin the bottle now. With residue laughter here and there, everyone gets ready to face a cruel destiny when Taehyung spins the bottle. After a few spins, it this time stops pointing at Yoongi and Hoseok. Hoseok receiving the bottom end of the bottle, making his face lighten up like the morning sun. 

“Fuck, yes. I waited for this moment my whole damn life.” Hosoek bellows, making Yoongi roll his eyes. Just like Taehyung, Yoongi looks unphased. 

You steal a glance at Jimin, who still looks like he wants to throw himself off a bridge but is recovering. Liya, however, looks like crawling into a hole. So does Seoyoen. Jimin smiles at you when he catches you glancing. You return the smile easily this time. That smile, however, lasted only a second as Liya yet again leans against him. You try your best not to glare at her. You tear your gaze away to look at what’s happening in the game just after you catch Jimin putting a short distance between him and Liya. 

Well. That is awkward. 

“Okay, here’s your dare, Hyung.” Hoseok rubs his hands together. “Tell me what you said to that cute barista the other day.” Hoseok leans against his chair, putting a leg over the other. 

“Sorry, what?” You scowl. Thinking you caught only a part of the dare. 

“Boo! You’re killing the fun, man. Give him a real dare.” J holds her thumb down. 

“This is a real dare. Now listen, that man over there,” Hoseok gestures at Yoongi, who now looks exasperated. “Doesn’t know how to flirt—”

“How the fuck do you know that?” Yoongi gasps, offended. 

“Because I do. But he flirts with the barista at our favourite café the other day she looks like about to fucking cum.”

“That’s too much information.” Jin butts in just to get rudely ignored. 

“I want to know what he told her.” Hosoek explains his dare. 

“You’re so fucking nosy, Hyung.” Namjoon shakes his head in disapproval. 

“I’m just curious.”

“That’s exactly what being nosy means. Being too fucking curious.” Namjoon huffs. 

“Well either way, you’re not getting that out of me, Hobba. I’ll die rather than telling you about my sex life.” Yoongi flips Hoseok off. Then before anyone can say anything he pours his own drink into a glass and knocks it down in one go. A millisecond of silence passes before Yoongi groans aloud and bangs his head on the table, dramatically, with a soft thud. “Holy fuck! What’s in this shit?” He shakes his head. Looks like he’s actually in pain. “I’m gonna die.” Grumbles and after another few seconds he finally raises his head. Facing all of you who are gaping at him with opened mouths. 

“You made that drink, Hyung.” Jungkook points out. Still very horrified. 

“Yeah. And I should’ve done the dare, fuck, this is—” He stops whatever he wanted to say to stuff his mouth with some pork bellies. Probably to get the awful taste away. 

“I’m going to do any dare. No questions.” Jin mumbles to himself. And all agree. 

Starting from there everyone almost does every dare. Fortunately, you are only dared to throw a pickup line at Taehyung which makes you cringe hard but everyone else impressed. Except for Jimin, of course. Guy is pouting at you hard. On another day, you would’ve become mad at the prospect of him being jealous when he’s the one who has a woman attached to his hip. But to his credit, he is actively putting distance between him and Liya. It is Liya who doesn’t pick up the sign. 

And the only other person who chooses a drink— despite Yoongi’s warnings— is Namjoon. He refuses to give a lap dance to Seoyeon. Understandably so. But the thing is that he makes sure that all of you’ve got another live witness as to why you shouldn’t try the drink even by a mistake. 

Yoona spins the bottle for what must be the twentieth time at night. To keep it fair, you all have been changing your positions across the table, which has put you next to Jimin now. Taehyung on your other side. Liya has to sit across from Jimin. Yoona’s bottle stops pointing between Liya and Seoyeon this time. Seoyeon earns the chance to give the dare. After all casual drinks- not the monstrous blast- she looks a bit relaxed and seems to be enjoying the game. A wicked grin appears on her face as she wiggles her eyebrows at her best friend. Liya rolls her eyes. Being the only sober person in the group at the moment. 

“Please, don’t make me kill you, Seo.” Liya warns Seoyeon even before she can start speaking. 

“Oh, you know I’m not that unhinged,” Seoyeon smiles softly. Someone else gasps but no one pays that any mind. “Okay, I know we said that we’re going to stay away from the kisses but, I dare you to kiss someone… on the lips.” She bites down on her lip. 

And like that the wind gets knocked out of your lungs. In a very bad way. The soft smile you’ve been adorning on your face, instantly vanishes. You sober up immediately. The silver of green you’ve been feeling that has gone away during the night, returns. 

Liya isn’t obviously going to kiss just someone. No. Why would she, when she has her boyfriend right here? Seouyeon didn’t specify who Liya should kiss, which gives Liya plenty of freedom to kiss whoever she wants. And everyone knows that she’s going to kiss her boyfriend. It’s the easiest dare that has been given to someone so far. Liya just has to kiss her boyfriend. 

Your heart clenches weirdly inside your ribcage. A strange urge to storm away from the premises gets to you. You really don’t want to sit here and watch Liya kiss Jimin. No. You’re too weak for that. Too jealous for that. Even the thought is making your eyes sting and throat tight. 

“Seoyoen…” Taehyung sighs. Seoyoen looks at him with disbelief. 

“What?” She questions. 

“We agreed, there ain’t going to be any kissing.” Taehyung reminds. 

“No kissing other people!” Seoyeon argues. “Nobody said anything about kissing their partners. It’s totally fine.”

Nobody says anything to it. Everyone is gaping at Liya as if kissing her partner would be the weirdest thing to do. 

Partner!

Jimin is her boyfriend!

Just because he loves you, fact doesn’t change. You’re still the other woman. Maybe you should actually leave. That would catch unwanted attention, though. 

“What?” Seoyeon questions from no one in particular. Then she gestures to Liya. “C’mon, complete your dare.” 

A minute passes. Then Liya gets to her feet. You gulp harshly, your left leg starting to bob up and down crazily. 

You can’t be here.

You can’t just watch Jimin kiss someone else. 

The clog in your throat tightens to a point you actually find it hard to breathe. Your stomach lurches, making all the food you ate threatening to reappear. You avert your gaze to your lap, staring at the hem of your cozy shorts. 

It’s okay. It’s fine. 

It’s just a kiss. 

A kiss. 

Jimin is going to kiss someone else. 

You screw your eyes shut. You can’t cry. Nor can you say anything. All you can do is wait until it’s over. You feel like all your insides are melting away, leaving a hollow shell behind. You imagine that Liya must’ve made it all the way to Jimin across the table now, who’s just sitting next to you. You try to guess where she exactly stands right now. Behind you? Or did she walk over to the other side of him? 

Maybe this is the karma for being a bitch. You deserve this. If you don’t look, then it would be allright. What you can’t see, can’t hurt you right? 

But what about the knowledge, though. You know Jimin is kissing Liya while sitting right next to you. Even your ears start to ring. The pain inside your chest grows higher and higher, mixing up with a strange anger that makes you want to scream. 

Then, just as you think it’ll happen, you feel a warm hand on your thigh, forcing your bobbing leg to still. A very familiar touch. It prompts you to shoot open your eyes. Just as you do, Jimin’s voice fills the sudden silence that has been filling the air. 

“I’m not doing it.” He states with a stern edge. Someone slowly gasps. Your jaw drops. Liya, who had only made it halfway across the table, stops dead on the track. Yet it’s not she who questions Jimin. 

“What?” Seoyeon scowls deep, seemingly at a loss. 

“I said I’m not doing it.” Jimin repeats as an answer to her question. 

“Why? Like, are you shy to kiss your girlfriend in front of us? You let your best friend lick tequila across your stomach.” Seoyeon raises a brow. “C’mon kiss your girlfriend Park Jimin.” Huffs. 

“No.” Jimin mutters again.

“Why the fuck not?” Seyeon’s scowl deepens. 

“Because it’s fucking weird to kiss someone who I haven’t even touched properly for years.” Jimin speaks aloud this time. 

“Jimin.” Liya finally lets her voice out. Saying Jimin’s name in a manner of a warning. Yet it does nothing but make Jimin scoff. 

“Oh for fucks sake! We’re not in public, with your family, or with anyone else that we have to pretend to be in a relationship that we’re not.” Jimin gets to his feet. The chair stumbles back at the force he does so. “These people,” He gestures around the table. “They already know we fucked up and probably know we are still fucking up. So, let’s just not do this, Liya.” He turns around with that. You stay still. As if a single movement from you would cause a bomb detonation. “I’m fucking tired of pretending.” Jimin almost walks away when Liya stops him. 

“Not in a relationship?” She muses. “I thought we’re even getting engaged, Jimin.” Says while still standing awkwardly where she stopped earlier. She looks uncomfortable. A faint flush coloring her face. Maybe, Jimin should take this conversation away. Somewhere private. As much as you appreciate him not kissing Liya, this is getting painful. 

“Well that’s the thing Liya. You thought we’re getting engaged.” Jimin points a finger at Liya. He doesn’t look exactly mad. Yet there's a hint in his voice that tells you the damn is about to be broken. “You thought, you decided, and you planned. Not me. And guess what? I’m done. I’m done acting like everything is normal when it’s not.” He takes a step. Only to be interrupted again. 

“So, you’re suddenly tired?” Liya closes the distance between Jimin and her. Raises her hand to grab Jimin’s arm but then decides against it. “Are you sure that’s all? That’s why you don’t want to do this?” With every word her voice raises. “Are you sure, it’s not because you fell head over heels for my sister?” Liya yells out those last words with a finger pointed at you. 

You suck in a harsh breath when everything falls into a silence yet again. This time, though, it’s as if everyone disappears. Leaves rustle in the wind. Crickets chirp in the near distance. The roar of the river leaks into the campsite. The fire crackles softly. Yet not a single sound is made by a human. 

You wait with a bated breath for Jimin to just deny it and walk away. Like he should. Because that's the right thing to do. 

“No,” At last Jimin mumbles. You let out a breath in relief. “We were doomed a long time ago. We were walking down to this moment from years, Liya. We were already fucked up even before I knew her. So, no. This has nothing to do with her.” He says, rather calmly. For a second, you think it’s over. Well, you should learn not to expect miracles all the time. 

Liya scoffs. “Yes? That’s the only reason?” She raises a brow. Her perfect expression slowly slipping away, reminding you of the day at the club. “But why can’t you deny it?” This time she actually grabs Jimin’s t- shirt sleeve. “Deny it, Jimin. Say that you haven’t fallen for her and this has nothing to do with my sister.” Pushes Jimin. 

Liya should learn when to give up. You feel a headache forming. The day has swung into darkness yet again. Why the hell is your life like this? Why are you going through a roller coaster? Bad moment to good one then to another bad one.

You bite into your lower lip, preparing yourself to hear Jimin saying that he doesn’t like you in that way at all. You know it’d hurt but you would understand. Of course, you would. Those words, however, don’t come. You throw a hesitant glance at Jimin. Wondering. Confused. 

He’s taking too long. He’s staying silent. And sometimes, silence speaks volumes. 

Your heart starts to hammer inside your ribcage. 

No!

Jimin needs to speak up. 

“Say it!” Liya screeches. “Say you don’t—”

“I’m sorry.” Jimin blurts and takes his departure for real this time. Leaving a bunch of dumbfounded people back. You feel the sudden pressure on your body. Heaviness of the stares. Burn of glares. Even without raising your head to look at it, you know that everyone is looking at you.

A beat passes before a second chair pulls back. 

“I should- I- uh- check on him.” You hear Taehyung says before the sounds of receding footsteps reach your ears. You don’t dare to look at anyone. You keep your gaze on the table, suddenly finding an immense interest in a stain.

“Are you happy?” Liya’s voice, however, prompts you to turn your head. 

“Why’s it her fault when your damn boyfriend is the one who refused to kiss you?” Jungkook barks out of nowhere. Slightly startling you and several others. You pay attention to find him glaring at Liya with an intensity enough to burn her down. But if you think his sudden raised voice is startling, the next voice makes your soul leave your body.

“Don’t fucking defend her, Jeon Jungkook!” Seoyeon bangs the table with both of her palms. Stands up. “You don’t have to baby her all the fucking time when she’s the one who’s wrong. If she can do bitchy things, then she can own up to it too, don’t you think?” Yells. Jungkook opens his mouth to refute but before he can get a word out a third voice booms across. 

“Shut the fuck up!” J’s the one who snaps this time. “All of you.” She adds. Tongues the inside of her cheek. Then turns to Jungkook. “She isn’t wrong you know? You need to fucking get your head out of your ass and see things, Jungkook. You need to fucking stop following a woman who doesn’t want you.” Her head turns back to you. Doesn’t look at anyone in particular as she continues. “And you guys? You need to talk. Get your shits figured. Like, I’m fucking tired at how you’re making every damn moment about you. I’m done watching your petty dramas. Either fucking grow up or please don’t ever be a part of any plans. You all are so fucking selfish.” With that she gets up like a flash. Leaves the table without another word. 

Jin doesn’t even waste a second before he follows J. 

You feel the sting on your eyes worsen, threatening to sooth it with tears that you don’t want to shed. You have no right to cry. Every word J said was true. That’s why it hurts so hard. Every moment spent with a close proximity with Seoyeon or Liya, had been a disaster. It had always been thick of tension and no space for actual fun. You crashed her birthday. Now this. You know they— Taehyung and J— worked so hard to make this trip fun and memorable. They worked for it and you ruined it in a blink. 

You are selfish. 

You keep your gaze down, trying your utmost not to cry when you hear someone else shuffling as well. You catch a brief glance of Namjoon getting to his feet out of the corner of your eyes. He holds his hand for Yoona. 

“Let’s get some sleep. You must be tired.” He says as Yoona closes her palm over his. The next people to walk away are Hoseok and Yoongi. They don’t even utter a word as they do so.

That leaves only you, Jungkook, Seoyeon, and Liya to face each other. You don’t want to look at any of them. Hell, you can’t even look at Jungkook. You don’t know what exactly J means when she calls Jungkook out but it makes sense as well. Jungkook shouldn’t be defending you. You’re the wrong one. Taking your side makes him a bad person as well. And that’s not fair because he’s the most genuinely good- hearted person you’ve ever known. 

Yet he doesn’t leave. Even after his best friend talks to him that way, he doesn’t leave you. You lift your teary gaze up when you hear his voice next to you. 

“Bed, Noona?” Like Namjoon did with Yoona, Jungkook holds his hand for you. You don’t want to rely on him. You don’t want to make him look like a bad person but he leaves you with no option when he bends down, grabs your hand and pulls you into your feet. “Let’s talk later.” He mumbles before starting to walk toward your tent, dragging you along with him. 

…………………………………………….

Jimin paces aimlessly in front of his car. His mind is going haywire. Jumping from one thing to another. All the things that happened and the inevitable consequences of them. He's running risk calculations in his head while pacing around to burn out his nervous energy. 

He can’t believe that he did that. Is about to lose his mind. It feels too hard. There’s too much pressure on his shoulders. He’s scared. Wishes you are here. Maybe a simple hug from you would solve everything. Your smell would make him relax. Just a simple hug. 

He just fucked up. Without a doubt so. Yet he isn’t regretting it. Not even a bit. This would cause chaos that he can’t even bring himself to clear up. This would mark the end of his career. He—despite all the advice, and everything he’s been through— had let everyone down. Still, he would’ve done it again. Because fuck everything, he refuses to be the coward who kisses someone else in front of you just for the show. And nor would he admit he doesn’t love you. Because how can he? That feels wrong. It is wrong. He loves you too much to be able to do that. 

“That’s not going to help.” Taehyung’s voice makes him stop his pacing. Sometimes he can’t understand what everyone has against his peaceful pacing. Taehyung had followed him right away. And has been leaning against his car watching his pacing. 

“I know.” Jimin simply says. Yet before he can continue his energy wasting, Taehyung stops him. 

“Need a smoke, maybe?” He fishes inside his pocket. Pulls out a pack. Jimin doesn't smoke much. But times like these it feels good to embrace a bad old habit. He nods once before reaching Taehyung. 

Within a minute he finds himself propped against his car hood, next to Taehyung. Blowing out soft puffs of cloud into the windy night air. 

“That was pretty good, though.” Taehyung breaks the silence first. 

“Was it?” Jimin questions. He doesn’t mean to sound harsh or bitter but it comes out as that. 

“Course, it was. It was fucking satisfying. And I love you decided to say fuck it.”

“Yes, right?” Jimin chuckles. “Now you can be a proud friend of loser CEO who’s about to fuck his company up.” He throws the half burnt cigarette down. That shit isn't helping. All he can feel is his throat burn. He steps on it. 

“I don’t give a fuck, Jimin. And you’re not going to fuck up the company. We will find a way.” Teahyung eyes the way Jimin crushes the cigarette as if it personally offended him. 

“Yeah? Like what? We would need a fucking miracle Tae. I- just- fuck, you all worked your asses off for this company. You all have been working day and night for the upcoming launch and I just—”

“Do you really love her?” Taehyung interrupts Jimin’s rant. “Li I mean.” Clarifies even though they both know who he’s referring to. Jimin takes a second, drowning in guilt. He can’t believe he’s fucking up Because of love.  He never thought that would be the case. Yet he can’t deny it. 

So, he nods with a loud exhale. “Yes.” Answers quietly. 

“Listen man, like I always said, I know shit about love. And I’m not someone who should give advice since, I am as fucked up as you are. But if you love her, then you love her.” A little shrug. Taehyung throws away his cigarette butt as well. “I mean, I’m pretty sure the feeling is worth all the trouble.” Pats Jimin’s shoulder. 

It feels weird when Taehyung is serious. It doesn’t matter how many times Jimin has witnessed it. Not much maybe. Probably a couple times. Feels weird nonetheless. Jimin doesn’t even know what to say. Because Taehyung is speaking facts. And Jimin is speechless. Luckily or unluckily for him, another voice saves him from having to speak. 

“Worth it?” Both Jimin and Taehyung turn their heads to catch Jin and Hoseok approaching them. Former being the one who just voiced out. “Is that so?” Jin adds as they finally come to a halt in front of two friends. 

“Oh, c’mon, Hyung!” Taehyung whines. Jimin knows that among all his friends Jin isn’t going to let him slip without calling his shit out. 

“What?” Jin snaps. Throws a glare at Taehyung. Then his full attention is on Jimin. “I mean if it was worth it, fine. Good for you. I just hope you have a plan, boss.” He raises a brow. “Tell me what it is?” Crosses his hands across his chest. Jin looks downright terrifying when he’s in that mood. They used to make jokes saying it’s his ‘hyung’ mode. 

Jimin only gulps harshly. He has nothing to say. 

“Yeah? Nothing?” So, Jin presses at Jimin’s silence. “Yet you decided to play the hero like that? What were you thinking, Jimin? That you were the main character of some fucking tragic romance?” 

“What the fuck, Hyung? Can you please have it easy? Why the hell does it have to be a tragic romance?” Hoseok clicks his tongue. Looks so ready to yank Jin away, if he doesn’t shut up. 

“Because this ain’t a fucking book, Hoseok. This is fucking life and things aren’t going to fall into places by themselves.” Jin half yells. Then composes himself. “When you accepted that money from Kim, all those years ago,” He points an accusatory finger toward Jimin. Even though he is standing from Jimin a good five feet away, Jimin feels the jab in his chest. “I asked you not to do it, Park Jimin. I almost fucking begged you on my knees. I did my very best to convince you that we could’ve made it either way. You were—” Jin clenches his teeth. “You were a stubborn idiot. And so did I tell you that you’ll fuck everything up if you don’t figure your shit out before this could happen. All you had to do was be fucking patience Jimin. At least you could’ve done that. We could’ve found a way to—”

“So what, Hyung?” Jimin finally snaps. He knows what Jin says is true but something makes him see red. This is not fair. He did what he did. And he wanted to make all of them proud. Wanted to fulfil everyone’s dreams. “What do you say I should’ve done? Keep pretending? Are you fucking suggesting that I should’ve kissed Liya?” Jimin takes a second to breathe in. He doesn’t want to fight. Not with his friends. “I love Lil…..” A pause. “ I love her. I already fucked up so many times. I- I—” Another heavy sigh. “I know I'm a bad person. I cheated on my girlfriend. I’m a fucking asshole because I didn’t even hesitate doing that—but I don’t want to do the same to Lil as well. I don’t want to hurt her. I’m not hurting her.”

Jimin swears that he didn’t intend to say any of that out loud. But it's already out and all of his friends are gaping at him as if he’s grown an extra head. 

“Fuck!” Then Jin groans aloud. “Fuck, Jimin.” He repeats. 

“Fuck, indeed!” Jimin agrees with a nod. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.” He looks straight into Jin's eyes. Then at his other two friends. He owes them the biggest apology. 

“Yah! It’s fine.” Taehyung nudges his side. “We can make this work guys. C’mon, Hyung!” He says to Jin. “This was bound to happen one day and we all knew it. We all knew our stupid friend was falling for that woman.” Adds. Making Jimin gives him a stare. Confused. Offended. 

“What?” Hoseok answers for his questioning stare. “You think we are blind or something? Of course, it was fucking obvious. But I didn’t see that thing coming. I really thought you’d kiss Liya. I’ll give you that.” He shrugs, coming to stand on Jimin’s other side. “I don’t know about the mess but at least you’re progressing, kid.” He curls an arm around Jimin’s shoulders. “You’re doing things the right way, even though,” He eyes Jin. “It’s going to cost you.”

Jin sighs heavily. “You’re an idiot, Park Jimin.” Says. But this time with a small smile tugging on the corners of his mouth. 

“You’re not mad?” Jimin mumbles weakly. 

“Course, I’m mad.” Jin rubs a hand over his face. “But unfortunately for me, I happened to be friends with you and as much as I’d love to beat the shit out of you and leave, I can’t. Too late for that. So, I guess we’re ride or die.” 

“It’s his way of saying, he loves us.” Taehyung says matter-of- factly. 

“Fuck, no!” Jin cringes. 

“It is.” Hoseok agrees with Taehyung. 

“Enough bullshit guys,” Jin’s small smile disappears. “We need a plan.” States. “And we need one quickly. I mean, we couldn’t find a shit about Kim that would’ve helped us to hold against him if he threatens us with pulling away.  We were supposed to have enough time to do that.” He raises a brow at Jimin. Jimin visibly winces at his words. Jin is going to hold that for a while. Even though he wouldn’t actually give a double fuck if he has to choose. “Now since we don’t, let me remind you, we’re on a ticking bomb. We have to do something before everything goes down the drain.” 

“What about, Joon.” Taehyung suddenly perks up. Every eye falls upon him. 

“You mean, Namjoon?” Hoseok asks. “Like our friend Namjoon?”

“You know another Namjoon as well? How many Namjoons do you know?” Taehyung furrows. 

“Okay, so it’s our Namjoon. What about him?” Hoseok leans forward so he can have a better look at the younger. 

“He works in ‘Blindside’ guys.” Taehyung says as if that would make sense. When it doesn’t and everybody keeps gaping at him, he straightens up. “He works in ‘Blindside’. A fucking news magazine that digs their noses into every type of shit they can. I’m pretty sure they exposed that politician a few years ago.”

Suddenly what he says makes all the sense. The implication is clear. Yet Jimin doesn’t see any hope. Any point. 

“We had the best investigators work on this shit for months, Tae. Why do you think a smart guy who works for a news company would be able to do anything?” Jimin glances at Taehyung skeptically. 

“First, I don’t think he’s just a smart guy. I think he’s capable of more than he’s showing. And second, maybe that’s the problem, guys. Maybe, we’re aiming too high when we should aim low. Maybe someone small can do what someone powerful can’t. Maybe the problem isn’t about the talent at all. Maybe the problem is about loyalty” Taehyung sticks to his point. 

“What do you mean? The investigators we hired are fucking us up?” Hoseok pins Taehyung with an intense stare.

“Can be, can’t it? This is Kim we’re dealing with. He can buy the damn government if he wants. What’s a few investigators?” Taehyung shrugs. 

“Do you know, if that’s the case then Kim already knows we are after him?” Jimin folds his arms across his chest.

“Maybe.” Taehyung shrugs. “He won’t know shit if we assign someone trustworthy.”

“Okay, hypothetically, let’s say, the ‘Blindeside’ can get some info. But then who’s going to stop them from publishing that to the public. We need blackmail material. Something to hold against him. If it actually ruins Kim, that means we’re ruined too.” Jin points out. 

“It’s not the ‘Blindside’ that finds the info, it’s Namjooon.” Taehyung looks smug. 

“And what made you think that Namjoon would want to operate an illegal investigation to dig the Kim’s dirt?” 

Teahyung doesn’t answer Jin’s question right away. He turns to Hoseok. “Because he's a friend?” 

Hoseok chuckles. “I don’t think they want to be our friends anymore. Besides, we would need much more convincing to get him to agree to do something like that. A closer friendship.” 

Following his words, Jimin’s eyes fall over to Jin even though he doesn’t mean to. It’s only when Jin scowls that Jimin realises it’s not only him who has done that. “What?” Jin barks. 

“I’m sure you know someone, who’s extremely close with Namjoon?” Taehyung suggestively smirks. 

“Don’t. Even. Think about it guys. She’s not being a part of this mess.” Jin states sternly. Jimin doesn’t blame him at all. He doesn’t want to make you a part of this mess as well. He wants to keep you away. Protected. Jin wants the same thing and that’s fine. So, he beats Taehyung into whatever he tries to say. 

“No, you’re right, Hyung. Let’s just ask Namjoon—if he agrees, great. If not, I’ll come up with something.” He pats Taehyung’s back. Then does same to the Hoseok. “It’s late. Have some rest.” Leans away from his car. “And don’t worry, I’ll apologise from everyone. I’m not ruining your trip, Tae.” Says before, walking over to Jin. “Thanks, Hyung!” Mumbles awkwardly. An awkward pat follows that. 

…………………………………..

You had refused to talk about what happened with Jungkook. Even after he offered  multiple times. You simply  weren’t ready. Besides, you believed there wasn't anything left to talk about. However, you still wanted to know how he felt. Especially, after J yelled at him. He had assured you that it was fine. And that he would talk to J in the morning and they’d figure it out like they always did. You could only wish that you hadn’t ruined another relationship. Which is why you also wanted to talk to J as soon as possible. Maybe not only to her. But to everyone. You had to wait till the morning to do that, though. 

So, you and Jungkook had spent the night watching a movie which neither of you paid attention to. Jungkook knew exactly how to distract you with the right topics. He did a good job making sure you didn’t wallow in your misery. At least until sleep won him over and he dozed off on your shoulder.

Now it’s finally early morning and you know the dawn has cracked, you want to go out and take a deep breath maybe. You might as well start this dreaded day early. You adjust your body to the left slowly, being careful not to awake the peacefully asleep muscle bunny on your shoulder. After laying in the same position with Jungkook’s heavy body leaning against you, you feel like your body is about to snap in half. You need to get out. 

You do your best in holding Jungkook’s head gently and slipping out from under him. Then place his head gently on a pillow. He only huffs in sleep. You cover him in the throw blanket before finally exiting the tent. 

The faint glow of the morning greets you as soon as you step outside. You close the zipper door before turning around to make your way to the bathhouse. Only to stop halfway when your eyes land on a figure sitting at the table. Nobody had bothered to clean the table the previous night. It's still covered in leftover foods, empty glasses, and beer bottles. And sitting in one of the chairs is Park Jimin. Simply going through his phone. You don’t know if the right thing to do is avoid talking to him or not. Before you can decide, however, your legs make the decision for you. 

In a second, you find yourself approaching Jimin. He turns around, probably hearing your footsteps. Any doubt you had about talking to him vanishes like dew in the morning under sunlight, when his face lightens up. Immediately. Even a small smile breaks across his otherwise pale face. You can’t help the warmth that shoots through your veins. An instant relief washes over you. 

“Hey!” You mumble when you finally reach him. He shuffles to his feet. 

“Hey!” Greets you back. Voice barely a whisper. 

“How- um… how are you doing?” You begin hesitantly.

“Like shit, actually.” Jimin says, making you softly snort. At least he’s honest. 

“Haven’t you slept?”

“I didn’t want to. I- uh- like you were awake so…” He drags. Shrugs. “Couldn’t have slept anyway either.”

You pout. Nod. Then fall into a silence. Not awkward. No. It’s peaceful and relaxing. It’s like meditating to look at Park Jimin. 

“Do you wanna talk maybe? I mean somewhere private?” After a blissful second of silence, Jimin blurts out. “I want to. I just- uh—”

“Yes.” You stop his unnecessary rambling. If he wants to talk, then you want to talk. He doesn’t need to come up with reasons. You don’t give a fuck. If it’s wrong, so be it. What’s there to go wrong anyway. “Please.” You add in the end. A little breathless. 

Jimin nods with a soft smile. You think he looks so relieved. 

…………………………

You stand near Jimin’s car. Morning gentle breeze plays with your untamed, wild hair as you ogle Jimin like you’ve never seen him before. Feeling your heart doing weird skips. Your breath tangling and your body getting warm. Strange. Jimin isn’t even doing anything. Is simply existing but you’re about to turn into a puddle. 

You’ve just arrived in this place and have been staring at each other for a few seconds now. You clear your throat as you finally manage to tear your gaze away. “So…” You start, hoping Jimin will pick up from there and actually talk. He doesn’t. Instead, he surprises you when he suddenly grabs your hand. Yanks you forward. Pulls you into his chest and curls his arms around you protectively. Hides his face in your neck, sighing in relief. You only let out a gasp. 

“I just wanted to hold you, Spring Roll… I- God… You feel so good.” Jimin mutters into your neck. Inhales deeply. As if he just found his source of energy. You melt in his hold. Wrap your own arms around his body. Rub your hand across his back. 

“Yeah?” You ask, nodding. “Feel good now?”

“A lot.”

A silence. 

“Thank You.” Then you say from nowhere. Even you don’t know where that came from. Jimin pulls away from you. 

“For what?” Cups your face. 

You drag in a deep breath. You’ve had a long two hours to think things through after Jungkook fell asleep. During that time, you’ve come to realize how much you appreciate Jimin’s actions. Even though you would’ve never wanted him to do that. Even though you would want him to choose the easy way. 

“For not ki-kissing her. For n-not saying you don’t love me or something,” you chuckle awkwardly to ease the suddenly fallen tension in the air. “I mean that would’ve sucked.”

“Holy fuck, Lil.” Jimin surprises you when his face falls. That’s not what you’ve expected. You look at him with wide eyes when he pulls you into his embrace once again. Arms holding you by your waist. “I’m so fucking sorry that I made you worried about that even for moment, and I’m- fuck baby, why would you have to thank me for that. I shouldn’t- It’s the right thing to do. The bare fucking minimum. I shouldn’t—”

“I understand, Jimin. I know. It’s okay. I really didn’t want you to do that.” You reluctantly withdraw from his hold so you can look at his face. Heart wrenching. 

“I’m not going to fuck up again, Lil.” He shakes his head. “Not going let you go.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Now it’s your time to cup his face. With both hands. He leans into your touch like a flower leaning into the sun. You squeeze his cheeks slightly. Making those thick lips adorably pouty. Well, it’s not your fault his lips look so kissable. You can’t help but peck those. Once. Twice. And maybe three times for good luck. Makes Jimin giggle. 

A sweet symphony to your ears. Oh, how beautiful he looks. Oh, how damn in love you are with him. 

“You did good, baby.” You whisper softly. Just want to let him know you appreciate him. Maybe, it’s the bare minimum. But you’ve just started. It’s not fair your story is fucked up. It’s not fair you found the right person in the wrong world. It’s not fair how hard it is. 

Jimin nods. Taking the compliment. Good. Still, you have questions. Questions which have been plaguing your mind for the entire night. Making you sick with worry. 

“What would happen, though? Are you- um- will she?” You search for the right words to phrase. “What about the company? I don’t want you to lose anything Jimin.” Finally manage to voice out your concerns. 

Jimin places his hands on top of yours. Clutches them tightly. Then brings them down. “I think we figured something out, if Namjoon helps.” He worries into his bottom lip. Groans. “Ah! I don’t know… this is so…” Explains softly what they’re planning to do. You don’t know about the possibilities but it sounds like a plan to you. It’s better to have something than nothing, anyway. So, you let him know that. 

“It’ll work.” You say to him in the end. You’re still holding hands. Just standing under the morning sky. Sun rising in the horizon and creating that magic on Jimin. Making him even more ethereal. Breathtaking. Glowing. Isn’t it crazy he loves you? 

“It will.” Jimin agrees. A beat passes. “But Lil,” Adds. “Even if it doesn’t, I’m gonna choose you.” A playful chuckle. “I think I fucked up so hard, you know. I’m fucking neck deep in this, in you, I think I won’t be able turn back.” Admits. You feel your face heats up. His words make your stomach tingle so hard that you can’t breathe. 

“Jeesus, since when do you say such cheesy things?” You turn your gaze away. Jimin gasps. 

“I don’t know. Probably since I’m in love.” He leans to his left so he can peer at your face. “Do you hear me, lady? I’m in love. I love you.” Says aloud. Making you blush even harder. For a moment you consider running away from him just to hide your face somewhere. Ridiculous how shy you feel. Yet then you catch his gaze. Inviting. Hopeful. Expectant. Nervous. He’s expecting something. 

Your heart starts to beat in your throat. Your palms suddenly get clammy in his hold. You’re certain you fell for him first. You’ve been in love with him for so long. So, why wouldn’t you say the words? What makes you stop from confessing? 

Fear? 

You try to open your mouth. Before you can, however, Jimin lets go of your hands slowly. There’s no remorse in his face. Maybe a little disappointment. A hurt. Yet he smiles. 

“We should get ready for that water- sport- day bullshit.” Then he says, referring to the agenda of the day. Almost turns around to leave. That’s when the panic sets in you. Like a hard slap across your face. You practically jump forward, grabbing his t-shirt, and stopping him. Jimin looks at you with wide eyes. Surprised. 

A breath escapes you shakily. “I love you more.” Then follows the words. Rolling through your lips easily. Far easier than you expected. And you feel your chest deflate like a balloon losing air. A sudden pressure leaving you. It comes out easily. Just like your feelings. 

It is easy.

Just like that.

If you were afraid of something you couldn’t pinpoint earlier, it vanishes into thin air the moment the words are out. 

And Jimin’s face lights up as you watch. A small smile spreads across his lips which quickly grows into a huge grin. A grin that he can barely keep contained. In a second, he’s grinning like a mad man. Eyes sparkling. Not that familiar sparkle you’ve seen in his eyes when he’s amused. But a sparkle that makes you see the entire universe in his eyes. It’s like a clockwork that a grin splits across your face as well. Making both of you smile at each other like you’ve lost your minds. 

Jimin takes a step forward. Still holding into his pretty maddening grin. You stand your ground as he closes the little space between you. Lift your head up so he can easily rest his forehead against you. “Yeah?” He asks after he wraps his arms around your waist. You just nod. Apparently not it’s enough. He needs more. “Say it again.” Jimin mumbles. A soft command. 

This time, you pull it out easily. No ounce of hesitation or fear. “I love you Park Jimin. I’ve been in love with you probably since the day I met you.” You breathe out. 

“That’s good to hear.” Jimin squeezes you. “But say it again, Love.” Requests again. 

“I love you…” You mutter through your grin. Blushing hard. 

“Well, I love you more…” He places a soft kiss on your lips. You absolutely can’t help the giggle that escapes you, which is very contagious. Jimin joins you in that giggle pretty soon. You bet you look stupid. No wonder people say you look stupid when you’re in love. It’s good, however. You’re a happy idiot. All you want is to live in this moment forever. No matter how stupid you must look. You just need this. Safely wrapped in Jimin’s arms. Looking at his adorable grin. So close to him that you can map every perfect imperfection of his. Little freckles to his crooked tooth. Perfect. Park Jimin is. And you’re oh so madly in love. 

You’re about to say the magical words again when Jimin presses his lips to yours. This time, though, he doesn’t pull away. Instead, he deepens the kiss. Pressing hard on your lips and then capturing your bottom lip between his. Suckling softly. Moving against you gently. You melt into him. Sighing pleasantly. You have no idea how long he kissed you softly and sensually, like a lover would do. Because that’s who he is. A lover. 

The next thing you know is that his wet tongue is seeking permission to enter. He’s dragging the tip of his tongue across the seam of your lips. You give him what he’s looking for immediately. Let his taste invade your taste buds. The taste of sweet caramel. Allow his tongue to tangle with yours. Creating a hot wet mess. You show no reluctance when he starts pushing you back slowly. Just step with him. Let him lift you up and place you on his car hood. Only moan into his mouth when he pries your legs open and finds home between your thighs. Aligning his crotch perfectly with yours. You encourage him when he starts to grind against you slowly. 

All you do is sneak your hands inside his black t-shirt. Palms dragging across his chiseled abs and chest. You just need to feel him. That’s it. Want to feel his heart beat beneath your palm. Want to feel his skin. Want to feel him close. His tongue that is dancing with yours isn’t just enough. You need more. You always need more. 

Jimin pulls away, panting, breathless. 

“Touch me more.” Commands before falling into kissing you again. You don’t let him keep that for too long. You have questions. 

“Like this?” You bring your hands to his sides. Then back into his chest. 

“More, baby. Go lower.” Jimin breathes against you. You do as he says. Drag your palms down. An inch. “Lower.” Another inch. “Lower.” You comply like a perfectly designed robot. Bring your palms down and down. “A little more.” Jimin whispers as your hands come to a halt at his waistband. You beat a second there, making him whimper softly. Just a soft sound that is almost inaudible. Yet you hear it. And it makes your hand fall down automatically. Cupping his length over his sweats. “Fuck!” He hides his face in your neck, peppering the skin with soft wet kisses. 

You rub him over the soft cottons. Over and over. Until that isn't enough anymore. You allow both of you no time to think anything before you slip your hand inside his sweats. Under his boxers. Your fingers wrap around his bare cock, making him twitch in your grasp. His eyes flutter close as his mouth falls open. 

“Holy fuck, Lil.” Jimin moans just as you gasp. You squeeze his length. Start pumping. Graze your thumb over his tip which is already leaking precum and wetting your fingers. You keep your eyes fixed on his face. There would be nothing better than seeing Park Jimin in pleasure. Especially because of you. The way he’s trying to control the moans. Soft gasps that are leaving his mouth. All makes you keep wanting to go. Pleasure him more. So you squeeze him even harder. Pump him faster. “Slow- fuck slow down Lil…” Jimin throws his head back. Grabs your hand over his pants and stills your movements. “Fuckfuckfuck…. Okay..” Inhales deeply before looking back at you. “On a scale of one to ten, how bad would it be if you give me a handjob at this moment?” Asks. 

“A hundred.” You answer right away. Honestly. It is bad. Your friends are still sleeping in their tents. Liya is here. Jimin might have indirectly hinted at the end of their relationship but you know they haven’t ended things officially yet. You ruined your friends’ trip. 

And you’re going to do this here? There would be nothing worse than this. 

Jimin nods. “You should do it. I’ll die if you don’t.” Pants. You nod with him. In agreement. You’ll die if you have to take your hand away. You can’t do that. No. He feels so good against your palm. Warm. So painfully hard and throbbing. You love the wetness coating your fingers. Love how he hisses every time you rub his tip. God, you need more. 

“On a scale of one to ten, how bad would it be if I suck you off now?” You pick up your speed again. 

“A thousand.” Jimin moans. Again honestly. 

You shouldn’t. Absolutely shouldn’t. 

That’s so fucked up.

You shuffle your way down. Jimin makes room for you without a word. Hurriedly. You drop into your knees, drags from his sweats, just enough to get his hardened cock out. You have no time. Hence no teasing or admirings. Just your lips wrapped around him. Tongue swirling across his tip and tasting the precum. You can’t help but moan. He tastes good. So fucking good. You can’t help but squeeze your thighs. 

Jimin tangles one of his hands on your hair. Other one finds strength in his car hood. You let him take control. Give him your puppy eyes and a nod to let him know that he can fuck your mouth. A slow curse escapes him before he slowly starts to feed his cock into your mouth. Inch by pleasurable inch. Until he hits the back of your throat and you gag. Making your eyes sting. This is a familiar dance for you now. You know Jimin as the back of your hand. You know how to get him off. 

You keep your teary eyes on him as he starts to slowly thrust into your throat. Once. Twice. Slowly. Then building up the pace. 

“Fuck, love… You like it?” He whimpers in between his thrusts. You nod while trying to keep your jaw relaxed. Spit starts to drool out of the corners of your mouth and gather on your chin. Tears start to finally roll down on your cheeks. You love every minute of this. You can cum untouched. Just sucking him off is enough. The more he gets closer to his end, the higher you feel. And you almost fall into a state of euphoria when the sudden voices reach you. 

“You need what?”

You recognize the voice to be Namjoon’s. 

“What? This is a good chance to dig up some valuable—”

The rest of the words don’t reach you as Jimin pulls out from your mouth at light speed. He doesn’t even care to tuck himself back inside his pants. Just yank you into your feet and wipe down your face with his palms. Leaving you to take care of him. You adjust his pants back in place. Just a millisecond before Hoseok’s tired voice booms behind Jimin. 

“There you are?” Hosoek’s voice perks up suddenly. The tiredness disappearing. Jimin rubs your chin one more time before turning around to face Hoseok and Namjoon. 

“Morning!” Jimin clears his throat. You do your best to act normal, praying to god that you probably don’t look like you just got your face fucked. You don’t look at them. A moment ago, you were floating in cloud nine. All the problems banished to the back of your mind. Namjoon and Hoseok’s appearance bring those problems back. You feel ashamed to even look at them. Last night's incident aside, you’ve got caught here alone with him. You scream how much of a shameless bitch you are. Hoseok says something else to Jimin which doesn’t reach your ears. 

You should go away. 

“I- I’ll see you guys later…” You bow stiffly to them and step away without another word. Not even bothering to take a single glance at any of them. Not even at Jimin. 

…………………………..

You sit under a tree, nibbling on corn, watching Taehyung explaining to an indignant Seokjin why he lost the game. They are on the water. Almost everyone. It’s water sports day after all. Taehyung had come up with various games that can torture everyone. You have no idea how he managed to get J  to agree to his bullshits.

For your immense pleasure, despite the chaos you caused the previous night, the trip has fallen into its original plans. Or at least everyone is trying to act like nothing happened. Trying to save the trip. And you’re glad. Nobody has paid any mind to you. It’s like they’re avoiding you on purpose and if that’s the case you won’t blame them at all. 

Liya and Seoyeon haven’t joined others in the river. You don’t know where they are. Probably at the campsite, plotting your death. Jimin is with Hoseok and Namjoon the whole morning. Just a few metres away from you. They are sipping beer and seemingly having a serious conversation. 

“Eat slowly, Noona. Chew, will you?” Jungkook speaks up from next to you. You turn to him with an annoyed pout. He’s been nagging you about not chewing food properly before swallowing, ever since you were sick with an upset stomach. According to Dr. Jeon Jungkook, it was all because you were eating too fast. Says the man who inhales the food. 

“Seriously?” You pout even harder.

“Yes, very. Chew properly.” He stares you down. Intently watching the way you nibble on the corn. 

You roll your eyes. Yet start chewing deliberately. Twenty times, counting in your head before you swallow. “Happy?” You ask in the end.

“Yes. See, you’re such a good girl.” Jungkook smiles coyly before ruffling your hair. 

“Oh for the sake of fuck!” You slap his hand away. He snorts loudly. You join him. Both of you break into soft laughter.

“Wanna join the next game?” Jungkook offers you once your laughter subsides. He takes a look over at the way Taehyung holds Jin underwater while Yoona and J are losing their minds. Yoongi stands next to them looking bored. “I mean that looks like the last game we would play… but…” He glances over at you again. “Do you maybe want to try and survive?” Raises a brow.

You take a good look at your friends– who might not see you as one anymore. “I- uh…” You drag out. Not knowing whether they would want you to join.

“What?” Jungkook asks with an edge in his voice.

“What if they–” You try to find the right words to describe the situation. Jungkook isn’t happy about it, however.

“Oh, c’mon… I’m gonna fucking declare war if they don’t want you there. Don’t worry,” He rolls his eyes before rising to his feet. Holds his hand out for you to take. “If they don’t want you, then they don’t want me either. If someone is going to say anything, we’re leaving right away.” Offers you a proud, soft smile. You don’t find much comfort in his words, though. You’re glad he’s still on your side after all. But it feels so unfair.

You might not have wanted to talk about it last night but now after your mood has considerably lifted after the morning encounter with Jimin, you think it’s time to talk. 

“Jungkook.” You whisper his name.

“Yes. C’mon, Noona. We should go over there before Jin dies.”  He bends down and reaches for your hand. You let him yank you up by your wrist. 

“Kookie…” Yet you don’t let him drag you away. “They were right.” You sigh. 

“Who?” Jungkook throws an impatient glance at the commotion in the river. Jin’s head is fortunately back above water and the man is breathing perfectly. Is trying to strangle Taehyung. 

“Namjoon!” Yoona screams over to the man who’s still in a conversation with Jimin and Hoseok. “Will you come here please? They are trying to kill each other. We need an adult.” She yells through the top of her lungs.

“Can you do something?” J asks Yoongi. 

“What do you want me to do? I can lend Jin a hand if he wants maybe.” Yoongi takes a few steps toward Jin. 

“Yah! Kim Namjoon!” Yoona shouts over again.  

“J and Seoyeon,” You start. Take Jungkook’s attention back to you. He clicks his tongue, ready to cut you off but you don’t let him. “No, Kookie. They were right. You- uh- you shouldn’t take my side all the time.”

“Why not?”

“Because I am wrong. I’m not a good person and everybody knows it. The more you take my side, the more they think you’re a bad person as well. You’re not a bad person Jungkook. You deserve far better.” You pull from his hand to make him face you. 

Now it’s his time to sigh. “Well, that sounds like a them problem, Noona.” He furrows his brows. Looks really pissed. 

“But, Kookie—”

“There are no buts. If J thinks I’m a bad person just because I’m taking your side, then she doesn’t know me at all. What kind of friend would do that?” 

His words twist in your gut. To think that you have caused problems in Jungkook’s and J’s friendship makes you want to bawl. 

“Are you even hearing yourself? You’re not throwing away years of friendship because of me.” You say sternly. 

“I’m not doing that. She does. That’s not my fault and for God’s sake, stop saying you’re a bad person. You’re not.”

“But I—”

“You what?” Jungkook grips your wrist tightly. “Fell in love? Well, guess what, Noona. Shit happens. And you can’t help with whom you would fall in love. Maybe you could’ve done it differently or in the right way. But now it’s already over. You did what you did. You made your choices, so let me make mine. I’m going to stick to your side as long as I can.” He turns around. Starts walking toward the people who are still screaming in the river. “Because like I said, you can’t help who you’re falling for.” Mumbles one last time before your feet meet the pleasant chill of the water. 

You don’t get to process what he said exactly. You have more questions to ask him to be honest. J said something about how he had to stop chasing a woman who doesn’t want him back. You need to ask him what that means. But you’re already waist deep in the water and just like you expected J is turning around. About to leave. 

“J!” Jungkook calls after her. “We need to talk.” He states. No wavering in his voice. Sounds like a man who knows what he wants. 

“Oh, yes, we do.” J chuckles. Bitterly. Rolls her eyes. Yet doesn’t oppose it when Jungkook leaves your hand and starts to drag her away. Leaving you behind to stand in there awkwardly. Only for a minute, however. Next, you feel Taehyung slings an arm across your shoulders. 

“Li!” He exclaims as if he just saw you for the first time. You peer at his face. “Wanna find out how long you can hold your breath underwater?” Questions. An alarm blares in your mind. 

“No.” You say slowly, ready to step away from him immediately. Yet Taehyung catches you even before you can try. “No!” You cry aloud this time. “Holy fuck, nononono…” A shrill scream leaves your mouth as Taehyung tackles you down. Taking you underwater with him. Your scream which turns into laughter muffles under the water. Yet you hear Jimin’s voice before your ears get full of the muted gurgle of the river. 

“Yah! Kim Taehyung. I’m going to fucking kill you!”

…………………………….

Jungkook eyes the suspicious-looking soup Namjoon has made. It looks like anything but soup. There’s a good chance someone might die before this trip ends. J is giving a similar kind of suspicious look at the brewing broth on the camping stove. 

His earlier talk with J had gone… okay, for lack of a better word. They are definitely not on friendly terms yet but Jungkook knows his friend will get over it. Despite what he told you, Jungkook doesn’t want to lose J. But on the other hand, he just wishes J can understand him. What she says is true. Jungkook needs to get his shit together. Move on. He needs to prepare for the worst. Because you don’t reciprocate his feelings. Now the chance of you leaving his side for someone else is closer than ever. 

Jimin is an asshole. There’s no argument in that. What he did yesterday was just the bare minimum. You deserve better than that. Still, there’s only so much Jungkook can do. Especially when you want Jimin. When you’re in love with Jimin. Not Jungkook. And now, despite Jimin being an asshole, he might actually figure things out. When that happens, he will take you away from Jungkook. Jungkook will be left behind in his lonely apartment to pick up the pieces of him you shattered. 

He doesn’t want to think about that. Even the thought makes his eyes sting and throat constricts. But he knows it is coming. The selfish part of him still wishes that it will take time. More and more time. Even though he knows it’ll put you and everyone involved in this to suffer. 

You say he is a good person. Well, you can’t be any more wrong.

He’s a selfish asshole. He is no better than Jimin. He’d actually sabotage Jimin’s plans, if he can keep you for another second. Just one more day. Curled on his couch watching shitty romantic comedies. Strolling through super market isles and bickering over what sauces to buy. Deciding who should do the dishes. Play video games even though you’re so bad at it. 

Just one more day!

Because, Jungkook just can’t let you go. He liked you from the first day. Then with every moment he spent with you, he liked you a little more. How can he not? It’s you. Jungkook turns his gaze to you. You’re talking with Yoongi from a distance. You’re saying something to the older man animatedly. Your pretty eyes the size of saucers and your delicate hands in motion. Whatever you’re saying, Yoongi is obviously disagreeing with you. And you’re getting offended. Jungkook knows you are. He can read you like a book. 

Just like he knew, you gasp. Then your head is turning. Eyes are searching. They stop on Jungkook. Of  course, you are looking for him. The ache in his heart doubles as you look at him with wide eyes. Communicating without using words. You point at Yoongi, showing him to Jungkook. Are clearly complaining. Jungkook doesn’t know what you told Yoongi or who’s right or wrong. Still he nods, agreeing with you. Forces himself to smile. That makes you happy. You turn to Yoongi coyly. 

Fuck, he’s going to lose you. 

And he’s not ready. 

Maybe he passed the stage of having a silly crush long ago. Maybe he’s in love with you now. It makes sense. To be in love with you. You’ve become a part of him. That’s what he wants J to understand. 

Maybe now she does. 

“You gotta be kidding me!” 

Or not. 

Jungkook tears his gaze away from you to J at her loud voice. So does Namjoon. His brow lifted with question. J talks to Namjoon instead of Jungkook.

“Are you seeing this Joon? After everything… even after they fucking admitted they were freaking jerks and all… this idiot here is giving her heart eyes like she’s the only woman alive in this planet.” Then she throws a piercing glare at Jungkook. Forcing him to roll his eyes.

“I wasn’t giving heart eyes.” He mumbles. Pay attention to the soup. 

“Then what were you doing?”

Jungkook tries to reply but Namjoon doesn’t let him. 

“You two need to stop bickering for no good reason.” He says to both of them. Jungkook is offended. It’s not him who starts anything. Unfortunately, he doesn’t earn much of a chance to defend himself.

“No good reason?” J gasps. “Our friend over here is so smitten over that woman who’s good for nothi–”

“J!” Jungkook growls.

“See?” J huffs. “He’s still defending her.” Complaints to Namjoon. Then turns back to Jungkook. “Let’s put the fact that she doesn’t like you away, okay. Overall, she’s a homewrecker. She’s a bitch, Jungkook, and you still–”

“Maybe she’s in fucking love.” Jungkook doesn’t intend to say the words aloud. Saying it aloud hurts more. Words physically tangle in his throat, making it so hard to breathe. Yet he can’t just stay put. Maybe you’re a drug and it’s too late for him to turn around. He’s already addicted and he can’t help it.

“That,” J sighs. As if she’s tired of trying to make Jungkook see things. “That doesn’t justify shit Jungkook.” She says exasperatedly. “She did what she did—”

“What if it’s you and Jin?” This time it’s Namjoon who interrupts J. She scowls.

“You mean, what would’ve happened if Jin was in a relationship when I first met him?” J questions. To which Namjoon just nods. “I obviously wouldn’t do it. Not all of us are bitches.” So J mumbles. Jungkook wants to ask her to shut it again. Namjoon apparently has more questions, though.

“What if Jin falls in love with you and starts following you around until you give in? Would you still not do it?”

“Of course, not. Not in a million chance Joon. And Jin wouldn’t do that either. If he was in a relationship he would’ve never done it. It’s that simple, you know. Those are just choices. You chose what you want. And they–Jimin and Li—” J gives Jungkook a stare. “They’ve decided to choose the wrong path. And everyone should stop treating them like the victims just because they act like a poor couple in a stupid romance.” She blurts out in one breath that she almost turns red. A silence follows after her words. “Because that’s not fair.” Then she adds.

“You know what else is not fair?” Jungkook mutters slowly. “It’s not fair that love comes to some people so easily and it’s so hard for others. It’s not fair that it’s so easy for you and Jin but it’s so hard for them. It’s not fair, some get what they want and some don’t.” He even surprises himself with that. But he meant what he said. It may not be the best argument. Probably not fair either. Yet it is the truth. It is not fair how he never even had a chance. It is not fair Jimin at least even has a chance to fight for it but he doesn’t. 

J opens her mouth to argue. Then closes again. Clears her throat. “So what? We all gonna pretend that there’s nothing wrong?” Chuckles. “Pretend like Park Jimin doesn’t have a mistress? That he’s using Liya’s status and name for the sake of his business?” 

“Probably not for long.” Namjoon interjects. 

“Yeah? He’s gonna give up the business?”

“No. Not exactly. They asked for my help.” Namjoon states casually. Yet both Jungkook and J snap their heads toward the older man. Surprised. Confused. J is the one who voices out the questions. 

“For what?”

“Eh, you know. Dig some dirt.” Namjoon shrugs. “They apparently think my team would be able to do something the freaking investigators couldn’t do. Maybe they are right. I have a pretty impressive track record.” Despite his words Namjoon doesn’t sound proud at all. 

“And you said no, right?” J presses. Her eyes wide as she regards Namjoon curiously. Jungkook, without knowing himself, is doing the same thing. 

“I haven’t given them an answer yet.” Namjoon looks into the distance. They all follow his lead. His eyes had wandered to you, who had walked away from Yoongi and now joined Taehyung and Jimin. Helping mix up the drinks. 

Shit! When did that happen and why do you look so happy? Just by standing next to Jimin. 

You’re not standing that close to the guy. There’s a space that would fit two Jungkooks in between you and Jimin. Still it seems like the guy has his hands all over you somehow. That’s how stupidly you’re grinning and blushing. The same goes to the Jimin as well. 

Fucking hell!

“Do they think we have no eyes?” J mutters under her breath before going back to interrogate Namjoon. “Why haven't you given them an answer? You don’t do that type of shit anymore. You’re not a rookie journalist who publishes shit to keep your job.”

Namjoon gasps. “I haven’t published shit. Everything I’ve ever published was true and served a purpose all right? I have revealed truths and have saved lives, you annoying brat!”

“So, you gonna do the same with Liya’s father to save lives? Whose lives are in danger here? Oh, c’mon, Joonie, you’re better than that. Don’t let them drag you into this mess. Let them figure out their problems. Besides, you’re not that much of a friend with Hosoek.”

“What about Jin then?” Namjoon brings the weak point back into the conversation. 

“What about him?”

“You know, if Jimin fucks up, that means Jin fucks up as well. If Jimin goes down then that means all four of them do. I hope you’re aware that this isn’t just Jimin or Hobi who are asking for my help. Jin is a part of it too. He may be a good person, J, but he’s willing to do the same type of thing Jimin does to keep the company alive. I’m not blaming him, they worked hard for it.” Namjoon sighs. “So, you still don’t want me to do it? You want me to let years of their work go to waste?”

Jungkook doesn’t hear what J says. His eyes go back to where you were a minute ago. Now in that space stands Taehyung alone. You and Jimin have disappeared again. Jungkook gets this urge to go after you. Drag you away from Jimin. Force you to stay with Jungkook. Maybe he can confess. Go to his knees and beg you to choose him. To give it a second thought. Ask you to stay for one more day. 

Or…

He can ask Namjoon to stay away. Namjoon will find a way. Jungkook knows it. Jungkook knows that his friend is more than capable. Yet if he persuades Namjoon enough, he’ll not do it. Every passing day without Jimin finding a way would be a day you spend with Jungkook. Jungkook will be your home in this world. No matter what. 

He can actually sabotage Jimin’s plans. What a sweet revenge that would be. 

He can keep you. All he has to do is ask Namjoon not to do it. 

Easy. 

“Do it please.” Jungkook speaks to Namjoon. He doesn’t know where Namjoon and J’s conversation had gone while he was lost in his thoughts. It doesn’t matter anyway. “If it’s going to end this, you should just do it. I’m pretty sure Kim isn’t that much of a good person either. Nor is his daughter. She doesn’t love Park anyway.” Jungkook turns around. Walks away after a gentle pat on Namjoon’s back.

He lost you!

…………………………………..

Jimin presses hungry kisses into the side of your neck. Tangled moans reverberate in his throat. You do your best to keep the noises at bay. Your breath hitching and body shuddering. Jimin trails the kisses from your neck to your face back again, ready to capture your already kiss bitten lips in his. You stop him with a gentle hand on his chest. 

“We—” You pant. “We can’t- we shouldn’t…”

“I know.” Jimin mutters before placing a kiss at the corner of your mouth. Then kiss your cheek. Jaw. Nibble at your earlobe. 

“Jimin…” You whine. Half heartedly. You don’t want to stop. No. But it feels awful. You almost got caught this morning. Jimin says they have a plan and his friends understand him. Still, how shameless and insensitive to do this while Liya is still here. 

“Fuck, I can’t stop, baby. You taste so good,” He hisses in your ear. Hands molding your ass cheeks and keeping your body pressed against him. His hardened length rocking against your tummy. You’re covered from a tree. Are just a few meters away from the campsite. It’ll be a disaster if someone walks in. You already have enough embarrassing, shameful encounters to deal with. You need to stop this for now. 

Jimin licks a path up the column of your throat. 

“Fuck!” You grind your body back into his. Jimin pulls away from you. Eyes hooded and face flushed. 

“We can be quick. Gimme just ten minutes. Twenty top.” Brings his hands up and cups your breasts. Over your t-shirt. Circles your nipples through all the covers. They harden and press against the lacy material of your bra, painfully. You wish Jimin would take them out. Roll your bare nipples between his fingers and then suckle on them. But it is too risky. 

“What if someone comes?” You bring him closer to you. It’s chilly at night. Goosebumps are scattered across your skin. Fuel your desire to be closer to Jimin even more. 

“Bet they don’t even notice we’re missing.” He answers your question as he lets go of one of your breasts to cup his own length. “Fuck, I’m so hard. Just ten minutes, Lil.” Your mouth salivates at the sight. He looks hot. Squeezing his dick. He starts pumping himself over the clothing at the same speed he’s molding your breast. You feel the arousal seeping through your body. Leaking out of your clenching hole. 

You’ve managed to suppress the thirst for Park Jimin for an entire day. But just a touch from him is just enough to make you suffer as you’ve been on Sahara for seven days. The memory of his taste invades your brain. The weight of his cock on your tongue. His sweet moans and grunts. 

“You’re such an asshole!” You replace his hands. 

“But you love me.” Jimin sighs in relief as you start to pay attention to his cock. 

“Yes, I love you!” You repeat after him, searching for his lips. Pulling him into a messy kiss. You’re the one who heave for oxygen first. Jimin’s hard cock, twitching on your hold even more. Demanding more attention. “Wa-want me to suck you off?” You ask, ready to push your hand inside his pants. Jimin balances himself by placing a hand on the tree trunk above your head. Shakes his head. 

“Sounds like honey to my ears but need to fuck you baby. Have to be inside you. Want to feel your sweet pussy gripping me tight.” With that he withdraws from you. Just to turn you around. You brace yourself by holding on to the tree trunk. “Gonna be quick okay?” Jimin asks from behind you. Doesn’t let you answer before he’s yanking your shorts down, together with your panties. You gasp aloud. The cool air of the night hits your skin, pebbling your skin more. “Need prep, princess?” Asks again. Bends you down a bit with a palm placed on your back. Adjusting you into the perfect position for him to take. 

You barely shake your head. Body already shuddering with excitement. “I-I’ll be fine. Be quick, Park. Fuck me already.” You rush him with a wiggle or your ass. Earn a smack. Just light. He soothes it so fast. His cold hands rub your asscheeks. 

“You’re so beautiful, Spring Roll.” Compliments. It’s as if he’s in a daze. Your eyelids flutter close. Blood rushing through your veins. More juices leaking out of your hole. “So wet.” Jimin keeps muttering. His fingers come in contact with your weeping core. Cold. His hands are so cold that your back arches. He drags his fingers over your slit and flicks your clit, making the bundle of nerves pulse under his touch. 

“Oh, Jimin…” You push back into his hand once again. 

A soft chuckle escapes Jimin. He leans forward, crowding your space for your pleasure. Whispers in your ear. “Aren’t you getting a little impatient now, baby?” His voice is sinister. Almost mocking. Is saying the absolute truth. This new urgency in you has nothing to do with having to be quick but everything to do with wanting to be full of him. Wanting to feel his cock stretching you out. “Gosh… love when you’re being a little slut for me, baby.” Jimin rasps as you feel him fumble with his pants as well. “Look at you…” He comes even closer to you. And you finally feel his tip prods against your entrance. “Such a slut.” Moans. Then enters you in one powerful thrust, ripping a moan out of you. “A fuc-king sslut for me.” Drags his hips back slowly, rams forward hard and fast. “My perfect little slut.” Grits. 

Pulls his cock almost out. Thrusts inside your warm walls. Does it again and again. Picks up his speed. The next thing you know is that you’re holding on to the rough surface of the tree trunk for your dear life. Eyes rolling and drooling while Jimin hits all your good spots like he always does. His hard cock dragging along your velvety walls, bringing you closer to that piece of heaven. It’s coming closer and closer. You can taste it. You’re going to—

“Hold it the other way, you idiot!” The sudden voice from distance reaches you out of nowhere. You almost lose your balance at how much it startled you. Jimin’s hips stutter. Then you hear the rustling sound of footsteps. Someone’s coming. No. Scratch that. Not just one person. There’s more. You straighten up immediately. Turn around halfway to look at Jimin and urge him to move away quickly when you feel a pair of hands turn you back around. Jimin grabs your hands and places them back on the tree trunk. Bends you down again. Falls back into his rhythm. Or even faster rhythm this time. 

“Jimin…” You hiss. Eyes wide in disbelief yet also finding your brain scrambles at the sensation between your legs. The fullness. Leaves you torn in two. 

“It’s fine, they won’t come this far, just keep it quiet.” Jimin hides his face in your neck. Thrusts into you relentlessly. 

“Fuck!” You whisper yell. Ears straining to hear if the voices are coming any closer. You recognize Taehyung’s voice. So do you, Yoongi’s. There are some others as well. 

Fuck, fuck, fuck…

Jimin needs to stop. 

He doesn’t. He starts plunging even deeper inside you if it’s possible. 

“Jimin!” You writhe in his hold. Trying to look at his face and keep your balance while not making a sound. 

“Shit. Shit!” Jimin groans. “Can’t stop, Lil. I just… not now… I’m not stopping now. Can’t stop. Not fucking now.” 

His words spurs your inside pleasantly. Previously ebbed orgasm closing in again. 

“Keep it quiet, Princess.” Jimin instructs. A hand snakes between your legs and starts rubbing your clit. The distant voices of your friends slowly drown out by pleasure. Leaving only a ring in your ears. Your legs start to shake. “Fuck, take it like that. You’re doing great, baby. Such a good slut for me… Good girl.” Jimin praises you. With his words the knot inside your tummy blasts. 

A high pitched squeal leaves your throat before you can contain it. You don’t even get a chance to even be afraid, however, when Jimin’s hand clamps over your mouth. Muffling your sounds. 

“Shhh… quiet, fucking hell…” Jimin shushes you. Still doesn’t even slow down his movements let alone stopping. “You want them to catch us?” Asks in a whisper. You shake your head desperately. Nails digging into the tree. Tears stinging your eyes. It suddenly feels too hot and Jimin is holding you too tight. And it’s pleasurable. Even with the impending danger of getting caught. The humiliation. Jimin is about to push you over the edge again even before your first orgasm subsides. “No? You don’t? Then shut up, baby. Be a good slut and make me cum, yeah?” He kisses your neck. Jaw. Ear. Temple. Hair. Every place he can reach. 

“So close, baby. Hold on for me, hm?” Jimin keeps talking to you in a hushed voice. You can only pray that your friends actually can’t hear you. Because you can hear them. Laughter. Banter. Then they might hear you as well. You’re glad Jimin is having a vice clamp over your mouth with his palm. It’s making a mess, however. You can’t help but drool, struggling to breathe. More triggers for that second orgasm. “Let go, princess. I know you can.. Fuck, cum with me, Lil.” 

You cry into his hand. Back arching as the second orgasm of the night washes over you. Your walls squeezing his dick tight. Your cries are sparking Jimin. “Yes, fuckfuck, god, I love you…” Jimin bites onto your shoulder to keep his own voice muffled as his dick throbs inside you, shooting white hot cum into the warm confines of your cunt. He drags out both of your orgasms by keep thrusting into you. Reducing his speed gradually until it comes to a halt. 

He takes another second before taking his palm away from your mouth. You heave for much needed air. Then another before quickly pulling away from you, making you wince and clench tightly so you won’t make a mess on you. 

Fuck, you don’t even have anything to clean you up. You don’t even know how you’d walk back to the campsite. 

What if they heard you? 

What if they know?

And you’re going to walk back with his cum dripping down your thighs?

You hold on to the tree helplessly, trying to come to your senses. Trying to fill your lungs with enough air. That’s when you feel the sudden hot sensation at your still uncovered cunt. You raise your head in alarm. This time your head successfully turns around to find Jimin on his knees. Mouth hovering near your battered pussy. 

“Wh-what are you…” You gasp. Your question melts into an inaudible moan when Jimin drags his tongue through your slit. “Jimin…”

“Gotta clean you up.” He answers simply. Nonchalantly. You, on the other hand, almost die on the spot. Your quenched thirst resurfacing again. 

“Nononono….” You do your best to stay on your legs as Jimin starts to eat out your used pussy. As if he was starved. He licks up your slit and curls his lips around your clit. Then he slides his tongue inside you, eating his own cum from your cunt. Cleaning you up. Like he said. 

Deep groans rumble in his throat. Sounds of thirsty slurping fills the air. He rubs your legs and ass soothingly while raving on your cunt. 

“Oh God, baby… Jimin…. Fuck!” You pant and gasp. This time having to keep your sounds inside by biting on to your own fist. Jimin moans in answer. Making your core vibrate. 

“Taste good, Lil. You taste so fucking good.” He mutters into your pussy. Dwells back into sucking and licking. Buries his whole face in you. “Cum again, Love. Cum on my mouth. Taste good. Need more… please!” Pleads. 

You’re losing your mind. You can’t control the way you’re seeping out of your pussy. You can’t set off the fire inside you. Jimin knows what he’s doing. With his tongue and lips. With his teeth. 

He cleans you pretty well. He does it too much to be precise. He does it over and over again. Until another orgasm ripples through you. Until he cleans that up as well. Until he’s satisfied and his knees ache. That’s only when he stops and gets to his feet. Fixes your clothes. Turns you around to face him. Wipes down your face. 

You peer at his eyes. Sparkling eyes. Filled with adoration. Abundance of adoration. The lust has vanished and in its place remains the affection. 

“You doing good, Love?” Jimin holds you close. You nod. You feel good. 

Even despite this being your second night being awake in a row, you feel good. Physically at least. 

“Fuck, Jimin. We’re so… god, that’s so fucked up!” You scowl. Slap his arm. Still panting and heaving for breath. 

“It’s fine.” He nudges his nose against yours. “No one gives a fuck!” Reassures you. You don’t agree. Yet decide not to say anything. Just hope for the best. “I didn’t tire you a lot, did I?” He takes your attention back to him. Suddenly looks very concerned. 

“I’m fine Jimin.” You give in. Relax. Curl your arms around his waist. 

“No pain?”

“No pain. Just perfect.”

“Good.” He kisses your forehead. “You're gonna find me if something happens.” Says. Not a request. Not a question. Just a command. You roll your eyes. 

“Sure, will find you, Daddy!” You smile coyly. Jimin’s breath slightly catches in his throat. His eyes darken. 

“Okay, don’t start now.” Almost pulls away from you. You don’t let him.

“Wait? You like that?” You perk up. Amused. 

“I… don’t… know, I guess.” Jimin smirks. “Should find out next time.” Pulls you into another kiss. “We should go back, baby.” Mumbles against your lips. You nod in agreement. Luckily the sound of your friends have finally subsided. “Find me if anything’s wrong, okay?” This time he asks softly. You nod with a gentle smile. 

“I’ll find you.”

“Thank you!” He loosens his grip on you. “I love you.” Purrs before actually letting you go. You stop trying to control your goofy smiles. Just grin from ear to ear.

“Uh huh.” Nod. Agree. Jimin scowls. You giggle. “I love you more, Park jimin…. I love you more…”

………………………………

Key wanted to see pictures. Of all of them. You don’t think everyone would agree to model for you at this moment. Yet it never hurts to try. 

“Smile, Jeon Jungkook.” You poke the said man’s ribcage, who’s sitting next to you with a deep scowl in his face, while holding your phone in front of you. The front camera opened. He’s been that way for quite a while now. You assume that his talk with J has gone like shit. Jungkook grumbles. It makes you feel awfully guilty. It’s all because of you. 

“Your friend has seen me before. Why do you need my photos too?” 

You watch through your phone screen as Jungkook eyes you wearily.

“That’s before. She hasn’t seen you at a summer camp, wearing your bucket hat, eating ramen and looking like a grumpy granddad.” You argue. Mostly because you want to make him feel okay. Want to make him laugh. Go back to his normal goofy self and annoy you to death. Make fun of everyone and act as if he has all the energy in the world inside him. It doesn’t work.

“I’m not grumpy.” Instead of the laugh you expect, he gives you a simple answer and goes back to his ramen. 

“Oh, c’mon, Kookie.” You pout before squeezing his cheeks. He stiffens in your hold. For a second. Then he’s removing your hand away from him. 

“Fine, take the damn photo.” He sighs. Faces the camera properly and gives a soft and very fake smile. You don’t press the shutter. You watch him carefully. 

“What’s wrong?” You ask. You know it must be J. Yet you ask anyway. “She’s still mad at you?” You trail your gaze toward the woman in question. Is in a mood as well. Jin is mumbling something to her. Whatever he’s saying it makes J pouts even harder. Jungkook shakes his head. 

“We’re good.” Jungkook snatches your phone away from you. Don’t let you bat an eyelash before he takes a quick selfie of both of you, in which you look like an ugly surprised goose. “There you go!” He hands you the phone back. 

“Yah!” You start. Annoyed that he just did that. Bunch of curses sitting at the tip of your tongue. None of them, however, get out when a sudden pang erupts under your ribcage. 

Sharp. Like a knife pierced through your skin and flesh. A silenced gasp escapes your mouth as you bend down slightly. Your mouth falls open, brows furrowing. The pain only lives very short. Just as it comes, it vanishes. Yet you stay bent down for an extra minute. A ghost of the pain still lingers in your veins. Your brain is failing to realize what just happened. 

“Noona! Fuck!” Jungkook’s voice comes from a distance. You take an unfocused look at his face as he hurries to straighten you up. “Fuck, fuck, fuck…. Are you okay? Is that it? Are you in pain?” Throws question after question at you. It takes you another long minute to come to your senses and answer him. 

“I’m fine… I- uh—” You shake your head slightly, forcing yourself to sober up. “I’m fine, Kookie. It was… nothing. Probably just heartburn.” You finally manage to pull it together. Perk up. Smile. “ Nothing to worry about. Yeah. Maybe it was my stomach.”  Rationalize. 

Jungkook doesn’t look convinced. Of course, he doesn’t. But you really think it is a heart burn. Because it is too early for you to be in pain. Jungkook has his timer on. According to that, it’s just thirty five hours. You’re pretty sure you stayed more than forty eight back at the cottage last year. And you weren’t in any pain either. 

“It’s just a stomachache, Kookie.” You try to convince him again. The last thing you want is Jungkook to lose his shit and spread it to Jimin. They both would drag your ass away or—if necessary — knock you out cold.

“It didn’t look like that.” Jungkook frowns. 

“But it is.” You chuckle. “You know how it is when that happens.” You refer to your unusual pain caused by the mystery of sharing Liya’s space. “ It doesn’t go away this quickly.” Point out. Shake off his protective arm which is still draped around your shoulders. “It’s probably because I just ate.” Gesture at the empty ramen bawl of yours. He still doesn’t look convinced. His charcoal eyes are fixed on you. Studying. Frowning. You almost decide that he’s going to seriously take you away. That’s when a bright voice cuts in.

“It’s time for this new game!” Taehyung announces, taking everyone’s attention at the same time he plops into the empty chair on your other side. 

Good! You’re glad for the interruption, even though you don’t want to play any games after yesterday night. Besides, you don’t think drinking would do you any good either. 

“Nope. I'd rather go swimming again.” It’s Jin who immediately rejects Taehyung. “At this hour. In the ice water.” Adds. Gets to his feet hurriedly. “Naked. And I’ll end up catching pneumonia. That’s fine. I’ll rather die in a hospital bed than dying playing your stupid games.” Practically storms away. 

Taehyung whines in complaint. “Did you see that?” Turns to you. Face adorably scrunched up. 

“I did see that.” You nod sympathetically. 

“Dude is mad at me because he couldn’t hold his breath underwater. Not my fault.” Taehyung reasons. You agree again, doing your best not to roll your eyes. 

“Yes, it's not your fault at all.” You pat his arm. “But I guess we shouldn’t play any games either.” Mutter when he gasps even louder this time. You shake your head immediately. “I mean your games are so fun and all but I’m tired. Everyone must be very tired. These are a bunch of old people, after all. We can take selkas, though.” You show him your phone. “I have a friend who’s dying to see you all.” 

Taehyung scoots closer to you instantly. “Yeah? Is she single?” Asks with a beaming face. This time you roll your eyes. 

“No.” You state. “Don’t even—” Your words get cut off when a third voice joins you. 

“You have a fucking girlfriend moron.” Yoongi pokes his head between you and Taehyung. Facing the selfie. Surprising you and Taehyung both. The last person you’d expect to come willingly for a photo is Min Yoongi. Hence, the weird looks you’re giving him together with Taehyung. “What?” Yoongi snaps when you don’t click the photo. 

“What the hell happened to you?” You voice out.

“Why are you so happy?” Taehyung joins. 

“Did you and Jungkook swap your souls?”  You throw a brief glance at the said guy, who’s intently watching you. 

“Oh, fuck off!” Jungkook scowls even deeper and a pout appears on his lips. 

“Yah! What do you take me for?” Yoongi retorts. Doesn’t let you answer, however. “Take the photo kid.” Orders you. You bid a second more in pure disbelief before actually complying. This time capturing a perfect shot of a pouting you, a grinning Yoongi and a surprised— yet still manage to look incredibly handsome— Taheyung in the frame. “Now,” Yoongi straightens up. “If that friend of yours likes it, I’m a single guy.” Shoots you with his gummy smile. 

“I think he is drunk.” Taehyung whispers aloud. Yoongi hears it obviously. And it doesn’t even take a fractured second before they start arguing like mad cows. You don’t get to join the chaos. Not when Hoseok takes your attention. 

“You’re taking selka without me?” He comes behind you, being careful to avoid Yoongi. “Rude!” Says before winking into the camera. You grin as you press the shutter button. Another frozen moment storing in your phone. The screen goes dark and then the photo you took appears. Just as it does, another sharp pang shoots through your body. Again started under your ribcage. Then travels through your veins. This time you fail to keep it quiet. A mewl leaves you as the phone drops down to the table. 

“Noona… no, no, no.” Jungkook appears next to you like a quick breeze. 

“Fuck!” You hear Hoseok curses. The pain nearly blinds you. Makes your entire body paralyzed for a minute. Then it subsides. Goes away. Only leaving the shock behind. 

“Noona?” Jungkook turns your head toward him with your chin. You’re met with his scared brown orbs. “Jeesus! You’re not okay. We’re going to sleep. Now!” Commands. This time you comply. Without another word. Your brain is still in shock as you allow Jungkook to pull you into your feet.

A mistake!

The moment you fully stand up, a new kind of pain hits you. A loud ring in your ears makes your vision go black. Your head starts to thrum with pain. Sending your head spinning and body stumbling. You feel weak. Then there comes a wave of nausea. Powerful. 

Powerful enough that you actually gag before your hand flies to cover your mouth. 

Jungkook turns you around immediately. Helps you take a few steps away from the table to avoid the mess. You feel his palm rubbing your back as you bend down in half. 

“It’s okay baby. Let go.” He soothes you. Yet it doesn’t come. No matter how sick you feel. How violently your stomach turns. It doesn’t come. Nothing comes out of your mouth except the sound of gagging. And you’re left with the sour taste in your mouth. “It’s okay, it’s okay…” Jungkook keeps coaxing you. 

You hear someone else saying something else, reminding you that you and Jungkook aren’t alone here. You can feel everyone’s eyes on you.

“Shh… it’s fine. Let’s go to the tent, yeah? It’s going to be okay once you sleep.” Jungkook whispers. Soothingly. Softly. You just nod. Praying the annoying nausea and the throb in your head would go away soon. This is new. You’ve been in pain before but it hasn’t been like this. This is an uncharted territory and it scares you.

You force your weak body to straighten up, ready to leave with Jungkook. You don’t want to give up that easily but it’s becoming harder and harder. Maybe you should rest for a bit and it will go away. 

You turn around halfway with Jungkook. That’s when you notice a figure a few feet away from you. From the camp site. To your left. Just standing among the clusters of stunted trees and tangled underbrush. You stop. Eyes zeroing on the figure. Heart picking up speed. You were expecting someone to visit you after all. So, you turn back again, paying full attention to the person who’s standing there eerily still. You try to ignore the trembling in your limbs and the dizzy pulse in your head.

Your eyes travel from the stranger’s head to toes. Taking in everything. 

Woman. You’re certain it’s a woman. You watch the way her hair frames her face. It flows around her face, tangling with the summer breeze. She looks young. Is wearing an oversize black t-shirt—just like the one you’re wearing, which you stole from Jungkook—and a pair of white shorts. Again just like the one you’re—

Wait what?

You jerk your gaze down to your outfit, ignoring the way the sudden movements cause your nausea to double and your head to pound like it’s about to explode. 

You’re wearing a black t-shirt. White shorts. A strange sensation travels across your spine as you turn your gaze back to the woman in the distance. She has moved while you were busy looking at your outfit. She has taken a step forward. Now you can see her better than before. 

Hair.

It’s just like yours. Same length. Same color and she’s even wearing it down like you do at the moment. 

She takes another step forward. You take one back. Her face becomes even clearer. Your breath catches up in your throat. 

It’s you. 

Undoubtedly. Unmistakably. 

You feel like you did when you saw Liya first. But this is different. Even as your alternate version, Liya has her own differences from you. From fashion to habits. This? This is not like that. You’re staring into a mirror. 

She takes another step toward you, forcing you to back up. An alarm blaring in your head. You stare back at your reflection. She is you. Just a little thin. Isn’t she? Now you look closer you think she looks weak. 

Another step forward and another back. Slowly. One. Two. Three. Until you feel the back of your thighs graze the table behind you, backing you into an end and leaving no more escapes. You stop. She doesn’t. She keeps walking forward. One. Two. Three. Until she’s standing a mere few feet away from you. 

You let out an audible shaky gasp. Unexplainable fear engulfing you. 

This can’t be happening. No. No. No. 

You turn your head toward Jungkook, wanting to know if he’s seeing what you’re seeing. Just for reassurance. You expect to see his horrified face as well. Except…

He’s not where he was. 

What?

You immediately turn to your other side, hoping to find Taehyung and others. 

Empty. There’s no one. 

Panic rises in your throat as you turn to your right again. This time faster. Jungkook is not here. But he was just a second ago. So were Taehyung, Yoongi, and Hoseok. You turn around completely. Eyes doing a quick glance over the campsite. 

Empty. 

The table. Chairs. Everything is empty. 

No… What’s happening? 

You start scanning the area while your entire world tilts and spins. Everything else stays the same. The tents. The empty ramen bowls and beer cans on the table. The campfire flickering. But there’s not a sign of anyone else. Of your friends. Only you’re left here alone.

“Ah you little stupid!”

And the other you speak. You turn to her in record speed as you hear your own voice. 

“You fucking moron,” She shakes her head. Looks utterly disappointed. “Look what you’ve done to us.” Gestures at her body. Body that looks weak. She looks sick. She looks like how you feel right now. You gawk at her face, noticing hollow cheeks. You’re pretty sure, your cheeks don’t look like that. Nor do your eyes look that empty and sunken. 

“Wh-who? H-how?” You stutter. Your throat is dry and your mouth is still sour. 

“Look what you have done to us…” She repeats. Ignores your half question. “You ruined us. All because you were a greedy whore,” A bitter laugh escapes her. 

You find yourself incapable of even uttering a single word. She lifts an arm. Thin. As if her flesh has been melted. Brings it toward you. You recoil into yourself, just to fail miserably. There isn’t enough space and her fingers grazed over your cheeks, eliciting a shiver in their wake. “You think this gonna last forever?” She keeps talking. “You think you’ll be able to stay like this?” Another laugh. 

“No… you’re stupid. This is all your fault. Now, these pretty cheeks are going to turn into dust.” She tilts her head to the left, adds pressure to her fingers that you wince at the way her nails dig into your skin. 

“What? I-I—” You try to form words. She ignores you. 

“This pretty skin he adores so much is going to turn into dust.” She drags her fingers down toward your neck. “And he wouldn’t want to paint it with his marks anymore.” The other you smile so brightly. Yet it does nothing to hide the emptiness in her eyes. “And…” She lets her hand fall into your breast, over the soft curves and down toward your stomach. “Everything he likes about us will turn into nothing…” Stops her movements there. “Just because of your greed, we’ll lose everything and—” Her nails dig into your stomach harsher this time. Harsh enough you whimper. “The only thing that would be left for us will be this.” She states. “Only this!” Repeats but louder this time. 

And her nails pierce into your skin. So suddenly and out of nowhere. For a millisecond you feel nothing. Then a sharp pain erupts from your stomach and an inhuman scream rips out of your throat. 

“No!” Both your hands go to hold her wrist when she starts to slice through your skin. Her fingers plunge into your flesh like a blade, tearing your muscles. The wet sound of skin tearing fills the air, together with your screams. You watch in utter horror as the trickles of crimson cover both your hands and hers, then fall down to the fresh grass underneath you. 

“No..Nononono….” You scream again as you do your best to hold her hand in place. She seems weak but right now, no matter how much you try, you fail to keep her from crushing your guts. Literally. Her hand disappears inside you. Forcing more and more horrible screams out of you and making your whole body burn. The sour taste in your mouth gets mixed with the taste of metal. Tears fall down your cheeks uncontrollably. You need to ask her why. But no words make it out your mouth apart from cries and disgruntled noises. She keeps pushing her hand inside you, inch by inch. Until you can only see the white pain. 

“It’s okay, it’s okay…” And she shushes you. Like she’s consoling a child who lost their piece of candy. “It’s fine…” The pain intensifies. “It’s going to be okay…” Her voice is a high pitched scream that rings inside your head. “It’s okay…” 

It’s okay.

It’s okay…

It’s okay….

Her voice echoes around your skull as you bend down in pain. Still holding onto her hand trying to stop the assault. The pain. It doesn’t stop. But her voice starts to fade away. You think that’s because you’re about to faint. About to fall into an eternal darkness. You fully expect that. Yet it doesn’t come either. Instead her faded voice comes clearer again. This time though, not so high pitched. Low. Panicked. Scared. 

“It’s okay… baby, I got you..”

“Lil… it’s okay. Hey, look at me. Eyes on me, baby…”

You blink. Just once. And the other you blends into thin air. In her presence appears a familiar face. Pale and scared to death. You blink once again and everything comes crashing upon you. The sounds. The concerned voices of your friends. Their presence. Yet you only see one face. 

Park Jimin. 

He’s holding on to your body, which is ready to fall into the ground limp any moment. You’re trying to push him away. You’re having a vice grip on his wrist. You stop thrashing around instantly. Eyes taking in the sight of how harsh you’re gripping his hand. 

Was it him? 

No.. you know what you saw. 

You look at your stomach. Perfectly intact and there’s no single drop of blood. Only the pain. You take a minute to register that there’s no creepy woman who looks like you, trying to push her bare hand inside your guts. It wasn’t real. 

It wasn’t real!

A new sob erupts from you as you let go of Jimin’s hand. Fall into his hold. Bawling and writhing in pain. He catches you. Of course he does. He holds you tight. Goes into the ground on his knees when you slide down. Still doesn’t let you go. Gathers you in his arms and presses your face into his chest. 

“Holy fuck… it’s okay… Lil… Hey I got you. It’s okay…” His gentle voice wraps around you like a soft blanket. You would’ve fallen asleep there if it wasn’t for the nasty pain. The pain… 

That’s all you can concentrate on. 

At least until a sudden scream, which definitely doesn’t come from you, catches your attention. Several curses accompany the scream. Through your pain you feel Jimin gasp. Then you feel a soft warm hand on your head. 

“Oh, you poor thing.” A honeyed voice speaks. A moment passes and in the next you feel the white pain in your guts disappear. Not instantly. No. Gradually. It subsides into nothing. Only the weakness being in its wake. “It was an illusion.” The gentle voice says again. This time you find your head turning around. Reluctantly leaving the protection of Jimin’s warmth. A kind smile treats you when you do. And you recognize the face right away. 

That wrinkled face and grey hair. The old woman from the cottage. You perk up instantly. 

“... what you saw…” She continues with something that quite doesn’t reach your ears. “That was an illusion. It wasn’t real.” She pats your cheek. “You still have time.” Stands up. You panic yet again. This time because you know you’re about to lose the chance. Unfortunately, though, your still weak body refuses to even speak. 

“What do you mean she has time?” For your great pleasure, Jimin takes the chance. The woman throws Jimin a glance in disapproval. 

“She has time, my child. She’ll live until then.”

“How long are we talking about here?” This time it’s Jungkook. His voice sounds stern. As if he’s ready to fight. Strangle this old lady to death. 

“Until the day comes.” The woman on the other hand speaks ever so calmly. “Until she has to return ba—”

“What if she wants to stay?” Jimin doesn’t even let her finish whatever she’s saying. It’s kinda awkward since he’s still on his knees. You half on his lap. But he manages to bridge that with his voice somehow. He isn’t asking. He’s saying. 

A chuckle treats you in return. “I wish she had an option.” The woman shakes her head. Slowly. Then her voice turns serious. “She doesn’t.” 

Your stomach drops. You don’t think it’s possible to feel any more pain than you did a minute earlier but you do. You wait for the old woman to say something. She disappoints you. Or not. Maybe you’re glad when she turns around with nothing else. But Jimin changes that. It’s his time to chuckle.

“Every thing has more than one option. It can’t be just live or die. There must be a way. I know there is.” Jimin challenges. Voice sharper now. His grip on you tightens, as if he’s afraid the woman will take you away. 

“Sometimes it is just live or die.” The kind smile on the old woman’s face slips away. A silence falls over. Once again it feels like the end. End of the conversation. End of your hope. End of everything until Jimin speaks again. This time soft but you hear the steel edge. 

“Well, I’m gonna keep fighting.”

“Very well! Do it.” The woman simply shrugs. Expression indifferent. “I hope you’re ready for the consequences as well. It is, my dear,” She sighs. “not fair to force a fish to live on land just because you love it. That’s no love. That’s greed. Now,” She dismisses two of you as she turns to the rest of the people surrounding you. Hell, you even forgot they are here. You glance briefly at the dumbfounded faces. Mouths opened and brows furrowed. “This is a whole lot of work to do memory wipes.” The woman clicks her tongue in distaste. “Maybe I won’t do it…” Mutters to herself. “Yes… no need for such things. This memory will make her life a bit easy.” 

She turns to take a final look at you. Then like the last time she dissolves into the air. One moment she is there and the next not. You hear a freaked out scream. See Hoseok pushes himself into Yoongi and Taehyung stumbles on his feet. Catch the way Yoona practically climbs on her boyfriend’s body as Jin is crazily trying to find connections on his phone. Next to him stands equally ashen faced three women. J, Seoyoen, and Liya.Only three people remain calm—you, Jimin, and Jungkook. You have other reasons to freak out, however. 

All the pain and horror you endured sinks into the back of your mind as the hopelessness engulfs you whole. After everything, she said that you have no options. It’s either you leave or wither into dust. 

How simple yet complicated. 

You stay frozen in that way for what feels like years and you could’ve kept staying that way if it wasn’t for Jimin who finally breaks out of his miserable haze and prompts you to your feet. He offers to carry you when you refuse. Neither of you talk about what just happened. You ignore your friends. Only smile at Jungkook who starts following you and Jimin. You’ll talk about it later. You’ll talk and decide what’s the best way to say goodbye when your time finally arrives later. You’ll answer your friends’ questions later. For now, you’ll just rest. 

You want it. Desperately so. Yet, apparently the universe always has something against you. Even before you can make two steps forward, a sharp whine of an engine disrupts you. You and Jimin come to a halt at the exact moment a grey car rattles into a stop in front of you. The screeching of tires tears through the night air. Then someone practically jumps out of the backseat before the car engine cuts down. 

This time, it is a woman with a familiar bob cut. Face twisted ugly— you assume by dread. Mrs. Seong. Liya’s secretary. You only met her once and she was calm. Collected. Now, though, she looks as if she just escaped death. Still, you could’ve just shrugged off her presence and walked away if it wasn’t for the second person who joins her. 

Emi!

That’s when you know something is wrong. There is no possible reason for both of them to barge in here if everything is fine. Especially, judging by the looks both of them are wearing, something is surely wrong. Terribly wrong. 

“Mr. Park.” Emi is the one who breaks into a walk first. Makes a beeline toward Jimin who’s still keeping his hand around you protectively. She ignores your presence and the fact that Jimin is holding you, completely. Instead, she unclocks her phone furiously. “I know you’re on a vacation and I’m not supposed to interrupt you but this is very important and I- we had to…” She peers at Jimin like a deer caught in a trap. 

“Okay, what is it?” Jimin inquires. You can feel the way he goes rigid despite the way he asked the question. 

“I- um…” Emi stutters, holding her phone tight in her fingers. That makes Jimin snap. He snatches the phone away with one hand. Other still holding you. You curiously turn your face to look at Jimin. Try to take a glance at the screen but before you can Jimin’s hand drops from your body. He takes a step away from you. You feel someone else holds you protectively. Not letting you fall down. If there was any color left on Jimin’s face after what just happened, they all vanish leaving Jimin as a ghostly skull. 

“Fuck!” He curses aloud, then starts scrolling through whatever he’s looking at, frantically. 

“We are in the process of securing the removal of the videos and articles from all online platforms. I have already consulted with legal counsel, and we are preparing to pursue legal action against all parties involved, pending further analysis. But—” Emi starts rambling so fast that you only catch half of it.

Hoseok is the next person to snatch the phone away from Jimin. And you watch the way he pales as well. Next is Taehyung. You turn your head partially to catch Liya and Seoyone looks about to drop dead. Liya is holding a phone which you guess is her assistance. 

What’s going on? Did Liya actually bomb something down?

“How did this—” Jin questions, now a part of ashened people and holding Emi’s phone. “Who?” His question is directed at Jimin who looks too stunned to even speak. 

“I- I—” Jimin tries. Fails. Rubs a face across his face. 

“Someone obviously has tailed you.” Hoseok expresses. 

You scowl deeply, getting partially annoyed that no one is making any sense. You are at the verge of breaking when Jungkook steps in. He just casually takes away the phone from Jin, which is probably rude since that can be a company matter that doesn’t need strangers poking their nose in. Still, Jungkook does it anyway and that’s only when you realize that the person who was holding you wasn’t him. You glance over your shoulder to catch a curious Yoongi, holding you. You don’t get to dwell on him further when Jungkook gasps. His eyes instantly land on you. 

Well, that’s your cue to say fuck it and see what that is. You walk over to Jungkook with your wobbly legs. Peer over at the screen while he still holds the phone. An article title written in black bold letters is covering the screen. 

Public Decency Out the Window? The Power Couple’s Latest Stunt.

For a second, it doesn’t make any sense. Then your gaze travels to the picture under the title. Captured clearly and in full resolution. A man and a woman inside a supermarket. He has his arms around her. Her face is scrunched up. Not in a painful way but in a pleasurable way. She’s in pure ecstasy. 

You’re in pure ecstasy. Wrapped around in Jimin’s arms. 

Blood drains out of your veins. Heart stops beating. It’s like in a dream you take the device from Jungkook’s hand and start scrolling down. If you thought the worst was having a picture of how you look when you cum published, then the next image knocks the wind out of your lungs. Painfully. 

This time it isn’t a clear shot. Nothing is clear but anyone can see it’s two people having sex inside a car. Jimin’s car. You scroll down. 

The CEO of R.U.N and the CEO of The SE were caught engaging in public sex….

The words fade away. Then comes back again. 

Park Jimin and Kim Liya have reigned as the undisputed power couple of the business world…

Industry peers have voiced their disapproval of the couple’s controversial public behavior…

More pictures. Inside the super market. Jimin whispering in your ear. Back in the car. Even shots from your conversation after those moments. The precious moments you shared. You in his arms again. 

“You said there are videos?” You hear Jin questions. 

“Yes. But we’re already taking them down—” Emi starts. You don’t look at anyone. Just keep your gaze fixed on the screen. Maybe if you stare long enough it would change.

“That won’t change shit. People must have copies on them already.” It’s Taehyung.

“How long has it been since this was out?” Hoseok’s voice is shaky. 

“Uh- since this afternoon." Emi answers. 

“Afternoon? Fucking hours? And you’re only reaching out now?” You no longer care who says what. 

This is a nightmare. This can’t be really happening. Surely, this is another illusion of your mind. Hallucination. Any minute now, you’ll find Jimin talking to you gently and bringing you back to earth. But when you raise your head, you find him helplessly staring at you. 

“I’ve been trying to reach Mr. Park all these times…” Emi finds excuses, her eyes going to Jimin but he doesn’t care. Instead, he reaches you. 

“Lil…” He starts. You shake your head silently asking him not to do it. 

“Okay, how did this get out, though? Someone was following you and you didn’t notice?” Jungkook turns Jimin around with a firm grip on his shoulder. Jimin winces. 

“How did they know how to find you?”

“This is clearly Lil, right? Not Liya?”

“Have you traced it back to who took the pictures?”

So many questions bombarded the space. Only the last one gets an answer, however. Emi clears her throat awkwardly. 

“Yes. We did. We got the person behind the camera.” She taps a finger on her lips. Nervous.

“Good.” Jimin talks for the first time. “Who’s the bastard? What’s the fucking reason?” He turns fully toward his secretary. Emi looks utterly uncomfortable. 

“It’s- it’s someone from The Daily Scandal.” She mumbles inaudibly. 

“Daily Scandal?" Jimin repeats. Seemingly at a loss. 

“What do they want? They don’t fucking videograph illegal pornography. It’s shit— the tabloid but since when do they do these kinds of shits.” Jin presses. 

“The photographer was from The Daily Scandal but the photos are not being published in their magazine. He’s sold them to someone else. Some illegal sites.” Emi explains. 

“What the fuck do you mean, Emi? This doesn’t make sense.” Jimin is visibly trying to keep his calm. 

“He was there to catch some sweet moments of you and Ms. Liya.” Emi rushes to explain. Her face is red and is squeezing her left hand’s fingers with the right. “But he got something big and he sold it…” 

“But why was he there in the first place?” Someone brings out. And Emi falls silent. 

“Emi?” Jimin calls her out. Voice flat. Stern. 

Emi heaves a sigh. Then she turns to look at Liya, who’s standing there looking half dead. Her shoulders slump. Dread covering her beautiful features. It worsens when everyone’s eyes land on her. 

“What the fuck did you do?” Jimin barks so loud that even you flinch. He crosses the distance between him and Liya faster than a thunder. Liya takes a few steps back. 

“Do-don’t,” She tries to regain her composure. Acts like the powerful woman she is. “I- I just wanted to make sure the public knows we’re still in a relationship. My father was nagging me so much about the engagement. I wanted to show it’s—”

“So you sent a man after me?” Jimin yells. 

“No!” Liya finally matches his tone. “I sent a man after us.” Gestures between Jimin and herself. “It was supposed to be moments of us together. People were questioning our relationship after what happened in the club. My family was questioning. I just wanted to show everything was okay. It’s not my fault you decided to take your whore there and fuck her in public.” 

“Kim Liya!” Jimin’s voice booms across the endless night. Shutting everyone including Liya into a dead silence. “Don’t fucking talk about her like that.” He adds through clenched teeth. Liya doesn’t say anything back. Just glares at him with a fiery glaze that’s enough to burn the world down. Silence stretches into eons. 

“They think it’s you.” It’s Mrs. Seong who breaks the silence this time. Her face is a blank canvas. “The public.” She continues. “Your family. Everybody thinks it’s you who’s with Mr. Park.” Says to Liya. “Which is a good thing.” Says to Jimin. “This is a violation of privacy and you two are victims. We just need to make an official announcement, apologising for the indecency you caused and claim that you’re ready to face any legal consequences. You were together for a long time and people will surely take your side if we do this right and the news of the engagement will drown out the rest.” She states in one breath. 

And a different kind of realization dawns upon you. 

You’ve seen Liya’s name all across the article but it’s only now that it’s registering in your mind. To anyone and everyone who saw that article, images or the said videos, it’s Liya who’s getting pleasured by Park Jimin. His girlfriend. Not you. In this world you don’t exist. You’re not supposed to exist. 

No wonder you were experiencing a new kind of hell. This explains the hallucinations, doesn't it? It’s not just a few people this time. It’s whole fucking world. This relief you’re feeling right now, probably because that old woman did something. You don’t know how long it will last and the moment it goes away, you think you’ll turn into dust at the spot. 

“You’re not doing that,” Jungkook says. His voice is hoarse. Funny how he’s straight out ordering. “It’s going to put Noona in pain.” Mumbles. He doesn’t have to, however. You know it’s the first thing that rings on Jimin’s mind as well. “It’s going to destroy her.” Still Jungkook adds. Voice raising. Dangerously. 

Jimin’s gaze turns to yours. He doesn’t answer Jungkook. But just one look at his eyes you know what he’s about to say. You almost take a step forward when Liya beats you to it. 

“No. No Jimin. No no no… you can’t” She grabs his arm. Only for Jimin to step back, yanking his arm away from her hold. “This will ruin us.” Liya shakes her head frantically. “You’ll never get through the backlash Jimin. This will ruin your whole damn—”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake Liya. Stop pretending. We both know you don’t give a damn about my company. You’re only worried about yours. Don’t try pretending to be a concerned girlfriend, because you’re not.”

“Well, of course I am worried about my company, like I should. But this is going to ruin more than just a company, Jimin. This will ruin my whole damn family. And what are you planning to do? Just give up on everything. Please don’t do this. We have to go with the plan.” Liya’s words turn into a plea at the end. Yet Jimin’s expression doesn’t even falter. He simply shakes his head. 

“I’m not putting her in pain. You created this mess Liya. It doesn’t matter what you wanted to do, it was fucked up to do that anyway.” Jimin takes a step back. 

A strange dread wraps around you. 

“Jimin.” You call him. Ready to ask him not to do that too. He doesn’t let you. 

“No, Lil. I’m not doing that. That’s it.” He states firmly. 

“Well what do you want to do then?” Taehyung asks. 

“We’re- I’m admitting that it wasn’t Liya on the videos. I’ll apologise all they want. I’m gonna admit that I fucked up but I love Lil.” Jimin walks to you. Ignore the way everyone goes berserk.

“Mr. Park.”

“Oh, please, Jimin…”

“Are you serious?”

“What’s even happening?”

Every voice drowns out as Jimin makes it toward you. He cups your face. 

“You need to sleep, Love.” 

……………………….

You tried your best. You talked and talked until you couldn’t anymore. Yet no matter how much you tried, Jimin stayed like a stubborn boulder. He was going to admit it wasn’t Liya on the videos. He was going to admit he was an asshole and a cheater. And then he was going to do his best to try and save his company. According to Jin, that was impossible. Several things were bound to happen. 

First, people were going to give Jimin hell. Second, Mr. Kim was going to pull out. Third, Liya was going to survive as the victim. Fourth, there won’t be a company named R.U.N the next time you come into this world. 

And you felt like shit. This never has been your intention. Still you had no other options but to give up in the end. Jimin wasn’t having any of your nonsense, as he said himself. No one could change his mind. 

That’s how you had to leave with Jungkook. You wanted to go home. You were tired. Pained and in the end were mad. You were burning with anger at how stubborn Jimin was acting. So, you wanted to storm away. You did. You practically threatened Taehyung and took his car with you. You even gave Jungkook the cold shoulder since he was supporting Jimin with everything. 

You were a mad mess when you went to sleep last night. Yet sleep had found you in its all glory the moment your head hit the pillow. You had ignored Jungkook’s request to use the bed and had slept in your good old mattress on the floor. 

Now as the morning has finally arrived and the first thing you can feel is a painful thrum in your head, even before you open your eyes. You groan in pain, keeping your eyes shut as you blindly reach for your bedside drawer where you leave your other phone behind. You’ve learned to leave it behind so you wouldn’t have to worry about losing so many possessions when you wake up in a ridiculous place every time you shift. You stretch your arm to the furthest you can. Something cold grazes your fingers but no matter how much you move your hand around blindly you can’t find the top of the drawer. 

With another annoyed groan you open your eyes, cursing the dull headache. Your sleepy eyes land on a white wall. 

What? 

That’s definitely not a sight you’ve been used to seeing when you wake up in your apartment. 

You furrow your brows in confusion. Turn to your back instantly, staring at the low white ceiling.

Familiar! You’ve stared into the same ceiling so many times but definitely not in the mornings. 

You gasp aloud as you sit back like a broken string of a bow. Your head turning around and taking in everything as fast as you can. 

The couch.

TV.

Coffee table. 

The kitchen at the far corner. 

You’re sleeping on a mattress, which is on the floor. 

You’re still at Jungkook’s place! 

You reach for your phone frantically. Check the time. It’s 7 a.m. And you’re certain you slept last night. You practically passed out for at least a good five hours. This can’t be. Maybe you’re dreaming. You’re supposed to wake up in your apartment. In your world. 

Your swirling thoughts get distracted when you hear a throat clearing. You snap your head to your right at the same time a shirtless Jungkook appears in the living room. Seemingly just woken up. Hair all rumpled and face all adorably puffy. He stretches his arms and yawns. Cracks his stiff neck from side to side. To the right first. Then to the left…

His eyes land on you. He freezes. Just for a fractured second before a loud scream leaves his mouth and he stumbles backward. And you have no idea why you join him with that scream. A one loud scream before you feel your stomach churn and the taste of bile rising up your throat, bitters your mouth. 

You rush to your feet in the next. Don’t pay any mind to still perplexed Jungkook as you disappear inside the bathroom. Throwing your insides out. Only one thing is plaguing your mind. 

You haven’t travelled back home. 

It didn’t happen. 

You didn’t shift. 

Something isn’t right. 

Something has changed. 

Yes it is. 

Things have changed. 

Changed!

..............................................................................................................................

a/n- Leave a note if you enjoyed this one!

..............................................................................................................................

Taglist - @chimmy-licious @graydolan12 @smoljimjim @likemeforme @sugas-baby-girl @canarystwin @jkayy @floboo6 @sunshinenmidnight @fiddlebiddls @unlikelycheesecakeenthusiast @mar-lo-pap @angelicsmilesworld @jimincrystal @datspjm @shakes0peare @butterymin @angellekookie @futuristicenemychaos @minijagiya @anumita-2007 @joulekanitz @llallaaa @fancypeacepersona @annyeongbitch7 @yunki-yunki-yunki @ilovebtsstuff

[thatsmzbitchtoyou]

Mon Cher Chapter 4

*Idea found on TikTok by @yaberdat aka Finnley.*

“A modern day writer exploring a vampire’s estate during the day.  Wondering why a random room was locked.  Until…they find a Victorian painting of themself.”

Previous chapter Next chapter

Y/N trudged out to her car with Bucky right on her heels.  The sun had set and she needed to get back to regular life, which seemed ridiculous.  But since they had planned to change her later, she needed to keep up appearances for the time being.  She put her things in the car and set the pouch necklace on top of the car before turning to him and hugging him tight.  “I’ll be back tomorrow,” she said, squeezing him as hard as she could.

“I won’t be far,” Bucky said, kissing along the side of her face as he hugged her back.  “You may not see me, but I’ll be there.”

Y/N giggled and kissed his lips deeply before pulling away.  “We’ll figure this all out,” she said.  “We are forever, mon cher.”

“We are forever,” he repeated with a sweet smile.  

She opened her car door and was about to get in but then giggled and leapt back into his arms to kiss him again.  Bucky laughed and kissed her back hungrily, squeezing her again before she let go and grabbed the necklace before sitting in the car.  She waved to him as she drove away, her heart hurting to watch him in her rearview, but within the blink of an eye he disappeared.  True to his word, she could feel him but couldn’t see him as she drove home and parked along the street of the bungalow.  Once she got inside she was greeted by loud squeals.

“What took you so long?”

“Are you okay?”

“What happened?”

“Wait, why do you look so…did you go home with someone?”

“Oh my god!”

“You guys, please!” Y/N interrupted Kate and Yelena loudly.  

“No no, explain yourself!” Yelena said indignantly.  “You disappear for a whole weekend and say you’re good but give no explanations—”

“Okay yes, I did,” Y/N admitted, biting back her wide smile.  “I slept with someone.”

The girls squealed and pulled her to the chair in the front room and then plopped themselves down on the couch across from it.  “Spill,” they said at the same time.

Y/N giggled and covered her face for a moment as she blushed.  “His name is Bucky,” she said quietly.

“Bucky?  What kind of name is Bucky?” Kate asked.

“It’s a nickname,” Y/N said with a frown.  “His name is James, but I call him Bucky.”

“Weird, but okay,” Yelena said.  “What else?”

“Well, what else do you want to know?” Y/N asked, unsure of how to spin the fantastical story into something they would understand.

“Where did you meet him?” 

“At the Barnes mansion.”

“What?”

“He’s…the owner there.  He let me take a tour,” Y/N said.  Not a full lie.

“So a tour turned into sleeping over?” Kate asked with a smirk.  

“Well, a tour turned into talking that turned into kissing and then a sleepover,” Y/N shrugged, looking down at her hands in her lap.

They both squealed again.  “Well, is he cute?  I mean, he must be at least a little for you to want to sleep with him,” Kate said.

“Ridiculously handsome,” Y/N said automatically.  “Probably the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”

“Holy shit,” Yelena said with wide eyes.  “You’re down bad for him already!”

“Are you going to see him again?” Kate asked.

“Yeah,” Y/N said with a shy nod.  “I lo–like him,” she quickly corrected.  

“When can we meet the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen?” Yelena asked teasingly.

“Hopefully soon,” Y/N said, happy that they seemed happy for her rather than skeptical.  “I’d love for you guys to meet him.”

“Well, I’m happy for you,” Kate said happily.  “You haven’t dated in a long time.  Hopefully he can give you plenty of sexual healing since that last disaster of a relationship.”

Y/N rolled her eyes as Yelena made a sound of disgust.  “Ugh, don’t remind me,” Yelena said.  “I will track him down and slap him silly again, don’t test me.”

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” Y/N said, raising her hands as she stood up.  “I’m gonna go shower and get ready for bed.”

The girls bid her goodnight and made kissy noises at her as she walked to her bedroom.  She shut the door behind her and started getting her things together for the shower when she heard a tapping on her window.  She froze and looked toward the window, waited for a moment, then heard it again.  She walked to the window and peered outside as best as she could in the dark then gasped when she saw those blue eyes.  She wrenched the window open and gawked at him.

“Bucky?  What are you doing?” Y/N whispered.

“Invite me in doll,” Bucky said, holding himself on the windowsill with ease.

“Oh, right,” Y/N said sheepishly, moving away from the window.  “You’re always welcome.”

Bucky gave her a small smile and lithely hoisted himself into her room, landing without a noise and straightening up to look around the room.  He appraised it for a moment as she closed the window and shut the blinds, then he turned to her with an unreadable expression.  “So I’m ‘ridiculously handsome’ am I?” he asked quietly, his smile turning into a smirk.

Y/N blushed then rolled her eyes at his cheekiness.  “For fuck’s sake,” she huffed.  “You and your damn vampire hearing.”

He chuckled quietly then walked toward her until he could embrace her.  “‘The most beautiful man you’ve ever seen?’” he teased, nuzzling her nose.

“You’re insufferable,” Y/N shook her head at him, wrapping her arms around his back.

“And you’re so fun to tease,” he said, kissing her lips lightly.  “But now I need you to tell me about that disaster of a relationship.”

Y/N stiffened in his arms, her eyes widening for a moment before she looked away from him ashamedly.  “It’s nothing, Buck,” she said quickly.

“Obviously it wasn’t,” Bucky said, his voice harsher than she’d heard it since they’d found each other.  “Who was it?  What happened?”

His hands moved from her back to her face, cupping her cheeks and turning her head to look at him.  Y/N couldn’t say no to him, and knew he wouldn’t give up until she told him.  She sighed heavily and leaned her head against his left hand.  “It was abusive,” she breathed.  She watched his face turn from curious to furious, his hands stiffening on her face.  “His name is Helmut Zemo.  I called him Z.  He was…sweet at first.  But that’s how abusers get ya, you know?” she said with a bitter laugh, shrugging her shoulders.  “Give you a false sense of safety and then slowly change their behavior over time.  It was all emotional and verbal until he…”  She stopped, closing her mouth and tightening her lips as she shut her eyes to stop the onslaught of tears that still welled up after all these years.

Bucky pressed his forehead against hers, nuzzling her nose again as his fingers moved to cradle her by the back of the head and his thumbs wiped away the beginning of those tears about to slip out of the sides of her eyes.  “Until he what?” he asked, his voice barely containing his rage.

Y/N let out a sputtered breath, keeping her eyes closed.  “He didn’t like me saying no,” she whispered.  “So he took what he wanted.”

Bucky let out what she could only describe as a growl, the sound vibrating the air between them.  She shivered at the sound, her eyes snapping open to look at him.  He was reigning in a snarl, and she barely got a peek of his fangs before he closed his mouth and his jaw ticked audibly with how hard he snapped his teeth shut.  His eyelids fluttered closed as he frowned, his nostrils flaring with an angry huff.  He took a moment to breathe before opening his eyes and looking at her with a pained expression.  “I’m so sorry, my darling,” Bucky said lowly, leaning down to kiss her again, but this time more passionately.  “I’ll kill him.”

“Bucky, you don’t–”

“Oh I do,” he said, leaving no room for argument.  “You go wash up and get ready for bed, and I’ll take care of it.  I’ll be back soon.”

“Mon cher–”

Bucky shut her up with a deep kiss, then his touch disappeared and by the time she opened her eyes he was outside again.  He gave her a reassuring smile and a nod before vanishing into the night.  Y/N went over to the window and looked outside, but he was nowhere to be seen.  She left the window open just a crack and then turned to get ready for a shower.  She didn’t know what he would do exactly, but she knew that she’d hear about it on the news.

A few hours later she was awoken to the feeling of the side of her bed dipping down.  She gasped and turned to find Bucky climbing into bed with her.  He was in a different outfit than what she had seen before, and his hair was slightly damp.  “Go back to sleep my darling,” he whispered, gathering her up in his arms as he slid in next to her.  “I took care of it.  You just rest.”

Y/N sighed heavily, turning to face him and snuggling into his chest.  “I love you,” she said sleepily.

“I love you,” he murmured into her hair, kissing along her hairline and down the side of her face as he squeezed her.  “I love you more than life, my darling.  My doll…prettiest doll…my girl…”

She dozed back to sleep with a smile on her face.

***

“Y/N!”

Y/N woke up with a start, sitting straight up in bed as thundering footsteps echoed down the hallway toward her room.  She remembered the night before and panicked, looking around the room, but Bucky wasn’t there.  She sighed heavily as her door flew open and Kate and Yelena nearly fell into the room.  “What?” she asked in annoyance at having to wake up so suddenly.

“First of all, it’s 8:00, you’re going to be late for work,” Kate said.

“And secondly, look!” Yelena said, holding her phone up to Y/N’s face.  

Y/N blinked blearily, trying to focus her eyes on the screen in front of her.  She read the headline then gasped and took Yelena’s phone from her hands.  It read, “Local man found drained of blood and crucified in courtyard of historic Catholic church.” Her eyes widened as she read the article below it and then whispered in shock, “Z?”

“Yes!” Yelena said, her face showing the same shock.  “Can you believe it?  I mean, he deserved it but good Lord.”

She and Kate started coming up with theories about who would do this and why while Y/N sat staring at the phone.  Bucky had done this, and had done it for her.  As horrifying a death as it was, something about the fact that he had done it for her, to protect her, to avenge her, was oddly satisfying.  She smiled when she could feel Bucky’s presence nearby, hidden somewhere in the shadows.  

“Well, either way, justice has been served,” Kate said with finality.  “But we should probably make sure we’re doing the buddy system when we go out.”

“When do we ever not?” Yelena asked, walking forward and taking her phone out of Y/N’s hands.  “Get ready for work, missy.  And let us know when we can meet your beautiful man.”

Y/N snorted and pushed her away, making Yelena and Kate laugh before walking away and shutting her door behind them.  She sat in silence for a moment, feeling a strange peace spread through her as Bucky appeared from her closet.  “You alright, doll?” he asked quietly, walking over to lock her door and then heading towards her.

“I…yeah,” she breathed, watching him as he approached her and then kneeled down at the edge of the bed.  She swung her legs over the edge on either side of him and hugged him.  “It’s a bit weird to thank you for killing someone for me, but also incredibly romantic of you.”

Bucky chuckled as he kissed her neck, licking over her jugular.  “I did it before, and I’ll do it again.  Anything for you, my love.  I’d burn this world down just for you.”

Y/N shivered at the promise in his voice and the way he was kissing her.  “Mon cher,” she moaned.  “How am I supposed to go back to normal life when I know you’re here now?  Going to work, paying bills, grocery shopping, it all just seems pointless.”

She could feel him smile against her throat before pulling away to look at her.  “Just a couple more months, Y/N.  You’ll have fun with your friends but introduce them to your new boyfriend,” he paused, a playful frown forming on his face.  “That sounds weird.”

“It does, because you’re so much more,” Y/N giggled, kissing the tip of his nose.

He smiled.  “You’ll keep working, help them with the rent, then after Halloween and your 30th birthday move in with the most beautiful man who will take care of you for the rest of your short human life, and into the next.”  He kissed her lips.  “And we’ll be together forever, like we always planned.  We will never lose each other again.”

“We are forever,” Y/N nodded, kissing him back passionately.  

Bucky suddenly hauled himself up and made her lay back on the bed, his knee resting on the bed between her legs as he hovered over her and continued kissing her.  She felt herself getting lost in the sensation of his intoxicating kisses and his body above her as his hands felt all over her greedily.  She moaned and his left hand moved up and wrapped around her throat, squeezing to make her stop.  “Ssh my darling,” he murmured against her lips.  “Or they’ll hear you.”  Y/N whimpered quietly, her eyes pleading with him.  “Keep quiet doll, and I’ll fill you up, have you thinking of me all day while you’re at work.  But you’re definitely going to be late…”

[vaguely-concerned]

it's so interesting that gideon opens his heart so quickly and completely and irrevocably to twig, while regarding mishka -- a parallel little sister/kid figure with some worrying hag magic attached, who also is in a situation similar to and has overlapping trauma with his own; they both have the scars of manacles around their wrists and are exploited for some inborn capacity other people want to make use of -- with such measured distanced distrust. and any reason you want to imagine there makes so much sense! it could be it's just too much like his own situation and he can't go there without getting into contact with things in himself he'd rather not feel or remember. might be instinctive flinch-away from still dealing with what happened to twig (and then jabberwock party wipe horror on top of that as a further attachment anxiety booster -- he didn't see kremy die since he's the first to go, but he sure gets to hear the story afterwards), and not wanting to risk that pain again so soon. twig meeting him at a moment where he was ready to let someone into his fiercely guarded in-group, and mishka didn't? just plain differences in personal chemistry (again... mishka is a lot like him in a lot of ways. perhaps. too much for comfort from some angles)?

if his trauma brain has decided that NO I've got kremy under one wing and twigsy under the other and sorry kid I only have two fucking wings, nothing is ever going to take this from me again while I'm alive to fight for it (the way they took my dad and my home and all those years of my life)... biggest FAIR ENOUGH GID! AS YOU WERE GID YOU DO YOU GID!! in history honestly even if it is a bit unfair to mishka

[quietwingsinthesky]

on the one hand, syndicate’s resolution of jacob & evie’s overarching fight feels sort of rushed and unearned, but on the other hand, if i was in an argument with my sister and then some fucking guy tried to kill her in front of me, yeah, that might not solve all the reasons behind the argument but it would make me go ‘oh! right! i never want to live in a world without you!’ and stop us from fighting. so that bit’s actually quite realistic.

[watermelinoe]

why does every medical practitioner think they know more than you

[ducktollers]

me on that next episode button when season 8 episode 16 ‘secrets and lies’ queues up

[cosmicterrorthe8th]

Another Grant headcanon:

I think he wrote love notes when in relationships, and he went all out with like making the paper scented and stuff. But like he had no good perfume so he ended up using his horrible body spray. So like the lucky boyfriend would like find a paper reeking of the body spray like every once in a while.

Also I think he was someone who fell deep into romance because having a crush and feeling butterflies in his stomach was better than numbness. So he would pursue every crush even if he knew it would not end well because of the thrill of it. I think this sucked but I think he atleast felt like this is a normal way for life to suck.

[camgirlkaminari]

i just caught up with the latest chapters and like. those dudes definitely made out right? like that's not even subtext? like horikoshi fully said one and two absolutely went hog wild upon each other like. in the text, right??????? I have other, more cool and normal thoughts, but what is really important to me right now is that. those dudes definitely canonically got nasty. right???????????????????

[deerest-deer]

thinking really hard about logging into my old tumblr acc after being gone for like a year and a half cause i stumbled upon a post that led me to my old mutuals and i teared up a lil </3 but also i feel so ashamed i left without saying a word to anyone aaaa

[iceeericeee]

I wonder how many tags i can add on to this

[hershelwidget]

i think it would be funny if for the theatre reveal it’s just an ABSURDLY long bit where a small rock containing theatre’s “true name” is rolling around on the ship and everyone is failing miserably to catch it. nobody ever fucking grabs the rock but to save them some time i do allow for the players to See what is written on it but as soon as its said whats written on it i disband the party and this all happens on april fools so nobody believes me