#my estranged fiance x you were in my song

[merrysithmas]

how john and paul referred to their music as "their children" - last night i was watching some old interviews on youtube and john referred to eleanor rigby as "paul's baby but i provided the education"

like the way they cleverly rigged the legal system into marrying them as Lennon/McCartney via business & the way they referred to their music as their children (and the breakup of their legal musical partnership as a literal Divorce) ~~

it's just so big 1960s vindictive queer galaxy brain and deserves an award

[dorkyungsoowrites]

Fatal Ties Ch. 6

Pairings: Baekhyun x You

Genre: Angst/Smut/Fluff | Mafia AU

Warnings: Mild Violence

Word Count: 4.1k

Description: Baekhyun gets his reward for behaving, and you get a surprise.

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | The Ending |

The day started off well. Kyungsoo took personal leave so you didn't have to worry about your fiance trying to strangle him. Baekhyun felt assured upon hearing you'd heal within the week and followed you around silently. After ogling at the interior of your club. He'd expected it to be some grungy warehouse where idiots grind mindlessly on each other to a deafening bass like rodents in heat. Instead he was met with four floors of the excessively wealthy gambling and boozing and smoking. All within the greatest of taste, of course. A bar and casino on the first floor with lush carpets and big chairs meant for the deep pockets of the city. Without all the flash and glitter of Las Vegas where they used it to cover the dirt. The second floor was a show room. It had a stage large enough for big bands to play and a small kitchen to serve food to all the tables around. There was a singer twice a week or else it stayed serving as a normal restaurant. It was all the class and elegance of the old clubs with modern convenience. The third floor was sectioned off for smoking and leisure with its own dedicated bar. There were a few billiard tables and seating areas to match. Then to the side opposite the bar were two large rooms meant for hookah. You had banned cigars and cigarettes for their awful smell and installed vents with fans. People still managed to keep the atmosphere inside cloudy, but most of the customers who use them prefer it that way. Less visibility for their shady deals. Your runners knew those rooms very well. It was the best spot to transfer your products.

When you reached the top floor Baekhyun was surprised to find a whole home. A small kitchen and a living room. Two bedrooms and an office that mimicked the one in your manor minus the bookshelves. All modern and minimalistic. He came into the office with you. Once he thought you were alone he began his questioning, and you turned on the computer. Waiting for it to boot up.

"So every time you mentioned your club you meant, like, a membership club?"

"What an astute observation."

"Then where do you make the drugs?"

"I don't make them. Even if I did you think I'd make them here? Do you think I'm an idiot? It's outsourced."

"To who?"

"If I told you that that would defeat the purpose of it being secret."

"And what's that?"

"Impunity."

"The people you have this deal with know," he argued.

"The people who know have a great reason not to disclose any information that could trace back to me."

"To live, is that right?" You smiled and put your hands in your pockets.

"He's learning," you praised.

"But I thought you were one of the city's' top mafia leaders. If you only distribute the drugs, aren't you just a middle man?"

"It's all very clever isn't it?" A new voice cut in. A man in sweatpants, hoodie and bed-head strolled in. The bleach in his hair was fading. Making it appear more sandy than blonde. He came around you and plopped in the desk chair. Smirking like he was about to say something smart. Head tilted as he spoke to Baekhyun. "The people in their warehouses cook up the drugs, we provide means of distribution while not technically having anything to do with it, scam the rich assholes, and we get all the credit. By word of mouth anyway. Legally we have no ties. After all, what could an upstanding business owner have to do with the cartel? It's like we don't even exist." He smiled. "You must be the future hubby. Name's Greased Lightning. I live here." You rolled your eyes.

"No one calls you that. What Jongdae is trying to say," you continued. "Is you don't end up owning a private club and living in a mansion with around the clock security by peddling cocaine to junkies. There's no real profit in selling drugs on the street. If there were, more people would do it. No, that was in the old days when my father started this. Blue collar crime is where the real money lies. Tax evasion, real estate. The drugs are to satisfy the fat, bored, rich cunts that visit. It's influence and credibility. My real talent is in screwing with the books of my business."

"And hiring the best hacker in the world to hide what you do," Jongdae boasted. You smirked and glanced his way. His attention snapped to you. Sitting up to be closer.

"You are very clever. I'd call you a genius, but I'm in the room." He chuckled. Gaze sliding down to your backside. Your voice called him back to the present. Having fun with your usual harmless banter. "I've already warned you once; touch me and you lose whichever hand did it."

"What if it's not my hand?" the man teased.

"Then I'll feed you your own cock."

"A dream come true, really."

"The mafia isn't all about busting heads, Baekhyun. Despite how I make it seem sometimes."

"So how do you manage all of this? It's like five businesses in one building," your intended spoke up. Jongdae turned to the computer and started working on something.

"How does your father manage all of his hotels?"

"With a system of managers like every other hotel."

"Same principal," you shrugged. "I wouldn't get any sleep otherwise." Baekhyun nodded. Brow slightly furrowed as he finished processing everything. Jongdae tapped your leg and pointed at the monitor. Security footage of a twitchy patron rubbing just under his nose. Your smile dropped with your good mood. "Isn't it early to be doing this bullshit?" you muttered with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Baekhyun asked. Curiosity piqued.

"Someone broke the rules~" Jongdae sing-songed ominously. Laughing afterward.

"What rules?"

"Normal club etiquette," you answered. "But the one I take the most serious is using my products on these grounds. It's too risky with all the people that come here and all the ways forensics can trace shit."

"So what'll it be this time?" the hacker asked gleefully. "Disgrace? Fines? Revoking?" You glanced at the footage again. Contemplating your options.

"I was in a good mood until now...but...family?" Jongdae pulled up his member profile and scanned through.

"An estranged sister."

"Close enough. I haven't demonstrated how grievous rule breaking is in quite some time. What do you say to opening him up balls to brains and seeing what he's made of?" Jongdae snorted. Already typing up the termination of his membership.

"Probably just sewer water and a peanut for brains."

"Think you can arrange something tonight?"

"Sure thing." Your eyes caught another name on the list of members. Some son who was the only survivor in a car crash. He wasn't too well liked, but he comes every few days to gamble on the first floor. You see him a lot. He was very respectful and kind. You pointed him out over Jongdae's shoulder.

"Him too."

"What?"

"Make sure the members know they died. They'll get the message."

"But he hasn't done anything wrong."

"Oh my sweet, sweet Jongdae," you crooned. Patting his head and tussling his already messy hair. "Haven't you learned by now? A person with no motive is a person no one suspects. If your enemies don't know who you're loyal to, or what you want, they can't predict what you'll do next."

"The police will come to question you," Baekhyun realized aloud. You held back a smile. Walking toward him. "Their first instinct will tell them they're connected murders. When they hear you had no motive for the second man they won't suspect you of the rule breakers murder either." Raising a hand, you brushed a lock of hair away from his bandage and pressed the tape down flat again that had begun peeling off. Lingering on his cheek as you lowered your hand. His skin was so soft and smooth. You briefly wondered if he was just as soft everywhere else. You suspected he was. The night before when he was practically bare you didn't notice any obvious scars, and he was always so well groomed you imagined he had more products than you.

"You learn quick for a puppy." Baekhyun's warm brown eyes crinkled at the corners. "Have a seat and keep learning, pup." So he did. He sat in a chair beside you and watched you work the rest of the morning. Filling out paperwork and making phone calls to order inventory and problem solving in-house disputes with managers. Jongdae floated in and out as he worked. Quietly concentrating. Baekhyun mostly behaved. Doing his best to stay out of your way and not talk, but it wasn't long before he grew bored. You were able to placate him by playing music. He would tap his toes on tempo and stand to stretch and pace a little. Get the restless nerves out before sitting down to watch over your shoulder again. When lunch time came you were going to order food, but he begged he go down to the kitchen himself and pick it up so he didn't feel so trapped. You allowed him and ate in your office.

Once all that was done and over you called for Chanyeol and you left the club to go to the tailor. You did promise his mother you'd have matching ties for the wedding. The owner of the shop knew you well and left you to do office work while you picked out what you liked. First was choosing a type. Past the tables of vests and cumberbuns and pants, and the walls that looked as if they were made of different suit parts of all different colors, was a podium. A small circular one with three angled mirrors much taller than any human for trying on items. In the far back of the shop were private fitting rooms, but this podium would do. You directed Baekhyun on it and went to the right. There was a large display case there from your shins to a little over your head. Just next to the check-out desk. It was a 4x15 grid of ties. All different fabrics and patterns to showcase the options available for the tailor to customize.

"Bow tie or regular?" you asked over your shoulder.

"Oh, you're letting me choose?"

"It's your wedding too."

"Well I just figured since you want me out of the way that you'd...do everything...for me..." As his reply had come out of his mouth he realized how dumb it sounded. When you glanced back at him with a raised eyebrow he averted his gaze shamefully. Holding his hands behind himself so you wouldn't see how he nervously fidgeted as much.

"I'm not your mother, and you're not a child." You picked up a plain black tie in both styles and came back to him. Standing beside him so you could hold up each in the mirror for him to see. "Do you know why I showed you how my business works?"

"It's my reward for being good at the meeting last night right? I'm spending more time with you," Baekhyun answered. Watching you in the mirror instead of the tie you held to his collar.

"Partly. If something happens to me someone needs to know how to run this place. There are a few key people who have their hands in with me that know just from experience, but they'd never want to be the boss. They know, and they know when to bail. I suspect you don't. And that's a compliment. You proved you're resilient and clever, and passionate. I need someone who won't give up on this business. I've sacrificed too much for it to get torn down the second I'm gone; with Jongdae and a few others squabbling over who gets the biggest share of money then disappearing and leaving this city to rot. Since I can't make my own heirs I'll need to teach one. I don't know if you'll be a worthy successor, but there are a lot of lessons so we have to start early. Whether I trust you or not. Think of it as a test. And who knows, maybe I'll decide you're too weak and toss you out in the garbage. We'll have to see."

"Regular," Baekhyun told you resolutely. It was almost too easy to control him. Give him one tiny taste of a treat and he heels like a show dog. It would be a piece of cake keeping him in line. He might even grow into a fighting dog one day. You smiled and put away the ties. Searching for a nice cool color on a regular tie. Something solid. Patterns would be too loud; especially against your white tuxedo. The man behind you spoke up again, but quieter this time. Almost afraid. "Does this mean you'll have me...kill people?"

"If it comes to that," you answered. Nonchalant about the whole affair.

"You've...done it...a lot?" You plucked a navy swatch and a teal tie and turned around. Standing beside him.

"I've done what's necessary to protect my business and my people. Does that frighten you, pup?" You looked at his reflection while he looked at you. Thinking. Measuring. You held the options to his chest and shook your head. Too dark and too green. You put them back. Searching the display case again. You still felt his stare on you however. Maybe you were wrong about him, you sighed internally. Maybe he was too delicate after all. If he couldn't make the hard decisions then you were all fucked. He needed to understand that this job would drag him into hell and back. You picked a lighter blue tie and explained as you walked onto the podium with him. "We're all villains in this line of work. You have to be a certain breed of morally deprived to do this job." You wrapped the cloth around his neck. Tucking it under his collar then beginning to tie it. Speaking low and slow. "If I have any soul left it's black as the deepest sin. There's no redemption for all the horrors I've done. You should keep that in mind when you find you're deluding yourself into thinking you like me. I'm not a good person." Before you pulled the tie through the final loop your eyes flickered up to meet his. His expression wasn't wary or afraid like you thought though. Instead his dark brown eyes were hot on yours and you had to keep the surprise from showing on your face. The deep understanding in his gaze--the desire--strangled your heart in your chest.

"There are plenty worse than you." His voice was soft but firm. Telling you the comfort to the words was genuine. That's when you remembered his family. Since his mother married his step-dad he's had to live with monsters and demons. Submit to them. Do their bidding. From his perspective being given away to you like he was another piece of their merchandise must have been a small saving grace. This man has witnessed some of the lowest wrungs humans are capable of reaching. All while staying so soft. Of course he wasn't afraid of you. He was stronger than you might ever know. It was a matter of bringing that forward and honing it for your legacy's benefit. You licked your lips and pulled the fabric. Finishing the knot that makes a tie and tightening it to fit properly.

"I'm just using you for this contract," you shook off. Downplaying all you'd showed and told him about that day. Hand smoothing the tie. You still couldn't be sure he wasn't working for his family like he admitted to the night before. He said he couldn't be their informant. He backed that up with actions, but a man who betrays his family so easily can't be trusted. He needed to believe what you did today was unimportant. There was no need to tell his family what happened if it was unimportant. "You're nothing but a business asset that I can play with however I please in my free time."

"Then use me." Your movements slowed at hearing this. Palm halting on the center of his chest. "Use me like a toy." Suddenly you were acutely aware of how close you were to Baekhyun. Feeling your face warm at the unsaid implications. If he just put his head forward a bit he could kiss you. In another life maybe you would let him. Maybe if you weren't the boss and he wasn't their puppet you would stumble into one of the private changing rooms. Maybe you'd get lost in each other as he fucked you on the floor until you had carpet burn all down your back and stars behind your eyes. Maybe even a tiny part of you wished for that. But he didn't kiss you, and you didn't kiss him. You straightened his collar over the tie, grabbed the knot at the base of his throat, pulled him slowly close enough to see the variations in his irises, and warned him.

"It's easy to break pretty things." You saw the corner of his mouth twitch up in amusement.

"You think I'm pretty?"

"You think I'm blind?" Releasing him to create space, Baekhyun grinned warmly. You put your hands in your pockets. Admiring his final look. Your assumption was correct for color choice. Blue looked striking on him. It made his dark hair stand out more and created an almost glow to his skin. He looked like a prince charming type. Ready to drink beside you and whisper sweet nothings in your ear at your wedding reception. Ready to sell the lie that you were in love.

"I'll do it."

"Do what?"

"Anything you want. Be your heir, your pet puppy, your sham trophy husband, your spy. Hell, I'll be your damn mailman if you want me to. I just want one thing in return."

"Seems overly generous. Must be something big." He reached out and took your chin gently. Making sure you wouldn't look away.

"I'm not your enemy. I don't have hidden agendas to overthrow or kill you. This isn't a game where you find out what I want to 'defeat' me. When we're married I'll be yours...and you'll be mine."

"You'll be mine..." you pondered aloud. His fingers shifted. Ghosting up your cheek. The touch was so tender you had to hold your breath to prevent it from faltering. To stop him from seeing you were affected. That you wanted his hand to stay. "I like that." He nodded.

"And you'll be mine." You hummed and smiled. He mimicked you. A small twinkle of hope in his eyes.

"We'll see about that." Surprisingly he didn't back down, and it wasn't in a way you could've predicted. He let you go. Leaving you colder than before, but his words were promising. Threatening almost. Teasing at something darker in his character. Something that made your knees weaker.

"You will."

"So," you spoke slowly. Brain coming out from a strange fog you hadn't realized was there. Thoughts coming straighter again. "How do you like this tie?" He loosened it so you thought he was going to disagree with your choice. Instead he took it and draped it over your head. Then he turned you around to face the mirrors. Reaching around you to tighten the knot. You weren't wearing the proper shirt for a tie so he did his best. Straightening the end then resting his hands on your shoulders. Sliding down a bit to your biceps and squeezing gently. His breath on your ear.

"It'll be amazing and beautiful. Like you, boss. We'll look divine side by side. The whole world will stop for us." You were tensed. Feeling the edges of a shiver at the nape of your neck and sides. Baekhyun admired you in the mirror. The tape on his bandage peeling off his head again. You had the inexplicable urge to tilt your own and reach back to touch his face. Guide his mouth to your neck. To feel his lips on your skin. He would, if you told him to. He'd completely ravage you until you could barely speak. Unquestionably. Baekhyun would do anything you ordered him to. That was what stayed your hand and kept your neck stiff. Walking off the podium and un-doing the knot while you called for the owner. Baekhyun was too broken in, and at the moment you were still too broken. Hateful at how you were forbidden from sexual activities until you recovered from Kyungsoo's...lapse in clarity.

Once the owner came out and the matching ties were paid for you were back in the car with Chanyeol driving you home. Whatever music he had picked out humming quietly on the stereo. Baekhyun beside you in the back seat. You could tell he was thinking over something carefully. So you waited for him to come forward with it while watching the city skyscrapers disappear. Replaced with winding roads and suburban housing. Grocery stores and gas stations that had fast food places attached. Taking your regular route through construction areas that never seemed to get done and a less than nice neighborhood.

"Will you train me to fight?" There it was. You took your attention off the road where you were watching the potholes you drive by almost every day get bigger and deeper. Looking over at Baekhyun.

"What?"

"I want to prove I'm loyal to you now. So I should learn how to shoot a gun, right? And fist fighting? Like self defense?"

"You should, but I don't have the time. I'll have one of my guards train you."

"But I want to learn from you. Maybe just, like, joining you for your morning workout?"

"You mean beating you up instead of that sandbag? Your father would never sign if he saw you covered in bruises."

"I can take it," he assured. "Just don't hit anywhere visible like my face. I learn fast anyway. I doubt you'll get that many hits on me."

"You didn't look that tough last night in your underwear," you scoffed.

"I am," Baekhyun argued. "I'm the toughest of my brothers. I can prove it. Teach me."

"The toughest of your brothers but you haven't ever shot a--" You were interrupted by a concussive noise and a dull crack. Baekhyun jumped in his seat. You knew the sound of a gun and immediately became alert. Whipping your head to the side to see your window.

There was a decent crater of white on the top left side where the bulletproof window caught the impact of a bullet. Outer rings of cracks circling the main area where it hit and spread into smaller ones that stretched the whole window. Making it hard to see out of properly. Layers of glass and plastic protecting you. It was lucky. The body of the car wasn't bulletproof. You looked behind you and saw an older car pulling out onto the road from one of the driveways. Most likely stolen from the owners of the home. This wasn't any misfired street scuffle. The gunshot was their queue to engage.

"It's an ambush!" you called out to Chanyeol. Unbuckling so you could twist around, raise a knee onto the seat and pull your gun from its holster in one swift movement. Now fully facing the back.

"Shit!" Chanyeol cursed in frustration and slight panic. The car jerked as he stomped on the gas pedal. Putting distance between you and the other car as best as he could. "Hold on! I'll lose 'em!" An arm reached out from the car tailing you. Another gunshot rang in the air and you heard the metals hollow screech as it connected with the bumper. Chanyeol turned roughly to a side street, and you had to catch yourself from toppling into Baekhyun. You only had a few seconds to think of what to do before they rounded the corner with you. So you looked at Baekhyun. Delicate, soft Baekhyun whose eyes were wider than you'd ever seen staring right back at you. Lips slightly parted, chest heaving with shallow breaths. Frozen in shock.

"Put your legs on the seat and get down," you commanded. Out of the corner of your eye you saw the car turn the corner. The people in this car needed protecting. That's all you could think. Chanyeol and Baekhyun needed to stay safe. Adrenaline rising with your impatience at not being listened to. It was take action or die in these situations. There was no freezing up like a scared animal. So you shoved Baekhyun's shoulder with your free hand. Bunching the fabric with no finesse and pulling hard. Glaring at him with all the fire you could muster. "Get down or I'll put you down!"